The Modern Rationalist
Annual Number 2023
Periyar Book House
Periyar Thidal, Vepery, Chennai -7.
Price Rs 300/-
email: themodernrationalist@gmail.com
The recent release of the ‘The Modern Rationalist’– Annual Number-2023,coinciding with the 91st Birth day of the esteemed Asiriyar is a stupendous volume of about forty essays. It is a trove of intellectual treasure. No less is its aesthetic beauty with all the type set, pleasing multi-colour and velvetish smoothness. The cover page itself with the portrait of Dr.Veeramani with his bewitching smile reminds us of his forbearing virtuosity and untiring service in safeguarding social justice by walking on the foot prints of Thanthai Periyar whom he often calls, his Mentor.
As a symbol of camaraderie and gratitude are the frontispiece portraits of Madam Parvathi, an astute and a service oriented Secretary of the Women’s Wing and that of V.P. Singh an icon of Social Justice. Such tributes to the endearing personnel of social reform is the hall mark of Dravidar Kazhagam.
A host of greetings from the esteemed Chief Minister, Mr.M.K.Stalin, Sonia Gandhi and from Former Judges along with Malaysian Tan. Sri. Marimuthu form part of the opening pages of the volume. The crisp salutations of the Editor is a picture of his modesty and an optimistic assurance of his unending service to society. Periyar’s stewardship in confronting casteism with his pioneering journal Kudi Arasu is the subject matter of A. Sivasubramanian’s lengthy essay and the other one by Dr. A.K. Rajan deals with the freedom of speech as a Basic Human Right, subject to a few reasonable limitations. An article by A. Raja analytically defines the Dharmas–Sanatana and Varnashrama besides pin-pointing the role played by Dr.Ambedkar when the Constitution of India was drafted. How far the daily, Viduthalai inspired Mr. Punitha Pandian to read the works of Ambedkar and to start a Tamil journal, is the subject matter of what he says.
Viswa Karma Yojana is an exact replica of casteism for viciously perpetuating it in India, says Mr.G. Ramakrishnan. Unless casteism is forbidden, all that the social reformers such as Periyar have done, will be jettisoned for ever. Hence the devilry of that Karma has to be propagated with the renewed vigour to put an end to it is the tonal message of his essay. The analysis of Pseudo Science and the growth of scientific temper are stressed by the President of the Rational Association. An awakening of the public towards scientific temper is the need of the day. An account of Vaikom struggle waged by Periyar and its centenary in 2023 outlined by V. Kumaresan is a convincing coverage of that episode. Evidently at present Periyar has become a force to be reckoned with not only in Tamil Nadu but also in Kerala. Dr. Soma Ilangovan’s article with a personal touch delineates the foresightedness of Asiriyar. An account by Dr.Naganathan about the ups and downs of Dravidian Movement with relevant excerpts from various sources is alike an authentic document on the subject. How the democratic spirit is tacitly bidden a gradual farewell in all aspects by the Sanghis in Delhi is the summary of Dr.Palani Arangasamy’s prose piece – of course, by me.
There are about twelve articles on the dynamism of Asiriyar which, after an intensive study of each one, tempts us to comment admiringly, “Oh! Versatility! Thy name is Veeramani.” Contributors include journalists like Nakkeeran Gopal and Arunan besides G. Karunanidhi, S.Arivukkarasu and Poet Poonkundran, among others. An article by K.Anburaj dwells at length on the sylvan atmosphere and greenery of the Periyar Maniammai Institute of Science and Technology (PMIST) Deemed University campus brought into such effect as per the aspirations of Asiriyar. The Treasurer of the Kazhagam has pictured the unique quality of Asiriyar in mobilising the public opinion in favour of instilling the policies of Dravidar Kazhagam.
Highly informative article on Indus Valley Civilisation by Dr.Iniyan refers to Sir John Marshall who brought the discovery of Indus Valley Civilisation to limelight. Not known whether the word Tamil gave room for the term Dravida or the other way round. Both the opinions prevail in contradiction and hence a further perusal remains. Why not the universally recognised term India be continued instead of Bharat which is thrust into the unusual throats of Indians is dealt within detail by the Secretary of the Dravidian Historical Research Centre. The Periyar Maniammai University Vice-Chancellor enumerates the positivity and progress of the institution with a special reference to its academic excellence while the Director of Periyar Centre, recollects the episode of Cheranmadevi.
Dhaneswar Sahoo of the Odisha Rationalist Society narrates how Periyar proved himself a visionary much ahead of his time. Two women advocates, Mrs. Nallini and Madam Savita from Andhra have given their exceptional contributions – the former crisply renders on the feminism of Periyar and the latter on her respectful recollection of all that she knew about Asiriyar, a well-wisher and a close friend of her father Justice B.S.A. Swamy.
Concept of rebirth is universal. Great Poets, reputed dramatists and well known thinkers have all perpetuated it in their works. William Words worth’s famous poem, Ode on the Intimations of Immortality is a solid testament of his belief in soul and its rebirth. But yet, Dr.Gowthaman smashes the concept by declaring that life is a Biological Movement, death is the be-all and end all and rebirth is an avoidable exploitation and a cunning trickery by the wily priests to cheat the gullible public. The article such as this one deserves further enlightenment in view of some tangible proof evidenced by a few individuals devoid of any connection with priesthood.
An identical contemporary of Thanthai Periyar was Mr.Gora, the founder of Atheist Centre in Vijayawada. His grandson Vikas Gora briefly reminisces about his grandpa. How the development of Dravidian Movement has made in-roads in eroding casteism forms part of an essay by Prince Ennares Periyar. Mr. V.C. Vilvam recollects quite a number of greetings of overseas Tamils on the 91st Birthday of Tamilar Thalaivar. Nietzsche speaks on Thalaivar’s visit to the Library of Congress in Washington. The Head of the Asia Division of the Library surprisingly asked with all seriousness, “What are you teaching?” At once came the reply from the leader. “Yes. I teach Self Respect” — and briefly explained about Periyar and his work towards it. A few books on Periyar were also despatched to that Library by Asiriyar Dr.K.Veeramani. An interesting anecdote, indeed.
The fag end of the volume has the greetings of Dr. Sven Wortmann of the Department of Indology, Cologne University, Germany – a well-wisher of the movement of ours and a frequent visitor to Periyar Thidal.
Let me say at length that the Annual Number deserves to be named as a mini encyclopaedia worth preserving in the Libraries for ready reference to the scholars who are interested in the valuable service of Dr. K. Veeramani in disseminating the tenets of Periyarism.
Palani Arangasamy
