Wednesday 22 May 2013

Mahakavi Bharathiyar (சுப்பிரமணியபாரதி) Pondicherry

a famous line still heard in many schools where children were seen singing them with love. The word "செந்தமிழ்" means "Classical ". Also, Tamil is certified as one of the oldest classical language with Tolkāppiyam (Tamil: தொல்காப்பியம்), a Tamil literature dating back to 10th century CE. And Mahakavi Bharathiyar is one who gave new life to Tamil Language with his Poems .He was a pioneer of modern Tamil poetry. Although he was well versed in many other languages like Bengali, Hindi, Sanskrit, Kuuch, and English, he gave Tamil language a special place in his heart.
meaning  "Of all languages which I know, there is no language as sweet as Tamil language"

Mahakavi Bharathiyar (சின்னசுவாமி-சுப்பிரமணிய-பாரதி) with his Wife Chellamal


Bharathiyar fled to Pondicherry which was under the British rule when he was faced with the prospect of arrest while involving in Indian Freedom Struggle activities in the year 1908 organising a mammoth public meeting distributing his poems 'Vanthe Matharam', 'Enthayum Thayum', 'Jaya Bharath' free to his Tamil people. Also, the same year he gave evidence in the case which had been instituted by the British against 'Kappal Otiya Thamizhan', V.O.Chidambarampillai.

Bharati had the opportunity to mix with many other leaders of the revolutionary wing of the Independence movement such as Aurobindo, Lajpat Rai and V.V.S. Aiyar, who had also sought asylum under the French at his time. Bharati assisted Aurobindo in the Arya journal and later Karma Yogi in Pondicherry. (source:wiki)

During his Pondicherry days, he edited and published the 'India' weekly,'Vijaya'- a Tamil daily, Bala Bharatha -an English monthly, and 'Suryothayam' a local weekly of Pondicherry. Below is an image of Poet Bharathiyar house where he lived with his wife Chellamal during in Pondicherry days .

Poet Bharathiyar House in Pondicherry 
No. 20, Easwaran Koil Street, 
Puducherry - 3

This house now is converted into Museum and possess some of the greatest works of the Poet.There is a postage stamp released on Bharathiar which is framed in the museum. There are around 20 photographs collected of his family, friends and relatives. Every 11th December , the birth date of Bharathiyar (1882-1921) , his house in pondy would hold a special pooja for him.


It is said that Mahakavi Bharathiyar had a habit of writing poetry at a particular area in Pondicherry city which was then named after him. The area is called as Bharathi Nagar situated between Muthialpet and Lawspet road. Also, in that area, there is a specific place full of trees (Thoppu in tamil) where Quails come and go. Bharathiyar was mesmerised with this place full of birds that he visits this place often and also wrote many poems sitting there. This place is known as Quail Thoppu

Now, though that Quail Thoppu is not there as it was decades before, a famous temple (tourist spot) called Sri Guru Sithananda Swamy Temple, Karuvadikuppam still possess a statue of Bharathiyar in sitting posture with a book and a pen in his hand. Even today, if you visit that temple, you can see that statue. Near the statue, is a lovely pond full of lotus flowers.

Sri Sithananda Swamy Temple
Lots of people flock to Sri Guru Sittananda Swamy Temple especially during Thursday for that temple is the shrine of Lord Shiva and Lord Guru Bhagavan .

Bharathiyar also wrote his anger and thoughts towards Feminism, Caste System, Child Marriage, Hunger and other Social Evils.
meaning there is no caste system , dividing people under caste is a sin, those who are superior are the ones with Conscious, Knowledge and Love.

If you are planning to visit Pondicherry, then don't forget to visit this great Poet's house as well as his statue in Sri Guru Sithananda Swamy Temple, Bharathi Nagar .

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