Periyar Dasan

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.

Dr. Abdullah or Dr. Periyar Dasan
Center Mediater
Born
Seshachalam[1]

(1949-08-21)21 August 1949[2]
Perambur, Madras Province, India
Died19 August 2013(2013-08-19) (aged 63)[2]
Chennai, India
NationalityIndian
Occupation(s)Philosophy Professor, Actor
EmployerPachaiyappa's College
Political partyMDMK
SpouseVasantha[2]
Children2[2]

Early life and background

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

Tamil
  • 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
Year Film Role Notes
1994KaruththammaMokkaiyanDebut film and National Award winning production[5]
1996Tamizh Selvan
1996Aavathum Pennale Azhivathum PennaleAmavasai
1996Mappillai Manasu PoopolaDr. Kayalventhan
1999Kadhalar DhinamRaja's father
2001Azhagi
2001Anandham
2003Amma Appa ChellamKannaiah
2005Ayya
2005Oru Kalluriyin KathaiCollege Peon
2008Arai En 305-il KadavulMokkai's Father
2008Dindigul SarathySarathy's grandfather
2008Malarinum MelliyaCartman
2009-2011VasanthamTamil TV Serial
2010Thamizh PadamMokkai
2013Periyar Islathai Ettrara Ethirthara ?Abdullah PeriyardasanDocumentary[1]
2014VeeramBhaiPosthumous appearance

Death

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
  1. "Actor Periyardasan passes away". chennaionline.com. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  2. "Periyardasan takes final bow after multiple roles". newindianexpress.com. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  3. "FROM 'SLAVE OF PERIYAR' TO 'SLAVE OF ALLAH'". radianceweekly.com. Archived from the original on 22 July 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  4. "Periyardasan takes final bow after multiple roles". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  5. "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.
  6. "Periyar Dasan Dr. Abdullah". milligazette.com. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  7. "\\\'Periyar Dasan's conversion not a surprise\\\' - The New Indian Express". www.newindianexpress.com. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  8. "புத்தரும் அவரது தம்மமும் (கருத்து=பட்டறை)". CommonFolks. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  9. "இந்திய மரபும் பார்ப்பன திரிபும்". CommonFolks. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  10. "Periyar Dasan Passes Away". kollytalk.com. Archived from the original on 30 July 2018. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  11. "Kollywood Movie Actor Periyar Dasan Biography, News, Photos, Videos". nettv4u. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
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