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About J. GOWTHAMA SANNAH
Professional ;
A dedicated socio-political activist, ideologue, and writer committed to promoting human rights for Dalits, Tribes, Women, Minorities and marginalized communities in India, particularly in Tamil Nadu. Known for his advocacy work and belief in being the voice of the voiceless.
Occupation: Advocate – Madras High Court, Tamil Nadu, India.
Socio-Political Work :
• Deputy General Secretary, Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Karchi (VKC), Tamil Nadu, India. (since 2013)
• Contested in Arakkonam Assembly Constituency, Tamil Nadu – Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Karchi (VKC), Tamil Nadu, India. (2021)
• Coordinator, Jaibhim Foundation and Jaibhim 2.0 – Project (President Dr. Thol. Thirumavalavan, M.P). Compiler Ambedkarim in 50 volumes and Project Coordinator for creating village-wide Ambedkarism study centers in Tamil Nadu.
• Propaganda Secretary (2008-2013), Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Karchi (VKC). Acted as Chief Coordinator of Membership Drive Program, enrolling 40 lakh members and setting up 20 thousand camps.
• Coordinated IT wing conference on Net Politics and Net Neutrality by VCK (Political Party) in Tamil Nadu 2012. First initiation of its kind in India.
Social Contribution and Activities involved since 1995
• Founder and Chief Coordinator – Tamil Nadu Buddhist Sanga Council (from 2021 onwards. This Sanga Council re-established Buddhism in Tamil Nadu after 800 years in TamilNadu Buddhist History)
• Founder, Sangam – Ambedkarism Training School and Organization for Social Change (1996- this organisation had published book on Ambedkarism and conducted training programs and symposiums on Amebedkarism)
• Founder Member, All College Students Federation, Tamil Nadu, and Founder, Dalit Students Council (Dr. Ambedkar Law College, Chennai, India) (Both movements were established in 1999 with the aim of protecting reservation in educational institutions. Additionally, they organized demonstrations to advocate for the preservation of reservation and social justice for SC/ST and OBC students.)
• General Secretary, South Indian Dalit Writers and Artists Association (2003-2005).
• General Secretary, Dalit Land Rights Movement (2003-2005). Contested numerous protests, state-level conferences, and seminars focusing on the recovery of Panchami Lands in Tamil Nadu.
• Founder, Progressive Legal Study Circle, (2008, this unit was setup in Madras High Court campus which had a main aim to create eminent advocates among Dalits, Tribes and OBS’s junior advocates)
• Founding Member, Creators Movement for Social Peace (2012) – A movement of writers, Artists, Poets, Theater artists who formed it in 2012 in Tamil Nadu, to create social peace in order to alleviate the social tension that arose in Dharmapuri, Northern Tamil Nadu. Founding members: Artist Chandru, Gowthama Sanna, Poet.Manushya Puthran, Psychologist Rudran and numerous eminent social activist involved in this movement.
• Consultant, Nalanda Arts and Culture Movement – An organization that studies and records performing arts and folk arts including street art at Arani, Thiruvannamalai District.
• Conducted more than 300 seminars, training courses, and lectures on literature, history, sociology and law at various places in Tamil Nadu in universities, colleges and public venues.
Research
• Tribal Research – Travelled more than a year visiting hillside tribes; 36 different tribes living in the hills of different parts of Tamil Nadu; Documented their culture and oral literature for cultural anthropology and brought out the biographies of about 20 tribes as a special issue of the Puthiya Kodangi magazine.
• Provided literary training to trans-gender in Tamil Nadu and compiled their works for the first time and published them as a special issue in the Puthiya Kodangi monthly magazine.
• Delivered series of lectures on the history, Dalit literature in universities and public places in countries including Malaysia, Dubai, Live and through video lectures in countries Germany, England.
• Conducted field research in museums and archives in Malaysia, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark and Netherlands for the study of Tamil culture and history.
