Subramania Bharathi (Aged 39) also known as “Mahakavi Subramania Bharathi” (“The Great Poet Bharathi”), was born on 11 December 1882 in Ettaiyapuram, Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, India. He was a Tamil writer, poet, journalist, Indian independence activist, social reformer, and polyglot. Bharathi is considered one of the greatest Tamil literary figures of all time and was a pioneer of modern Tamil poetry. His numerous works included fiery songs that kindled patriotism during the Indian Independence movement.
He fought for the emancipation of women, against child marriage, stood for reforming Brahminism and religion, and was in solidarity with Dalits and Muslims. Born in Ettayapuram of Tirunelveli district (present-day Thoothukudi), Bharathi had his early education in Tirunelveli and Varanasi and worked as a journalist with many newspapers.
His influence on Tamil literature is phenomenal. Bharathi was fluent in many languages, including Telugu, Bengali, Hindi, Sanskrit, Kutchi, French, and English, and frequently translated works from other languages into Tamil. Bharathi had a voracious appetite for learning ancient and contemporary Tamil literature, especially ancient poems. He was prolific in his output. He covered political, social and spiritual themes
In 1908, the British instituted a case 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, Bharathi escaped to Pondicherry, which was under French rule. During his exile, Bharathi 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. Bharathi assisted Aurobindo in the Arya journal and later Karma Yogi in Pondicherry.
Bharathi entered 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, Bharathi met Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. He resumed editing Swadesimeitran from 1920 in Madras (modern-day Chennai). He passed away on 11 September 1921 in Triplicane, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Subramania Bharathi
(1882 – 1921) – (Tamilnadu)
Subramania Bharathi (Aged 39) also known as “Mahakavi Subramania Bharathi” (“The Great Poet Bharathi”), was born on 11 December 1882 in Ettaiyapuram, Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, India. He was a Tamil writer, poet, journalist, Indian independence activist, social reformer, and polyglot. Bharathi is considered one of the greatest Tamil literary figures of all time and was a pioneer of modern Tamil poetry. His numerous works included fiery songs that kindled patriotism during the Indian Independence movement.
He fought for the emancipation of women, against child marriage, stood for reforming Brahminism and religion, and was in solidarity with Dalits and Muslims. Born in Ettayapuram of Tirunelveli district (present-day Thoothukudi), Bharathi had his early education in Tirunelveli and Varanasi and worked as a journalist with many newspapers.
His influence on Tamil literature is phenomenal. Bharathi was fluent in many languages, including Telugu, Bengali, Hindi, Sanskrit, Kutchi, French, and English, and frequently translated works from other languages into Tamil. Bharathi had a voracious appetite for learning ancient and contemporary Tamil literature, especially ancient poems. He was prolific in his output. He covered political, social and spiritual themes
In 1908, the British instituted a case 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, Bharathi escaped to Pondicherry, which was under French rule. During his exile, Bharathi 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. Bharathi assisted Aurobindo in the Arya journal and later Karma Yogi in Pondicherry.
Bharathi entered 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, Bharathi met Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. He resumed editing Swadesimeitran from 1920 in Madras (modern-day Chennai). He passed away on 11 September 1921 in Triplicane, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
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