Compiled by : Dr. K.Veeramani A Publication of
DRAVIDAR KAZHAGAM
Periyar Thidal, Vepery, Chennai - 600 007.
PERIYAR 1000
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
(All about Periyar E.V.Ramasamy)
Compiled by: Dr. K.Veeramani Translated by: Prof. S.F.N. Chelliah Pages : 240 (1/8 Demmy)
Donation (Minimum) : Rs.50/-
First Edition : 2013
Published by
Dravidar Kazhagam
‘Periyar Thidal’. No. 84/1(50), E.V.K. Sampath Road, Vepery, Chennai - 600 007, Tamil Nadu - India Tel: 91-44-26618161
Fax: 91-44-26618866
Printed by
‘Viduthalai’ Offset Printers,
84/1(50), E.V.K. Sampath Salai, Chennai - 7
Available at
Periyar Book House
84/1(50), E.V.K. Sampath Salai, Vepery, CHENNAI - 7. : 91-44-26618162
Periyar Maligai, Puthur, TRICHY - 17. : 91-431-2771815
Website: www.dravidianbookhouse.com
ISBN : 978-93-80972-96-1
Unlike world's other thinkers, Th anthai Periyar was an original thinker.
Th
e enrichment of his thoughts is the seed of social development and a weapon for social revolution.
In addition to this; his rationalistic thoughts are totally based on scientifi c thinking. Th
at is why we feel proud of calling him a 'rare social scientist'
What is Science?
And who is a Scientist?
What is scientifi c temperament?
Even the teachers of science, do not seem to know the real meaning of science.
Th
ey only know that science is a 'subject', 'a study' nothing more We are puzzled why they are not interested to know or to understand the real meaning of science and to teach the students Science is not a subject like history or Civics. It is an evolutionary process. Th ere
is no end to this process. It is a continuation. Th is is the basic diff erence between
the historical facts and scientifi c truths.
'Alexander came with his army and defeated the king Porus'. Th is is a historical
fact. Th
is historical fact remains unchanged. But the scientifi c truth will not remain the same. It is a continuous process. Th ere is no fi nality. Th
is scientifi c process will
never hesitate to replace the old by the new concepts and fi ndings We can see in the fi eld of research that a hypothesis will exist unchanged until new source materials arrive. If the new one comes, the old one disappears Though the theory of 'Centre of Gravity' was Isaac Newton's, it was confi rmed and established by the researches of Mathematicians.
Before the advent of the theory of Evolution of Charles Darwin, there existed Lamarckian theory and Scientists believed and accepted it.
But in course of time, Lamarckian theory lost its hold and was invalidated.
On the contrary Darwinian Th
eory of Evolution occupied the minds of the people. And today we fi nd the next stage of development of Darwinism, i.e the development of the theory of Genes and Chromosomes
FOREWORD
Development is taking place in every department of science as in Newton's theory of Centre of Gravity', and Albert Einstein's Th eory of Relativity.
No more explanation is needed here. Th anthai Periyar said, 'Today you
call me a revolutionary; but aft er a couple of centuries, a stage may come to call me 'a backward thinking man'.
What a splendid person he was!
Th
is foresightedness of Th
anthai Periyar clearly indicates his scientifi c approach to everything
Knowledge and science have no boundaries! Th oughts expressed by
the people who thought on the basis of science would be a shock to the society in the beginning. Th
ey had to face the tempest of opposition. Th en
the opposition slowly raged itself out. Aft er the rage out of opposition the infl uence and success of their ideologies would enhance.
As Karl Marx said, 'change is alone unchangeable. Periyar said, 'I have no love for anything. But I love knowledge, I love development, and progress, I love humanity'
Th
e doors of development are opened only because of man's rationalistic thinking. Th
e donkey is kicking with its back legs for so many centuries. Is there any change in the kicking of donkey? Th e barbarian was armed with bow and
arrow, but now man is carrying AK47-Automatic Machine Guns! Can anyone deny this? Th
e development of weapons like rockets is not an ordinary process Th
anthai Periyar has expressed the above idea only with this view If you want progress and development you must put the questions 'Why, How, By Whom, Which' oft en and oft en. Putting these questions quite oft en, knowing the reasons and answers and then coming to a clear understanding alone will help us to be scientifi c
Keeping this background in mind, go through the 'new world' thoughts of Th
anthai Periyar and have a deep study. Like a calm and clean stream of water, it will reveal truths
Th
at is why the world is getting ready to honour the 'brain' of Th anthai
Periyar. 'Vast world experience' and 'the aff airs of day to day life' - are the books, Periyar had studied
Periyar knew the human nature very well; so with his conviction he stood fi rmly. He never cared for opposition, the mockery or insult infl icted on him'
v
People believed that non-formal education will lead to ignorance and illiteracy and that the intelligent people who had college and university education would invent new things. Th
anthai Periyar had invalidated this
concept throughout his life.
