For reasons flattering to me, I consider myself connected to the great poet, Subramania Bharatiar. Not by blood or family but by craft, date and destiny. I might be biased but not too far from the truth, when I say that here is a poet who made women’s emancipation a talking point long before social media did. Bharati also made the fire of independence and patriotism burn fiercely in Indian hearts with his strong writing. These aren’t the only themes that find utterance in his writing– society, emotions, nature and religion feature prominently as well.
Bharati’s work is modern, his language lucid and his thoughts, progressive. Here is a man who believed in equal rights for men and women and who believed that any system that deprives women of those rights deserves to be condemned. He stood against any kind of discrimination, including caste. In one of his works, addressed to a young child, he says that to label someone as being superior or inferior on the basis of caste is a sin. The superior person was one who had a loving heart. Such an important thought in today’s divisive world.
The poet literally walked the talk – in public, his wife walked with him, not a few paces behind as was the practice in those days. He encouraged both his daughters to be strong individuals. He believed that if liberty was denied to women then there would be no life in this world. His thoughts are reflected in the lines, “food is consumed by the mouth/ life is created by a mother.” Bharati is often called an idealist poet. I thought all poets were idealistic, till just a short while ago. Now I know better, but when you read through some of his poems you understand where the statement comes from. He identifies himself with birds and beasts, paintings and palaces, good and bad qualities like courage and cunning. His work is evocative; the birdsong and the work songs, the rustling of the wind, the notes of musical instruments – you can sense them all. I am reminded of Gitanjali , when I read of his admiration for workers. They are creators, god-like, and he is filled with respect for them. In another poem, the poet sees Nanda Lala or Krishna, in the green of the trees and the black of the crow’s feather.
Bharati’s sartorial sense, in the turban he wore and the moustache he sported, are well-known. As are many of his poems, which are often quoted, as songs and as dialogues. Who can forget ‘Achamillai,’ sung with such spirit by a group of children in the movie, Indira ? You may also recall the beautiful soulful renditions of ‘Kaakai Siraginile Nandalala’ and ‘Manathil Uruthi Vendum’ – magic made possible by the genius of the wonderful Ilayaraja and K.J. Yesudas. The poems have moved out of the page a long time ago.
I must confess that I wrote this column with much trepidation. I am no expert on Tamil poetry and have relied on multiple sources, including books and patient friends (thank you, Shri) to help with the poems. But even my hampered understanding sees the honesty and simple essential truths of Bharati’s writing that light the way to a more humane society.
(Bharati was born on 11th December 1882.)
