Dear brethren and sisters,
I am accustomed to wake up from the bed along with the rising sun; today also I woke up like that. The voice of brother Suba Veerapandian speaking on Kalaignar TV was heard. In his speech under the caption, ‘Ondre Sol – Nandre Sol’ after mentioning about the history of the Dravidian movement, when he pointed out that the centenary year of the Dravidian Sangam begins from February this year and get completed in 2013, as I was reminded of the books on ‘The History of the Dravidian Movement’ written by late Murasoli Maran, late K.G.Radha Manalan and another Brother K.Thirunavukkarasu, I went through them to find out whether there are any references on years for this year to be treated as the Centenary year of the Dravidian movement.
When I read the first chapter of the Introduction to the book ‘The History of the Dravidian Movement’ written by Murasoli Maran under the sub-heading ‘Birth of the Dravidian Movement’, I write this epistle appending it, as it is, without missing a word, so as to remind you:-
“Beginning of the 20 th century....
Precisely to say in the year 1912”!
Some government employees working in Chennai city, realising that they were ignored in employment for the only reason that they were non-Brahmins and refused justful opportunities for promotions etc., formed a forum called ‘Madras United League’ in the year 1912 to discuss, work together and jointly put forward their grievances.
The person who was guiding and assisting this forum was one of the best doctors in Chennai, Dr. Natesan. He was the founder of the Dravidian movement. He was also the Secretary of the forum and rendered yeoman service. Within a year the membership of that forum rose to 300. The meetings of the ‘League’ were held at the residence of Dr. Natesan situated in Big Street, Triplicane.
Certain non-Brahmins, who in later days accepted bigger assignments, like Thiru. Saravana Pillai (later became Deputy Collector of Thanjavur), Thiru G.Veerasamy, Thiru Duraisamy Mudaliar (belonged to Engineering department), Thiru S.Narayanasamy Naidu (served as Sheriff of Revenue Board), worked for forming ‘Madras United League’, says Thiru Rangasamy Naidu.
The very first social work they undertook was adult education. Government employees, who were members of it, spent their evening rest time for this work. One among the works of that forum was holding a reception to young non-Brahmin graduates getting university degrees every year, introducing them among themselves and reminding their social task. As the number of non-Brahmin students getting university degrees were very least this was possible.
Once such reception meeting was held under the presidentship of Diwan Bahadur P.Kesava Pillai, (Sir) Pitti Theagarayar, Rajah of Panagal et al attended that function. A youth who proposed vote of thanks on behalf of the graduates attracted the hearts of all by his oratorical skills. It was he who later became a functionary of the Justice Party and the first Finance Minister of India, (Sir) R.K. Shanmugam (Chettiar).
In 1913, the first anniversary meeting of the Madras United League was held at the garden of the hospital of Dr. Natesan. The resolution moved and adopted there then, was the one which found out the exclusive nature of a race as named the movement itself. That was the resolution to change the nomenclature of ‘Madras United League’! Everybody conceded that the nomenclature of the association did not reflect its aims and a discussion for giving a correct nomenclature was held.
There was an opinion that it could be named as ‘Non-Brahmins Association’. As it was a negative nomenclature stiff opposition was raised and finally the resolution to change the nomenclature of ‘Madras United League’ as ‘Dravidian Association’ was unanimously adopted. From that day the consciousness propelled by that Association acquired the name of the Dravidian movement.
After changing the name its membership raised to 500.
The anniversary valedictory function of the Dravidian Association was held at a hall in the upstairs of a high school in Triplicane in 1914. Along with the function a reception for non-Brahmin graduates was also arranged.
Rajah of Venkatagiri, who had accepted to preside over the function, could not attend the function due to illness. Then, C.Krishnan, who was Chief Judge of Small Cause Courts and later promoted as Judge of the Madras High Court, presided over that function. On that day, special address was given by Dr. T.M.Nair. He delivered a rare speech befitting recall by students and government employees who had gathered there. He urged the youth to get courageous, boldly put forward their grievances and work for strengthening the organisation so that people realise its needs.
If he completed his speech saying, ‘Awake, Arise or be forever fallen’, we can understand what a rousing speech he delivered among non-Brahmin younger generation.
With no sufficient funds, the Dravidian Association published two explanatory books on views in 1915, notable among which was ‘Non-Brahmin Letters’, 21 letters explaining the backwardness of non-Brahmins in the then Madras Presidency were contained in those publications.
