The 134th Birthday of the Tamil Poet Bharathidasan, celebrated in Japan with jubilant participation.
Poets of other countries are widely read and admired in India. When an Indian poet, especially of Tamil Nadu, India is honoured in another country, is it not a pleasure to treasure? The birthday of renowned revolutionary poet Bharathidasan (b.1891) was celebrated on 27th April, 2024 in Yokohama (Japan), in the Community Hall – Toka Ichiba (Green Town).The event was jointly organised by a forum of Overseas Tamil Residents Association and another outfit functioning as ‘People’s Thought’. Members of the Tamil Association in Tokyo too participated. Lovers of poetry delivered speeches eulogising Bharathidasan, whose given name was Subbu Rathinam. Bharathidasan was his pseudonym, that meant “An ardent fan of Bharathiar”.
Thiru. Kamalakannan of ‘People’s Thought’ forum spoke on the topic “Bharatidasan and Periyar” comparing the similarity in their revolutionary principles. His intimate relationship with poet Bharathiar was also described. In 1928 when Bharathidasan met Thanthai Periyar that was a turning point in his life. Inspired greatly by Periyar, he involved himself in the self-respect movement and imbibed progressive thoughts and ideals. He was transformed as a revolutionary poet. He started writing much for the ‘Kudi Arasu’ weekly and ‘Pagutharivu’ weekly, founded by Periyar. Bharathidasan as a poet was far ahead of his times. He wrote hundreds of articles in favour of the downtrodden and oppressed people. He frankly admitted that he was an atheist. He composed provocative poems that ignited sparks of rebellion and revolution in the youth.
Bharathidasan wrote and staged a play criticising the Sanatana codes. The play was presided over by Periyar. The collection of Bharathidasan poems were published first in 1938. He was closely associated with all the Dravidian stalwarts including Arignar Anna and Kalaignar Karunanidhi. The honorific title “Revolutionary Poet” was conferred on him in 1946 by Arignar Anna. He composed a lyric felicitatingthe Self Respect Marriage of K.Veeramani – Mohana in the presence of Thanthai Periyar and AnnaiManiammaiar in 1958.
Bharathidasan had none equalling him in love for Tamil language. Infact, one can say, he breathed Tamil throughout his life. He wrote lyrics and dialogue for a few Tamil films too. He passed away in 1964. His statue was erected in Chennai in 1968 by Arignar Anna, who was then the Chief Minister. When M.G.R. was the Chief Minister, he established a University in Trichy, popularly known today as “Bharatidasan University”. During his birthday celebration in Japan, all these historical facts and anecdotes were narrated by several lovers of Tamil poetry. It is true, poets like Bharathidasan live for ever in the hearts of many people all over the world.
