Periyar: Caste, Nation and Socialism published by People’s Literature Publications, Mumbai is a fascinating conversation between S V Rajadurai and Vidya Bhushan Rawat which brings out numerous hitherto unknown facts about Periyar, Dravidian movement and his relationship with Baba Saheb Ambedkar. S V Rajadurai is a highly respected intellectual and chronicler of the Dravidian movement in Tamilnadu but that apart, he has translated numerous classics into Tamil. His ‘Towards a non-Brahmin Millenium’ authored with another celebrated writer, V Geetha, is still read with great interest by those who are keen to understand the ideological strength of Dravidian Movement led by EVR Periyar.
Vidya Bhushan Rawat has been engaged in numerous conversations with activists, writers, all over the world. He started it with veteran Ambedkarites who had seen Baba Saheb and many of them had worked with him. That apart, Vidya Bhushan Rawat has been conversing with people across the globe and it is an amazing fiat that include Ambedkarite activists abroad, African American intellectuals, intellectuals and activists from African countries such as South Africa, Kenya, Senegal, Mauritania, Palestine, Bangladesh, Nepal, Philippines etc. Even various nationals of Indian origins who belonged to families of indentured laborers have been interviewed by him.
His two volumes of these conversations have already been out which include interviews with over 45 individuals from different countries. One volume of such conversations also published in Hindi recently under the title ‘Ambedkarwaad : Vichardhara aur Sangharsh” containing 13 interviews with those legendary Ambedkarites who had either worked with Dr Ambedkar or followed him closely. While there are a number of people in north India, who could speak about Dr Ambedkar with a personal ideological standpoint but not so about Periyar. That is why this conversation with S V Rajadurai is so important and different. Well, it is different because this is one conversation with one individual who is a highly respected intellectual activist from Tamilnadu and dedicated to Tamil nationalist movement’s idealism too. Secondly, the conversation also explores, for the first time, Periyar’s visit to various cities in the North. While, it was in the domain that Periyar visited Lucknow but sadly nothing much was known about these visits. This conversation has done an immense amount of work on Periyar’s conversation with people in the Hindi heartland. The result of the entire exploration from the archives particularly the journals and magazines being run by Perriyar and DK. This was often ignored about Periyar’s north Indian visits by those who have written his biographies as well as political actions.
This book has all those questions who as an activist or enthusiast one might have about Periyar’s movement. Comrade S V Rajadurai has worked extremely hard on this book despite his serious health issues. It is a big tribute to his commitment to the cause of Periyarism that this book is out.
In this gossip age, we have been able to bring a very serious material through conversation. This also reflects that conversations can really bring out those things often ignored by the authors and leaders themselves.
On a personal note, I would love it if people take up translating this book in Hindi to make people understand what exactly Periyar stood for as there are numerous misconceptions about him.
Kindly support such an initiative. Read and share. Your encouragement will help us work more on such issues.
This book is now available on Amazon and Flipkart. You may also write to Mr Vivek Sakpal, People’s Literature Publication.
https://www.flipkart.com/periyar-caste-nation-socialism/p/itm8831fd07fb742
First Published on countercurrent.org