I write here about an outstanding journalist Cho Ramaswami, a thespian and a film actor, writer and publisher, who did a lot of socio-political satires, daringly taking on all the politicians, without the burden of any party affiliations. As a capping endeavour of his several achievements, Cho founded ‘Tuglaq,’ a Tamil weekly in Jan 1970 and was its editor until his death in Dec 2016. He served as a Rajya Sabha MP from November 1999 to November 2005 nominated by President K R Narayanan. Visit of Jayalalithaa the then CM of Tamil Nadu and Modi the PM of India while ailing and in hospital will reflect his political clout.
Cho dared all, from releasing a stamp in memory of Capt. Subhash Saxena, the pilot of the aircraft, who also died in the air crash that killed Sanjay Gandhi. Cho had published pictures of Dravida Kazagam’s parading images of Lord Rama and Sita in the nude in 1971, resulting in banning and confiscation and destruction of all the copies of Tuglaq magazine.
E.V.Ramasamy Naicker, EeVeRa, popularly known as ‘Periyar,’ or ‘the great’ led a rationalist moment and built his base abusing Hindu Gods and more importantly Brahmins, who virtually were at the helm of affairs in the Southern State. Breaking Gods Idols, wiping away the vermillion marks of the women, cutting the tresses or sacred threads of the Brahmins gave Periyar’s supporters an ecstatic glee. It could also have been venting of pent up anger of generations of subjugations of the lower caste by the Tamil Brahmins.
The present Dravidian parties, a dozen or more, are all offshoots of Periyar’s Dravida Kazagam, the DMK, AIADMK, MDMK, PMK to lead a few. The peace-loving Brahmin community would not engage with the rowdyism and lawlessness spread out by Periyar’s thugs and quietly made their way out of Tamil Nadu to peaceful and inclusive destinations like Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata. The emergence of BJP as a nodal power in the national politics with Modi at its helm has given the Hindu Tamils a new hope as the war of words are escalating.
Now appears Rajinikanth, the reluctant superstar and has been evasive of his entry into Indian politics. Rajini could be a late runner into politics but still has an unparalleled charisma, feared, respected and despised by other political leaders. He had to prove his seriousness on critical issues, especially his dare to the Dravida ideologies. He, as the chief guest of Tuglaq’s golden jubilee celebrations, criticised Periyar’s divisive policies of denigrating Hindu Gods and using it as a ladder to grow in politics.
As expected, the Dravidian parties in Tamil Nadu erupted in a furore over the slight of their revered past leader and demanded Rajini’s apology. The actor stood firm and has refused to apologise on his stand, which was merely a comment on historical facts. Tamil Hindus have been suffering silently at the atheist Dravidian philosophies, and Rajini’s shoulders have become the leaning point for all, which will make a dent in the state’s politics. BJP would undoubtedly do its best to polarise and isolate the Dravidian parties, with usual political and administrative skills that they have acquired in the last seven years.
Tamil politics could be more entertaining in the days to come, than the increasingly dull caa caa chi chi songs.
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
