D. Ravikumar (born 1961) is an Indian Tamil intellectual, writer, lawyer, politician and an anti-caste activist. He was the editor of the magazine, Nirapirikai. Nirapirikai inspired several new writers in the 1990s in Tamil Nadu.[1] He is an Ambedkarite and Buddhist.[2] Ravikumar is the current Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha from Viluppuram and member of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.[3][4]

Career

Ravikumar is the founder of the anti-caste publishing house Navayana, along with S. Anand, and the former president of the People's Education Movement (Makkal Kalvi Eyakkam) and PUCL (Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry).[citation needed]

Ravikumar was elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from Kattumannarkoil, Cuddalore district, and served from 2006 to 2011.[5] He was instrumental in bringing a new policy to handle EWaste in Tamil Nadu. The Tamil Nadu government started a skill development program and Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi, then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, created six welfare boards, both at the request of Ravikumar.[citation needed]

In 2010, Ravikumar won the Aringar Anna Award, conferred by the Tamil Nadu Government. Vikatan Awards for Translation ( 2014) Thiranayvu chemmal award for literary criticism (2019) manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Bharathi Award (2019) Vitiyal Trust Chennai.[citation needed]

Writings

Books

  • Ravikumar, D. (2009). Venomous touch : notes on caste, culture, and politics. Translated by R. Azhagarasan. Stree-Samya Publications. ISBN 978-8185604763.

Prose

  • "Kankanippin Arasiyal" (1995) Vidiyal Pathippagam
  • "Kothippu Uyarndu Varum" (2001) Kalachuvadu
  • "Kadakka Mudiyatha Nizhal" (2003) Kalachuvadu
  • "Malcolm X" (2003) Kalachuvadu
  • "Sonnal Mudiyum" (2007) Vikatan Publication
  • "Indrum Namadhe" (2008) Vikatan Publication
  • "Thuyarathin mel patiyum Thuyaram" (2009) Aazhi Publication
  • "Thamizharay Unarum Tharunam" (2010) Aazhi Publication
  • "Kaana Mutiyaa Kanavu" (2010) Aazhi Publication
  • "Bob Marley" (2010) Uyirmai Publication
  • "Andai Ayal Ulakam" (2010) Uyirmai Publication
  • "Piravazhip payanam" (2010) Uyirmai Publication
  • "Katranaiththoorum" (2010) Uyirmai Publication
  • "Soolakam" (2010) Uyirmai Publication
  • "Meelum Varalaru" (2010) Ulakath Thamizaraychi niruvanam
  • "Kumbatchiyilirunthu kodungonmaikku" (2017) Kizhakku Pathipakam
  • "Kaalathai Thorkaditha Kalaingar" (2017) Manarkeni

Kaanalaay marum kaveri (2018) Manarkeni Ayiram Pookkal Karukattum (2019) Manarkeni

Poetry

  • "Avizhum Sorkal" (2009) Uyirmai
  • "Mazhai Maram" (2009) CreA
  • "Vaanil Vitterintha Kanavu" (2017) Manarkeni

Short stories

  • "Kadal Kinaru" (2014) Manarkeni

Translations

Editing

Tamil

  • Dalit Literature, Politics, Culture (1996)
  • Dalit Engira Thanitthuvum (1998) Dalit Publication
  • Iyothee Thaas Panditar Cintanaikal (four volumes) (1999) Dalit Sahitya Academy
  • Rettaimalai Srinivasan Jeevida Carithira Curukkam (1999) (Autobiography) Dalit Sahitya Academy
  • Mikai Naadum Kalai (2003) (Essays on cinema) kalachuvadu
  • Dalit journal
  • Bodhi journal
  • Manarkeni journal

English

  • We, the Condemned (1999) (Against Death Penalty) PUCL, Pondicherry
  • Ravikumar; Azhagarasan, R., eds. (2012). The Oxford India anthology of Tamil Dalit writing (1st ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-807938-5.[5]

References

  1. ^ Satyanarayana and Tharu (2011). No Alphabet in Sight: New Dalit Writing from South India. New Delhi: Penguin India. p. 258. ISBN 978-0-143-41426-1.
  2. ^ "Want the complete annihilation of caste: First-time MP D Ravikumar". 23 July 2019.
  3. ^ "Members : Lok Sabha".
  4. ^ S, Mohamed Imranullah (8 September 2021). "Villupuram MP Ravikumar tells HC he is a member of the DMK". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  5. ^ a b Kolappan, B. (20 March 2012). "Tamil Dalit writing set to go English". The Hindu.

Further reading

  • Satyanarayana, K & Tharu, Susie (2013) From those Stubs Steel Nibs are Sprouting: New Dalit Writing from South Asia, Dossier 2: Kannada and Telugu, New Delhi: HarperCollins India.
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