The Modern Rationalist – July 2019

T

he 85th anniversary of ‘Viduthalai’ the

Rationalist Tamil daily was celebrated on

1 st June 2019 at Periyar Thidal, Chennai.

‘Viduthalai’, was started as weekly on 1st June

1935. Subsequently it was published as daily.
      Many personalities who were associated with
      the editing of ‘Viduthalai’, became popular
      dignitaries in the public life of Tamil Nadu.
      Among them, the prominent were Anna
      (enduring from of C.N. Annadurai) and Kalaignar
      M. Karunanidhi, the former Chief Ministers
      of Tamil Nadu. ‘Viduthalai’, an eveninger
      published the views and appeal on what to be
      done on the issues that affect the society, which
      many other print media dared not even to
      address. The editorials of ‘Viduthalai’ captured
      the attention of the rulers of both the State and
      the Centre which enabled them to implement
      the solution, in the line suggested. Discharging
      the social responsibility very timely is the
      significance of ‘Viduthalai’.
      The present editor, Asiriyar Dr. K. Veeramani,
      took charge of ‘Viduthalai’ in June 1962 through
      the open declaration made by its founder Periyar.
      The Dravidian ideological pronouncement of
      self-respect, its interpretation and rationalism,
      its enrichment gave a new fillip to Viduthalai
      under the editorship of Asiriyar Dr. K. Veeramani.
      The endearing form of calling Dr. K. Veeramani

The Modern Rationalist

July 2019

as ‘Asiriyar’ meaning ‘Editor’ by the black shirt

cadres of Periyar Movement and the fraternity

became a routine in public on the significant

role contributed by him for ‘Viduthalai’. The

yardstick for success and popularity is not on

the profit earning capacity of Viduthalai but on

the propaganda reach of ideology advocated by

Periyar by it. In that way ‘Viduthalai’ has been

successful ushering in the change in the socio

and political scenario of Tamil Nadu.

Coping up with the technological advancement

in the print media, Viduthalai web edition was

published first among the Tamil dailies and

magazines from 17th September 1996.

The 85th anniversary was celebrated comprising

cultural programme depicting the history of

‘Viduthalai’, symposium, panel discussion with

the participation fraternity from print media,

interaction of the Viduthalai editor with its

readers, felicitation to the work force associated

with the publishing of ‘Viduthalai’.

The function was held witnessing the concised

history of 85 years of Viduthalai and its editor

Asiriyar Dr. K. Veeramani for the cause of self-

respect and rationalism aimed for equality

and equate opportunities to all with the global

ramification of patronizing humanism among

the humanity.

Honouring with ‘Viduthalai Award’ to the stalwarts – Mugam Mamani, Kavikondal Senguttuvan,

Pothanur Shanmugam, Prof. Dr. N.K. Mangalamurugesan, K. Krishnamoorthy and Tamil Mannakkan

who associated themselves with ‘Viduthalai’ during the past and at the present.