Who and What Drove Thanthai Periyar?

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WHO AND WHAT DROVE THANTHAI PERIYAR?

An analysis of influencers

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Who and What drove Thanthai Periyar?

Abhijit Reddy Budur, Amita Gupta, Ashwin Anand, Gokuul V, Krutika Vachhani, Nakul Agrawal

Introduction 

Erode Venkatappa Ramasamy Naicker fondly called as Thanthai Periyar by the people of Tamil Nadu marks his presence in history as an active social leader who strived hard to uproot the casteism practice in the state of Tamil Nadu. The founder of the Self-Respect movement and the Dravidar Kazhagam, a revered activist who opposed the Brahmin power influence in Tamil Nadu. When the entire leadership of the Indian National Congress was trying to drive the British out of the country he focussed on creating a secular society where people lived without the domination of Aryans. His writings and speeches inspired people to rationalize their thinking and his legacy continues even today as only Dravidian parties( Common People Party) have mostly ruled Tamil Nadu since Independence.[pic 4]

The Impact of Thanthai Periyar on the state of Tamil Nadu can be truly ascertained if one just looks at the Names of the people in Tamil Nadu. About 83% of the people of Tamil Nadu don’t include their caste names. This all started when he said,

“I, Erode Venkatappa Ramasamy Naicker, will henceforth be called as E V Ramasamy.”

He inspired millions to just drop their caste names and the integration just happened. Although, there are many significant points to be discussed about this legend, the paper only aims to understand the events and the people who inspired/ motivated Periyar to breakdown an infinite continuum of challenges that came his way.

Renunciation enlightens Rationalism:

Periyar was from a wealthy family, stopped education after 5years, married soon after at the young age of 13. Even when he was very young it is said he would object to the Vaishnavite Gurus subjecting Dravidians to discrimination. He was daring individual and never hesitated to cross boundaries. An incident in 1902 where Periyar helped the police catch a legal warrant issued Brahmin violated the Manu Shastras and Periyar was severely reprimanded. This inspired him to create Samabandhi (Inter-caste dining).

A harsh reproach from his father made Periyar give up his wealthy life and submit himself to sainthood. As a part of his pilgrimage he went to Kasi, the holy gateway to heaven of India. He was very hungry and therefore approached a Brahmin’s mess which was serving food and he was thrown out as he wasn’t a Brahmin. It is to be noted that he went in disguise. This incident and the other sightings at Kasi such as dead bodies on water, beggars begging for their life etc. infuriated Periyar. Kasi was considered to be a holy place but the discrimination practised by the Brahmins was horrendous. This was the incident that triggered the rationalism in him and he decided to go back to his normal life.

He started managing the family business but always was compassionate for all other castes. The reason for this mind set is still a mystery to many researchers. When Erode was infected with plague he buried the dead bodies as that was the rational thing to do, so that the spread of the virus is stopped and untouchability never bothered him.

Your ideal = my ideal = Friendship:

Biographical writings on Periyar mention some of his friends who served as inspirations and influencers. These include:[pic 5]

Periyar’s friendship with Rajagopalachari is noteworthy. Rajaji was a complete Brahmin, followed all the shastras, highly educated and believed firmly in God. . They were the exact opposites of each other. Hindi imposition and many more suppression programmes by Rajaji were vehemently opposed by Periyar. Despite, political differences they were great friends. Periyar made many decisions both in his political and professional life in consultation with Rajaji. It can be said that, Rajaji made Periyar idolize the enemy but also inspired him to see the sheer devotion and brilliance that a Brahmin can exert in solving society’s macro scale problems.[pic 6]

The Lenin-Marx Transfer:

Periyar in his 50s visited many European countries like France, Portugal, Spain, Germany, Egypt and most importantly Russia. Russia is where Periyar learnt about how to make a social organization using Karl Marx’s principles. He was attracted to it because it followed his one policy “People above everything”. There was no role for God or Master in the system and it was based only on maximizing welfare for the masses. There was no discrimination. He spent 3 months in Russia and when he returned he started Socialist principle in Tamil Nadu through the self-respect league in collaboration with another scholar named Singaravelu. Periyar went as far as demanding a sovereign state for Tamils.[pic 7]

At this point of time Periyar believed in Rationalism and Socialism. He firmly was in the belief that the double whammy created by these philosophies would bring a caste free society in India. In fact, he parted from the Congress because he felt that the INC only served as a body for the Brahmins to exercise control over the entire Indian population. He extended support to the Justice Party and the Socialist Party. While the entire leadership of the congress was fighting for the exit of the British from India Periyar focussed on making a society with no discrimination, good knowledge transfer, self-respect, rationalism, respect and equal opportunity for women because transfer of power from the British to Aryans will create no difference to people if they don’t enjoy civil liberties.