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        There is a myth that quality literature always comes from Hindi, in other words from the North. But Tamil writers in deep South have come up with works which are cut above the rest and have broken that myth, said writer Jayakanthan.

        Speaking at a function organised yesterday to felicitate noted Tamil writer Mu Metha on being conferred the Sahithya Akademi award, Jayakanthan said, 'the soul of Indian literature lies in South. Writers from Tamilnadu have sung more about the Himalayas and the Ganges. Lack of recognition for us in North is not our fault but is their folly, he said.

        Heaping laurels on Metha, Jayakanthan said, 'though the award has come late for Metha, it has done the contemporary Tamil writers proud.'

        Noted lyricist Pa Vijay, said, 'the conferring of Sahithya Akademi Award on Metha is a honour not for the writer but for the award'.

        It was Metha's writings which inspired me to develop a passion for Tamil and try my skills at penning poems, he added.

        Speaking on the occasion, veteran lyricist Valee said that he always holds Metha in high esteem.

        Recalling his association with Metha for over three decades, he said, ' it was Metha's poem on Prophet Mohammed which inspired me to pen Avathara Purushan on Lord Rama.'

        A writer, lyricist and film producer, Metha had emerged successful in all his endeavours, he said. Others who spoke on the occasion were poets Sirpi, Bala and Palanibharathy and Muthulingam.

        The event was organised by Kavitha, Narmadha, Thirumagal and Kumaran Publications.