Cho The Great
Cho Ramaswamy was a veteran journalist, satirist and
playwright. Cho was a lawyer, writer, dramatist, comedian, journalist and
commentator. He was a playwright for his 1968 satire Muhammad bin Tughlaq, and
as the editor of Thuglak magazine he refused to be cowed down by the Emergency.
His early years in journalism coincided with the
authoritarian phase of the ruling Congress. Therefore his brand of journalism had
an anti-establishment resonance for many years. Cho Ramaswamy was a comical
critic and a long-standing friend to Jayalalithaa. He was a committed
nationalist, a right-of-centre analyst, and a firm believer in a strong Central
government. What will remain in memory is his inimitable humour, withering
sarcasm and vigorous espousal of democracy against authoritarian intervention.
Cho’s contributed a lot to Hindu scriptures, puranas and the
clarification of many Hindu doctrines, without taking Hindutwa seriously.
His commentaries on the various puranas,
etc. are really worth reading.
Cho was the only person who pointed out the plus points of
his enemies. He criticized Karunanidhi to the hilt but gave him credit for
taking up so many problems. If any new development took place people were eager
to know Cho's views on the matter.
Cho was passionate about theatre and used his plays to, among
other things, criticise the Dravidian movement and its politics.
Whatever may have been his political beliefs, Cho was a
comedian with serious thought and actions. His profound knowledge and cogent
argument are worthy of discussion and debate. His writings will remain as
masterpieces for many years to come.
Cho Ramasamy, the veteran journalist and satirist, was never
afraid to bring out the lapses in the polity at national level and he used the
screen medium also not only for his film career but also to point out the
political lapses with satire. His magazine Thughak was sought by the neutral
view holders in politics and the common people because the magazine presented
the political scenario with facts and figures. He never hesitated to bring to
fore the gimmicks of Indian politics. He was the champion for the cause of
opposing bad polity and preserving the ingredients of democracy with his
constructive journalism. May his soul rest in peace
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