Sanna’s works in research
• Kurathiyaaru – a musical magic realism epic, written by Gowthama Sannah a book release programme was held in Malaysia and Germany. Also a lecture on this book was given at the University of Malaya (2017).
• Kurathiyaaru – a musical magic realism epic, written by Gowthama Sannah being taught as a course for postgraduate students in Tamil Literature Department at Avinasilingam University, Coimbatore and for postgraduate students in Tamil Department at Prince University (Autonomous), Chennai.
• As a subject in post graduate syllabus, Kurathiyaaru a musical magic realistic epic has been taken up for study by the students of M.A and M.Phil in Chennai University, Avinasilingam University, Thiruvalluvar University and the papers have been submitted.
• PhD research on Gowthama Sannah’s works – In Annamalai University, a Ph.D research scholar is working on a thesis under the title “Works of Gowthama Sanna from a Multifaceted Perspective” ; status is in progress.
• Researchers and professors from University of Edinburgh, University of England, Columbia, Texas and California in USA interviewed Gowthama Sanna about history of social justice in Tamil Nadu; the interviews are published in international English journals.
• Preserved, digitized and microfilmed over 500 old books, pamphlets, manuals and tracts published in the 19th and 20th centuries related to Dalits history, Ambedkar related documents and other related documents.
• Guided Tamil Heritage Foundation International on the project for installation of Thiruvalluvar’s statue at Linden Museum, Stuttgart, Germany in 2019. This is first bronze statue of Thirivallvar in Europe.
• Assisted in the publication of Anaimangalam Copper Plates preserved in the special section of the Leiden University Library in the Netherlands along with Dr. K. Subashini, President of the Tamil Heritage Foundation International.
Buddhism
• As the Coordinator, reviving the Buddhist religious structure that disappeared in Tamil Nadu 800 years ago; registered this intiative under the name of ‘Tamil Nadu Buddhists Sanga Council; Established practices on the ancient Buddhist rituals through this organization, bringing Buddhist Temple and Viharas scattered all over Tamil Nadu under one organization and restoring Tamil Buddhism by training Buddhist priests. (visit: www.tnbsc.in)
Books – written
1. Madhamaatra Thadai Sattam – Varalarum Vilaivukalum ( in Tamil) – Marudha Publishing House, 2006 – (Anti Conversion Act in Tamil Nadu which banned people interest of religious faith. This book revealed the hidden agenda of Anti conversion act with its historical perspective)
2. Panditharin Kodai (in Tamil) – Kalagam Publishing House, and Second Edition Sangam Publishing House, 2006. (A contribution of Pandithar Ayothidass in reservation policy in Tamil Nadu at the early 20th century)
3. K. Ayodhitass Pandit, Series of Indian Literary Architects (in Tamil) – Sahitya Academy Publication, 2007 (brief history of Pandithar Ayothidass)
4. Kurathiyaaru – is a musical magic realisim epic in Tamil which known as a neo modern literature also representing the ancient sprit of literature landscape and tastes as well – Kizhakku Publishing House, 2017
5. Thiruvalluvar yaar – kattuk kathaikalai kattudaikkum Thirivalluvar – (in Tamil), Tamil Heritage Foundation Publishing, 2019. (Who is Thiruvalluvar? Who busting myths which moulded against him)
6. Kalakathin Maraiporul (in Tamil), Azhi Publishing House, 2018 (A collection of articles which representing the hidden facts of Indian constitution which framed by Dr.Ambedkar and also many articles related to socio political issues of Dalits and other marginalised people)
7. Ida Othukkeetin Moola varalaru (In Tamil ) Aazhi Publishing House, 2021 (Roots History of Reservation, Origin of Social Justice Principle of Proportional Right which established by Pandithar Ayothidass in 1900. This book is a pioneer book on history of reservation in India.
8. Dialogues on Anti Castes Politics. Interviewed by Prof.Dr.Hugo Gorringe, (Edinburgh University), Dr.Micheal Collins, (Colombia University), in English, Aazhi Publishing House 2018.
