Who was Periyar E.V. Ramasamy?

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About Periyar E.V. Ramasamy:

Erode Venkatappa Ramasamy (17 September 1879 – 24 December 1973), commonly known as Periyar or Thanthai Periyar, was an Indian social activist and politician who started the Self-Respect Movement and Dravidar Kazhagam.
He is known as the ‘Father of the Dravidian movement’.
He rebelled against Brahminical dominance and gender and caste inequality in Tamil Nadu.
He joined the Indian National Congress in 1919, but resigned in 1925 when he felt that the party was only serving the interests of Brahmins.
He questioned the subjugation of non-Brahmin Dravidians, as Brahmins enjoyed gifts and donations from non-Brahmins but opposed and discriminated against non-Brahmins in cultural and religious matters.
In 1924, E.V. Ramasamy participated in non-violent agitation (satyagraha) in Vaikom, Travancore.
- He came to be known widely as a leader of the lower castes after he led the movement in 1924 that demanded the entry of Dalits in temples in Kerala.
He is known the most for his Self-respect Movement, that aimed at generating pride in lower castes.
From 1929 to 1932, Ramasamy made a tour of British Malaya, Europe, and the Soviet Union, which influenced him.
In 1939, E.V. Ramasamy became the head of the Justice Party, and in 1944, he changed its name to Dravidar Kazhagam.
While continuing the Self-Respect Movement, he advocated for an independent Dravida Nadu (land of the Dravidians).
E.V. Ramasamy promoted the principles of rationalism, self-respect, women’s rights, and the 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.

However, he believed in the ideas of Tamil saint Thiruvalluvar and hence held faith in the idea of a single, formless God.

Q1: Who was Thiruvalluvar?

He was a poet and philosopher, and is regarded as a cultural icon by Tamils. He is fondly referred to as Valluvar by Tamils. His most popular work is Thirukkuṛaḷ, a collection of couplets on ethics, politics, economy and love.

Source: Periyar Vision OTT app launched by Dravidar Kazhagam