Fifty years of Dravidian governance in power. Time for eulogy on her leaders or for audit whether they matched words with actions? Eulogy is something some adore and audit sends shivers in the spine. Why?
The Dravidian movement of Tamilnadu had wide parameters like the French Revolution. While French Revolution was inspired by credos of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity, the Dravidian Movement had similar and far more wider parameters. While the French were reacting to the insensitivity of its monarchs of the time, Tamils reacted to the supremacy of Brahmins in hindu caste hierarchy and aspired for a classless, casteless society. So they said.
Any movement that is inspired by credos and slogans, must first define them as conceptual ideas. So the definition guides the process of the movement and ensures it’s acceptance and deliverance and even its review. Otherwise they become substanceless empty platitudes and create confusions and backfire. Standardisation is absolute must and can not be escaped. Whenever standards were not set, no achievement of worthiness and benefit to a civilisation could ever be made. Anything and everything could become a mundane discussion between my interpretation with your interpretation with no matching common ground. Often even analogies meant to amplify a point becomes a discussion point and no sense can be gained by them.
As post French revolution with its horrors and genocides proved to be a disgrace to its ldeals of liberty, fraternity and equality, the Dravidian movement seems to have led to tragedies of different nature. Hardly anyone remotely connected with both the movements can introspect and respond with sobriety or substance. Hate is the weapon often used on detractors as defence . And every debate on the movement invites attacks exposing the fact that some are afraid of being exposed of their deception and those few benefited would like their influence to continue to the detriment of many. We will study.
The Sanskrit word “Dravida” was known to have been first coined by Adi Shankaracharya when questioned where he hailed from. He answered Dravida Sisu. Sisu meant a child while Dravida was a combination word of Dravya ( meaning surrounded by water) and Vida (meaning meeting place). So Dravida can be interpreted as a place surrounded by three seas, Indian Ocean, Bay of bengal and Arabian Sea. Later the race theory was conceived by Christian Devaneya Pavanar. This came handy for many to talk about race supremacy whose talk is banned by UN and international covenants. The race theory is still being debated on social media but archaeologists and sociologists are yet to find definite conclusions.
Turning briefly to history, the Dravidian movement was the brainchild of one Ramanathan who invited E V Ramasamy Naicker to lead it. The initial ideals were borrowed from the then successful Justice Party.
What were the parameters of the Dravidian movement? Let’s get as broadly as possible.
Self Respect
Anti Brahmanism
Equality for women ,
Abolition of caste/class
Purity of Tamil language
Atheism
Rationalism
Dravidistan
Most were reactions to social environment of the times. Influence of the British was visible as the movement thought it fit and better to be under colonial rule which it considered as benign and even opposed India’s independence. Importantly, this group of admirers of colonial rule tried to wrap up this admiration with sugared tamil love coatings to appear both native and as reformers. The leaders were almost western in their outlook, lifestyle and habits and imitated them especially in the art of partying and pastimes. Ramasamy Naicker lived a life of profligacy to the chagrin of his first wife and his father. His comments bordered on senseless vulgarity but none questioned him. Kannadiga connected Naicker retained his contempt for Tamil language till his last breath and desired everyone to learn English. How he became propagated as a Tamil purist and reformer and gets accepted also as such remains is a mark of rationalism in vogue.
Dravidian Movement claimed as non political was the domain of Dravida Kazhagam , an agitational group. In the beginning it claimed to work against North Indian imperialism on south India. Prior to independence Ramasamy Naicker tried to elicit the help of Mohammed Ali Jinnah so like Pakistan a separate Dravidian nation comprising of southern states could be formed. Jinnah refused to help and British ignored him. So Naicker boycotted the Independence Day celebrations, refused to honour the national flag and insulted the constitution drawn by BR Ambedkar as Brahmin tyranny. He was critical of everything and left nothing untouched. He criticised the Brahmins, the depressed classes, Minorities, the hindu beliefs. What he stood for by words and actions can be argued endlessly.
The Dravidian movement became political when 72 year old Ramasamy Naicker married his adopted daughter aged 17. C N Annadurai tried to prevail on his decision to marry a girl much younger as he had stood up for women's rights. CNA couldn’t help Naicker see reason. This led to parting of ways & DMK party was launched by CNA on 17th Sept 1949. Remember Karunanidhi was not present on the occasion though a film partly funded by Tamilnadu Govt recently showed as if he was present. The DK demanded secession for southern states from India and desired a classless (meaning casteless) society. But the Kannadigas, Telugus and Malayalis refused to entertain his idea. The relationship between the mentor DK and disciples DMK continued despite Naicker’s rabid criticisms of the political party. After all Ramasamy Naicker was the embodiment of the movement.
