Bharathidasan
Kanagasabai Subbu (29 April 1891 – 21 April 1964), popularly called Bharathidasan, was a 20th-century Tamil poet and writer rationalist whose literary works handled mostly socio-political issues. His greatest influence was Periyar and his self-respect movement. He was deeply influenced by the Tamil poet Subramania Bharati and named himself Bharathidasan. His writings served as a catalyst for the growth of the Dravidian movement in Tamil Nadu. In addition to poetry, his views found expression in other forms such as plays, film scripts, short stories and essays. The Government of Pu*rry union territory has adopted the song of Invocation to Mother Tamil, written by Bharathidasan as the state song of Pu*rry (Tamil Thai Valthu (Pu*rry)).
Contents
- 1 A short and crisp Essay on Bharathidasan
- 2 List of poems made into film lyrics
- 3 Awards and recognitions
- 4 Legacy
- 5 References
- 6 External links
A short and crisp Essay on Bharathidasan
A twentieth century Tamil poet, Bharathidasan was born in Pu*rry (earlier Pondicherry) as Subburathinam. He was deeply influenced by the Tamil poet and freedom fighter, Mahakavi Subramania Bharathi, who mentored him and hence named himself Bharathidasan. A participant in the Indian independence movement, he opposed the British and the French. He was imprisoned for voicing his views against the French Government that was ruling Pondicherry at that time. A poet in his own right, writing mostly on socio-political issues like caste, women’s liberation and rationalism, Bharathidasan was one of the key figures in the Dravidian rationalist movement. He was called ‘Puratchi Kavingyar’ by the great rationalist leader and social reformer, Periyar E V Ramaswami.
He remained a prolific writer and poet till he died in 1964. He was awarded the Sahitya Academy Award posthumously. One among his famous lines is ‘அறிவை விரிவு செய், அகண்டமாக்கு’, ‘Arivai virivu sei, agandamakku’ meaning “Expand Knowledge – make it universal”. Named after this great poet, it has been BIM’s endeavour to expand and universalize knowledge.
Named after the revolutionary poet Bharathidasan, the Bharathidasan University was set up in 1982 as an offshoot of the University of Madras. The motto of the University “We will create a brave new world” has been framed from Bharathidasan’s poetic words “புதியதோர் உலகம் செய்வோம்”. The University endeavours to be true to such a vision by creating in the region a brave new world of academic innovation for social change.
List of poems made into film lyrics
- Thamizhu* Amudenru per
- Sanke Muzhangu
- Thunbam nergaiyil
- Thesa gnanam
- Neelavana aadaikul
- Valiyor silar
- Muzhumai Nila
- Chithirai
- Pallikudam
- Kalyanam aagatha penae
- Kaatrilellam
- Kandavudal kadal
- Vaanukku nilavu
- Paazhai pona manam
- Vaana mazhai neeye
- Avalum Naanum Amudhum Thamizhum
Awards and recognitions
- Bharathidasan was conferred with the *le of "Puratchi Kavingyar" (meaning the "Revolutionary Poet") by Periyar.
He won the Golden Parrot Prize in 1946 for his play Amaithi-Oomai (Peace and Dumbness). He was given the Sahitya Academy Award, posthumously in 1970 for his play Pisiranthaiyar.He died in 1964 but he got this award after he died (1970)
- On 9 October 2001, a commemorative stamp of Bharathidasan was released by the Postal Department in Chennai.
Legacy
Bharathidasan on a 2001 stamp of India- Tamil Nadu's state government gives the Bharathidasan Award annually to a Tamil poet.
- The Government of Pu*rry union territory has adopted Bharathidasan's song of Invocation to Mother Tamil as the state song of Pu*rry.
- A state university named Bharathidasan University was established in Tiruchirappalli.
- Bharathidasan ins*ute of management, one of India's top B-schools, was established in Tiruchirappalli.