Venkat Raman
Auckland, February 21, 2018
Tamilians from Tamil Nadu and from other parts of the world would have an opportunity to know about Erode Venkata Ramasamy Naicker (EVR), affectionately addressed as ‘Thanthai Periyar’ (‘Father, the Great’) at a meeting scheduled to be held in Auckland this weekend.
Subramanian Arivukkarasu, Executive President, Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) based in Tamil Nadu will be the main speaker at the event at Panmure Community Hall, 7, Pilkington Road, Panmure on Sunday, February 25, 2018 at 5 pm.
Organiser Arivukkarasu Maninilavan said that the meeting, being held under the chairmanship of former Muthamil Sangam President Premkumar Kandasamy, will also feature a Question and Answer Session during which the audience can participate and seek clarifications or express their opinions on issues relevant to the main speech.
About S Arivukkarasu
A Retired District Revenue Officer and Acting District Collector of the Tamil Nadu Government, Mr Arivukkarasu was drawn towards Periyar from his younger years. His father was an active member of the ‘Justice Party,’ which is the precursor to DK (supporters from which later established Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, known by its acronym DMK, which in turn gave way to the formation of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’ or AIADMK.
A seeker of knowledge, Mr Arivukkarasu is well-versed with major Holy Books including the Bhagavad Gita, the Holy Quran and the Bible. He obtained two postgraduate degrees, one each in Arts (MA) and Philosophy (MPhil) from Annamalai University after retirement.
An author of more than 20 books in Tamil, he has been a regular contributor to Tamil publications such as ‘Viduthalai,’ ‘Modern Rationalist’ and ‘Unnmai,’ all of which are based on the ‘general disbelief of everything that is believed.’
A Trade Union Activist, Mr Arivukkarasu has championed not only the cause of the working class but also fought against casteism which is rampant in many parts of Tamil Nadu. Curiously, as well as being the State President of the NGO Union, he participated in the ILO Committee for Privatisation and Globalisation.
About EVR Periyar
EVR has a place of pre-eminence in the modern history of Tamil Nadu for his outspoken and often acidic remarks about Brahmins, idol worshippers and those observing religious festivals and astrological beliefs. Most of his adult life (born in 1879 and died in 1973) was spent in fighting against social evils and mentoring political and socio-economic aspirants. Among his great friends were former Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers Chakravarthy Rajagopalachari (the first and last Governor General of India), K Kamaraj, M Bhaktavatsalam and R Venkataraman while his famous prodigies were C N Annadurai, M Karunanidhi, V R Nedunchezhiyan (all of who later become Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers), N Manoharan and many others.
Protagonists of Rationalism, Pursuers of Humanist Philosophy, non-believers and generally people who question the existence of God found in him an irrepressible leader.
After 20 years of association with the Congress Party, Periyar devoted his life for the uplift of the downtrodden, especially those afflicted as ‘Backward Class’ and as ‘Untouchables.’ His ‘Affirmative Action’ approach compelled the government to adopt the ‘Reservation System.’
Periyar was also a Nationalist, who fought in the Freedom Movement, although he had differences of opinion with Mahatma Gandhi.
Point and Counterpoint
EVR was a voracious reader and spirited speaker and often gave credence to the saying, ‘One Man’s Religion is Another Man’s Superstition.’
UNESCO honoured with the following citation on June 27, 1970:
The Prophet of the New Age
The Socrates of South East Asia
Father of the Social Reform Movement and
Arch Enemy of ignorance, superstitions and
Meaningless customs and base manners
For more information about the Meeting on Saturday, February 25, 2018, please call Arivukkarasu Maninilavan on 021-0375457.
*
Photo Caption:
S Arivukkarasu
(Picture Supplied)
