Chennai: Naam Tamizhar Katchi (NTK) leader Seeman reiterated that E. V. Ramaswamy Naicker, known as Periyar among Dravidianists, was anti-Tamil language. He sang paeans to freedom fighter Subramania Bharathi, who he said was almost forgotten during the Dravidian regime. Seeman declared himself as the “ideological heir” to the comprehensive legacy encompassing Tamil pride, social justice, rationalism and nationalism. The NTK leader’s speech was not merely a tribute, but a bold manifesto aimed at dismantling Dravidianism as the dominant political ideology of Tamil Nadu.
Known for his theoretical dialogue delivery, articulated manner and high-pitch fiery speeches, Seeman was the chief guest at an RSS vigil event marking Subramania Bharathi’s birth anniversary on December 11 (Thursday). Seeman said Bharathi is his “great grandfather” and redefined Tamil nationalism. His participation triggered a political storm and online criticism. He defended his participation by saying, “I am a great follower of Bharathiyar. If I am invited to speak about Bharathi, I will even speak in Pakistan”.
Many questioned how a leader known for his Tamil nationalist stance and opposition to Hindutva politics could share a stage with RSS-inspired outfits. “Seeman has been siding with Muslims in the Thiruparankundram issue and is known for rapid Hindu-phobic comments, particularly against the RSS. How could he attend the event?” they asked.
Seeman praised poet Subramania Bharathi’s Tamil while condemning EVR and his alleged dislike for the Tamil language. His entire speech was built on the premise of a corrective approach to what he called a “historical betrayal”. He faulted society for neglecting its greatest poet while elevating a figure he portrayed as disdainful of Tamil itself.
Seeman began his nearly 30-minute speech by saying, “When I said Bharathi was my ancestor, they criticised it. ‘Bharathi has become Seeman’s ancestor, hasn’t he?’ everyone questioned”. He said those who neglect, hide and refuse to praise Bharathi would be neglected, rejected and disowned completely. “If they reject Bharathi, then they also become victims of the same affront. Bharati, was Bhagwan Siva for those who love Tamil and Yama for those who reject and oppose it. The same way, we will support those who love Tamil like Bhagwan Siva and become Yama to those who dislike it”.
“When they sought my consent to attend this function, I replied that to praise Bharati I would even go to Pakistan and speak. Bharathi is not a mere poet. He is the son of Akhanda Bharat. We won’t say we love Bharati casually; we are frenzied. I have unbound madness for Bharati”, he said. Quoting Mahakavi Bharathi’s 1916 writings in Swadeshamitran, Seeman said Bharathi wrote: “Tamil people’s knowledge is not known across the globe. We should make it known as a paramount duty. I will strive hard to propagate the light of Tamil and knowledge. I will work hard to spread the significance and fame of Tamil all over the world. If I fail to do so, change my name”.
Continuing, Seeman said, “It is my duty, as I revere him and am his ideological heir, to take Bharathi’s name to other parts of the world. If I fail, the purpose of my birth as a Tamilian becomes meaningless”. “Bharathi was a saint, siddhar, gnani, prophet — and he alone fits all these descriptions. Even before Bharat attained freedom, he wrote, We have attained freedom. Let us sing and dance. What a prophet he was. He foresaw independence long before 1947″.
“In all places there were talks of independence. We are all equal. Let us say Vande Mataram and worship our motherland. As long as Tamil exists, Bharathi will live with us. There is no death for him”, Seeman said, questioning why Bharathi was not honoured and remembered with due respect. He noted that Bharathi’s poems could be easily understood without explanatory notes because they were written in the spoken language of the people and reached the masses.
The former film director-turned-politician said, “When someone who called Tamil ‘misfortune’ (saniyan) is considered my father, why shouldn’t Bharathi — who sang about the sweetness of Tamil and ignited the freedom fire through his patriotic songs and writings — be considered my ancestor?”
Quoting Bharathi’s verses — “‘Among the languages we know, Tamil is the sweetest’… ‘Long live the powerful language that measured all that the sky measured’” — Seeman contrasted this with EVR’s remarks. He asked the audience, “If Tamil is a barbarian language, who spoke Tamil? Who is the barbarian? Is he the barbarian? Am I the barbarian? Are you all barbarians?”
Seeman compared Bharathi’s patriotism with what he termed anti-Tamil statements by others, again asking, “If Tamil is a barbarian language, who spoke Tamil?” He cited Bharathi’s call: “Worship the auspicious Tamil country as our mother… It is the land of our wise ancestors”.
He said Bharathi preceded and surpassed the Dravidian movement. “They say feminism (penniyam) began only after Ayya EVR. But look at Bharathi — he spoke for women’s liberation and empowerment much earlier”, Seeman said, quoting Bharathi’s calls to burn ignorance that degrades women, demand equality in chastity and affirm that women are not inferior to men in intellect.
Referring to Bharathi’s personal life, Seeman said, “Go and look at our grandfather’s photographs. The grandfather sits, the grandmother stands behind. But there is only one photograph in Tamil Nadu — Bharathi’s. Chellamma is sitting; Bharathi is standing. He made Chellamma sit and stood himself. That is feminism”.
Elaborating, he said Bharathi publicly walked with his hand on Chellamma’s shoulder, breaking social norms. “To break an existing principle and build a new one requires more courage than that of a warrior”, he said, calling Bharathi the man who shattered old traditions and established new ones, with no gap between his writings and his life.
On caste divisions, Seeman quoted Bharathi: “There are no castes, Paapa. To speak of high or low birth is a sin”. He added, “Bharathi is a Brahmin because he treated everyone equally. Will anyone call Bharathi a Brahmin now?” Commenting on Dravidian politics, Seeman said, “The same Brahmin antagonism you used to establish Dravidian dominance — I am using that crowbar to demolish this dilapidated structure”.
Seeman cited several Brahmin and non-Brahmin social reformers who fought untouchability, sati and championed temple entry, including Vaidyanatha Iyer and U V Swaminatha Iyer, questioning EVR’s exclusive claim as a social revolutionary. On the language issue, Seeman said, “Our principle is not ‘Hindi Ozhiga’. It is ‘Tamil Vaazhga’. I have no right to destroy another person’s mother tongue. If everyone is well, India will be well”.
Referring to the ongoing 150th year of Vande Mataram, he quoted Bharathi: “Sing praises daily of Hindustan. We will say Vande Mataram and worship our State Mother”. Seeman made several politically charged remarks, stating that C N Annadurai was not the first to name the state Tamil Nadu, asserting that Mahakavi Bharathiyar was. He accused the Dravidian movement of attempting to erase Tamil heritage and declared he would “break the Dravidian fort”.
He concluded by elevating Bharathi as timeless and divine, calling him the poet who created time itself — a seer and avatar. At another function in Tiruchirappalli, Seeman questioned criticism of his attendance at an RSS-inspired event, pointing out that DMK ministers and MP Kamal Haasan had shared stages with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and MoS L Murugan. He said anyone who refuses to sing or read Bharathi’s works is unfit to live, adding that for the DMK, only Karunanidhi is recognised as a poet.
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