Periyar E.V. Ramasamy – TNPSC Notes


 

Full Name: Erode Venkatappa Ramasamy

Popularly Known As: Periyar ("Respected One")
Born: September 17, 1879 – Erode, Tamil Nadu
Died: December 24, 1973 – Vellore, Tamil Nadu

Early Life and Background

  • Born in a wealthy merchant family.

  • Left school early and managed family business.

  • Travelled to various places and observed social inequalities.

Social and Political Contributions

1. Self-Respect Movement (1925)

  • Founded by Periyar to fight caste discrimination and promote rationalism.

  • Emphasized self-respect, equality, and women's rights.

2. Dravidian Movement

  • Advocated for Dravidian identity and against Brahminical dominance.

  • Opposed Hindi imposition; supported Tamil language and culture.

3. Role in Justice Party

  • Took leadership of the Justice Party in 1938.

  • Merged it with the Self-Respect Movement to form Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) in 1944.

4. Anti-Caste Advocacy

  • Strongly opposed the caste system and untouchability.

  • Called for the destruction of the Manusmriti and idol worship.

5. Women's Rights

  • Supported widow remarriage, women's education, and gender equality.

  • Opposed child marriage and promoted inter-caste marriages.

Major Agitations

  • Vaikom Satyagraha (1924–25): Participated to allow lower castes access to temple roads in Kerala.

  • Anti-Hindi Agitation (1937–40): Protested against compulsory Hindi in schools.

Legacy

  • Known as the "Father of the Dravidian Movement."

  • Inspired the formation of DMK and other Dravidian parties.

  • Advocated rationalism, atheism, and scientific temper.

  • Statues, educational institutions, and schemes named in his honor.

Key Quotes

“Wisdom lies in thinking. The spear-head of thinking is rationalism.”

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