Kannada writer Devanura Mahadeva wins Tamil Nadu government’s Vaikom Award 2024

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin will present the Vaikom Award for Social Justice for 2024 to Kannada writer and Dalit activist Devenura Mahadeva, at the Vaikom Satyagraha Centenary celebrations in Kerala’s Kottayam district.

The 2024 Vaikom Award for Social Justice will be presented to Kannada writer Devanura Mahadeva, the Tamil Nadu government announced.

Mahadeva is an acclaimed writer and a social activist, who has been fighting against caste discrimination and oppression for several years.

As part of his award, Mahadeva will be presented with Rs 5 lakh in cash, a certificate of appreciation and a medal during the inauguration of the Vaikom Periyar Memorial in Kerala on Thursday, December 12.

The Kannada writer and Dalit activist was awarded the prestigious award for his outstanding contributions to literature, social justice, and the empowerment of marginalised communities, a letter by the Tamil Nadu government stated.

The Vaikom Award was constituted by the Tamil Nadu government in 2023, in the memory of late social reformer Thanthai Periyar, who was at the forefront of the Vaikom Satyagraha, earning him the title “Vaikom Veerar” (Hero of Vaikom).

WHO IS DEVANURA MAHADEVA?

Mahadeva, who turned 76 on June 10, 2024, is one of Karnataka’s most revered public intellectuals. He is touted across Karnataka as a rare and honest thinker-activist-leader.

His seminal work, a 64-page booklet called ‘RSS: Aala Mattu Agala’, uses historical statements made by founders and leaders of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh to “critically observe the true nature and objective of RSS and place it before the people.”

Mahadeva does not claim any copyright to the book and declared that any publisher could reprint the book and, preferably, sell it at a low price, and that he need not be paid any royalties. According to him, through the book, he identifies what he calls RSS’s three ideological planks: Enforcing Varnashrama Dharma and Manusmriti, promoting Aryan supremacy, and undermining the Constitution of India along with the principles of federalism.

The Kannada book has been reprinted by 36 different publishers and has sold over 1,15,000 copies to date. The Telugu version has sold more than two lakh copies. Translations in Marathi, Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, and Urdu have also been widely appreciated.

The English translation of the book, called ‘RSS: The Long and the Short of It, is also available.

Mahadeva’s other famous works include, a collection of seven short stories titled ‘Dyavanuru’, a novella called ‘Odalaala’, a novel by the name of ‘Kusumabaale’, and a collection of essays called ‘Edege Bidda Akshara’.

Courtesy: India Today

Note: This news is originally published on indiatoday.in and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially for human rights.