Thanthai Periyar Memorial | 04 Jan 2025

Source: TH 

• Recently, Kerala and Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers inaugurated the renovated Thanthai Periyar memorial in Vaikom, a significant site commemorating the contributions of Tamil reformist E.V. Ramasami Naicker, popularly known as Thanthai Periyar. 
• The memorial honors Thanthai Periyar, who played a pivotal role in the Vaikom Satyagraha, recognized as the first organized movement for the rights of the 'untouchable' communities in India in April 1924. 
  • Periyar's activism led to his imprisonment twice for his involvement in the movement, earning him the title Vaikom Veeran. 
• The renovated memorial includes a new library and a wealth of materials detailing Periyar’s biography, history of the Dravidian movement, and his interactions with prominent leaders. 
• Contributions of Periyar: 
  • The Vaikom Satyagraha, a peaceful protest held in Vaikom, Kerala, from 30^th  March 1924 to 23^rd November 1925 was led by visionary leaders T.K. Madhavan, K.P. Kesava Menon, and K. Kelappan. 
  • He started the Self-Respect Movement and Dravidar Kazhagam and is known as the 'Father of the Dravidian movement’. 

 Read More: 100 Years of Vaikom Satyagraha