Tamil activists

Erode Venkatappa Ramasamy (17 September 187924 December 1973), commonly known as Periyar, was an Indian social activist and politician. He was the organiser of the Self-Respect Movement and Dravidar Kazhagam and is considered the architect of Dravidian politics, as well as a leading figure of left-wing politics in India.

Tamil poet, social reformer, fighter for Indian freedom & women's rights

D. Jayakanthan (24 April 1934 – 8 April 2015), popularly known as JK, was an Indian writer, journalist, orator, filmmaker, critic and activist. Born in Cuddalore, he dropped out of school at the age of 9 and went to Madras, where he joined the Communist Party of India. In a career spanning six decades, he authored around 40 novels, 200 short stories, apart from two autobiographies. Outside literature, he made two films. In addition, four of his other novels were adapted into films by others.

Senthamizhan Seeman () (born 8 November 1966) is an Indian politician, actor and former filmmaker. He is the leader and chief-coordinator of the Naam Tamilar Katchi political party in Tamil Nadu. He is a strong advocate for regional autonomy and Tamil nationalism.

Indian activist (1921-2013)

Indian writer, etymologist (1902–1981)

Bharathidasan (IPA: ; born K. Subburathinam 29 April 1891 – 21 April 1964) was a 20th-century Tamil poet and rationalist writer whose literary works handled mostly socio-political issues. He was deeply influenced by the Tamil poet Subramania Bharathi and named himself "Bharathi dasan" meaning follower or adherent of Bharathi. His greatest influence was Periyar and his self-respect movement. Bharathidasan's writings served as a catalyst for the growth of the Self-Respect Movement in Tamil Nadu. In addition to poetry, his views found expression in other forms such as plays, film scripts, short s

Malaysian freedom fighter, teacher and social activist

Indian activist (1859–1945)

Indian actor

Indian activist

Professor, General secretary of Dravidar Iyyaka Tamilar Peravai

Indian poet, teacher, and composer (1908–1987)

Indian writer, actor and activist

Scholar from pure Tamil movement

Suratha () (23 November 1921 – 20 June 2006) was a Tamil poet, recognized for his poetic use of similes. He was called "Uvamai Kavignar" ("poet of comparisons").

social reformer