A controversy has erupted in the Yercaud hills following the renaming of one of its hairpin bends, with several groups alleging that the move amounts to the erasure of Tamil history.

Yercaud, located about 30 kilometres from Salem, is popularly referred to as the “Ooty of the poor” and attracts large numbers of tourists, especially during summer. The ghat road connecting Salem to Yercaud stretches for nearly 20 kilometres and takes around an hour to traverse. Along this steep mountain route are 20 hairpin bends, beginning near the Muniyappan temple at the foothills and ending at the 20th bend close to Yercaud town.

Historically, the hairpin bends along this route have been named after ancient Tamil kings to commemorate their legacy. In this sequence, the eighth hairpin bend had long been known as the Thagadoor Athiyaman Bend, named after Athiyaman Neduman Anji, a historically significant ruler associated with the Thagadoor region.

However, during recent road renovation works carried out around the time of a summer festival, officials of the Highways Department renamed the eighth hairpin bend as Father Periyar Bend, after social reformer Periyar E. V. Ramasamy. The change triggered sharp reactions from sections of the public and political groups, who argued that replacing the name of a Sangam-era ruler with that of a modern political figure amounted to historical erasure.

Members of Naam Tamilar Katchi staged a protest at the site, objecting to the renaming. During the demonstration, party cadres reportedly blackened the newly installed Periyar name board and affixed flex banners restoring the name “Thagadoor Athiyaman Bend.” After staging the protest, the group dispersed.

Naam Tamilar Katchi members stated that they had no objection to naming locations after Periyar elsewhere but insisted that the eighth hairpin bend should retain Athiyaman Neduman Anji’s name, as it had been originally designated to honour ancient Tamil rulers. They alleged that the renaming was done deliberately during the festival period and said such actions distorted history.

Following the protest, members of the Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam submitted petitions to the police and highways officials, demanding action against those who removed or defaced the Periyar name board. Acting on a complaint lodged by the Highways Department, the Yercaud police registered cases against 13 Naam Tamilar Katchi members in connection with the incident.

Source: Dinamalar

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The post Dravidian Model: Tamil King Athiyaman’s Name Removed As Yercaud Hairpin Bend Renamed After EVR; Triggers Protest appeared first on The Commune.