CNA was a voracious reader and read many foreign authors especially Chinese philosophers Lao Tzu from whom he borrowed often. His gift of the gab made him a crowd puller. He wrote a vulgar interpretation of Kamba Ramayana titled Kambha Rasam which some consider as porn. He was tough, unscathing on his political opponents and made obscene personal remarks on Hindu Gods while sparing other religions. Despite initial losses in Assembly elections, Annadurai’s DMK Party came out with a brilliant marketing plan for 1967 elections. The 1967 election was fought on the simple promise of providing three measures of rice for one rupee.
It was an intense election and saw the propaganda filled with hate and filthy language with which Congress leaders and their families were attacked. The slogans of the DMK party were crude and the Congress ran for shelter scared of DMK's goondaism. The anti Hindi tirade too appealed and DMK won. Ironically Congress won more popular votes & more percentage of votes than DMK in 1967 elections though DMK won more seats despite contesting lesser seats.
So, DMK led by C N Annadurai assumed power. The cabinet was a representation of different castes ,regions & religions. The promise of three measures of rice for one rupee advertised full page on newspapers was subtly buried & a token sale of one measure for one rupee implemented after blaming Centre for not providing rice. A lottery system was introduced to raise revenue. After the passing away of Annadurai, Karunanidhi assumed power after a coup on party seniors.
Grandiose projects were announced regularly to keep people excited. Tokenism was the key. Poompuhar, the Kottams at Chennai, Anna Square, Memorials for yesterday's politicians as well for those who lead prominent castes took priority. Dramatic schemes like rehabilitation of beggars, slum clearance board, abolition of hand rickshaw pullers and health camps were launched with great fanfare. The government also promised full electricity in the state by 1972.
No scheme saw its natural conclusion. At every occasion, more new schemes were announced,to be partly implemented or dumped the day after gaining publicity. Chennai Cooum river cleansing to shipping facilities connecting Chennai to Rameshwaram, air travel between all tourist places, purchase of ship, raising of permanent exhibition centre at Island grounds were some examples. Promises kept the government going. And people believing. Some still believe that the governance has done wonders but refuse to match election manifestos with achievements. To keep people excited without deliverables was no easy task. More promises. More lies. New goals. People adjust to dishonesty like a drug and greater amount of bigger, bolder promises & lies needed to provoke the same reaction says Kasparov. We will now turn dravidianism from the party focus to the claims of being a movement.
Self respect was touted as the most important weapon of the Dravidian movement.
In the article preceding this, I had defined “self respect”. It’s a must to understand earning of words lest they get twisted later with a different meaning and a connotation. Misguiding could be defended as guidance. Definition of self respect as defined by me or by any dictionary doesn’t match with self respect movement’s deliverables. What’s portrayed now as self respect are sychophancy, eulogies to leaders, hatred to other groups, right to disobey laws, prostrations to the powerful and mighty, being argumentative without listening to others point of view and ability to bear large self effacing insults for the sake of later pecuniary favours to be dished out by these leaders. Self respect also came to mean huge egos, flaunting of wealth and power , a feel of VIPism or superiority over the average citizen. Yes, Self importance was mistaken as self respect. A thirst for University honours, a title to the name and addiction to praises and felicitation events became acts of self respect. Contempt for opponents and passing the buck for personal failures were habits of these torch bearers. It is a fact that if you have self respect in Tamilnadu as a common man, you will be considered someone analogous to Doestoevsky’s Idiot and called names. This was indeed the impact of the movement.