It was written in the pseudonym N.S.K. and another book was ‘Dravidian Worthies’ written by Sir C.Sankaran Nair.
v Non-Brahmins remain strews over disunited like a bag of amla untied and dropped.
v Not only refusing to unite; they also remain divided even among themselves.
v Without paying attention to education, carrying on their hereditary jobs, their aim does not go beyond becoming, at the most ‘Dubashis’.
v Even by non-Brahmin proprietors their non-Brahmin brother-workers are treated meanly.
v For this mean status of non-Brahmins they should accuse themselves
v Because they have failed to use job opportunities in government
v At the same time look at Brahmins! How unitedly they work using education realising its importance.
v But non-Brahmins immersing in the fallacy of ‘Manusmruthi’ are themselves the reason for their backwardness.
v If non-Brahmin community people have to get their due place in the public life of Madras Presidency, all Dravidians have to be brought together organisationally; ‘national’ colleges teaching Dravidian languages should be started.
Such publications portraying truth created awakening among educated non-Brahmins.
***
Brothers and sisters,
From this book of Murasoli Maran and the speech of brother Suba Veerapandian, it can be understood that it is that ‘Dravidar Sangam’ started by Natesan is like the foundation for the linguistic affinity, rationalist consciousness and social justice that had developed today. All Tamils, Dravidians are bound to celebrate for this whole year the centenary of Dravidian movement creating such feelings. Hence all efforts have to be taken for grandly celebrating the centenary of the Dravidian movement from 2012 to 2013 on behalf of our Party. We should speak about the greatness of veterans who nurtured the Dravidian movement, in those centenary functions. Let us bear in mind that the centenary of Dravidian movement adds glory to every Tamil. Let us conduct functions throughout the state. The centenary of Dravidian movement is a self respect rights festival that we have to celebrate! Without specifying days let us try to celebrate the centenary function all through the year – for which let us bang the drum from today – let the slogan begin today, on Feb.18. Later, beginning in district headquarters, let the centenary function conducted, in a rousing manner!
Let it be conducted everywhere!
With affection,
M.K.t
I am accustomed to wake up from the bed along with the rising sun; today also I woke up like that. The voice of brother Suba Veerapandian speaking on Kalaignar TV was heard. In his speech under the caption, ‘Ondre Sol – Nandre Sol’ after mentioning about the history of the Dravidian movement, when he pointed out that the centenary year of the Dravidian Sangam begins from February this year and get completed in 2013, as I was reminded of the books on ‘The History of the Dravidian Movement’ written by late Murasoli Maran, late K.G.Radha Manalan and another Brother K.Thirunavukkarasu, I went through them to find out whether there are any references on years for this year to be treated as the Centenary year of the Dravidian movement.
When I read the first chapter of the Introduction to the book ‘The History of the Dravidian Movement’ written by Murasoli Maran under the sub-heading ‘Birth of the Dravidian Movement’, I write this epistle appending it, as it is, without missing a word, so as to remind you:-
“Beginning of the 20 th century....
Precisely to say in the year 1912”!
Some government employees working in Chennai city, realising that they were ignored in employment for the only reason that they were non-Brahmins and refused justful opportunities for promotions etc., formed a forum called ‘Madras United League’ in the year 1912 to discuss, work together and jointly put forward their grievances.
The person who was guiding and assisting this forum was one of the best doctors in Chennai, Dr. Natesan. He was the founder of the Dravidian movement. He was also the Secretary of the forum and rendered yeoman service. Within a year the membership of that forum rose to 300. The meetings of the ‘League’ were held at the residence of Dr. Natesan situated in Big Street, Triplicane.
Certain non-Brahmins, who in later days accepted bigger assignments, like Thiru. Saravana Pillai (later became Deputy Collector of Thanjavur), Thiru G.Veerasamy, Thiru Duraisamy Mudaliar (belonged to Engineering department), Thiru S.Narayanasamy Naidu (served as Sheriff of Revenue Board), worked for forming ‘Madras United League’, says Thiru Rangasamy Naidu.
The very first social work they undertook was adult education. Government employees, who were members of it, spent their evening rest time for this work. One among the works of that forum was holding a reception to young non-Brahmin graduates getting university degrees every year, introducing them among themselves and reminding their social task. As the number of non-Brahmin students getting university degrees were very least this was possible.
