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Mahakavi Subramania Bharati - Works and Contributions in Nationalist Period

Last Updated on Nov 19, 2024
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Subramania Bharati was an Indian writer and poet. He was also a freedom fighter and social reformer. He hailed from Tamil Nadu. He is known for his works in the field of women's emancipation. He also stood against child marriage. He worked to reform Brahmanism and religion. Subramania Bharati is considered one of the greatest Tamil literary figures. He is also regarded as the father of the modern Tamil style. His achievements in Indian literature and society are significant. 

Mahakavi Subramania Bharati is one of the most important topics for the UPSC IAS exam. It covers a significant part of the 'Indian History – Important Personalities' (General Studies-1) syllabus and current events of national importance in UPSC prelims. 

In this article, we shall study in detail about Contributions and Works of Subramania Bharati during the Nationalist Period, International Bharati Festival, and more.

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Who was Subramania Bharati?

Subramania Bharati (1882-1921) was a Tamil writer, poet, journalist, Indian independence activist, social reformer, and polyglot from India. He was born on December 11, 1882, in Ettayapuram, Tamil Nadu, Subramaniya Bharati, also known as Mahakavi Bharathiyar, showed poetic talent at an early age. Composing Tamil poetry at seven, he impressed with his depth of understanding by age 11. Married at 15 to Chellammal in June 1897, Bharati is celebrated as one of Tamil's greatest writers. His parents were Lakshmi Ammal and Chinnaswamy Iyer. Recognized for his literary contributions, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu honored him on September 20, 2021, marking the 100th anniversary of his death.

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Early Life of Subramania Bharati

In 1908, a warrant for Bharathi's arrest was issued by the British Indian government, prompting his relocation to Pondicherry, where he resided until 1918. Despite being proficient in approximately 32 languages, including three non-Indian foreign languages, his primary affinity was for Tamil. Bharathi's impact on Tamil literature is extraordinary, as he prolifically addressed political, social, and spiritual themes. His compositions, widely embraced in Tamil cinema, have become integral to the global repertoire of Tamil artists. Renowned for promoting modern blank verse, Bharathi authored numerous works extolling the beauty of the Tamil language in nature.

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Major Works of Mahakavi Subramania Bharati

Mahakavi Subramania Bharati was a prolific writer and poet who made significant contributions to modern Tamil poetry and literature. 

  • Subramaniya Bharati is regarded as one of Tamil literature's all-time greats.
  • Subramania Bharati's books were characterized by their simplicity of language and rhythm.
  • They were a departure from the complex vocabulary used in previous Tamil works.
  • He wrote extensively on political, social, and spiritual issues. 
  • Subramaniya Bharati's poems celebrated patriotism and the freedom struggle. 
  • In addition to his literary contributions, he played an active role in India's freedom struggle and was a social reformer. 
  • Subramaniya Bharati's literary output was vast, covering every kind of genre in prose and verse in Tamil. 
  • Subramaniya Bharati received the title "Bharathi" in recognition of his outstanding poetry.
  • Some of Subramania Bharati's notable works include:
    • Kaṇṇan pāṭṭu (1917; Songs to Krishna)
    • Panchali sapatham (1912; Panchali's Vow)
    • Kuyil pāṭṭu (1912; Kuyil’s Song)
    • Pudiya Russia
    • Gnanaratham (Chariot of Wisdom)

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Contributions of Subramania Bharati in the Nationalist Period

Subramania Bharati played a significant role in India's nationalist period. 

  • Subramaniya Bharati wrote songs about nationalism and India's freedom.
    • His songs were influential in mobilizing the public.
    • They were especially effective in Tamil Nadu.
  • The public supported the Indian Independence Movement.
  • Subramaniya Bharati was a poet, writer, journalist, and activist.
  • He was also a social reformer and polyglot.
    • He used his literary skills to inspire people.
    • He urged them to fight for their rights.
  • Subramaniya Bharati wrote extensively on political and social issues.
  • His works were characterized by their simplicity of language.
  • They were also characterized by their rhythm.
  • Bharati's vision for India was unique and contemporary even today. 
  • He believed that education was the key to social reform and worked towards promoting education among women and the lower castes. 
  • Subramaniya Bharati also advocated for the use of Swadeshi goods as a means of promoting self-reliance among Indians. 
  • His contribution to India's nationalist movement has been immense, and his works continue to inspire generations of Indians.
  • Subramania Bharati's nationalistic poems and essays were popular successes during India's nationalist period. 
  • He used his literary skills to inspire people to fight for their rights and played an active role in India's freedom struggle. 
  • Subramaniya Bharati was briefly imprisoned upon his return to India in 1919. 
  • Bharathi is regarded as a national poet.
    • He wrote numerous poems with a patriotic theme.
    • He urged the general public to take up the independence fight.
    • He also urged them to put forth great effort to free the nation.
  • In addition to expressing his national pride, he also described his goals for a free India.
  • In 1908, he released the sensational "Sudesa Geethangal" book.

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Contributions of Subramania Bharati as a Social Reformer

Subramania Bharati was a social reformer who made significant contributions to Indian society. 