The so called building of a classless egalitarian society was reiterated before every elections. Caste became a tool. Like the Congress government repeated promises to eradicate poverty and serving the poor for many decades with the slogan of garibi hatao. The targetting of docile once up in the ladder Brahmins continued in Tamilnadu though many migrated elsewhere. Many Brahmins like Sundar Pitchai, didn’t wallow at difficulties and turned threats into opportunities. Brahmins were easy target for Dravidian activists though there were other communities that wore sacred threads. Plan was to call them as strangers and foreigners in Tamilnadu. Brahmins refused to react and accepted insults quietly. They were blamed for all the societal ills and instead of infusing confidence into other communities, other communities were portrayed as victims who can progress only if Brahmins were taken revenge of and crushed. Having ignored them and crushed their dignity, Brahmins continue to be blamed for societal ills even after fifty years of Dravidian governance. Other communities were also told that they lacked talent and skills genetically because they were not Brahmins for hundreds of years. And what a disgrace that these brave communities accepted this. Lessons on bringing down people with all the pretensions of love and kindness. But a society numbed by the British and later by Justice party was unable to work out its mind through challenges and stayed gullible, condemning others for their bad state on others. As years rolled, Brahmanical superiority shifted to other castes. Brahmanism became the domain of the powerful lower castes and protective laws were used to take revenge on other communities. Able competent hardworking children born to brahmin parents and other forward communities were deprived of opportunities due to reservation policies. Instead of making education compulsory to all sections of the society, and providing opportunities for all , reservation ensured that some born to some parents in some castes were deprived of education. Reason: Their great grand parents had enjoyed opportunities and it’s time for others to have opportunities. This injustice was called social justice.
Equality of women was another ideal of this movement. It began as usual with tokenisms. With some lady members to dot the legislature and one or two lady cabinet minister. Polygamy and extra marital relationship became the norm. Vulgar abuse of lady members on the floor of legislature to silence them continued. A molestation incident involving Jayalalithaa was the icing in the cake about the commitment of this equality. Disrespect of women continued. All the leaders of the self respect Dravidian Movement had many wives. Forget about equality, even fundamental courtesies and respect for women went missing and tamil movies carried a scene of rape in most movies to gratify perverse minds. Incidentally many top leaders of this movement were from the world of movie making. Even now women are molested during political events but none dare to raise a word. All was indeed lost but none ever realised they were sunk. Those who publicly demand reservation in parliament are mighty scared to spare reservation for women in domains under their control.
Abolition of classes and castes appear noble indeed. But it’s abolition meant removal of divisions and if there were no divisions, vote bank may get split and become tougher to influence. So it stood as a high slogan and a mere rhetoric. The indirect excuse given for the need for castes was reservations. Infact there were intense regrouping and consolidation of castes during the last fifty years that had the blessings of the politicians of this so called Dravidian movement. The talk of superiority of one caste over another gets reiterated at caste conglomerations attended by politicians. More caste based parties sprung up inspired by the movement. Tamilnadu apparently has the maximum caste and religion based parties in India. Caste based Honour killings are not rare either.
Language of Tamil was dragged into politics. Mao in China claimed himself to be a Poet and was a language chauvinist. Tamil politics got into that mould. Rhetory, journalistic skills, some plagiarism, dialogues in movies along with lyrics, oratory became new tamil. Pure tamil became a rage though language skills disappeared. Even now most Tamils can’t speak and write without grammatical or idiomatic errors. Hatred for Hindi and Sanskrit was nurtured. Urdu embraced. Often hatred for other languages was considered proof of love of mother tongue. A certificate of classical language was given to Tamil. No other classical language received this Govt honour. A classical ancient language being certified by a Govt dept as such was an insult. But makes good drama! Wish Tamil could read the certificate!
It is pertinent to remember that Ramasamy Naicker’s anti Hindi stance was not a Pro Tamil stance. He wanted English to replace Tamil in Tamilnadu. He kept calling the tamil language a barbaric language and a language of barbarians. Tamils of self respect kept quiet at his mockings and insults. He even laughed at Annadurai when threatened to resign as Chief Minister if Tamil received a secondary status. Ramasamy claimed people did not vote Annadurai to power for the sake of Tamil. Maybe he was reminding about the promise of three measures of rice for a rupee.
What were the results of tamil pride or chauvinism of fifty years? Even government schools have now become exclusive English medium schools. Tamil learning was never made compulsory nor incentives given for its learning, so silently tamil was removed from schools to please English loving parents. Daddy and mummy replaced appa and amma at many tamil homes. Tamil conferences become opportunities for eulogies and encomiums on the political organisers and on the hoary tamil language. Boards hailing Tamil were raised in thousands of Govt offices. Yes. To propagate Tamil in Tamilnadu. Hindi Prasar Sabha details show that maximum Hindi speaking students from non Hindi speaking States were from Tamilnadu. In fact almost all the international languages can be learnt in Capital Chennai. From Mandarin to Korean to Spanish to Japanese. But Tamil language classes are rare and language is indeed sadly falling. Some believe instead of augmenting tamil education in primary schools of Tamilnadu, Chairs on Tamil studies in foreign universities will serve great purpose. Most politicians themselves flaunt non tamil names too. So much for quagmire of Tamil chauvinism. My prediction :In another fifty years there may be tamil speaking people in Tamilnadu but tamils with reading and writingskills in tamil will dwindle. King is dead. Long live the King. Credit goes to Dravidian rule. Dravidians will pass the buck and will not take responsibility for their failures. Believe me.
