Renowned art director Thota Tharani has been chosen for the prestigious French honor of Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters. Alliance Française Madras made this announcement.Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister and renowned producer Udhayanidhi Stalin and director and actor Prabhudeva on Wednesday congratulated National Award-winning art director Thota Tharani on being selected for the prestigious Chevalier Award by the Government of France.
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The Chief Minister noted that on September 4, during his visit to Britain, he had unveiled the portrait of renowned social reformer Thanthai Periyar (E V Ramaswamy) painted by Tharani at St Antony’s College, Oxford University.
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“It is an honor to see Thota Tharani, who studied at the Government College of Arts, joining the ranks of great personalities of India to receive this award,” Stalin said in a social media post on Wednesday.Congratulations on your remarkable achievement.
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami said in his congratulatory message, “I heartily congratulate renowned art director Thota Tharani on being awarded the prestigious French honor ‘Chevalier’.”
Later in a post on social media, Palaniswami said, “May this award shine as another precious jewel in the crown of his many outstanding achievements in art direction.”
T. Mathew, Ambassador of France to India, will confer one of France’s most prestigious honors on Tharani on November 13, a press release issued by the Alliance Française Madras said. Top Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, contemporary artist Bharti Kher, music director Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, among others, have been honored with this prestigious award.
Meanwhile, actor and director Prabhudeva also congratulated the art director on his ex-timeline. Prabhudeva wrote, “Hearty congratulations to Thota Tharani Sir on being awarded the prestigious Chevalier Award by the Government of France.”
France’s highest award goes to Thota Dharani sir, an amazing art director who puts imaginations in front of our eyes #Chevalier I am glad to know that the award has been announced. #Oxford Hon’ble Chief Minister of the University @mkstalin They recently opened… pic.twitter.com/mCpWBEFnD3
— Udhay – I will not let Tamil Nadu bow down (@Udhaystalin) November 12, 2025