Subramanya Bharathi
| Chinnaswamy Subramania Bharati | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
Sundara Murthy December 11, 1882 Ettayapuram, Tuticorin district, Madras Presidency, India |
| Died |
September 11, 1921 (aged 38) Madras, India |
| Residence | Triplicane or Thiruvallikkeni |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Other names | Bharathiyar, Subbaiya, Sakthi Dasan, Mahakavi, Mundaasu Kavignar |
| Occupation | journalist |
| Known for | Indian independence activism, poetry, social reform |
| Notable work(s) | Panjali Sapatham, Pappa Pattu, Kannan Pattu, Kuyil Pattu, etc. |
Political movement | Indian independence movement |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Spouse(s) | Chellamaal |
| Children | Thangammal Bharati (b. 1904), Shakuntala Bharati (b. 1908) |
| Parents | Chinnaswami Subramanya Iyer and Elakkumi (Lakshmi) Ammaal |
| Signature |
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Chinnaswami Subramania Bharathi (December 11, 1882 – September 11, 1921) was an Indian writer, poet, journalist, Indian independence activist and social reformer from Tamil Nadu, India. Popularly known as "Mahakavi Bharathiyar", he is a pioneer of modern Tamil poetry. His numerous works were fiery songs kindling patriotism and nationalism during Indian Independence movement.[1]
Born in Ettayapuram of the then Tirunelveli district (presently Tuticorin district) in 1882, Subramania Bharati had his early education in Tirunelveli and Benares and worked as a journalist with many newspapers, notable among them being the Swadesamitran and India. Bharathi was also an active member of the Indian National Congress. In 1908, an arrest warrant was issued against Bharathi by the government of British India for his revolutionary activities forcing him to flee to Pondicherry where he lived until 1918.
Bharathi's works were on varied themes covering religious, political and social aspects. Songs penned by Bharathi are widely used in Tamil films and Carnatic Music concerts.
Early life
Bharatiyar was born to Chinnasami Subramanya Iyer and Lakhsmiammaal as Subbayya on December 11, 1882 in the village of Ettayapuram. He was educated at a local high school called The M.D.T. Hindu College in Tirunelveli. From a very young age he learnt music and at eleven, he learnt poetry. It was during this time that he was conferred the title of "Bharati" , the one blessed by Saraswati, the goddess of learning. Bharati lost his mother at the age of five and his father at the age of sixteen. He married Chellama who was seven years old when he was fourteen years old. He was brought up by his father who wanted him to learn English, excel in arithmetic, and become an engineer.[2][3]
During his stay in Benaras (also known as Kashi and Varanasi), Bharati was exposed to Hindu spirituality and nationalism. This broadened his outlook and he learned Sanskrit, Hindi and English. In addition, he changed his outward appearance. He also grew a beard and wore a turban. Though he passed an entrance exam for a job, he returned to Ettayapuram during 1901 and started as the court poet of Raja of Ettayapuram for a couple of years. He was a Tamil teacher from August to November 1904 in Sethupathy High School in Madurai.[3] During this period, Bharati understood the need to be well-informed of the world outside and took interest in the world of journalism and the print media of the West. Bharathi joined as Assistant Editor of the Swadeshamitran, a Tamil daily in 1904. In December 1905, he attended the All India Congress session held in Benaras. On his journey back home, he met Sister Nivedita, Swami Vivekananda's spiritual heir. She inspired Bharathi to recognise the privileges of women and the emancipation of women exercised Bharathi’s mind. He visualised the new woman as an emanation of Shakti, a willing helpmate of man to build a new earth through co-operative endeavour. He considered Nivedita as his Guru and penned a couple of lyrics praising her. He attended the Indian National Congress session in Calcutta under Dadabai Naoiroji, which demanded Swaraj and boycott of British goods.[3]
By April 1907, he started editing the Tamil weekly India and the English newspaper Bala Bharatham with M.P.T. Acharya. These newspapers were also a means of expressing Bharati's creativity, which began to peak during this period. Bharathi started to publish his poems regularly in these editions. From hymns to nationalistic writings, from contemplations on the relationship between God and Man to songs on the Russian and French revolutions, Bharathi's subjects were diverse.[2]
Bharati participated in the historic Surat Congress in 1907 along with V.O. Chidambaram Pillai and Mandayam Srinivachariar, which deepened the divisions within the Indian National Congress between the militant wing led by Tilak and Aurobindo and the moderate wing. Bharati supported Tilak and Aurobindo together with V. O. Chidambaram Pillai and Kanchi Varathaachariyar. Tilak openly supported armed resistance against the British.[3]