9. Ambedkarin Manithar( in Tamil), Ezhilini Publishing House. 2022 (Ambedkar’s Man. A Simple Theoretical Dialogue – this book thoroughly discussed on how a man emerged in modern India and how Dr.Ambedkar paved a path for that.
10. Ambedkariyam Kaiyedu (in Tamil), Published by : Jaibhim Foundation, July, 2024 (The author of this book who compiled Ambedkarism 50 volumes in Tamil, this book is a guide for the luminous 50 volumes in a simple manner)
Books – Compilation and Edition
11. Ayodhyasa Pandit Centenary Commemorative Book (Editor) – Karisal Publishing House, 2014
12. Emancipation of Men, Text by Meenampal Annai, Pioneer of South Indian Women’s Liberation Movement (Editor in Tamil) Karisal Publishing House.
13. Tamil Life (Tamil Uyir)– A Collection of Paintings by artists on a protest held in 2009 against massacres in Eelam, Sri Lanka. (Editor) Published by Karisal Publishing House, 2009
14. Rettamalai Srinivasan Writings and Speeches, Volume – 1 (English and Tamil): Aazhi Publishing House, 2018
15. Adi Dravidian History and Documents (in Tamil) – Azhi Publishing House, 2018
16. Ambedkarism – 50 Volumes in Tamil – 22,000 pages, Published by: Jaibhim Foundation, July, 2024 (This collection is a compilation work of Dr.Ambedkars writings, speeches and documents. Also this collection is an organic compilation based on Dr.Ambedkar’s primary thoughts and ideas)
17. Letters of a Revolutionary – Published by : Jaibhim Foundation, July, 2024 (a collection of Dr.Ambedkar correspondences, which contains more than 500 letters, both English and Marathi which transcribed and translated into English)
18. Puratchiyalarin Kadithankal (in Tamil) ; Published by Jaibhim Foundation, July, 2024 (Letters of Revolutionary – a collection of Dr.Ambedkar’s correspondences, which contains more than 350 letter, both English and Marathi which transcribed and translated into Tamil.)
19. People at Bay by Dr.B.R.Ambedkar (first time in a Book form, Compiled by Gowthama Sanna, Published by Jaibhim Foundation, July, 2024.
20. Othukkappatta Makkal – Dr. Ambedkar (in Tamil) (People at Bay by Dr.B.R.Ambedkar, first time in a Book form, Compiled by Gowthama Sanna, Published by Jaibhim Foundation, July, 2024.
International Research Journal
1. Reading Other Side, Interview with Gowthama Sannah by Prof.Dr.Hugo Gorringe, Published by South Asianist, Edinburgh University United Kingdom.
2. The above same research article was also republished in ESRC, Economic and Social Research Council, Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Sweden.
Articles and interviews
1. Articles published in Hindu Tamil daily and many online magazines
2. Numerous interviews and conversations published on websites and YouTube sites.
In Wikipedia
கௌதம சன்னா
Education
▪ Ph.D (Tamil and History) Pachaiyappas Collage, Madras University (2024)
▪ M.A. (History) Pachaiyappas Collage, Madras University, India (1997)
▪ M.L. (Transfer of Property)Dr.Ambedkar Govt Law College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India (2001)
▪ B.L. Dr.Ambedkar Govt Law College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India (2005)
▪ B.A (Corporate Secretariship BCA), Government Art and Science College for Men, Nandanam, Madras University, Chennai. (1993)
▪ Certificate in Manuscriptology, Institute of Asian Studies, Chemmanchery, Chennai, TamilNadu. (1997)
▪ Certificate in DFT (Diploma in Film Technology -ICC) (1995)
Social Media
Web: https://sannaonline.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/g.sannah
Contacts : Email: writersannah@gmail.com
J. Gowthama Sannah’s extensive contributions to social justice, human rights, and the preservation of Tamil culture and history underscore his commitment to creating a more equitable and informed society.