Dravidian Ascendency in Tamil Nadu: Ideological Revisions and Progress

The political history of south India since the late nineteenth century has been signified with the construction of Dravidian ideology and its subsequent social and political movements. The construction of ideology was not only confined to theory but also driven towards the realization of its objectives in social, economic and political spheres. Apart from ideology and movements, electoral politics and public policies facilitated to realize its objectives. The Dravidian ascendency is precisely achieved by these developments. In the process of development of the ideology, it incorporates few revisions with a view to establishing solid foundations for the coming generations. Thus, the Dravidian ascendency can be identified at four subsequent levels, viz, ideology, movement, electoral politics and public policy. This paper explores these developments amidst competing as well as accommodating tendencies created by the historical necessity.