It’s common knowledge that English and other languages are praised for adapting to times. Their ability to absorb words from other languages strengthens vocabulary. Language is a dynamic evolving mechanism and efforts to turn back the clock by desiring a Purist Tamil will make it exclusive language like Sanskrit. Whoever remembers Chaucer’s English?
What about the movement’s efforts on atheism? Atheism means disbelief in the existence of God. But Dravidian atheism has come to mean the denial of Hindu Gods. Denial of other religions’ Gods went against secularism and these atheists claimed that they were interested in purgatory of the religion they belonged to. Do you see the anachronism I see here? There was no similar sensitivity or tolerance to Dharmic beliefs and idols of Hindu Gods were broken in public saying Gods can’t live in stones. If you don’t believe in Gods, why bother where they live? Ironically it is during the same Dravidian rule, lakhs of stone statues some in concrete sprung across state for these atheist leaders and are now being worshipped with regular garlands. The high point was the unveiling of Leader Naicker statue in the presence of Naicker himself.
Rationalism was another claim. Rationalists are those who claim their reasons are based on knowledge and reason than on beliefs. Truly lofty ideal. Knowledge meant facts, information and skills acquired through education, experience and training. Reason meant judgements based on logical thinking. The responsibilities of rationalist was amazing. Propaganda can never be a tool of a rationalist. Disregard and contempt for heritage and history are the weapons of contemporary Tamilnadu rationalists. Contemporary agitations are proof that rationalism doesn’t exist as emotions do not allow reasoning on any issue. Now rationalism is a political instrument and a way to hide one’s inefficiency and hypocrisy. If you use the word, all debates come to an end,
We see Gods in the smiles of the poor claimed the movement. Sounds too sweet to hear. Subsidies and freebies were showered on the people while long term vision became non existent. Killing with kindness? A movement needs to connect with a long period of time and have everlasting impact. Patch work administration and commission system for Govt contracts were the instruments. I asked a Minister why the Marina beach gets beautified every five years? His candid answer was : It is impossible to audit expenses in a vast space. You can place couple of granite slabs, bill for half a dozen and make safe buck. Incredible ideas! We need poor to see their smiles and see God in their smiles, right! So poor remained poor. So some can see God.
Dravidstan was wound up on threats from Govt of India but enabled CN Annadurai secure a seat in Parliament. Tamilnadu was never an unified political entity and their kings ran wars against each other endlessly. The other promise of classless casteless society will remain a dream but stay as a bait for voters and tool for electioneering. There are no elections without caste considerations.
Most contemporary claims of revolutions from Cuba to Argentina to Nazi Germany follow the same path. The strategy of such movements can be related in these simple steps:
Claim yourself as a Son of the soil and a Pure Son of the soil.
Claim you have facts.
Say you are personally hurt by many things.
Create an agenda of division.
Claim some don’t belong and are threats.
Create fear.
Abuse. Possible unleash violence.
Discard heritage as superstition. Mock them.
Create prejudices. Cripple.
Create divisions. More they are the better.
Pamper every divided group while pitting against another.
Make appear that you have monopoly of facts and sense.
Create enemies. The bigger the enemy, the better the inspiration.
Say if we don’t destroy these enemies, we will be destroyed.
Create constant fear.
Call yourself the saviour, the messiah.
Propaganda
Some will expose these stupid, fanatics..gives more strength
But having created divisions (as they can’t fight a unified society ), contest elections.
Promise a new World.
Win
Enjoy power
Get wealthy
More promises.
Harass detractors
Propagate
Force people to support.
Claim victory.
Somebody gets everything.
People stay as they were.
Apparently India or Tamilnadu are not alien to this strategy.
Having been numbed for over centuries, Indians and that includes Tamils sustained themselves on conceptual beliefs. You believe someone is a father because your parents were married and because your mother said so. This is a simple belief. This was no superstion. Conceptualised Beliefs can’t be rationalised except by experiences. Despite systematic selective calls on every belief as a superstition and blame on people for their misery for their superstitions, it was peoples’ firm beliefs that goodness and truth will ultimately prevail that helped the civilisation to outlast in India while other civilisations saw their end. But rationalism became a word misused to sound modern and rationalise actions that did not deliver to benefit people. Twisted information, propaganda, concealed facts became knowledge. Reasoning was applied for deceit, corruption, pass the buck and to appear as heroes despite acting as villains of the society. The ongoing Theni neutrino project is a prime example. Was there ever a better rationalist or a scientist than President Abdul Kalam?
