Thanthai Periyar, masculinity and women’s liberation

This International Working Women’s Day, let us discuss Periyar and his conceptualisation of masculinity (aanmai). Thanthai Periyar, the father of Dravidian movement, was an original and dynamic thinker who gave an excellent lens to look at the problem of masculinity.
His book ‘Why Were Women Enslaved?’ deals with the question of masculinity, chastity, marriage and love. His approach to these questions is deeply rooted in his radical humanism. In the book’s 10th chapter titled ‘For women’s Liberation, masculinity should be abolished’, he argues that till masculinity is present in the world, women will gain no respect and will be pushed continuously towards slavery. Reading Periyar gives us a basic understanding that only in the women’s efforts of abolishing masculinity, the foundations of women’s liberation are built.
We can see that Hinduism is a highly masculine institution and a foundation of masculinity in India’s caste-ridden society. Manusmriti, chapter V, declares,
As a child, she must remain under her father’s control; as a young woman, under her husband’s; and when her husband is dead, under her sons’. She must never seek to live independently.
Periyar throughout his life pointed out the maltreatment prescribed by Manusmriti for women.
Taking a different viewpoint, Periyar can be seen as a naturalist. He says in ‘Why Were Women Enslaved’ that humans are the only creatures who lead an artificial life when compared to plants and animals. In other places he notes how concepts like nationalism, religion and masculinity alienate human beings from other humans as well as from nature.
Periyarism regards abolition of masculinity as a key foundation for building an egalitarian society. He writes,
“Marriage came into vogue in the days of the barbarians, say some five thousand years ago. Why should we still maintain it? I would say that marriages take place to make a woman slave to a man. Even as animals are butchered (sacrificed) for the sake of gods, woman are treated in these marriages.”
As a highly masculine institution, marriages facilitate transfer of a woman as a slave to a particular man. She has to continue as a slave till her death, and if the man dies before her, the situation gets worse. Periyar condemned the practice of forced widowhood, which treated women in inhuman way. He also took issues with the practice of women having to wear thaali in marriage as men are never asked to do it.
Most Hindus will feel uncomfortable with what Periyar is saying. I request to Hindu women to rethink their religion and ponder over why Periyar says such things. The deep-rooted masculinity in the Brahminical Hindu religion keeps women subordinated throughout life. Whether a woman is married or not, whether her husband is alive or not, she is controlled by her religion.
Masculinity has deep economic dimensions, which Periyar pointed out very clearly in his time. Periyar, till his death, asked women to get out of the kitchen and pursue education. Denial of education and property hampers women’s freedom and mobility. Social justice is deeply interlinked with economic justice. This is why from Periyar, Ambedkar to Martin Luther King have emphasised the importance of economic justice.
Let us celebrate this International Working Women’s Day by standing against the Brahminical Hindu religion, which alienates human from nature and with fellow human beings because of its deeply rooted masculinity. Happy International Working Women’s Day! Vaazhga Periyar!
Athmanathan Indrajith is a postgraduate student at Jamia Milia Islamia University. His research interests include Periyarite thought, ecological Issues, and peace building.