Periyar

Full Name: Erode Venkatappa Ramasamy

Nick Name: Thanthai Periyar, E.V.R, Vaikom Veerar, Venthaadi Venthan

Date of Birth: 17 September 1879 in Erode, Tamilnadu

Parents: Venkatappa Nayakar – Chinnathyee Muthammal

Professions: Indian Social Activist, politician, social reformer

Writings:

🌸 Why were women Enslaved?

🌸 Thoughts of Periyar

Died: 24 December 1973 in Vellore, Tamilnadu

Resting Place: Periyar Ninaividam

Important points:

🌿 E.V.R was called as ‘Father of the Dravidian Movement’

🌿 E.V.R advocated for an independent Dravida Nadu (Land of Dravidians)

🌿 E.V.R promoted the principles of rationalism, self-respect, women’s rights, eradication of Caste

🌿 E.V.R fought against Brahminical dominance

🌿 E.V.R was a theist until his visit to Kasi, after which his views changed and he became an Atheist

Contributions of E.V.R:

🍃 E.V.R joined Indian National Congress in 1919, but resigned in 1925

🍃 E.V.R started a weekly magazine ‘Kudi Arasu’ in 1925, an English journal ‘Revolt’ in 1928

🍃 E.V.R started Non-Violent agitation in Vaikom, Travancore in 1924

🍃 From 1929 to 1932, E.V.R made a tour to British Malaya, Europe, Soviet Union which influenced him

🍃 E.V.R organized Anti-Hindi protests in 1938

🍃 E.V.R became the head of Justice party in 1939. He changed its name to Dravidar Kazhagam in 1944