We cannot say that none benefited substantially from this so called movement? It’s impossible practically to prevent evolution in the remotest states on the planet. But to claim credit for whatever progress achieved by individual enterprises is hoodwinking. The example is the business of Information technology that grew untouched as Govt didn’t understand process. Point is fifty years were wasted with rhetoric filled politics in Tamilnadu, Compared to a nation the size of Chennai : Singapore. The poor politicians of Tamilnadu became billionaires, industrialists, land lords and their families benefited. These professional politicians still attract crowd and votes despite total betrayals. It’s all about posturing in political Tamilnadu. In a society that has been numbed not to differentiate between real and unreal, where filmi world exercises maximum influence and considered saviours and intellectuals, these were no surprise.
A movement and political parties based on utophian principles of so called self respect, anti Brahmin, Pro tamil, anti Hindi, for women’s rights and a casteless society arrived has achieved nothing on the principles but has treated citizens as beggars. Some self respect rationalistic Dravidian reformation this.
Independent media like any business doesn’t exist either but has become a vested force to please some. Social media hardly an excercise of meaningful debates. Having delivered almost nothing to people, the so called Dravidian movement continues to hoodwink. They are now rattled that they will be exposed and spew venom on its critics. What matters is power and money alone. Self respect movement has come to hate any self respect. Intolerant to criticisms. So much so any self respect will be looked down with contempt and will be labelled with negatives instead of being open to criticisms.
Tamils should understand reality and Wake up to break their self imposed narrow walls. You have unparalleled achievements of the past. Your towering works in architecture , music, literature and fine arts marks of human excellence. The first crucible steel known as Wootz steel went from here. Ship building industry employed thousands. How else were the Chozhas able to conquer South Asia? Reports say Tamilnadu was centre for steel factories in 18th century that were shut down and technology destroyed by British. Such a group of brave hardworking are now acting peevish enjoying conspiracy theories like losers? Obsession with reservations need to stop as Reservations are for the disabled and not for a brave society that takes pride in its sense of belonging to its soil. Education and health are our birthrights that governments should ensure and rest Tamils can earn by commitment and hardworking. Dishonesty has become our way of life and We need to discard it for the benefit of posterity. Dravidianism is all about propaganda distancing itself from facts and truth.
Yes. There were minor benefits during the period. But they pale in comparison to the giant size promises that were dished out. Obviously some cowards will hide behind these Mickey Mouse achievements and can’t accept the fact they failed. This needs courage, The example of officers of Information dept including those gazetted bring appointed large scale without recourse to any appointment rules or reservations or respect to constitutional guidelines proves that it was governance was casual without the welfare of people in mind. Anyone can become a civil servant or even President but it’s impossible to become an officer in that dept. Instead of being hurt, Tamils should look within and try to change their narrow outlook. Look wider as demanded by Kaniyan Poongundranar.
Let’s boldly begin to wash our dirty linen in public. All is not well with us. Agitations and violent methods are mark of frustration and are not revolutions. For the sake of our great grand children, in honour of the great seers of the land and as representatives of a 5000 year heritage, let’s wake up. Remember how Japan silently revolutionised herself. Silent, disciplined, hardworking, dignified & without hatred. Time we all give one big slap to ourselves and wake up from our dream filled slumber. Self respect movement ultimately deprived people of their self respect and going by the fake news masquerading as knowledge and the intolerance of people to contrary and different thoughts proves that self respect has come to mean being opinated.
No time did Tamilnadu was distant from civilisation. The threat is now. And real. The systematic destruction of this civilisation is on by a group of people without scruple , meticulous executioners of the fine art of corruption and scams, bribery, loot of not just wealth but of her 5000 year old heritage in the fake name of reforms and modernisation and genius in diverting petty issues as great emotional causes so people will remain backward and uncivilised. The people are being turned to remain inferior and keep away from the excellence they had nurtured for centuries by creating a contempt for heritage as something derogatory. Like the lowelist of British who enjoyed high privileges in Colonial India, its the loveliest among us who claim to be her guiding force. Do you see what I see? This rule has lead us to pauperism and emasculation. Let’s be grateful that we have not been plunged into the kind of wretchedness as we saw during colonial rule..
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