Topic started by Manidan (@ monash.singnet.com.sg) on Fri Nov 1 20:27:09 .
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

The "revolution" which Periyar brought about was a bloodless one and he had to spend more than fifty years of his life opening the eyes of People to their want of education-and consequent backwardness, their faith in superstitions, the deception and exploitation to which they are subjected by cunning people and also on the need for them to develop self-respect and self-confidence. It is interesting to note the Term 'self-respect' as used by Periyar includes the three concepts liberty, equality and fraternity which Voltaire and other French revolutionists exhorted their countrymen to acquire. Periyar repeatedly and feelingly spoke about Women’s liberation.

Please come forward to discuss about Thanthai - The one and only Revolutionary leader of Dravida Community. All young chaps has to read and know about our unforgottable leader.

Leader of Justice Thanthai Periyar.

Responses:

• From: manidan (@ monash.singnet.com.sg) on: Fri Nov 1 20:34:48
  
  Vaikam - A great achievement of Periyar. Thiyas, Ezhavs and Nadars came of out the upper caste suppression because of Periyar.
  
  To think of any weakening of the brahmanic hold over the Royals and other Rulers, State and the Govt, Officials and People was only a wild dream. In the Lions' Den of Kerala, Periyar dared and won in Vaikom. It was a battle for the Rights of the Untouchables - as the Dalits were known then. The Thiyas, Ezhavs and Nadars whom Periyar delivered from brahminic discriminations have grown beyond all imaginations. Other Dalits are still struggling to find their feet.
  
  
• From: Raajaangam (@ ac949ec2.ipt.aol.com) on: Fri Nov 1 22:33:37
  
  As unfortunate is it with all of our Politicians - Periyar was also a victim of his own follies. And the best anology I can remember is what I heard today - Axis of Evil - The Genius of marketing and the stupidity of the buyers - Periyar and the DK of his time represented the intellectual capital of TN and their followers represented the cumilative stupidity of the people who they lead!
  
  If teh DK and its leadership were able to provide leadership to teh common man and their needs instead of fighting an intellectual war, the steps would haev made TN one of teh pre-eminent states in India.
  
  Due to the follies of these leaders, we in TN have now to live at the mercy of karnataka for the Cauvery water and every state outside TN for the busienss capital.
  
  Wish these and teh current leaders learn from those follies - will it happen - not in my life time I guess and I am only 27!!
  
  
• From: AlwaysRight (@ l228ppp078.ksc.net.th) on: Sat Nov 2 10:53:57
  
  Andha Aalu oru VENNAI
  
  
• From: manidan (@ murdoch.singnet.com.sg) on: Sat Nov 2 20:11:53
  
  Anda vennaiyai thirudiyavan ellam un kadavula irukkum bodhu, avar vennaiya iruppadil nothing wrong.
  
  
• From: Karikalen (@ webcachem04b.cache.pol.co.uk) on: Sat Nov 2 20:56:06
  
  Periyaar and Anna were heavily responsible for Tamil to be alive and kicking in South East Asia.
  
  The early leaders of the Malaysian Indian Congress were Hindi speaking people from the North.They wanted to have Hindi as the medium of communication among Malaysian Indians of whom 90 % were Tamil speaking.They would have achieved thier goal if not for Periyar and Anna who created Tamil nationalism and gave Tamils a sense of pride in thier language.In the 50s the estate workers in Malaysia shifted their sense of idealism from Gandhi to Periyar and from Nehru towards Anna.
  Despite being English educated,i can still read,write and speak in Tamil.At least for that i need to be grateful to Periyaar and Anna.
  
  
• From: AlwaysRight (@ 203.147.49.249) on: Sat Nov 2 22:05:38
  
  //Anda vennaiyai thirudiyavan ellam un kadavula irukkum bodhu, avar vennaiya iruppadil nothing wrong.//
  
  Manidhaa...Good Jokedaaa...! Indha aalukitta vennaya thirudaradha vida vera vela illayaa kadavulukku... Jayalalitha madhiri sollanumnna...indha aalu 'echcha kaiyaala kaakkaa ootta maattan'radhu olagam arinja vishayam..! But innaikku DK-kku ethna properties irukkunradhu theriyumaa..?! Ellam KOLLAIdhaan..!!
  
  
• From: kumar (@ 203.145.160.240) on: Tue Nov 5 02:17:16
  
  SInce I come from one among the families, I would be grateful if we can clash on ideologies and not personal attacks.
  I very well know the brahmins do not like him because of the reservation policies.
  ANNA was a leader who said VASAVAALAR VAAZHATTUM.
  But I should say here that the DK which was such a powerful tool in enlightening the tamils died a slow death after PERIYAR AND ANNA.
  ANNA was the sec. of DMK and MK mede himself the CEO.ANNA said on becoming the CM that the Chair of president is always vacant for Periyar.
  Now we see DK and PDK.Veeramani running afer JJ
  MK who learned the basics from PERIYAR and ANNA at the feet of communist BJP. MK wants to do anything and everything to remain in power either in Delhi or Chennai.(This being the case of all politicians)
  But those leaders never thought so. Not for nothing the Guinness says the largest procession ever held was of ANNA's funeral procession. This was not the one like people do today by bringing poeple in vans and lorries.
  
