In an important development for the academic study of South Asia, SOAS University of London Library has received a noteworthy collection of books — over 50 titles, totalling 142 copies — on the Dravidian movement in Tamil Nadu and across southern India. This addition expands the library’s holdings, offering valuable resources for researchers examining one of India’s most influential socio-political movements.
The donor, Sabarisan Vedamurthy, highlighted the Dravidian movement’s relevance to contemporary discussions on social justice and inclusive identity. He emphasised that these works are essential for anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of India’s socio-political landscape.
He also expressed his commitment to broadening this initiative beyond SOAS, outlining plans to share these key texts with universities across the globe. According to Vedamurthy, this project contributes to a larger goal of elevating the study of Global South social movements, such as the Dravidian movement, within leading academic institutions worldwide.
The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) is globally recognised for its focused scholarship on the societies, cultures, and histories of the Global South. The library, already one of the most comprehensive repositories for South Asian studies, draws scholars and students from around the world. With these new texts, SOAS further consolidates its role as a central hub for studies on South Asia’s varied historical and political currents.
MORE LIKE THIS…
The donated materials feature works by prominent Dravidian movement figures such as E.V.R. Periyar, C.N. Annadurai, and M. Karunanidhi, supplemented by analytical studies that assess the movement’s influence on social justice, linguistic equality, and regional identity. Notable inclusions range from Periyar’s writings and speeches, and Annadurai’s influential Rajya Sabha addresses to Karunanidhi’s ‘Nenjukku Neethi’ volumes.
These primary sources are complemented by scholarly works like ‘The Dravidian Model’ and ‘Towards a Non-Brahmin Millennium’, which delve into the movement’s continuing impact on linguistic rights, social justice, and regional identity. Researchers and students will benefit from both the original writings of these Dravidian leaders and the in-depth analyses provided by modern scholarship.
MORE LIKE THIS…
Scholars at the SOAS South Asia Institute have acknowledged the value of this collection for advancing scholarship on the Dravidian movement. Subir Sinha, Director, SOAS South Asia Institute sees the availability of these primary and secondary materials as a crucial opportunity for students to delve deeper into the lasting significance of the movement’s ideas. He views the donation as a positive step towards fostering the collaborative spirit that enriches academic study worldwide.
The SOAS Library team has begun the cataloguing of the collection to make it accessible to students, faculty, and visiting researchers. By integrating these critical works into its catalogue, SOAS ensures that scholars can engage with an array of sources — ranging from rare primary materials to comprehensive secondary analyses — that deepen understanding of the movement’s enduring cultural, social, and political legacy.
*Info: SOAS Library
