Preface to the Communist Manifesto
The Modern Rationalist|June 2021
‘Communist Manifesto’, released by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels was for the first time translated and published in Tamil by Thanthai Periyar in ‘Kudi Arasu’ serially from 4th October 1931 to 2nd November 1931. Afterwards Periyar commenced his International tour on 13th December 1931 and returned on 8th November 1932. He visited various European, Asian and African countries. Of them his stay in Soviet Russia was from 14th February 1932 to 19th May 1932. While he was in Soviet Russia, he attended the May Day celebration as State Guest and witnessed Moscow March on 1st May 1932. While publishing the Tamil version of the Communist Manifesto Periyar wrote a Preface to it in Kudi Arasu. The English version of the preface is as follows:
Kudi Arasu
Preface to the Communist Manifesto

In the world today in Russia, Spain and China these are rebellions and protests under the names of equality, socialism and communism. This is a truth known to all.

Most of our people are under the impression that this feeling cropped up at first in Russia. Those who deeply probe into the history pertaining to the communist and socialist systems of thought would find it incorrect, since there are evidences to prove that the feelings of equality and socialism originated in the world several centuries ago itself.

It is learnt that nearly 80-90 years back from this day the feeling of communism cropped up as a system of thought. Its basic tenets and principles were spread through conferences and statements lucidly, enabling us to understand them clearly. In other words, it is learnt that during 1817 itself a conference of world communists (congress) was held in the great city of London. We also come to know that as an outcome of that conference, a significant statement was also released. But Russia happened to be the first country to attempt quick handling, practicing and implementing this system of thought.

This story is from the June 2021 edition of The Modern Rationalist.

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