Periyar E. V. Ramasamy
Erode Venkata Ramasamy (17 September 1879 – 24 December 1973), affectionately called Periyar or E. V. R. by his followers, was an Indian social activist, politician and businessman who started the Self-Respect Movement or the Dravidian Movement. He was also the founder of the Dravidar Kazhagam political party.
Periyar was born in Erode, Madras Presidency to a wealthy family of Balijas. At a young age, he witnessed numerous incidents of caste and gender discrimination. Periyar married when he was 19, and had a daughter who lived for only 5 months. His first wife, Nagammai, died in 1933. Periyar married for a second time in July 1948. His second wife, Maniammai, continued Periyar's social work after his death in 1973, but still his thoughts and ideas were being spread by Dravidar Kazhagam.
Periyar joined the Indian National Congress in 1919, but resigned in 1925 when he felt that the party was only serving the interests of the Brahmins. In 1924, Periyar participated in a non-violent agitation (satyagraha) in Vaikom, Kerala. From 1929 to 1932 toured British Malaya, Europe, and Russia, which had an influence on him. In 1939, Periyar became the head of the Justice Party, and in 1944, he changed its name to Dravidar Kazhagam. The party later split and one group led by C. N. Annadurai formed the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in 1949. While continuing the Self-Respect Movement, he advocated for an independent Dravida Nadu (Dravidistan).
