What do Malayalees think of Dravidian politics?

The views of Malayalees (people from Kerala) on Dravidian politics and the Tamil supremacy theory can vary widely, but there are some general trends and historical contexts to consider.

1. Dravidian Politics:

o Historical Context: Dravidian politics originally emerged in Tamil Nadu in the early 20th century, primarily focused on challenging Brahminical dominance and promoting the rights of non-Brahmin, lower-caste Tamils. The ideology later extended to emphasize Tamil pride and identity, often with a critical view of the North Indian, predominantly Hindi-speaking culture.

o Malayalee Perspective: While Kerala shares historical ties with Tamil Nadu, especially in terms of linguistic and cultural heritage, the idea of Dravidian politics has had a less prominent impact in Kerala. The state's political focus has largely centered around other issues such as social reform, land reforms, and the welfare state. Kerala's political landscape is primarily shaped by Left-leaning politics, with strong influences from Marxist ideologies, and the state's position has typically been more cosmopolitan and inclusive, rather than focused on regional identity in the same way as Tamil Nadu.

o Perception of Dravidian Politics: Some Malayalees might be supportive of the broader goals of Dravidian politics, especially the fight against caste-based discrimination, but they often don't adopt the full ideological framework. In fact, Kerala has its own set of political movements and traditions, like the left-wing politics associated with the CPI(M), which have a distinct identity separate from the Dravidian political parties of Tamil Nadu.

2. Tamil Supremacy Theory:

o Concept: The Tamil supremacy theory posits that Tamils, as a distinct ethnic group, are superior to other South Indian communities. This concept has been controversial and has faced criticism both within Tamil Nadu and outside it, including in Kerala.

o Malayalee Response: Most Malayalees reject the idea of Tamil supremacy. Kerala has a strong regional identity and pride in its own language, culture, and history. Malayalam, the language of Kerala, has a distinct heritage, and Malayalees often emphasize their cultural independence from Tamil influences. While there are historical ties between the Tamil and Malayalee people (due to shared linguistic roots and geography), Kerala has developed its own social and political systems over time. The idea of Tamil supremacy is often viewed as alien or even divisive by Malayalees who feel strongly about their state's autonomy and distinctiveness.

o Inter-state Relations: The relationship between Kerala and Tamil Nadu has, at times, been tense over issues like water-sharing disputes (for example, the Mullaperiyar Dam issue) and border disputes, but these tensions are more centered on practical matters rather than cultural superiority. Malayalees, in general, do not subscribe to any notion of Tamil or any other regional group's supremacy.

3. Cultural and Linguistic Distinction:

o Malayalees tend to take pride in their own cultural identity, which is closely tied to the Malayalam language, cuisine, traditions, and a unique social system. Even though Tamil and Malayalam languages share a Dravidian linguistic base, there is a strong sense of cultural differentiation.

o Historically, Kerala and Tamil Nadu had different forms of governance, and Kerala developed a more egalitarian social system, partly influenced by the social reforms led by figures like Sree Narayana Guru and Ayyankali. These factors have contributed to a separate political identity for Kerala, distinct from the Dravidian identity of Tamil Nadu.

In summary, most Malayalees do not embrace Dravidian politics or the Tamil supremacy theory. They may support some of the ideals of social justice associated with Dravidian movements, but they prioritize their own regional identity, cultural independence, and political ideologies, which are distinct from those of Tamil Nadu.