Thandhai Periyar

Today is the Birth day of the great man E. V. Ramasamy popularly known as Periyar.

Periyar was born as Erode Venkata Ramasami Naikar on September 17, 1879, in the town of  Erode, Tamil nadu. Periyar's father, a rich businessman, was Venkatappa Naikar, and his mother was Chinna Thayammal. Periyar attended school for five years after which he joined his father's trade at the age of 12.

Periyar Ramaswamy joined the Indian National Congress in 1919 after quitting his business and resigning from public posts. He held the chairmanship of Erode Municipality and  undertook constructive programs spreading the use of Khadi, picketing toddy shops, boycotting shops selling foreign cloth, and eradicating untouchability.

In 1937, when the government required that Hindi be taught in the school system, Periyar organized opposition through the Justice Party to this policy

At a rally in 1944, Periyar, in his capacity as the leader of the Justice Party, declared that the party would henceforth be known as the Dravidar Kazhagam or "Dravidian Association". This party was led by veteran Justice Party leader P. T. Rajan and survived till 1957.

Periyar propagated the principles of rationalism, self-respect, women’s rights and eradication of caste. He opposed the exploitation and marginalization of the non-Brahmin indigenous Dravidian peoples of Sout India and the imposition of, what he considered, Indo-Aryan India.

His work has greatly revolutionized Tamil society and has significantly removed caste-based discrimination. He is also responsible for bringing new changes to the Tamil alphabet. However, at the same time, Periyar is also held responsible for making controversial statements on the Tamil language, Dalits and Brahmins and for endorsing violence against Brahmins.

The citation awarded by the UNESCO described Periyar as "the prophet of the new age, the Socrates of South East Asia, father of social reform movement and arch enemy of ignorance, superstitions, meaningless customs and base manners.

Periyar died on December 24, 1973 aged 94.

There is so many things to say about Periyar and his social work. still there is lot of research is going on about periyar's life and his thoughts and principles.

He fought against all the social evils. he tried to eradicate the caste difference and social problems of women and the blind belief of the people.

The young generation should study  and learn from his life and principles.