ISAS Special Reports

Close to a century after the Dravidian movement kicked off in Tamil Nadu as an ideology built around the notion of progressive social transformation, its contours have shifted dramatically in response to profound changes in the political landscape and the imperatives faced by political parties and their constituents. The two major Dravidian parties that hold sway over state politics today face considerable challenges internally and externally and have had to redefine some of their core tenets to remain politically relevant amidst the flux. This Special Report examines the nature of these tectonic shifts in Dravidian politics and outlines their ramifications for the future of politics and policy in Tamil Nadu and India.