Raising His Voice for Humanity – Peralingam

— Dr. Devaraju Maharaju

He is a constant wave in the movement for awareness. His name is Devaguptapu Peralingam. A ordinary laborer in Rajahmundry. He did not receive much formal education. Yet, if one learns about his efforts, even great scholars would have to bow their heads in shame! He is now eighty years old. Throughout his life, he has been completely immersed in propagating rationalism and scientific thinking.

He attached a board to his bicycle reading “Rationalist Awareness Chariot,” placed a bag of books on the back seat, and traveled from village to village in the Godavari districts. He dedicated his life to reducing superstitions among rural people. Dressed in a vest and half-shirt, wearing slippers on his feet, Peralingam on his bicycle is recognized by everyone in that region as he cycles through remote villages.

Devaguptapu Peralingam was born on September 6, 1942, into a poor carpenter's family. In those days, there was no opportunity for education in his family. Nevertheless, an inner love and passion for letters enabled him to learn the Telugu alphabet.

Though he could not pursue higher education, with his limited knowledge, he learned to question things. Questioning awakened in him the power of inquiry. Through that questioning and inquiry, he became a rationalist.

In the 1980s, Rajahmundry was a good center for rationalism. People like Ravipudi Venkatadri, Penmetsa Subbaraju, Katti Padma Rao, and others used to hold meetings at Subrahmanya Maidan in Rajahmundry. Thousands of people would attend. Among those thousands was this D. Peralingam. He did not remain just one among them. Like a single lamp lighting hundreds and thousands of others, he alone began traveling from village to village, propagating the rationalist knowledge he had acquired.

In those days, there was a famous astrologer named Gali Seshagiri Rao. Rationalists together exposed that astrologer's tricks in front of the public at the same Subrahmanya Maidan. Peralingam, who witnessed this with his own eyes, shaped his own propaganda programs accordingly. Once, when illness confined him to home and he could not move, he used that time for reading books and studying. He did not waste time but turned it to suit his goal.

Truth is always truth; it should never yield to lies. With this resolve, he set out to move among people and campaign for rationalism. He also tried to write about the things he knew and learned in simple Telugu. In this way, a few small booklets were prepared. However, he did not know how to print them or distribute them to people at that time. He also lacked the money required for it.

Once, Peralingam came to know that rationalists were gathering at the Kadiyam Mandal center near Rajahmundry. Immediately, he rushed there. Some people at the meeting recognized this elderly man who was cycling from village to village propagating rationalism. In the meeting, he said he had written some small booklets but did not know how or where to print them. Instantly, the young people there responded. They collected forty thousand rupees on the spot and gave it to him. Sudarshan, the editor of Praja Patrika, and his wife Devi came forward. They took up the responsibility of publication. Sudarshan himself used to check all the proofs. In this way, Devaguptapu Peralingam, the rationalist activist, was introduced to the people as an author. Forty years ago, he stood as a voice and a pen raised for humanity in the Telugu region. In six or seven years, he published more than ten books.

Some titles of his books are as follows:

1. Ancient Caste Culture and Social Progress
2. O Woman, Why Do You Need Religion, Mother?
3. Science Plus Superstitions
4. Scientific Analysis of the Bible
5. The Primitive Man Did Not Wear Leaves Out of Shame
6. Religious Philosophy and Women's Personality
7. The Unyielding Rationalist Vikramarka Peralingam's Autobiography (Life Story)
8. The Hidden Vulgarity in Mantras
9. Varudhini Marriage – Rationalist Aphorisms
10. The Eroticism in Sri Venkateswara Suprabhatam
11. A Brief History of the Pakalapati Family

Just from looking at these book titles, one can somewhat understand his thought process and personality. On the occasion of his completing eighty years, the United Federation of Progressive People's Organizations, Rajamahendravaram (Phone: 903209442 / 9502654774), organized a felicitation program on September 4, 2022, at Pradeep Care Hospital in Rajahmundry and presented him with the Jeevanasaphalya Puraskar (Lifetime Achievement Award).

It is our duty to recognize and honor such selfless lives. Peralingam, who had no support from anywhere, is currently living on the old-age pension provided by the Andhra Pradesh government. Even in such helpless circumstances, isn't it remarkable that he stands firm against the religious fanaticism being nurtured and promoted by the current central government leaders? Because he did not receive much education, because he lived as a carpenter laborer, and because he spoke rationalism despite being in a pitiable condition, he faced many humiliations from landlords, the wealthy, and upper-caste people. Peralingam patiently endured all of it. He remained silently immersed in his work. He would lower his head and walk away. Because he lacked the skill to cleverly counter educated fools, he did not get recognition as a speaker or writer for a long time and remained just an activist among the people. Even so, he faced many attacks and threats. Yet, for the past three decades, he has never lost courage. He has never retreated. He kept planting questions in the minds of innocent villagers, exposing the deceptions of eternal traditions, and driving his awareness chariot forward.

In truth, this is a very great thing, and it is something we should still follow today. There is a need to extensively travel to schools and colleges in rural areas like Peralingam, and shape students and local citizens into aware individuals.

On one hand, establishing a nice science library and sharing knowledge with ten people, and on the other hand, challenging those who claim to show divine miracles by offering a prize of one lakh rupees—this is astonishing. Living a life with absolutely no financial stability, yet never backing down when it comes to rationalism—this is a testament to his commitment and integrity! Mr. Peralingam performed the marriages of his three sons according to rationalist methods. Despite many health problems and significant loss of hearing, he has not diverted his focus from his goal. Living committed to an ideal is something we rarely see in the present times. Among such rare individuals, Devaguptapu Peralingam is one of the rarest. An extraordinary person among ordinary ones.

Dr. Devaraju Maharaju
Central Sahitya Akademi Award winner, Biologist