  
• From: Praseeta Mundayattu (@ ) on: Fri Dec 27 11:08:37
  
  Guys,
  Revolution is not a rule or standard. That is executed when situation demands. Periyar delivered it at his time. Following Periyar doesnt mean a revolution is continuing. The next stage has to be dealt by another revolution. Death of Brahminic Domination started dying long ago. It is still dying. People who dont know spelling of Upanishads and Gita now learn them.
  Not only lower castes were denied many things from brahmins, even other castes who are called "UPPER" now. Upper caste monsters rule the villages and deny rights to Dalits. Its not brahmins who rule the villages. I am talking of present.We need to now make it clear that any non-upper dominance should be fatally knocked down. I myself am from a so called UPPER caste. That revolution has not yet started. That will make the so called equality. The 2% brahminism dominance is gone friends. Presidentship, Cheif ministership to x, y have all been Dalits atleast once to proove the upliftment. Now its upto the villages of not only Tamil Nadu, but all parts of the mighty India to get rid of any kind of dominace in life, any kind of suppression in life.
  
  
• From: dalitvoice (@ monash.singnet.com.sg) on: Fri Jan 3 11:38:10
  
  The Revolutionary Sayings of Periyar
  
  If our people do not consent to bring about reforms in caste, religion, habits and customs, in what other way can freedom, excellence and self-respect be ushered in?
  
  In a land of freedom, can the citizens be SUDRAS? Can there be religions, epics and laws that consider the citizens untouchables, salves, sinners and menials ? Think and act !
  
  The caste-system that teaches notions of superiority, inferiority, high and low, depending on birth, should be scotched at the very base.
  
  The constitution at prsent is not conducive to eradication of caste. It deems it as contrary to fundamental right, at the same time, it also prohibits communal ratio as it considers it class-hatred. To say that caste can exist but not the previlege on the basis of caste, is the worst of all deceptions.
  
  The very word, `caste', `Jathi', is from Sanskrit. In Tamil there is no word to describe caste. It is customary in Tamil, to ask for one's `sect', or `class'. Birth is not conditioned by caste distinctions and caste marks. There cannot be any caste among mankind. To speake of `caste', differences among us who are of the same country, is sheer mischief.
  Back to Topics
  
  
  
• From: dalitvoice (@ monash.singnet.com.sg) on: Mon Jan 6 02:21:01
  
  Social reform
  To discard what is unwanted, and to retain what is needed, is what reform means.
  
  Social reform cannot stand apart from politics, nor can politics stand apart from social reform. politics exsits only for human society. Every political activity is only for social good. Constitutional law and defence are made only for society and in accordance with social good.
  
  Tentative and superficial changes here and there, in the same name of social reform, will not bear fruit. The present social set-up should be destroyed as its very base, and a new social order, free from caste and class, should be created.
  
  Whomsoever I love and hate, my principle is the same. That is, the educated, the rich and the adminstrators should not suck the blood of the poor.
  
  The proper task of social reform is to remove poverty from society and to ensure that people do not sell their conscience to make a living.
  
  
  
• From: karunanithi (@ 210.18.90.1.sify.net) on: Fri May 7 05:23:27
  
  periyar was indeed "great".
  He spoke about women's lib & married a woman(much younger than him & against her wishes) at the age of 75. What a revolution?
  
  He has definitely contributed towards tamil development. That is why he called tamil a "kattumirandi mozhi". Just read his articles on tamil langauge & U will realise how much he has "contributed" to tamil langauge.
  
  He had no guts to talk about upper caste NBs who practised untouchability (it is done even today).
  He never spoke up for dalits.
  
  His speeches & articles were downright vulgar & directed only aginst brahmins.
  
  His one point agenda was anti brahminism & nothing else. He had no guts to criticise any other religion, except hinduism.
  
  It is a pity that a kannadiga should be called "leader of tamil revolution". What a shame to tamilians!
  
  His followers rechristened themselves, but till the end he was "E.V.Ramasami Naicker". Nobody had the guts to question that.
  
  He likened the thali to a dog's collar, but he used to hand over the thali to the groom & conduct marriages.
  
  Many examples can be cited to show that his so called "policies" were a failure even during his lifetime.
  
  Pl. do not insult tamilians by praising a nincompoop like periyar. It is a waste of time.
  
  
• From: lotus (@ ) on: Fri Jun 11 13:50:22
  
  Well the reservations for the deprived have been existing for too long a period. It is high time we got to get rid of it and establish equal oppurtunities.despite periyar's principle his strategies are condemnable.He isin a way responsible for many hindus turning christians.(besides he was an athiest)
  
  
• From: Surya (@ adsl-64-166-143-81.dsl.snfc21.pacbell.net) on: Fri Jun 11 19:53:19 EDT 2004
  
  thanthai periyar,
  a faggot who was willing to do anything for money.