Contributions of Thanthai Periyar

1. Titles and Nicknames

Periyar received many honors and titles during his lifetime for his outstanding social reform activities. The title “Periyar” was conferred on 13 November 1938 at the Tamil Nadu Women’s Conference in Chennai, presided over by T. Neelambikai Ammayar. He was also called “Vaikom Veerar” (Hero of Vaikom) for his important role in the Vaikom Satyagraha. Other notable titles include “Prophet from the South”, “Rousseau of Tamil Nadu”, “Jail Bird” (for his repeated imprisonments during protests), and “Socrates of South Asia” (a title associated with international recognition).

2. Early Life and the Congress Era

Periyar initially played an important role in the Indian National Congress. He served as the Chairman of the Erode Municipal Council, a District Board Member, and the President of the Spinners Association, where he helped establish the Khadi Vastralayam. He participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement and led the Toddy Shop Picketing in Erode (1920–1921), during which Nagammaiyar and Kannammal became the first women to be arrested in the movement. Later, he became the President of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee and presided over the 1924