THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK

‘Periyar : Caste, Nation and Socialism’
S V Rajadurai in Conversation with Vidya Bhushan Rawat
Vidya Bhushan Rawat
Aug 28

Sharing here my video of Book Launch Function at Chennai. My Conversation with S V Rajadurai entitled ‘ Periyar : Caste, Nation and Socialism’, on August 24th saw thought provoking conversation and acknowledgement of the importance of exploring history through it by various speakers. Most of the proceedings were in Tamils but myself and Prof K S Chalam, former member, UPSC and former Vice Chancellor, Dravidian University, Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh spoke in English. Prof Chalam paid rich tribute to the dedication and commitment of Mr Rajadurai and also found the entire work as unique where the both the individuals conversing are well prepared of the subject and that Mr Rajadurai did not try to evade the question and gave honest answers.

This was definitely a two years long work that came out in this form. Questions, counter questions, individual interactions, phone calls, editing and so many things in between. Mr Rajadurai is about 85 years old and intellectually active but many time the health issues tried to obstruct but both of us were determined that this book must come out. He was worried about his health and wanted to see the book. I felt that he will always be. I think the positivity won.

The thing that made me satisfied was that the book has been very well received so far. Even at the venue, all the copies were sold and more were being ordered despite the fact that cost looks a bit higher but that is the crisis that we all face. I think, every spent money on the things they prioritise and books have rarely been in that priority. So those who have those priority would go to buy. I am certain that i am least interested in reading propaganda literature. It is time we develop serious literature. A writer or an intellectual is much above political parties. His or her role is the conscious keeper of society, raise people’s issues, interpret things honestly and stand up but unfortunately everything is ending at connection to power and getting a Rajya Sabha seat. When I see this clamour among activists and so called intellectuals, temptation of publicity, I feel that the very purpose is defeated.

I can say it with convictions having seen and known people like Bhagwan Das ji, N G Uke Saheb, L R Balley ji, V T Rajshekar, Raja Dhale, S V Rajadurai etc, I realise how these people continued with their deep sense of commitment to the cause unmindful of the publicity and media glare. Those who learn about social justice and other issues with whatsapp forwards may not even know who they were and are.

I will keep up exploring people’s history through conversations. I know for sure that if S V Rajadurai were to write a book on Periyar, many chapters of the current book would not have been there. You would not have come to know about the man himself and what kept him going. So the power of the conversation is to bring those facts out from people which they ignore, evade or dont want to speak about. And it was not through probing but gentle persuasions.

I hope you will continue with your responses. All my work centre around people, communities and natural heritage, our rivers and mountains. Many time, people feel, how is the issue of environment concern to them. I think, it is time, we come out of this ‘dont care’ or doesn’t concern us or is anti developmental or brahmanical or so many thing. The issue of Environment, ecology, climate change are real and it impact all of us but most importantly, it affect our farmers, fishworkers, adivasis as well as the most marginalised. When the flood comes, it does affect the most marginalised the first who live on the river bank. If the sea level is rising, it is the indigenous communities who get affected first. So, issue of climate is real and that is why I would cover the issue through my series on #himalayakiganga.

(16224) Periyar: Caste, Nation and Socialism | Vidya Bhushan Rawat | SV Rajadurai – YouTube