Erode Venkatappa Ramasamy

Erode Venkatappa Ramasamy, widely known as Periyar, was an Indian social reformer whose work challenged caste hierarchy, religious orthodoxy, and gender inequality. He founded the Self-Respect Movement in 1925, promoting rationalism, social equality, women’s rights, and self-respect marriages. He later established Dravidar Kazhagam, helping shape the modern Dravidian movement in Tamil Nadu.