DOI: https://doi.org/10.63345/ijrhs.net.v13.i5.1
Aarushi Sharma
Independent Researcher
Delhi, India
Abstract
The Dravidian philosophical tradition, rooted in the socio-religious and linguistic consciousness of South India, has profoundly shaped the region’s political landscape. This manuscript examines the historical evolution of Dravidian thought—derived from Tamil renaissance, rationalist movements, and anti–Brahminical critiques—and analyzes its influence on political mobilization, party formation, and policy frameworks in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Kerala. By integrating qualitative historical review with quantitative electoral and survey data, the study reveals a statistically significant correlation between Dravidian ideological adherence and regional party success, voter turnout, and social welfare policy adoption. Findings indicate that districts with stronger self-respect movement legacies exhibit higher support for Dravidian parties and progressive social programs. The research underscores the enduring legacy of Dravidian philosophy in shaping secularism, social justice, and cultural identity in South Indian politics and outlines avenues for future study on its evolving role in contemporary governance.
Keywords
Dravidian philosophy, political mobilization, social justice, South Indian politics, self-respect movement
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