How did a transformative socio-cultural movement become an electorally successful political force? To answer this question, we have with us Vignesh Rajahmani. In his book, ‘The Dravidian Pathway’, he illustrates how the Dravidian movement transformed into an electorally viable political party, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). We also explore the ideas of the Dravidian-Tamil ethos, key agitations led by the DMK, the foundational role of Periyar and the Self-Respect movement, the importance of reading rooms, the language question, and more

References:

1. Vignesh Rajahmani: Biography, LinkedIn, X, Instagram
2.  The Dravidian Pathway: How the DMK Redefined Power and Identity in South India by Vignesh Rajahmani
3. Inclusive growth in Tamil Nadu: The role of political leadership and governance by Kartik Akileswaran and Luca Graziadei
4. Comparative Grammar of the Dravidian or South Indian Family of Languages by Robert Caldwell
5. Tamil Nadu’s new assembly in 33 charts: Lowest women representation in 25 years, OBCs dominate by Gilles Verniers, Vignesh Karthik KR, Mohit Kumar and Neelesh Agrawal
6. The glossary for addressing the LGBTQIA+ Community by the Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department, Government of Tamil Nadu
7. The Caste System in Tamil Nadu by K.K. Pillay
8. Caste and the Andhra Communists by Selig S. Harrison
9. Ants among Elephants: An Untouchable Family and the Making of Modern India by Sujatha Gidla
10. The Political Role of India’s Caste Associations by Lloyd I. Rudolph and Susanne Hoeber Rudolph
11. The Nadars of Tamilnad: The Political Culture of a Community in Change by Robert L Hardgrave Jr
12. The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
13. The First Rebels: When Madras was at the forefront of the struggle for Dalit Emancipation by V Sobha
14. Mothers in the Fatherland: Women, the Family and Nazi Politics by Claudia Koonz
15. Sixteen Stormy Days: The Story of the First Amendment of the Constitution of India by Tripurdaman Singh
16. Half a Day for Caste? Education and Politics in Tamil Nadu, 1952-55 by D. Veeraraghavan
17. Movies: Mari Selvaraj’s Karnan, Sukumar’s Rangasthalam, RJ Balaji’s Mookuthi Amman