SE. GANESALINGAN
Tamil
MARKZIYAM PERIYARIUM: Gnani; Kaavya, 16, II Cross Street, Trustpuram, Kodambakkam, Chennai-600024. Rs. 300.
THIS BOOK is introduced with a second title as the "Philosophical Essays of Gnani", well known as Kovai Gnani or Ki. Palanisamy.
It is a collection of essays the author wrote over a period of 30 years on Marxism, Periyarism, Thamizhiam, Dalitism and Feminism, with the focus being human liberation.
The book is not a comparative study of the philosophy of Marx and Periyar as the title may suggest. Gnani states that while the Dravidian movement gave more importance to cultural matters than politics and economy, Marxism considered culture as a part of the superstructure and the economy as the base of society.
Self-respect, which was Periyar's philosophy, and rationalism, his search for truth, were the cornerstones of the Dravidian movement, says Gnani.
The author also states that Dravidianism is not nationalism, which could evolve on the basic requirements of a continued territory with a distinct language, history, economy, religion and culture.
On the approach to literature, he says modern Tamil literature should be evaluated on the basis of the Tamil literary tradition. As for creative literature, he believes that besides history, economics and philosophy, anthropology and science too should contribute to it. Feminism, says the author, should emphasise the education of women, and employment and property rights for them in order to overcome male chauvinism.
In another article on sex and human liberation, Gnani argues against sexual pleasure through sadistic means.
On the family system, he takes the progressive view that divorce laws should allow easier separation of a man and woman when it is clear that they cannot live together any more.
On Dalits, he says the Dalits' struggle should be aligned with the class struggle.
Dalits are traditionally experienced in growing of paddy and cereals, besides the production of leather goods, and should be absorbed in these processes. The author says that ultimately Dalit liberation is a part of the working class liberation.
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