Selected Poems

by Subramaniya Bharathiyar, Usha Rajagopalan (Translator)

In the melody that is heard all day long In the teeming city and in nature's wilderness In all these notes I have lost myself.' Honoured at a public function when he was a mere boy of eleven with the title 'Bharati' (one blessed by Saraswati the Goddess of Learning) C. Subramania Bharati (1882-1921) is renowned as the herald of the renaissance of Tamil literature. The simplicity and lyricism that marked his poetry reflect a clear shift in sensibility and craft from the classical tradition which had adhered to strictures of style, imagery and language for over 2000 years. Ranging from the fiercely patriotic and the deeply romantic to the humbling intensity of devotion and the sharp criticism of self and society, this selection brings together poems that reflect the very essence of Bharati's broad philosophy. Usha Rajagopalan's stellar translations echo the lyricism and transformative power that have lent Bharati's poetry their distinctive enduring quality.

Genres: Poetry, India

148 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 7, 2012

About the author

Chinnaswami Subramania Bharathi was an Indian writer, poet, journalist, Indian independence activist and social reformer from Tamil Nadu, India. Popularly known as "Mahakavi Bharathiyar", he is a pioneer of modern Tamil poetry and is considered one among the greatest of Tamil literary figures of all time. His numerous works were fiery songs kindling patriotism and nationalism during Indian Independence movement.

Born in Ettayapuram of the then Tirunelveli district (presently Tuticorin district) in 1882, Subramania Bharati had his early education in Tirunelveli and Benares and worked as a journalist with many newspapers, notable among them being the Swadesamitran and India. Bharathi was also an active member of the Indian National Congress. In 1908, an arrest warrant was issued against Bharathi by the government of British India for his revolutionary activities forcing him to flee to Pondicherry where he lived until 1918.

Bharathi's works were on varied themes covering religious, political and social aspects. Songs penned by Bharathi are widely used in Tamil films and Carnatic Music concerts.

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good translations but didn't have many of his classic poems.