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Arignar Anna
(The following is the text of the Message of Greetings by Anna for the 89th Birthday of Periyar.)
There were many who had served along with Periyar. More than the others, I had the opportunity to serve with him continuously. Those days are very sweet for me. Even now when I remember them, I sense sweetness.
There was a ‘spring’ for me. Today, after a long time, I summon the smile not possible in my present worry-filled days-by recollecting that ‘spring time’.
Periyar is aware of that ‘spring time’; he would well understand the worry connected with my responsibility (as chief minister).
I mentioned a ‘spring time’; during that time after graduating from college, I had walked along with Periyar in the woods and the mountains. When I served along with him, I saw a riot of colourful flowers blossom happily in those woods and the mountains. I saw their fragrance spread all over.
Then, ‘if a meeting could be conducted without any disturbance’-it would be deemed a success and a sense of pride would rise.
Before we would start, we had to read missives that threatened to heave off the head, the beard, the staff (Periyar carried a staff and wore a beard) and life (itself). ‘Annadurai! Did you see this (?)’ Periyar would shove a letter in my direction – (and) I would respond with a meaningless ‘yes Ayya (sir)’. He wouldn’t ask me if I would join him as he was well aware that I would! We would join him as he was well aware that I would! We would set out and Periyar’s speech would be made. If the originator of the threat or the fear inflicting letter was part of the crowd he would definitely attend the next meeting with a garland in his hand for Ayya. The speech would contain such clarity and argumentative eloquence.
It is not just that many among the Tamils reformed after such explanation – but
Tamizhagam (Tamil Nadu) itself has seen a change.
Nowhere else except here has history been made thus – where one began and labored tirelessly, spoke his heart freely, worked fearlessly and succeeded in getting a society awakened and enthused.
I was a little boy when that history began.
When chapters of fame were added to that history in those days – I joined him at one part to serve along with him. I had mentioned those days as my spring.
There were many who had served along with Periyar. More than the others, I had the opportunity to serve with him continuously. Those days are very sweet for me. Even now when I remember them, I sense sweetness.
Many an idea flowed from him during (our) conversations.
He also gave me the opportunity to learn that one should have a heart that endures everything.
He saw to it that one had enthusiasm and derived happiness and fulfillment in public service.
I have seen him speak angrily at many, to scold them; I have heard him saying ‘I know you!’ in a raised voice to people. He hadn’t even a single day behaved that way with me. He always had an exclusive affection for me. He considered me a child of his family born without.
I had seen and accepted that leader alone.
He was my present age now when I joined him thirty years ago.
He had served for thirty years prior to that.
Those years are very important in the history of the Tamils.
He shocks! It is surprising! He annoys! He mentions all sorts of things – they opined. We should not let him (get away). Need to finish him. I will finish him myself – many a person in Tamizhagam spoke thus. They abused him, opposed, ridiculed and demurred. But they kept listening to his speeches in hiding or from a corner. That speech continued for more than fifty years. Those who opposed, ridiculed were indifferent, found their positions automatically change. Those who were agitated calmed down, those who threatened submitted and those who were indifferent began to show interest. His speech continued – without (any) interruptions and speed piercing the mountains, rolling the stones, turning woods into fields with its elegance of sound and style! He is speaking there! He is speaking here! He is talking about that, he talking about this – Tamizhagam has for fifty years said so (about his ceaseless activity).
Let me tell you what comes to my mind. (In) the struggle for rights – whatever happens during his entire lifetime the success that he reaped (is phenomenal) – that is why I usually describe Periyar’s great work as not one man’s history but an era, a period, a watershed.
When confronted by evil most people would consider prevention, protecting themselves from its attack and steering clear. The intent to challenge does not arise easily.
Periyar – wherever he saw evil, whatever its magnitude, its shape, its support – had never hesitated to fight it.
He saw many a battlefront, had many a success. The struggle that he had begun continues. He is eighty-nine but still in the battlefield.
In that war, the opportunity to be with him at one stage is what I have termed as spring.
He should live many more years with us, for us, for the betterment of the life of the Tamils. There is no doubt that to eradicate the age-old evils his service would continue to be available.
Translation Courtesy:
Anna – His Life and Times by R. Kannan
(The message of Greetings was contributed by Anna for the 89th Birthday Souvenir of Periyar, compiled by Asiriyar K. Veeramani, Editor of Viduthalai, the only rationalist daily, published in Tamil. After getting the nod from Anna to contribute for the Souvenir, Asiriyar K. Veeramani, used to attend many meetings and functions, participated by Anna as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. By looking at Asiriyar K. Veeramani, Anna used to confirm about his contribution at the earliest, which the editor reminded for the timely release of Souvenir on the birthday of Periyar-17th September. Recollecting the above fragrant memories Anna wrote those days, he had spent with Periyar during the early days of his public life. The message was written when Anna was away from Head Quarters despite his visit scheduled. Ultimately, Anna wrote and sent the Message of Greetings through a special messenger from Madurai, about 450 kms. from Chennai, to Asiriyar K. Veeramani. Anna kept up his promise by his timely contribution since he has also happened to be a journalist.)
