Remembering Narayanguru and Periyar

The month of September reminds us of two great personalities of South India. 17 September is the birth
anniversary of Periyar E Ramasamy while it was on 20
September, 85 years back, that Narayan Guru passed away.
Periyar E. Ramasamy (17 September 1879 – 24December
1973) was a Dravidian social reformer and statesman, who
launched 'Atmasamman movement' (Self-respect
movement) and founded Dravid Kazgham. Rationalism, selfrespect, social reform, eradication of caste and women's rights were the cornerstones of Periyar's philosophy. It was he who critically analyzed the history of exploitation and persecution of the Dravidians by the Aryans. Narayan Guru (22 August, 1956 – 20 September 1928) is considered the most powerful anti-Brahmanism spiritual leader of South India. Like Periyar, he launched a movement for creating a feeling of self-respect among the backward classes. Both the great personalities established a large number of educational and other institutions which are flourishing even today and are
playing a key role in the movement of social reform through crores of their followers. FORWARD Press salutes these two towering personalities.
                                    
                                        (Published in  Forward Press, September, 2013 Issue)

Forward Press.