In an interview with acclaimed film critic Baradwaj Rangan, the director of ‘Meiyazhagan’ film C Prem Kumar (who also made the film 96) justified showing portraits of EV Ramasamy Naicker (hailed as ‘Periyar’ by his followers) and Hindu God Murugan in the same frame, saying that Tamil people celebrate EVR as much as Murugan.
“Tamil people are like that. As much as we go to a Murugan Temple, we celebrate Periyar too. He is literally like a clan deity for us. Because if he had not fought, I’m not sure if we would’ve got this much rights. A few were there before and after, but the impact that he gave is almost in our genes. Even to this generation, he’s relevant as youngsters proudly wear t-shirts that say ‘I’m Periyar’s grandson’. We should venerate him.“, the Dravidianist director said.
The Meiyazhagan director then went on to expose the typical separatist undercurrent present in the mind of a Dravidianist, saying, “Because we’re so educated today, we’ve a fighting spirit in us, we boldly talk back. All over India, we’ve our own separate identity as Tamil Nadu. Other state people fear us. That fear comes from him.”
Kumar further went on to peddle half-truths about how EVR was not against any religion and how he is hailed as a ‘Vaikkom Veerar’.
However, here’s where the Meiyazhagan film director exposed his ignorance and peddled the usual Dravidianist rhetoric on EVR.
What EVR Said About Hindu God Murugan
This is how EVR disgustingly described the birth of Hindu God Murugan as per the book Thoughts of Periyar EVR and was originally cited from “Kadavul Oru Karpanaye – 1971″:
“The birth of Kandhan (another name for Murugan’s) has been explained in Ramayanam, Kanchi Puranam and (S)Kandha Puranam. Apparently, Devas asked Siva “Oh Lord Siva! The atrocities of demons has increased. We’re not able to bear it. You’ve to give birth to a son who is valiant to slay them” and prayed to him. Accordingly, Lord Siva married Parvathi and started having sex with her to get a child. Sivan and Parvathi kept having sex for a thousand years. The Devas after seeing that the child has not been born despite having sex for a thousand years, feared that ‘If a child is born now, the world can’t handle. It will be that strong. It might destroy the world.’ They went to Siva and prayed to him to stop having sex. Siva responded to them, saying, “As per your wish, I don’t have a problem in stopping. But what do I do with the sperm that comes out?”. Immediately, the Devas cupped their hands and asked him to release the sperm in there. Accordingly, Siva released his sperm in their hands and asked them to drink it. Devas drank it. Siva released the remaining sperms in the Ganga. Ganga couldn’t bear it and started boiling. The Devas who drank it got pregnant. They went to Siva, prayed and asked him for a remedy for this pregnancy problem. Siva apparently told them their pregnancy would be resolved if they took a bath in Suragareeswarar Pond in Kancheepuram. Devas accordingly took a dip in the pond and relieved themselves of the pregnancy. The sperms of Siva, which was flowing in the earth, split into six branches and became six babies. Six ladies fed those six babies milk. Since giving milk to 6 babies was difficult, they made the six babies into 1. Because of this, the body became 1, and the head became 6. That’s the story of ‘Arumugam’ (another name for Lord Murugan). Since he emerged from a ‘Skalam’, hence the name ‘Skandha’. Brahma made his daughter his wife. Lakshmi had sex with a horse. These are the qualities of the Gods we have!”
Busting The ‘Vaikom Veerar’ Myth
The Vaikom Satyagraha, a historic nonviolent agitation that began in March 1924, sought to secure the right of lower caste members to walk on the roads leading to the Vaikom Temple in Travancore. Led by Indian National Congress leaders, particularly George Joseph (Rosappu Dorai), and inspired by Hindu reformer Shree Narayana Guru, the movement aimed to abolish untouchability and allow Dalits entry into temples.
Although EV Ramasamy Naicker (Periyar) had minimal involvement—attending only one event during the year-long protest—he is credited as a central figure in Tamil Nadu. School textbooks refer to him as the “Vaikom Warrior” despite historical evidence showing he was not the leader. Meanwhile, Rosappu Dorai remains unrecognised mainly, and the Dravidar Kazhagam has promoted Periyar as the hero of the struggle despite his limited role.
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