In 1908, he gave evidence in the case which had been instituted by the British against V.O. Chidambaram Pillai. In the same year, the proprietor of the journal India was arrested in Madras. Faced with the prospect of arrest, Bharati escaped to Pondicherry which was under French rule. From there he edited and published the weekly journal India, Vijaya, a Tamil daily, Bala Bharatha, an English monthly, and Suryothayam, a local weekly in Pondicherry. The British tried to suppress Bharathi's output by stopping remittances and letters to the papers. Both India and Vijaya were banned in British India in 1909.[3]
During his exile, Bharati had the opportunity to meet many other leaders of the revolutionary wing of the Independence movement like Aurobindo, Lajpat Rai and V.V.S. Aiyar, who had also sought asylum under the French. Bharati assisted Aurobindo in the Arya journal and later Karma Yogi in Pondicherry.[2] This was also the period when he started learning Vedic literature. Three of his greatest works namely, Kuyil Pattu, Panchali Sabatham and Kannan Pattu were composed during 1912. He also translated Vedic hymns, Patanjali's Yoga Sutra and Bhagavat Gita to Tamil.[3] Bharati entered British India near Cuddalore in November 1918 and was promptly arrested. He was imprisoned in the Central prison in Cuddalore in custody for three weeks from 20 November to 14 December and was released after the intervention of Annie Besant and C.P. Ramaswamy Aiyar. He was stricken by poverty during this period, resulting in his ill health. The following year, 1919, Bharati met Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. He resumed editing Swadesimeitran from 1920 in Madras (modern day Chennai).[4]
Later years and death
He was badly affected by the imprisonments and by 1920, when a General Amnesty Order finally removed restrictions on his movements, Bharati was already struggling. He was struck by an elephant named Lavanya at Parthasarathy temple, Triplicane, Chennai, whom he used to feed regularly. Although he survived the incident, a few months later his health deteriorated and he died on September 11, 1921 early morning around 1 am.[5] Though Bharati was considered a people's poet, a great nationalist, outstanding freedom fighter and social visionary, it was recorded that there were only 14 people to attend his funeral. He delivered his last speech at Karungalpalayam Library in Erode, which was about the topic Man is Immortal.[6] The last years of his life were spent in a house in Triplicane, Chennai. The house was bought and renovated by the Government of Tamil Nadu in 1993 and named Bharathiyar Illam (Home of Bharathiar).
Works
He who forgets not God and fails not in his duty, no matter whatever befalls him and however much he suffers, will at the end attain honour and happiness.[7]
Bharathi used simple words and rhythms, unlike his previous century works in Tamil, which had complex vocabulary. He also employed novel ideas and techniques in his devotional poems.[1] He used a metre called Nondi Chindu in most of his works, which was earlier used by Gopalakrisha Bharathiyar.[8]
Bharathi's poetry expressed a progressive, reformist ideal. His imagery and the vigour of his verse were a forerunner to modern Tamil poetry in different aspects. He was the forerunner of a forceful kind of poetry that combined classical and contemporary elements. He had a prodigious output penning thousands of verses on diverse topics like Indian Nationalism, love songs, children's songs, songs of nature, glory of the Tamil language, and odes to prominent freedom fighters of India like Tilak, Gandhi and Lajpat Rai. He even penned an ode to New Russia and Belgium. His poetry not only includes works on Hindu deities like Shakthi, Kaali, Vinayagar, Murugan, Sivan, Kannan(Krishna), but also on other religious gods like Allah and Jesus. His insightful similies have been read by millions of Tamil readers. He was well-versed in various languages and translated speeches of Indian National reform leaders like Aurabindo, Bala Gangadar Tilak and Swami Vivekananda.[4]
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Hunterian |
He describes the dance of Shakthi in the following lines:
Tamil | |
In Bharathiyaar's Paanchali sapatham, he compares Paanchaali (Draupadi) with Bharata matha, the Paandavaas with the Indians, the Gowravas with the British and the Kurukshetra war of Mahabharat to that of the Indian freedom struggle. He visualized Draupadi to India and Indian women, who were held by slavery and social clutches of the society.[3][2]
His poetry stands out for many facets of his love for his motherland. He passionately dreamt of the day his country would lead the world in culture, trade, literature and every other aspect of life. And penned those dreams in living words.
