Periyar E. V. Ramasamy
| Erode Venkata Ramasamy | |
|---|---|
Periyar during his early life as a merchant
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| Born |
17 September 1879 Erode, Madras Presidency, British India |
| Died | 24 December 1973 (aged 94) Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Other names | E.V.R., Periyar, Vaikam Veerar, |
| Organization |
Indian National Congress, Justice Party Founder of Dravidar Kazhagam |
| Movement | Self-Respect Movement, Dravidian Nationalism |
| Awards | UNESCO (1970) |
Erode Venkata Ramasamy (17 September 1879 – 24 December 1973), commonly known as Periyar also referred as E. V. R. or Thanthai Periyar , was an Indian social activist, freedom fighter and politician who started the Self-Respect Movement and Dravidar Kazhagam.
E.V. Ramasamy was born in Erode, Madras Presidency to a wealthy family of Balijas. At a young age, he witnessed numerous incidents of caste and gender discrimination.
E.V. Ramasamy joined the Indian National Congress in 1919, but resigned in 1925 when he felt that the party was only serving the interests of the Brahmins. In 1924, E.V. Ramasamy participated in a non-violent agitation (satyagraha) in Vaikam, Kerala. From 1929 to 1932 Ramasamy toured British Malaya, Europe, and Russia, which had an influence on him. In 1939, E.V. Ramasamy became the head of the Justice Party, and in 1944, he changed its name to Dravidar Kazhagam. The party later split and one group led by C. N. Annadurai formed the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in 1949. While continuing the Self-Respect Movement, he advocated for an independent Dravida Nadu (Dravidistan).
E.V. Ramasamy propagated the principles of rationalism, self-respect, women’s rights and eradication of caste. He opposed the exploitation and marginalisation of the non-Brahmin Dravidian people of South India and the imposition of what he considered Indo-Aryan India. His work has greatly revolutionised the Tamil society and has significantly removed caste-based discrimination. He is also responsible for bringing new changes to the Tamil alphabet. The citation awarded by the UNESCO described E.V. Ramasamy 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."
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