Dravida Peravai reminds Dr.Kalaignar on

Agenda for Research and Anna Studies

 By Dr. Vedagiri Shanmugasundaram, M.A.(Eco.), M.A.(Pol.Sc.), M.Litt., Ph.D., D.Phil(Oxon.)

An agenda for research along these lines is the desiderata of the day. Affection and respect bordering on veneration which engulf the memory of Anna almost fifteen years after he passed away, is as rich, fabulous and incomparable as it was in his days. His mortal remains were laid to rest in Anna square, built with great imagination and foresight by his beloved followers. At the time of the I World Tamil Conference his statue was erected and unveiled by a great internationalist and also his mentor Dr.A.Ramaswamy Mudaliar. These are physical monuments for him and they do not suffice.

History demands that his contemporary draw before long an agenda for research and pursue it.

(1) In his last letter and testament he gave a call for federal India. Economic federalism at home and abroad could be a fascinating theme for scores of scholars to work irrespective of race or nationality.

(2) Cultural economics, of his times pertaining to language books, journals, newspaper social habits and customs will constitute an innovative tribute to Anna.

(3) The role of the intellectual should be identified and encouraged in transforming the thought of all times and all peoples of the world into action programmes for contemporary societies and relevant to their skills and aspirations.

(4) And Anna was a great lover of books and thoughts of eminent men. Summing up of Somerset Maugham or Exposition of Kural to Yale University scholars would keep him as delightfully happy as he was when he thundered forth to tens of thousands of his audience on the heritage that was of the Tamils and the bias in which they find themselves. It is to the good fortune of the Science of history that many are alive. Anna studies would be stronger for recording the “Oral History” of Anna – Just as the Nehru’s oral history has already been assembled by Nehru Memorial Fund, and other bodies. We should assemble and authenticate the recollections of Arignar Anna in terms of facts and reflections which the following have already recorded or could, if alive and alert could record for us. Anna was ably assisted and adored by many and those who did research on Anna in Economics, Political Science and Tamil Departments in India and abroad have to be consulted.

Apart from a Bibliographical appraisal a comprehension oral history of his writings in the popular press, the dramas he acted, his conversation with cultural, economic and political associates, his impact on Tamils abroad, require men of the zeal of Professor K.Swaminathan, who in his decades of continuous endeavor has brought out many volumes on Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. We need teams of dedicated scholars and savants (not just those who could parrot like repeat his words or worse still misread his ideas) - to pursue the ideas of Anna who in life and death inspired countless millions to rare highlights of cultural, economic and political awareness of the two thousand year old race of Tamils.

Bibliography in Tamil and English should include

(1) Oral Records;

(2) Newspaper Collections;

(3) Booklets found in many Libraries.

The research should be in his extensive Tamil Sources and writings of his early political associates and also

1. Occasional speeches of Anna

2. Radio Talks of Anna

3. Felicitation Address of Anna

4. Assembly Speeches of Anna.

5. Convocation address of Anna.

6. Inaugural and all presidential address of Anna and other Souvenirs on Anna.

Idealistic, fullest and optimum utilization of funds collected in his name is desirable. In his life time large sums were endowed in the Universities of Madras, Annamalai and Madurai to Study Tirukkural, which was widely popularized by the rationalist movements of his days. Now Anna studies and attracting massive funds; what we need are mature men to guide the youth who are highly motivated, widely read and devoted intellectuals, - to place Anna in the world of learning along side Rousseau and Periyar, Lincoln and Ranade, Veblen and Laski.

Superstition, poverty, ignorance and lack of self respect should be replaced by rational consciousness and determination to discharge duty, dignity and discipline. This is a long time process; it provides sequential causation for success. These are qualities which have made the German and Japanese, British and the more recently the Russian and Chinese economies grow. The lesson is clear; Anna knew the broad landscape of economic achievements. And his fellowmen of current generation have these lessons to learn, and paths to tread.