Before a century, from the limitation of Coimbatore, Periyar Ev Ramasama, he imagined a publication that would talk about “unwavering truths to power”. This vision materialized as Kudiarus (republic), Tamil week, which became not only the mouthpiece of the self -esteem movement, but also a platform for demanding caste oppression, colonial subjection and religious Orthodoxy.
In the early 1920s, when Periyar was an important member of the Indian National Congress, he was imprisoned in protest. During this period of imprisonment, he and his colleague activist VA. Him. Thangaperumal Pillai discussed the need for a strong platform that would express bold and honest opinions. This need evoked the idea of a Kudiaras, which would become a key weapon in the battle of social justice and rationalism. “After his release, Periyar formally registered the name of Kudiaras 19 January 1923,” writes SA. SU. Ilango in his book Kudiaras Yettil Puratchi Kavignar Kavithaigal.
First number
The exploration of the archival materials of the magazine, which is available in the Periyar Rationalist Library and the research center in Periyar Thidal in Chennai, shows that the first edition of Kudiaras was released on 2 May 1925 (Saturday). Sri-la-Sri Sivashanmuga Meignan Sivachary Swamigal of Thirupathiripuliyur Gnaniyar Math said he would be extremely happy if he could help erase the sense of equality, and spread the sense of equality “and spread the sense of equality.
In the position of Periyar, he criticized other publications for hesitation to express his honest opinions because of fear or bias. In his editorial office, he said: “For those who want to know the purpose of this magazine, Kudiarus is launched with the aim of glowing our country with excellence in all fields such as politics, economics, society and more.”
He was released from Erode and edited together Periyar and Thangperumal Pillai. Since its second edition, it has been published every Sunday, but the publication day was changed to Saturday in 1943. Several months after its opening, the Periyar differences with congress leaders became more significant. Left the party in 1925. Then he devoted himself to the self -esteem movement and where he became his mouthpiece.
In his early years, the name of the editor was printed as Ev Ramasama Naicker. After 18 December 1927, however, the publication dropped the name of the caste.
In his early years, the magazine had a wide and inclusive visual language. His envelope represented paintings by Bharat Mat, farmers, workers and symbols from Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. From April 1926 to December 1927 included slogans like “Long Live Mahatma Gandhi” and “Long Live Khadi”. Although Periyar left Congress, he still supported Gandhi’s initiative such as the Khadi movement, and wrote it in support. Kudiaras also represented a picture of the spinning round along with the announcement of his ideological attitude under it.
The price of Kudiaras varied over time – starting with one “Anna” (1/16 of Rupee), rising to 1.5 Annas, then to 2 Annas and later fluctuates between these rates. Until October 30, 1943, Kudiaras was sold for half the price of women and oppressed communities. He also played an important role in the release of Tamil translation of the works of renowned thinkers, such as Br Ambedkar, Robert G. Ingersoll, Bertrand Russell, George Bernard Shaw, Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels, Voltaire and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
Clear topics
The themes focused on clear and consistent: the abolition of inviolability, caste reforms, the rights of women, socialism, atheism, the well -being of work and the rejection of superstitions. Among the prominent personalities who wrote were C. Rajagopalachari, M. Singaraavelar, Chap Viswanatham, Thiru.vi. Kalyanasundaram, Maraimalai Adigal, CN Annadurai and M. Karunanidhi.
Prominent female activists, including Moalur Ramamirtham and Kunjammal, also written in Kudiaras, recalls Viduthalai Rajendran, General Secretary, Davidar Viduthalai Kazhagam. The magazine was also published by Thirukkural and Poems Bharathiar. “When the literacy rate was only 7%, Periyar wrote considerably in Kudiar on several progressive thoughts. Periyar representatives, including Nagai Kaliappan, traveled to Malaysia to get a subscription to the magazine from Tamil’s diaspora,” he said. Mr. Rajedran pointed out that Periyar translated and published the Communist Manifesto Marx and Engels and the five -year plan of the Soviet Union. Ambedkara’s destruction of the caste was released in Tamil, first in Indian language, in Kudias.
Tamil’s reforms of scripts
Periyar presented in Kudias since 13 January 1935 in the Kudiar Tamil’s script reforms. His bold tone often brought him to conflict with the authorities. On December 30, 1933, Periyar was arrested for an editor called Indraya Aatchi Murai Yen Ozhiya Vendum (why today’s government method should be canceled). His sister Misnammal, who served as a magazine publisher, was also imprisoned. The publication was briefly suspended, but soon came back. Meanwhile, during this banking period, Periyar Puratchi (Revolution), a weekly Tamil diary, in 1933 and Paguthariv (rationalism), daily, in 1934.
Published – June 5, 2025 22:10
