Periyar Indian social reformer Erode Venkatappa Ramasamy, popularly called Periyar, was a critic of caste and religious orthodoxy in India. His ideas also shaped the Dravidian movement in Tamil Nadu. (more) Periyar Indian social reformer, politician, and iconoclast Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/Periyar Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Also known as: Erode Venkatappa Ramasami, Erode Venkatappa Ramasamy Written by Written by Andrew Pereira Andrew Pereira is an editor at Encyclopaedia Britannica. He covers a variety of topics, with a focus on Indian politics, foreign policy, and global affairs. Andrew Pereira Fact-checked by Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Oct. 30, 2025 •Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot Periyar (born September 17, 1879, Erode [now in Tamil Nadu], India—died December 24, 1973, Madras [now Chennai], Tamil Nadu) was an Indian social reformer, politician, and iconoclast who played a pivotal role in shaping modern Tamil politics. Born Erode Venkatappa Ramasamy Naicker, he was popularly called Periyar (“Revered One”). A fierce critic of the caste system, religious orthodoxy, and patriarchy, he led the Self-Respect Movement in the 1920s to promote dignity, equality, and self-respect among...

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