Shri K Suryanarayana Rao, who is also popularly known as ‘Suruji’ or ‘Suriji, has inspired lakhs of karyakartas across the country. A tribute on his birth anniversay
Dr K. Kumaraswamy
In 1960s, a peculiar situation prevailed in Tamil Nadu. There was an upsurge of Dravidian thoughts propagated by the Dravida Kazhagam (DK) founded by EV Ramasamy Naicker and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) run by CN Annadurai and M Karunanidhi. There was a demand for a separate Tamil nation. The anti-Hindu, anti-Sanskrit, anti-North, anti-Brahmin and anti-God slogans shattered the one nation, one culture and one people theory. The Aryan Dravidism made the people indulge in mutual hatred. It was in Tamil Nadu that the Justice Party had supported the continuance of British rule in India.
In 1970, DK had organised a public rally in Salem, in which its volunteers chappelled the photo of Sri Ram and went on beating it with broomstick. In spite of an adverse circumstance and anti-Hindu mood, the Hindu society was still alive for two reasons:
Cover Story / K. Suryanarayana Rao : Prominent, Still Personal
(i) The patriotic and nationalistic feelings instilled by Mahakavi Subramania Bharati, VO Chidambaram Pillai, Thiru. Vee. Kalyanasundaranar, Subramaniamsiva and other freedom fighters had not subsided. Besides, the spiritual and religious preachings of Nayanmars and Azhwars could make the people stick to Hindu traditions.
(ii) The RSS, functioning to organise the Hindu society, had its own impact on Tamils. The RSS Shakha was first started in 1939 by Sri Dadarao Parmarth in Chennai and in course of time many branches were started in different parts of the State. Unfortunately, Gandhi’s assassination in 1948 and unwanted ban on RSS hugely affected its growth. Anyhow, the committed workers of RSS, inspired by Annaji, Ramagopalanji, R Annamalaiji, R. Srinivasanji and some other workers faced the challenge and managed to nurture the Sangh work and ensure that it remains unaffected from the hurricane of anti-Hindu and anti-national atmosphere. In such a complex situation, Suruji was sent to Tamil Nadu as Dhakshin Sah Kshetra Pracharak.
After coming to Tamil Nadu, Suriji first made a thorough assessment of the social, political and cultural situation and also made a deep study of the strength and weakness of the Sangh work in the State. He prepared a blue print of Sangh work in mind and then slowly but steadily began to develop it. He understood the culture and nature of Tamil people and adapted himself to the local situation. He gave up dressing punchakatcham and started wearing dhoti and kurta. He also smeared vibhuti on his forehead as Tamils do. In course of time he also picked up skills in spoken and written Tamil. He was glad to greet people with Vanakkam.
He made intense tour of the State and realised that Hindu feelings were very much there in the blood of Tamils. He wanted to concentrate on Sangh work only in the State. So, he requested Sangh adhikaris to relieve him from the responsibility as Sah Kshetra Pracharak in charge of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. His request was okayed and he became Prant Pracharak of only Tamil Nadu. This reflects the magnanimity of Suriji.
His gigantic figure, inspiring speeches, informal interactions with Sangh swayamsevaks, warm heart and cool head made a magnetic effect on those who came into his personal contact. This enabled him to mould karyakartas systematically. ‘Plan the work and work out the plan’ was his mantra. Accordingly, he planned to train the Sangh workers. He organised training classes for them. Such classes – weekly once for urban areas and monthly once for rural—were helpful to train persons to start Shakhas in different parts of Tamil Nadu.
He emphasised on summer training camps (Sangh Shiksha Varg) to develop workers on large scales. Within a span of 10 years, a sea change occurred in the growth of Sangh activities in the State. In 1979, the then Sarsanghachalak Shri Balasaheb Deoras remarked: “Tamil Nadu Sangh work had been a hard nut to crack, but now it has started cracking. In the days to come, I believe, it will be powdered.”
Suriji visited every nook and corner of Tamil Nadu for Sangh work. The mode of transport varied from car to bicycle. Yes, he used to ride bicycle when there was no availability of car, motorbike or scooter. He was an expert in assigning the workers the right responsibilities. He could identify suitable Zilla Karyavahs, Shareerik and Bouddhik Pramukhs. In order to speed up the work, Suriji made special efforts to bring out Pracharaks. He was a role model to them in plain living and high thinking. Suriji would lay frequent emphasis on simple food, simple dress and simple living.
He was instrumental in making Tamil Nadu stand on its own legs, in all respects including finance. The next plan of Suriji was to establish contact with elders, saints and the trendsetters in different walks of life and practically bring them to the Sangh fold. His creative intelligence could make wonders to impress the great people. As an illustration, let me refer to the case of Swami Chidbhavananda. He differed in certain views of the organisation. For example, he opposed the erection of Vivekananda Memorial in Kanyakumari. He opined that RSS was unnecessarily pouring lakhs of rupees into the ocean. Suriji had three or four rounds of discussion with Swamiji on various principles of the Sangh. He sought permission to hold the Sangh Shiksha Varga for 20 days in the Vivekananda College, Thruvedagam, run by Swamiji. The permission was granted. During the Varg, Suriji took Swamiji to the Sangahasthan. On seeing the training—the teaching of Silambam, Karate and heroic games, Swami Chidbhavananda remarked: “Yes, this is what Swami Vivekananda wanted. You are giving man–making education. Let your tribe increase.” In the valedictory function of the Varga, he was all in praise of the Sangh and indicating to the Sangh swayamsevakas, he said, “You are bhagyavan”. Later on, he told Suriji, “The doors of my Mutt are always open for your programmes. The Mutt is like your Thaaiveedu (mother’s house).”
After Emergency, Thuglak’s founding editor Cho Ramaswamy had an elaborate interview with Suriji. At the end, Suriji gave a clarion call to the readers of Thuglak to join the RSS. What a wonder! Hundreds of Hindus, especially youngsters, wrote to Chennai Karyalaya saying they would like to start RSS Shakha at their places. That was a turning point in the history of Sangh work in Tamil Nadu and many young men came forward to shoulder the responsibility.
It was Suriji who started Tamil Nadu Vanvasi Seva Kendram. Under his guidance many organisations like Sewa Bharati, Samskrita Bharati, Arogya Bharati, Hindu Unity Centre and Desiya Chinthanai Kazhagam flourished. Trusts like Desiya Sewa Samiti, Salem, Dr. Hedgewar Smarak Samiti, Chennai, Saadana of Trichy were shaped to render wonderful services to the society. He was a Gaja Ragan because of his amazing and gigantic figure. He was a Vana Rajan because of his self-establishment as a matchless leader. He was a Dharma Rajan, because of his meticulous and strict administration. Let us strive to realise his dreams into reality and that is the true tribute payable to him.
(The writer is Prant Sah Sanghachalak of Uttar Tamil Nadu)
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