Mahakavi Subramaniya Bharathiyaar was born in the year 1882. He was
lovingly called Subbiah during his younger days. At age 11, in the
court of the King of Ettayapuram, he was given the title "Bharathi."
The King and the poets in the court were astonished by Bharathi's
prodigious poetic talents. Later (1902-1904), Bharathi lived in
Ettayapuram and was the King's close friend. Bharathi was passionately
involved in the freedom movement. He worked as a school teacher and as
a journal editor at various times in his life. Bharathi died at a young
age of 39 (in 1921). But he left a legacy that is truly invaluable.
Bharathiyaar, as the Mahakavi is known in Tamizh, lived in an era when
India was still under British occupation. His devotion to Tamizh led
him to say:
yaamarintha mozhikazhi-le tamizhmozhi-pole
E-nithavathu engum kaaNOm
(Among all the languages I know, there is
none sweeter than Tamizh)
But at the same time, Bharathiyaar was fluent in many languages (incl.
Hindi, Sanskrit, Kuuch, English etc.) and frequently translated works
from other languages (Bengali, English) into Tamizh, thus showing that
one can love one's language/culture and yet be appreciative of other
languages/cultures.
During Bharathiyaar's era patriotism and a thirst for freedom inspired
many a poet. While Bharathiyaar was not ashamed of proclaiming the
richness of his language (He frequently referred to Tamizh as his
"mother"), he was always an Indian first. He championed national
integration, when India had not yet achieved nationhood. He was
staunchly opposed to casteism. In a song entitled "VaanDhe maatharam"
he wrote:
jaathi madhangkazh paarome - oo-yar
janmam-ith thes-athiL A-E-thina raayin (A is pronounced as A in ABC..Z)
vethiya raayinum O-inre - un-ri
Veru kulathina raayinum O-inre
(We shall not discriminate based on caste or religion,
All human beings in this country - whether preaching
the vedas or involved in other professions - are equal)
[this is a very rough translation. I assure you that
subsequent postings will
have better quality translation].
Just as he did not discriminate based on caste, he did not discriminate
between religions as well. He sung the praise of many a Hindu
god/godess, and at the same time he wrote devotional songs on Jesus
Christ and Allah. Bharathiyaar was pained by the status of Indian
women during his time. He wrote:
Arivu koNda manitha oo-yirkazhai
Adimai yaaka mooyalpavar pitharaam
(Those who wish to imprison the human lives that
possess intelligence are insane).
He challenged and motivated women to fight for their rights. It is sad
to note that the women of India are still struggling for many of these
rights, more than seven decades after Bharathiyaar's time. Mahakavi
Bharathiyaar was a visionary who thought India should be a modern
industrial nation, where all citizens (irrespective of gender, religion
or caste) would be equal. He envisioned a great India:
Paaru-ku-izhe nalla nadu - A-ingazh (pronounce A as in ABC..Z)
Bharatha nadu
(A great nation in this world - our India).
I think Bharathiyaar's contribution to Tamizh and Indian literature is
second to none. He showed that you can be a devouted Hindu and still
sing the praise of Jesus or Allah. He showed that the love for your
language and heritage need not come in the way of your patriotism. I
think every Indian should be aware of this great Indian, and draw
inspiration from his words.
Ramesh Venkat
e-mail: venkat@unixg.ubc.ca
[Source: SCT]
here is a poem he wrote about women's freedom. Remember this was
written in the beginning of this century whem women status in
society was a lot more worse today. Unfortunately these poems
didn't make much dent on the society. One doesn't hear about
widows (women) marrying again in tamil society often.
One of Bharathi's work with translation.
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