Periyar Lalai Singh Granthavali: A Monumental Collection Chronicling the Bahujan Icon’s Legacy

Periyar Lalai Singh Granthavali is a comprehensive collection of works by one of North India's most influential Bahujan icons, Periyar Lalai Singh, who is popularly called Periyar of North India. Published by Rajkamal Prakashan Samooh, this monumental 5 volume spans 1,936 pages and is priced at 2,500 rupees. It is a treasure trove for anyone interested in understanding the introduction and popularization of Periyar and Ambedkar in the Hindi-speaking belt. Periyar Lalai Singh's relentless efforts in preaching the messages of Buddha, Baba Saheb, Jyotiba Phule, and Periyar aimed at eradicating Brahminism and creating an egalitarian society.

This 5 volume is a rare gem in the academic world, exploring the history of the socialist movement in North India. Despite minimal promotion, the book's popularity soared, especially in North India, where Bahujan scholars embraced it and spread its message through social media, conferences, and symposiums. The first edition sold out in just forty-two days, and the second edition followed within two months. The third edition, released in 2024, further highlights the immense impact and demand for this scholarly work among both academia and the general public.

Periyar Lalai Singh Granthavali meticulously covers Periyar Lalai Singh's life and work in five parts. The first part introduces his life history, providing detailed accounts of his schooling, social activities, and colleagues. This section includes Periyar Lalai Singh's writings such as "Aryo ka Naitik Pol Prakash," "Adiniwasiyo ki Pehchan," "Sachchi Ramayana," and "Sachchi Ramayana ki Chabhi," which highlight the cultural heritage of India's aborigines and critique Aryan cultural domination. The second part delves into writings inspired by Periyar and Ambedkar, focusing on social change in North India. It starts with an introduction to Periyar Lalai Singh's father, Chaudhary Gajju Singh, a socialist warrior who fought against Brahminism. This section underscores Periyar Lalai Singh's inheritance of the spirit of radical change. It also details Periyar  Lalai Singh's contributions to the post-independence Bahujan movement, mentioning influential figures and organizations like Arjak Sangh, Shoshit Samaj Dal, and Ramswaroop Verma.

In the third part, Periyar Lalai Singh's literary works are showcased, revealing his love for literature while maintaining a focus on social change and equality. The editor includes his poetic and dramatic writings, such as "Sipahi ki Tabahi, (1946)" "Veer Sant Maya Baliodan (1960)," "Shambook Vadh," and "Eklavya," which use historical events to raise awareness among the Bahujan people. Chauthiram Yadav, a renowned critic of Hindi literature, writes the preamble, critiquing the neglect of Bahujan literature and advocating for the promotion of works by Bahujan writers like Periyar Lalai Singh.

The fourth part compiles letters, magazines, footnotes, slogans, symposiums, and seminars that promote consciousness among Bahujan people about their oppression and rights. It also explores Periyar Lalai Singh's dedication to his mission and his methods. This section traces a significant cultural movement in Uttar Pradesh, led by Periyar Lalai Singh before Kanshiram, showing the historical preparation for the social changes witnessed in North India after the 1990s. The fifth part lists books, magazines, pamphlets, and tickets related to Lalai Singh and the movement for an egalitarian society. This section includes important sources for scholars researching social and cultural movements in North India from the 1950s to the 1980s. The editor also presents pictures of significant moments in Periyar Lalai Singh's life, allowing readers to connect with him vividly and gain insights into his life.

The main feature of this collection is the editor's dedication and hard work. The editor traveled extensively, collecting books, writings, pictures, and documents, investing significant time and energy into this project. Periyar Lalai Singh Granthavali challenges the notion that there was no significant movement to abolish Varna and caste in North India. It reveals the deep materialistic historical movement for an egalitarian and humane nation-building in North India, presenting Periyar Lalai Singh as a modern nation-builder. Periyar Lalai Singh Granthavali is a must-read for anyone interested in the Bahujan movement, social change, and the fight against casteism and Brahminism in North India. This collection is a powerful reminder of the rich history of socialist revolutionaries and their enduring legacy in the fight for an egalitarian society.

Finally, I commend the young scholar Dharma beer Yadav Gagan for his significant contribution to academia by revitalizing the social and cultural movement of the Bahujan community through this comprehensive and engaging work.

This Periyar Lalai Singh Granthawali is published in 5 volumes by Rajkamal Prakashan Group. It has been edited by Dharamveer Yadav Gagan. Gagan is a Post Doctoral fellow at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.