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Hunterian |
He is known to have said, "Even if Indians are divided, they are children of One Mother, where is the need for foreigners to interfere?" Even in the period 1910–1920, when freedom was far away and with Mahatma Gandhi as just an emerging force, with a tremendous sense of positive expectation, he wrote about a new and free India where there are no castes. He eloquently imagines all-round social and economic development. He talks of building up India's defence, her ships sailing the high seas, success in manufacturing and universal education. He calls for sharing amongst states with wonderful imagery like the diversion of excess water of the Bengal delta to needy regions. He talks of a bridge to Sri Lanka earlier Ceylon.
Bharati on Feminism
The new age women will learn many intellectual texts. They will set the base for many scientific discoveries that facilitate human life. They will expunge all backward superstitions in the society. They will, all the same, be devoted to God and present all achievements of mankind as a tribute to God. They will earn good name from men.
Bharathiyar is considered the first to have advocated and campaigned for women's participation in politics. He advocated greater rights for women and their education. He visualised a modern Indian woman at the vanguard of society. He was of the strong opinion that the world will prosper in knowledge and intellect if both men and women are deemed equal. He condemned the Shashtras, the proceducres formulated by Hindus, that suppressed womnen's rights and their destruction. Most of his views are considered contemporary even in modern times.[9]
Bharati on Caste System
Bharati also fought against the caste system in Hindu society. Although born into an orthodox Brahmin family, he gave up his own caste identity. He considered all living beings as equal and to illustrate this he even performed upanayanam to a young harijan man and made him a Brahmin. He also scorned the divisive tendencies being imparted into the younger generations by their elderly tutors during his time. He openly criticised the preachers for mixing their individual thoughts while teaching the Vedas and the Gita. He strongly advocated bringing the Harijans to the Hindu mainstream.
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Legacy
Bharathiar University, a state university named after the poet, was established in 1982 at Coimbatore.[10] There is a statue of Bharathiar at Marina beach and also in the Indian Parliament. A Tamil Movie titled Bharathi was made in the year 2000 on the life of the poet by Gnana Rajasekeran, which won National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil.[11] The movie Kappalottiya Thamizhan (The Tamilian who sailed the high seas) chronicling the important struggles of V.O.Chidambaranar, Subramanya Siva and Bharathiar. The movie starred Sivaji Ganesan as VOC and S.V Subbiah as Subramanya Bharathi. The charitable organization Sevalaya runs the Mahakavi Bharathiya Higher Secondary School. It was named in his honor and designed to provide children in the vicinity of the underserved Kasuva village in Tamil Nadu with free education.[12]
See also
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Natarajan, p. 290
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 University of Delhi 2005, pp. 125-126
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Rajagopalan 2013, p. 1
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lal 1992, pp. 4191-3
- ↑ Magadi 2006, p. 496
- ↑ "Last speech delivered in Erode". The Hindu. 15 April 2008. Retrieved 20 December 2013.
- ↑ "Brief Shining Moment in Judicial History". Daily News (Colombo, Sri Lanka). 11 June 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2013. – via HighBeam (subscription required)
- ↑ Sahitya Akademi 1992, p. 379
- ↑ Sivaraman 2006, pp. 71-72
- ↑ Gupta 2006 , p. 14
- ↑ "SA women 'swoon' over Sanjay". South Africa: Sunday Tribune. 30 March 2008. Retrieved 30 November 2013. – via HighBeam (subscription required)
- ↑ "Activities: School". Sevalaya.
References
- Lal, Mohan (1992). Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: sasay to zorgot. Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 9788126012213.
- Magadi, Ranganathan (2006). The Literary Works of Ranganathan Magadi. Ranganathan Magadi. ISBN 978-1-4116-7004-4.
- Gupta, Ameeta; Kumar, Ashish (2006). Handbook of Universities, Volume 1. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. ISBN 9788126906079.
- "Indian Literature: An Introduction". University of Delhi (Pearson Education India). 2005. ISBN 9788131705209.
- Bharati, Subramania; Rajagopalan, Usha (2013). Panchali's Pledge. Hachette UK. ISBN 9789350095300.
- Sivaraman, Mythily (2006). Fragments of a Life: A Family Archive. Zubaan. ISBN 9788189013110.
- Natarajan, Nalini; Nelson, Emmanuel Sampath, eds. (1996). Handbook of Twentieth-century Literatures of India. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 9780313287787.
- K.M., George, ed. (1992). Modern Indian Literature, an Anthology: Plays and prose. New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi. pp. 18–. ISBN 978-81-7201-324-0.
External links
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- Works of Bharati
- Mahakavi Subramania Bharati by Bharati's Granddaughter, Dr. S. Vijaya Bharati
- To Know all about Mahakavi Bharathiyar
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