Periyar

Periyar (Erode Venkatappa Ramasamy Naicker) an Indian social reformer, rationalist, philosopher, ideologue, revolutionary, politician.

He got the titles Thanthai Periyar (Father Periyar), Periyar (The Great One), Vaikom Veerar, Pagutharivu Thalaivar (Leader of Rationalism), Dravidar Iyakkam Thandhai.

Ideological father of Dravidian movement.

Founder of self-respect movement.

He became leader of the Justice Party and in 1944 transformed it into Dravidar Kazhagam, a non-electoral Dravidian social organization.

He rebelled against Brahminical dominance, caste, gender inequality in Tamil Nadu.

His birthday is celebrated as 'Social Justice Day' in Tamil Nadu.