This is a page to download Thanthai Periyar high quality images. You can read about who he was and a small story in his life that transformed him into revolutionary leader. Scroll to the bottom of the article to download from the gallery.
About Thanthai Periyar
Thanthai Periyar E. V. Ramasamy (1879–1973) was one of India’s most influential social reformers and rationalist leaders. Born in Erode, Tamil Nadu, Periyar spent his life fighting against social injustice, caste discrimination, and blind faith. He believed that true progress could only come through self-respect, equality, and rational thinking.
A Defining Life Incident
During a pilgrimage to Kasi (Varanasi), Periyar had a life-changing experience that exposed the deep injustice of the caste system. While staying at a pilgrim rest house, he saw that only Brahmins were allowed to eat inside, while non-Brahmins — regardless of wealth or devotion — were made to eat outside on the streets.
Periyar, despite being a respected and well-off devotee, was denied food simply because of his caste. The humiliation of that moment deeply affected him. He realized that religion was being used to justify inequality and that no real progress could be achieved without social reform.
This experience ignited his lifelong mission to eradicate caste-based discrimination and promote rationalism and self-respect among all people.
Legacy
Periyar believed that progress depended on questioning blind faith and empowering every individual through education and social awareness. In 1925, he founded the Self-Respect Movement, which sought to end caste discrimination and promote gender equality. His writings and speeches inspired generations to challenge oppression and to stand up for justice.
He also founded the Dravidar Kazhagam (DK), a movement that laid the foundation for Dravidian politics in Tamil Nadu. Beyond politics, Periyar’s legacy lives on through his tireless advocacy for women’s rights, rational thought, and social reform.
Even today, his ideas continue to influence debates on equality and secularism in India. These high-quality images of Thanthai Periyar are shared here to honor his enduring spirit and to inspire everyone who believes in truth and social justice.
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