As Dr. B.R. Ambedkar observed they are only learned; but not intellectuals who spoke for humanity at large
Periyar was much worried about the self-respect of human beings. Dignity, equality and equal rights of human beings were his goal. Periyar stood like a volcano, like a tempest, like a cyclone, to break the barriers to achieve his goal. Th
is is the way of his life.
Self-respect, honour, dignity, and rationalistic thinking are precious gift s from Periyar to humanity. Th
is noble leader who lived for the sake of others left his own property and the wealth he received from the public to the people themselves.
Th
e younger generation must know the philosophy of Periyar, the horrible incidents that he faced in his life, his public service, his tour to spread his ideology and follow his foot steps. It is just like taking medicines; why we take medicine, Is it to satisfy the inventor or doctor and medicine sellers? No, Just for our health and cure. So also to consense Periyar and follow him is to reform ourselves With this aim the book 'All about Periyar - 1000 Questions and Answers'
is released as a compilation
Learned scholars of Periyarism have taken much care and enthusiasm to complete this work. Not only Dravidar Kazhagam but the entire humanity will be grateful to them
A lecture delivered by Periyar in 1942 called ‘Th e World to Come’ and the
life sketch of Th
anthai Periyar are also annexed to this compilation Steps have been taken to publish this rare book in Hindi and in many other languages. It is a very good weapon of knowledge to see the 21st century as Periyar's century.
Learn this carefully
Without errors, and doubts,
Th
en follow the foot steps of
Th
anthai Periyar!
K. VEERAMANI
President,
Date: 14.01.2013
Dravidar Kazhagam.
A Note from
the Translator
No doubt, this compilation is very exhaustive in specific details and accurate informations on everything about Periyar. Th
e multiple choice method
is both absorbing and interesting. For those who want to have a detailed thorough knowledge of Periyar’s public and private life, his achievements and struggles, the compliments and accusations he received are all chronologically and topicwise classifi ed. Th e 9 chapters
craft ily assigned, have an academic structure to educate the reader, whether literate or illiterate. Th is is surely a
very useful and purposeful attempt on the biographical sketch of Periyar suffi
ciently highlighting his struggles,
achievements, performances and public recognition.
I strongly recommend this book for an authentic enlightenment on Periyar’s greatness
Prof. S.F.N.Chelliah
A Note of
Appreciation
I whole heartily congratulate our scholars who have compiled this volume of questions and answers about Th
anthai Periyar. It is true, it is a marvellous work! Th ose
who read this book, certainly will come to know the history of Madras Presidency, especially the history of the Non-Brahmin movement. Moreover this book gives enormous source materials to the researchers of Dravidian Movement
As our beloved leader Dr. K. Veeramani said, “the scholars have taken much care and enthusiasm to complete this work. Not only Dravidar kazhagam, but the entire humanity will be grateful to them”. And Dr. S.F.N. Chelliah deserves congratulations for this wonderful translation. I appeal to the Vice-Chancellors of Tamil Nadu universities to recommend this compilation which contains accurate and authentic information, to their students as a text book Erode,
14.01.2013.
Dr. P. Kalimuthu
viii
PERIYAR 1000 questions & answers 1
HIS FAMILY AND HIS OWN HISTORY ................................................. 1
Prof.
P.Subramanian,
M.Sc., M.Ed.,
2
VAIKOM - CHERANMADEVI – KANCHIPURAM .............................. 22
Dr.
P.Rajadurai,
M.A., Ph.D
3
PERIYAR AND PUBLIC LIFE ................................................................. 44
Prof.
N.Srinivasan,
M.A, M.Phil.,
4
THE ADVENT OF SELF-RESPECT MOVEMENTITS
EVOLUTION 1925 - 1931 ......................................................................... 59
S.Arivukkarasu,
M.A., M.Phil.,
5
PHILOSOPHY, THOUGHTS AND OBJECTIVES ................................. 84
Prof.
G.V.K.Aasaan,
M.A., B.L.
6 LITERATURE
.......................................................................................... 111
Prof.
N.Vetrialagan,
M.A., B.Ed.,
7
PARTY STRUCTURES AND INSTITUTIONS .................................... 130
Durai.Chakravarthi,
M.A.
8 THE
CONTEMPORARIES
.................................................................... 146
Prof.
A.Iraiyan,
B.A., B.T.
9 PHOTO
INFORMATIONS..................................................................... 164
Poet
Kali.Poongunran
10 ANNEXURE
-I
........................................................................................ 189
