I was watching this movie Periyar. How far the story is true I dont know. But His (Periyar's) thoughts were wonderful and far ahead beyond centuries. He was trying to erradicate Superstitious beliefs and now only we are dragged too much to GOD and there are so many temples with no proper "aidheegam" (nerru peitha mazhaiyil inru mulaitha kaalaan pola). Saamiyars have grown to great heights and they are the worst criminals loitering in the society.
I am remembered of this saying from the famous parasakthi film.. "Kovil vendaam enrEn.. kadavul koodaathu enbarthaakaaga alla....kovil kodiyavarin koodaaram aagaivida koodaathe enru" - but whats happening in society is people are more bhakthi mayam and crime rate increase.
Periyar was indeed a great thinker but some intepretations of his were wrong.
all his life he glorified ravana as a non bramhin and rama as an invading aryan.
but the epic is very clear about it. ravana was a bramhin and rama was a kshatriya. in fact ram has to clear a bramha hathi thosham for killing ravana.
though many pointed this out to periyar he never changed his view and his followers continued to garland rama's pictures with slippers.
Hi I want to add some more points to Karhik's views.
One thing is sure. In the community those who are going to temples(of all religions) are not entirly for "BHAKTHI", but mostly to beg(or demand) some thing from GOD.
This situation becomes worse these days because of "Jyothishi" and the so called "Saints", who are threatening people in the name of "planets" and GODs.
Temples were built to assist people for assuming GOD's or some super power's presence. The main aim of Sprituality is not to build temple and spread one's own religion, but to undertand and feel one's own inner nature, by knowing which we can know the universe.
the point is its a free world. people must have a right to build their own temples, pray in the way they want for whatever they deem fit. if people are mostly going to beg(or demand) some thing from GOD its their problem. if more enlighened souls go there for more lofty things its their wish.
one man's opinion because of his experiences should not affect the whole lot.
like stalin of ussr was training to be a priest and was treated badly in the monastery. the result was russian orthodox religion suffered the most under him as president.
but one thing ironic about periyar ( an atheist)is that whether its a shiva temple or a vishnu temple or a muruga temple periya's statue is outside. not even great bakthas have that luck venketesh
Dear Mr. Venkatesh, The question here is not whether "Ravanaa" was "Bhramin" or "non-Bhramin". Some understanding of Periyar about the religious belief may not be well. But his aim was clear. That is to improve the social status of "ill-treated" peole in the society. As the religion was a hurdle for their improvement, he fought against religion and it's ugly beliefs.
Hi The question here is not whether "Ravanaa" was "Bhramin" or > "non-Bhramin".
it is relevant because periyar insulted religious idols of hinduism. whereas accepting other religions like christianity and islam. the DK still does that. or periyar knew about ramayana but twisted it to suit him.
>>Some understanding of Periyar about the religious belief may not be well. But his aim was clear. That is to improve the social status of "ill-treated" peole in the society.
periyar was a late entrant in the field . justice party was already propagating the same ideals. so periyar was neither the formulator nor the first person to do this.there have been reformers who have been more succesful than evr.periyar tried to grab the mantle of justice party with a bang by introducing atheism.
atheism is a defeated issue in tamilnadu. religious beleifs are increasing.periyar and his policies are obviously being sidelined by the parties his organisation spawned.
Please don't get carried away by the image the film is trying to cast as Periyar. The real Periyaar is really different. Periyaar has supported Islam on some occasions. His vehement support for women lib is not in line with this. He is against Indian Independence and he declared our Independence day as a Sad day.
Before asserting the real Periyaar or this movie Periyaar, count all the aspects and not his opposition for superstitions alone.
In this movie there is no mention about his lifetime mission of bramin hatred but a lengthy scene on helping a bramin is shown just to project a soft social reformer.
I wouldnt quite agree that all Saamiyars are evil. If you have had a personal experience that was bad, then I dont think its right to generalize. There are genuine and unique gurus who are doing a lot of good for the society but because of a few bad elements, their names also get spoilt.
Regarding Periyar, I wouldnt quite agree with few of his sayings. I have been to periyar thidal in chennai which houses his samadhi..there are provocative sayings like "those who believe in god are barbarians.." Iam a strong believer in god..does that mean am a barbarian? I wouldnt quite agree..probably Periyar was a good politician but his sayings were more so to create a divide in the society..
So however genuine the movie is..I might not watch it..
Actually some decades back,DK was propagating boldly against christianity and to some extent Islam also.
There were notices and posters such as
" How 'Kanni Mary gave birth to Jesus without sexual relations? Whether the society will accpet if a woman gives birh to child without marriage"
" What is parisuthha aavi? Is it aavi coming while cooking idlies"
" Is 786 the door number of Allah"
These were some examples. But after some time in the name of secularism which is actually against Hinduism only DK stopped any propagation/provacative statement against minority communities.
Though Periyar did some good works for woman upliftment and for oppressed classes, his "anti god policies were rejected even during his time. He even disobeyed himself by having a second marriage with much age diffrence to his spouse