Periyar Dasan
Dr. Abdullah or Dr. Periyar Dasan | |
|---|---|
 Center Mediater | |
| Born | Seshachalam[1] 21 August 1949[2] Perambur, Madras Province, India |
| Died | 19 August 2013 (aged 63)[2] Chennai, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation(s) | Philosophy Professor, Actor |
| Employer | Pachaiyappa's College |
| Political party | MDMK |
| Spouse | Vasantha[2] |
| Children | 2[2] |
Dr. Periyar Dasan or Dr. Abdullah (born Seshachalam; 21 August 1949 – 19 August 2013) was an Indian scholar, professor, eminent speaker, and activist from Tamil Nadu. He propagated atheism and rationalist ideologies for most part of his life and later converted to Islam. He has also appeared in around 15 Tamil-language films.
Early life and background[edit]
Seshachalam was born in a Shaivite family on 21 August 1949 at Agaram in Perambur. He was attracted towards the rationalist ideals of Periyar E. V. Ramasamy, the founder of the Dravidian movement. During his days in Pachaiyappa’s College, he changed his original name to Periyar Dasan (ardent follower of Periyar).[3] He was well-versed in Tamil literature, various religious studies, and English. He has authored around 120 books. He served as a professor in his alma mater, Pachaiyappa’s College, for 34 years and as a corporate trainer, psychologist, psychotherapist, and students counsellor for many years.[4]
In 1991, Dasan embraced Buddhism and added Siddhartha as a prefix to his name. He translated the Dhammapada, a compilation of Buddhist virtues, authored by B. R. Ambedkar, into Tamil. This took him to learn Pali and Sanskrit.
Taking everyone by surprise, he embraced Islam as his way of life on 11 March 2010 during a visit to Mecca and rechristened his name as Abdullah, and his wife Vasantha was given the name Fathima.[5] Thereafter, he started giving a series of lectures on Islam.[6] Before embracing Islam, he spent 10 years knowing the key aspects of that religion and learning the Quran and the Arabic language.[7]
Publications[edit]
Tamil[edit]
- Translator: Dr. Ambedkar's புத்தரும் அவரது தம்மமும் - Buddharum avarathu dhammamum - Buddha and his Dhamma.[8]
- Author: இந்திய மரபும் பார்ப்பன திரிபும் - Indhiya marabum paarpana thiriyum - Indian practice and Brahminical fudging.[9]
- Author: கல்வி கற்கும் பிள்ளையே கேளாய்... - Kalvi karkum pillaye kelaai... - Oh child being educated, listen...[9]
Filmography[edit]
 |
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Karuththamma | Mokkaiyan | Debut film and National Award winning production[5] |
| 1996 | Tamizh Selvan | ||
| 1996 | Aavathum Pennale Azhivathum Pennale | Amavasai | |
| 1996 | Mappillai Manasu Poopola | Dr. Kayalventhan | |
| 1999 | Kadhalar Dhinam | Raja's father | |
| 2001 | Azhagi | ||
| 2001 | Anandham | ||
| 2003 | Amma Appa Chellam | Kannaiah | |
| 2005 | Ayya | ||
| 2005 | Oru Kalluriyin Kathai | College Peon | |
| 2008 | Arai En 305-il Kadavul | Mokkai's Father | |
| 2008 | Dindigul Sarathy | Sarathy's grandfather | |
| 2008 | Malarinum Melliya | Cartman | |
| 2009-2011 | Vasantham | Tamil TV Serial | |
| 2010 | Thamizh Padam | Mokkai | |
| 2013 | Periyar Islathai Ettrara Ethirthara ? | Abdullah Periyardasan | Documentary[1] |
| 2014 | Veeram | Bhai | Posthumous appearance |
Death[edit]
Dasan died on 19 August 2013 at the age of 63, after fighting liver cancer.[10] He is survived by wife Vasantha and two sons Valavan and Suratha.[2][11] As per his last wish, his body was given to the Madras Medical College for Research on August 20. Immediately after death, his eyes were donated to Sankara Nethralaya.[4]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Actor Periyardasan passes away". chennaionline.com. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
- ^ a b c d e "Periyardasan takes final bow after multiple roles". newindianexpress.com. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
- ^ "FROM 'SLAVE OF PERIYAR' TO 'SLAVE OF ALLAH'". radianceweekly.com. Archived from the original on 22 July 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
- ^ a b "Periyardasan takes final bow after multiple roles". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ a b "Buddy's words turned Periyar Dasan into Dr Abdul". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ "Periyar Dasan Dr. Abdullah". milligazette.com. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
- ^ "\\\'Periyar Dasan's conversion not a surprise\\\' - The New Indian Express". www.newindianexpress.com. Archived from the original on 1 July 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
- ^ "புத்தரும் அவரது தம்மமும் (கருத்து=பட்டறை)". CommonFolks. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ a b "இந்திய மரபும் பார்ப்பன திரிபும்". CommonFolks. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ "Periyar Dasan Passes Away". kollytalk.com. Archived from the original on 30 July 2018. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
- ^ "Kollywood Movie Actor Periyar Dasan Biography, News, Photos, Videos". nettv4u. Retrieved 21 April 2021.