  • Subramania Bharati's songs reveal a wide-ranging social outlook.
    • His outlook goes beyond caste, religion, race, and language barriers.
    • He gave people the motivation to combat social ills.
    • The social ills included untouchability, superstition, and mistreatment of women.
  • Subramania Bharati argues for freedom for women.
    • He also argues for education, a scientific worldview, and industrial advancement.
    • According to him, these are the keys to social change.
  • He criticized child marriages and considered them more sinful than murder. 
  • Subramania Bharati opposed the caste system as well. 
    • He insisted that there were only two castes — men & women, and nothing else.
  • Above all, he had taken his own sacred thread off. 
    • Additionally, he had adorned numerous Dalits with holy thread. 
  • Subramania Bharati used to drink tea from Muslim-owned businesses. 
    • On all occasions of a festival, he and his family went to church. 
  • He supported Dalit entry into temples. He had to contend with opposition from his neighbors for all of his reforms. 
  • Subramania Bharati was very clear. He believed that Indian people could not achieve freedom alone.
  • They needed to band together. They needed to do so as the offspring of Mother India.
  • Subramania Bharati supported women's emancipation, gender equality, and rights for women. He supported widow remarriage and opposed child marriage and dowries.

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Death of Subramania Bharati

Subramania Bharati died on September 11, 1921, at the age of 38, in Chennai, India. A few months before his death, he was pushed by an elephant. The incident happened at the Parthasarathy temple in Triplicane. He sustained injuries from the incident. Although he survived, his health deteriorated rapidly. Subramania Bharati didn't have many opportunities to leave a lasting literary or non-literary legacy. He was given the title "Mahakavi Bharathiyar." The title means "Great Poet Bharathi."

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About International Bharati Festival

The International Bharati Festival is an event organized to commemorate the 138th birth anniversary of Tamil poet and writer Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathi. 

  • The festival celebrates Bharati's contributions to Tamil literature and India's nationalist movement. 
  • The event is organized by the Government of Tamil Nadu and features cultural programs, literary discussions, and seminars on Bharati's life and works. 
  • The festival aims to promote Subramania Bharati's ideas of social reform, women's empowerment, and patriotism among the younger generation. 
  • In 2020, the festival was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 
  • The Prime Minister of India addressed the festival and praised Bharati for his contributions to Indian literature and society. 
  • During the festival, PM Modi conferred the 2020 Bharathi Award to Seeni Viswanathan, who compiled the voluminous works of Subramania Bharati in chronological order.
  • The festival has become an important platform for promoting Tamil culture and literature globally. 
  • It attracts scholars, writers, poets, and artists from all over the world who come together to celebrate Subramania Bharati's legacy. 
  • Through this festival, Subramania Bharati continues to inspire generations of writers, poets, and social reformers.

Click to know about the differences between Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindra Nath Tagore on Nationalism

Contributions of Subramania Bharati as a Journalist
  • Bharathi started his journalism career at "Swadesamitran" in November 1904.
  • He launched "India" in May 1906, pioneering Tamil journalism with revolutionary fervor.
  • To express its radical stance, "India" was printed on red paper and featured the first Tamil political cartoons.
  • Facing arrest, Bharathi moved to Pondicherry in 1908, a French territory at the time.
  • During his Pondicherry exile, he engaged with militant independence leaders like Aurobindo and Lajpat Rai.
  • Bharathi guided Tamil youth from Pondicherry toward nationalism, intensifying British resentment.
  • Arrested upon re-entry to British India in November 1918, he continued writing on freedom and nationalism in prison.
  • In his youth, Bharathi collaborated with nationalist leaders like V.O. Chidambaram, Subramanya Siva, and Mandayam Thirumalachariar.
  • He actively participated in Indian National Congress sessions, discussing national issues with leaders like Bipin Chandra Pal and B.G. Tilak.
  • Bharathi's suggestions and support played a crucial role in rejuvenating national leaders, contributing significantly to India's freedom.

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Subramania Bharati FAQs

Subramania Bharati was a spiritual person who believed in the unity of all religions. He believed that all religions were different paths to the same ultimate truth and that people should be free to follow whichever path resonated with them. He was critical of the caste system and believed in the equality of all people.

Subramania Bharati's poems and essays are still widely read and celebrated for their beauty and message of freedom. He is also remembered for his contributions to the Indian independence movement and his efforts to promote social justice and equality. Bharati's legacy has been recognized by the Indian government, which has issued postage stamps in his honor.

Subramania Bharati (also known as Mahakavi Bharati or Bharathiyar) was a prominent Tamil poet, writer, and freedom fighter who lived from 11 December 1882 to 11 September 1921. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest Tamil poets of the modern era.

Subramania Bharati edited and published several journals during his lifetime. He edited & published the weekly journal - India, the Tamil daily - Vijaya, the English monthly - Bala Bharatham, and the Pondicherry-based weekly Suryodayam. In 1909, Vijaya and India were both effectively banned in India. Tamil journalism was revolutionized by Bharati's publication "India". He ordered the weekly to be printed on red paper to display its passion for revolution.

Subramaniya Bharathi wrote "Sudesa Geethangal". He was a poet, freedom fighter, and social reformer who was born in Tamil Nadu. He was referred to by the name Mahakavi Bharathiyar. His other poems include Kuyil Pattu, Panchali Sabatam, Kannan Pattu, and Nilavum Vanminum Katrum.

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