Once such reception meeting was held under the presidentship of Diwan Bahadur P.Kesava Pillai, (Sir) Pitti Theagarayar, Rajah of Panagal et al attended that function. A youth who proposed vote of thanks on behalf of the graduates attracted the hearts of all by his oratorical skills. It was he who later became a functionary of the Justice Party and the first Finance Minister of India, (Sir) R.K. Shanmugam (Chettiar).
In 1913, the first anniversary meeting of the Madras United League was held at the garden of the hospital of Dr. Natesan. The resolution moved and adopted there then, was the one which found out the exclusive nature of a race as named the movement itself. That was the resolution to change the nomenclature of ‘Madras United League’! Everybody conceded that the nomenclature of the association did not reflect its aims and a discussion for giving a correct nomenclature was held.
There was an opinion that it could be named as ‘Non-Brahmins Association’. As it was a negative nomenclature stiff opposition was raised and finally the resolution to change the nomenclature of ‘Madras United League’ as ‘Dravidian Association’ was unanimously adopted. From that day the consciousness propelled by that Association acquired the name of the Dravidian movement.
After changing the name its membership raised to 500.
The anniversary valedictory function of the Dravidian Association was held at a hall in the upstairs of a high school in Triplicane in 1914. Along with the function a reception for non-Brahmin graduates was also arranged.
Rajah of Venkatagiri, who had accepted to preside over the function, could not attend the function due to illness. Then, C.Krishnan, who was Chief Judge of Small Cause Courts and later promoted as Judge of the Madras High Court, presided over that function. On that day, special address was given by Dr. T.M.Nair. He delivered a rare speech befitting recall by students and government employees who had gathered there. He urged the youth to get courageous, boldly put forward their grievances and work for strengthening the organisation so that people realise its needs.
If he completed his speech saying, ‘Awake, Arise or be forever fallen’, we can understand what a rousing speech he delivered among non-Brahmin younger generation.
With no sufficient funds, the Dravidian Association published two explanatory books on views in 1915, notable among which was ‘Non-Brahmin Letters’, 21 letters explaining the backwardness of non-Brahmins in the then Madras Presidency were contained in those publications.
It was written in the pseudonym N.S.K. and another book was ‘Dravidian Worthies’ written by Sir C.Sankaran Nair.
v Non-Brahmins remain strews over disunited like a bag of amla untied and dropped.
v Not only refusing to unite; they also remain divided even among themselves.
v Without paying attention to education, carrying on their hereditary jobs, their aim does not go beyond becoming, at the most ‘Dubashis’.
v Even by non-Brahmin proprietors their non-Brahmin brother-workers are treated meanly.
v For this mean status of non-Brahmins they should accuse themselves
v Because they have failed to use job opportunities in government
v At the same time look at Brahmins! How unitedly they work using education realising its importance.
v But non-Brahmins immersing in the fallacy of ‘Manusmruthi’ are themselves the reason for their backwardness.
v If non-Brahmin community people have to get their due place in the public life of Madras Presidency, all Dravidians have to be brought together organisationally; ‘national’ colleges teaching Dravidian languages should be started.
Such publications portraying truth created awakening among educated non-Brahmins.
***
Brothers and sisters,
From this book of Murasoli Maran and the speech of brother Suba Veerapandian, it can be understood that it is that ‘Dravidar Sangam’ started by Natesan is like the foundation for the linguistic affinity, rationalist consciousness and social justice that had developed today. All Tamils, Dravidians are bound to celebrate for this whole year the centenary of Dravidian movement creating such feelings. Hence all efforts have to be taken for grandly celebrating the centenary of the Dravidian movement from 2012 to 2013 on behalf of our Party. We should speak about the greatness of veterans who nurtured the Dravidian movement, in those centenary functions. Let us bear in mind that the centenary of Dravidian movement adds glory to every Tamil. Let us conduct functions throughout the state. The centenary of Dravidian movement is a self respect rights festival that we have to celebrate! Without specifying days let us try to celebrate the centenary function all through the year – for which let us bang the drum from today – let the slogan begin today, on Feb.18. Later, beginning in district headquarters, let the centenary function conducted, in a rousing manner!
Let it be conducted everywhere!
With affection,
M.K.t
Proud to hear about my Grandfather K.G.Radhamanalan.
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