Subramaniya Bharathi
- December 13, 2021
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
No Comments
Subramaniya Bharathi
Subject – History
Context – Call to give national-level award to poet SubramaniaBharathi
Concept –
- He was a Tamil writer, poet, journalist, Indian independence activist, social reformer and polyglot.
- Popularly known as “MahakaviBharathi” (“Great Poet Bharathi”), he was a pioneer of modern Tamil poetry and is considered one of the greatest Tamil literary figures of all time.
- His numerous works included fiery songs kindling patriotism during the Indian Independence movement.
- He fought for the emancipation of women, against child marriage, stood for reforming Brahminism and religion.
- He was also in solidarity with Dalits and Muslims.
- After 1904, he joined the Tamil daily newspaper Swadesamitran. This exposure to political affairs led to his involvement in the extremist wing of the Indian National Congress (INC) party.
- Bharathi had the weekly newspaper named ‘India’ printed in red paper. It was the first paper in Tamil Nadu to publish political cartoons.
- He also published and edited a few other journals like “Vijaya”.
- Attended the annual sessions of INC and discussed national issues with extremist leaders like Bipin Chandra Pal, B.G. Tilak and V.V.S. Iyer.
- His participation and activities in Benaras Session (1905) and Surat Session (1907) of the INC impressed many national leaders for his patriotic fervour.
- Published the sensational “SudesaGeethangal” in 1908.
- Bharati’s reaction to the Russian Revolutions of 1917, in a poem entitled “Pudiya Russia” (“The New Russia”), offers a fascinating example of the poet’s political philosophy.
- Important Works: Kaṇṇanpāṭṭu (1917; Songs to Krishna), Panchalisapatham (1912; Panchali’s Vow), Kuyilpāṭṭu (1912; Kuyil’s Song), Pudiya Russia and Gnanaratham (Chariot of Wisdom).
- Many of his English works were collected in Agni and Other Poems and Translations and Essays and Other Prose Fragments (1937).