Origin of Dravidian movement: Needless controversy

After DMK President Kalaignar took the lead in celebrating the 100^th year of the Dravidian movement and organised a grand inaugural function on February 27, a needless controversy on the origin of the movement is sought to be created by some elements who are not kindly disposed towards the movement or in the furtherance of any of its causes.

It is true that there were rudimentary elements of social crusade against some form of domination or the other and for establishing equality, against obscurantist social practices and discriminations , against superstitious beliefs etc., For instance Siddhars who lived in Tamil Nadu denounced many rituals and superstitious beliefs. In the 19^th and early 20^th centuries, we find social reformist thinkers and movements not only in Tamil Nadu but also in many other parts of India. History has seen some extraordinary reformers who established the very foundation of modern India and made an impact by their great work for the society. Raja RamMohan Ray, Jamnalal Bajaj, Ambedkar, Vitthal Ramji Shinde, Kandukuri Veeresalingam, Jyotirao Phule, Narayana Guru et al., There were also number of reformers from time to time who sought to bring about some reforms within the ambit of religion. But the celebrated Dravidian movement, ipso facto, an embodiment of social and political missions, is a distinct departure from the earlier social reform movements.

Reflecting the above mentioned cynical observations on the origin of the Dravidian movement, there was a question-answer under the columns ‘Kazhugaar Pathilgal’ in Tamil bi-weekly Junior Vikatan in its issue dated 4.3.2012, which is as follows:

“Karunanidhi is celebrating the centenary of the Dravidian movement?”

Based on history, it should be seen only from the rise of South Indian Liberation Federation in 1916. If seen that way, centenary should be celebrated only in 2016. But Karunanidhi is celebrating, telling ‘Madras United League’ started by Dr. Natesan in 1912 as the pioneer movement. In that way, there are many movements prior to Dr. Natesan. The history of Virudhai Sivagnana Yogi who started ‘Thiruvidar Kazhagam’ in Kutralam and Kovilpatti started in 1908. Hence, celebrating centenary of Dravidian movement this year itself is subjected to study.”

Although ‘Junior Vikatan’ saying ‘subject to study’ is welcome, the reply itself has a tenor of implying suspicion. Moreover, this is only the beginning of a series of innuendos to follow from inimical personal forces. So it is necessary to put things in proper perspective.

In our state, there are two streams of thinking, one based on Tamil and the other, based on Sanskrit, the former looking at humanity on equal plank and protecting it and the later is of orthodoxical sanadhana varnasrama Dharma life. This trend continuing from the Sangam period is of two ideologies which are mutually contradictory. Those two ideologies, continuously in clash in history slowly started taking the shape of movement in the beginning of 19^th century itself. Junior Vikatan refers to Thiruvidar Kazhagam of 1908; but there is also reference to 1903. As the journal has pointed out there were several movements prior to Dr. Natesan, but there are lot of differences between the movement of Natesan and that of others. For instance, in Bhakthi movement, Ramalinga Adigalar caused great surprise.

In the voice of Ramalingar,

k¤j rkakj tH¡bfšyh khŒªjJ
tUzh ÁukbkD ka¡fKŠ rhŒªjJ

(meaning, ‘The practice of respected religion withered and the illusion of Varnasramam also fell down.)

We hear the appeal of the Dravidian movement on this and hence the beginning of Dravidian movement can also be calculated from there! The thoughts of Ramalinganar in his last days were like that. But he was not involved in politics and hence we cannot celebrate that year. However the thoughts of Ramalinganar are inherited by us.

Dravidian movement has several branches. Where to link the ideology – language greeting, provided by Manonmaniam Sundaranar? Cannot the year of the Dravidian movement started from there? It was only to glorify it that Kalaignar approved it as the Tamil mother greeting lyric of Tamil Nadu. There are also:

1. Dravidar Kazhagam started by John Ratnam – 1892
2. 4^th Madurai Tamil Sangam – 1901
3. Thiruvidar Kazhagam – 1903
4. Thamizhar Kazhagam – 1903
5. Madras Non-Brahmin Association – 1909
6. This Association is later re-christened as The Madras Dravidian Association – 1909
7. Karanthai Tamil Sangam – 1911
8. Madras United League – 1912
9. Later Madras Dravidian Association – 1912
10. South Indian Liberal Federation – Justice Party - 1916
11. Thani Tamilzh Movement – 1916
12. Tamil Isai Movement – 1916, 1943
13. Self – Respect Movement 1925
14. Dravidar Kazhagam – 1944
15. Dravida Munnetra kazhagam – 1949

Non-Brahmin religious cultural organisations have not been included in this. Among the above mentioned organisations there are social, literary and political movements–organisations. The aims and functional areas of social and literacy organisations are limited and hence they were not known throughout Madras Presidency during that period. Hence all those organisations could not be construed as the originating stage of the Dravidian movements. However, they functioned with the elements of Dravidian movement.

What are the reasons for holding the organisation started by Dr. C.Natesan as the basis for the 100^th year of the Dravidian movement?

1. The Dravidian Association of Dr. Natesan served and functioned as an impetus for the shaping of the Justice Party, just as the Pallavi for a good musical song.
2. Dr. C.Natesan’s Dravidian Association created a swadeshi reactive alternative to Home Rule Party of Annie Besant and Swarajya Party. Dravidian Association conducted many conferences and meetings.
3. Within a short period branches of the Dravidian Association were set up throughout the state and functioned.
4. Such great persons like M.Singaravelar, Prof. Lakshmi Narasu, Annie Besant, Alexander Cardie, Rajah of Panagal , Rajah of Pithapuram, Tamil scholar Bhavanandam Pillai, K.V.Reddy Naidu, T.M.Nair, Justice Krishnan and Theagaraya Chettiar had spoken in Dravidar Sangam.
5. Even after the formation of Justice Party, that Association had functioned as an auxiliary organisation and gave witness before Joint Parliamentary Committee in London.
6. Prior to the genesis of the Justice Party – i.e. for about four years, it had provided food and residence for the study of non-brahmin students. Students from various parts of Tamil Nadu / Madras Province came, studied and graduated. In the hostel arranged by this Association, Sir R.K.Shanmugam Chettiar, who later became the first Finance Minister of India, stayed and studied.
7. The Dravidian Association had struggled like a Trade Union by getting rid of the atrocities meted out to Tamils in government jobs and taking up their grievances and causes .

It is only assuming such an organisation as the pioneering organisation of the Dravidian movement, that Kalaignar has called for celebrating the 100^th year throughout the year. How can this be termed as incorrect?

For Justice Party, a Golden Jubilee was celebrated separately and a souvenir was released. For Self-Respect movement, golden jubilee and platinum jubilee were celebrated. The Dravidar Kazhagam can also celebrate its own organisational functions. So also, the DMK can celebrate. There is nothing wrong in celebrating 100^th year of Justice Party in 2016, as Junior Vikatan says.

The Dravidian Association is the organisation that first used the word ‘Dravidian’, learnt as historical term in the history of 20^th century. Moreover, Dravidian Association also provided the guideline to the formation of Justice Party as a political organisation.

It was only because of that, Kalaignar has directed the DMK to celebrate all through the year as the 100^th year of Dravidian movement. Celebrating the 100^th year of the Dravidian movement from the birth of the Dravidian Association is absolutely correct! Hence it is correct according to study, let Junior Vikatan and any other dubious elements attempting to disrupt the on-going celebrations be told!