From prison to printing press: legacy of Kudiarasu, first journal Periyar published

A century ago, from within the confines of the Coimbatore prison, Periyar E.V. Ramasamy envisioned a publication that would speak “unflinching truths to power”. That vision materialised as Kudiarasu (Republic), a Tamil weekly that became not only a mouthpiece of the Self-Respect Movement but also a platform for challenging caste oppression, colonial subjugation, and religious orthodoxy.

In the early 1920s, when Periyar was a prominent member of the Indian National Congress, he was imprisoned for leading a protest. During this period of incarceration, he and fellow activist Va. Mu. Thangaperumal Pillai discussed the need for a powerful platform to express bold and honest opinions. This need sparked the idea for Kudiarasu, which would become a crucial weapon in the battle for social justice and rationalism. “After his release, Periyar formally registered the name Kudiarasu on January 19, 1923,” writes Sa. Su. Ilango in his book Kudiarasu Yettil Puratchi Kavignar Kavithaigal.

The first issue

A perusal of the archival materials of the journal, available at Periyar Rationalist Library and Research Centre at Periyar Thidal in Chennai, shows that the first issue of Kudiarasu was published on May 2, 1925 (Saturday). Launching it, Sri-La-Sri Sivashanmuga Meignana Sivacharya Swamigal of Thirupathiripuliyur Gnaniyar Math said he would be extremely happy if Kudiarasu could help eradicate the “superiority-inferiority mindset” and spread the sense of equality.

At the function, Periyar criticised other publications for hesitating to express their honest opinions owing to fear or bias. In his editorial, he said: “For those who wish to know the purpose of this journal, Kudiarasu is being launched with the aim of making our motherland shine with excellence in all fields, such as politics, economics, society, and more.”

It was published from Erode and edited jointly by Periyar and Thangaperumal Pillai. From its second issue, it was published every Sunday, but the day of publication was changed to Saturday in 1943. A few months after its launch, Periyar’s differences with Congress leaders became more pronounced. He left the party in 1925. Then, he dedicated himself to the Self-Respect Movement, and Kudiarasu became its mouthpiece.

In its early years, the editor’s name was printed as E.V. Ramasamy Naicker. However, after December 18, 1927, he dropped the caste name from the publication.

The journal had a broad and inclusive visual language in its early years. Its cover featured images of Bharat Mata, farmers, labourers, and symbols from Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam. From April 1926 to December 1927, it included slogans such as ‘Long Live Mahatma Gandhi’ and ‘Long Live Khadi’. Though Periyar had left Congress by then, he still supported Gandhi’s initiatives like the Khadi movement and wrote in support of it. Kudiarasu also featured an image of the spinning wheel, along with a proclamation of its ideological stance beneath it.

The price of Kudiarasu varied over time — starting at one ‘anna’ (1/16th of a rupee), rising to 1.5 annas, then to 2 annas, and later fluctuating between these rates. Until October 30, 1943, Kudiarasu was sold at half-price to women and the oppressed communities. It also played an important role in publishing the Tamil translation of the works of renowned thinkers such as B.R. Ambedkar, Robert G. Ingersoll, Bertrand Russell, George Bernard Shaw, Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels, Voltaire, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

Clear themes

The themes focused on were clear and consistent: abolition of untouchability, caste reform, women’s rights, socialism, atheism, labour welfare, and the rejection of superstition. Prominent personalities who wrote included C. Rajagopalachari, M. Singaravelar, K.A.P. Viswanatham, Thiru.Vi. Kalyanasundaram, Maraimalai Adigal, C.N. Annadurai, and M. Karunanidhi.

Prominent women activists, including Moovalur Ramamirtham and Kunjammal, also wrote in Kudiarasu, recalls Viduthalai Rajendran, general secretary, Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam. The journal also published Thirukkural and the poems of Bharathiar. “When the literacy rate was just 7%, Periyar wrote extensively in Kudiarasu on several progressive ideas. Representatives of Periyar, including Nagai Kaliappan, travelled to Malaysia to get subscriptions for the journal from the Tamil diaspora,” he said. Mr. Rajedran pointed out that Periyar translated and published the Communist Manifesto of Marx and Engels and the Five-Year Plan of the Soviet Union. Ambedkar’s Annihilation of Caste was published in Tamil, first in an Indian language, in Kudiarasu.

Tamil script reforms

Periyar introduced Tamil script reforms in Kudiarasu from January 13, 1935. Its bold tone often brought it into conflict with the authorities. On December 30, 1933, Periyar was arrested for an editorial, titled Indraya Aatchi Murai Yen Ozhiya Vendum (Why today’s ruling method should be abolished). His sister Kannammal, serving as the journal’s publisher, was also jailed. The publication was briefly suspended, but returned soon after. Meanwhile, during this ban period, Periyar started Puratchi (Revolution), a weekly Tamil journal, in 1933 and Pagutharivu (Rationalism), a daily, in 1934. The publication of Kudiarasu faced a longer break during World War II, between 1941 and 1942. After nearly 24 years of publication, Kudiarasu, however, ceased printing on November 5, 1949.

Published - June 05, 2025 10:10 pm IST