Bharathidasan (April 29, 1891 - April 1, 1964; also spelt Bharatidasan) was a twentieth century Tamil poet and rationalist whose literary works handled mostly socio-political issues. His writings served as a catalyst for the growth of the Dravidian movement in Tamil Nadu. In addition to poetry, his views found expression in other forms such as plays, film scripts, short stories and essays. He was mentored by Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathi (after whom he called himself "Bharathidasan"). But Bharathidasan, unlike Bharathi rarely used words derived from Sanskrit in his works; also Bharathidasan's works were more political. April 29 is the 119th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (120th in leap years). ... 1891 (MDCCCXCI) was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... April 1 is the 91st day of the year (92nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 274 days remaining. ... 1964 (MCMLXIV) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1964 calendar). ... Tamil (தமிழ் ) is a classical language and one of the major languages of the Dravidian language family. ... This article is not about continental rationalism. ... Self-Respect Movement is a movement that was called by Thanthai Periyar in Tamil Nadu state of India. ... Tamil Nadu (தமிழ் நாடு, Land of the Tamils) is a state at the southern tip of India. ... Mahakavi Bharathi 1882-1921 Subramanya Bharathi (December 11, 1882 _ September 11, 1921) better known as Mahakavi Bharathiar (Maha Kavi meaning Great Poet) in India. ... The Sanskrit language ( , ) is a classical language of India, a liturgical language of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, and one of the 22 official languages of India. ...

Life

Bharathidasan was born in Pondicherry. His original name was Subburathinam. He underwent formal education in Tamil literature, Tamil grammar and Saiva Sidhantha Vedanta under reputed scholars. He also studied at the Collège Calvé in Pondicherry. In 1909, he was introduced to Subramanya Bharathi, and his interactions with the Mahakavi had a major impact on him. He initially worked as a Tamil teacher in the French territory of Karaikal. Map of Pondicherry Region, Union Territory of Pondicherry, India Pondicherry (Hindi: पॉण्डिचेरी) is a Union Territory of India. ... Saivite: of Saivism; belonging to Saivism, the Hindu denomination that worships God Siva as the Supreme God. ... Vedanta (Vedānta, वेदान्त, pronounced as ) means the anta or culmination or essence of the Vedas. ... Karaikal, also Karikal, is one of the four regions of the Union Territory of Pondicherry. ...

He actively participated in the Indian Independence Movement and through his writings openly opposed the British and the French Government. He was sentenced and imprisoned by the French Government for voicing views against the French Government that was ruling Pondicherry then. He was a strong supporter of Periyar and an important member of the Suya-Mariyadhai Dravida Movement, founded by Periyar. Biggest leader Pavalareru Perunchitthiranaar Friend. The Indian independence movement consisted of efforts by India to obtain political independence from British, French and Portuguese rule; it involved a wide spectrum of Indian political organizations, philosophies, and rebellions between 1857 and Indias independence on August 15, 1947. ... E.V.Ramasami (September 17, 1879–December 24, 1973), also known as Periyar, EVR, Thanthai Periyar, or Periyar Ramasami, was a well-known rationalist, atheist,freedom-fighter, activist, founder of Dravidar Kazhagam and founder of the Self-respect Movement in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. ...

During the Atheist's conference in Chennai, he signed a document having the words "I am an undying atheist". Chennai (Tamil: சென்னை, formerly known as Madras , is the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu and is Indias fourth largest metropolitan city. ...

Throughout his writing career he was encouraged by political leaders such as Annadurai and M. G. Ramachandran. In 1954 he was elected to the Pondicherry Legislative Assembly. He remained a prolific writer till he died in 1964 in a hospital in Chennai. C.N.Annadurai (1909 to 1969), popularly called Anna (which means elder brother in Tamil language) was the first non Congress Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, India. ... Dr M. G. Ramachandran Marudur Gopala Ramachandran (மறுதூர் கோபலா ராமச்சன்றண்) (January 17, 1917–December 24, 1987), popularly known as MGR, Puracthi Nadigar, Ponmana Chemmal and Puratchi Thalaivar (tamil: Revolutionary Leader), was a long time Tamil film actor and Chief Minister of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu from 1977 until his death. ...

Literary Works

Bharathidasan penned his works under different pseudonyms such as Puduvai Kalaimakal, Desopakari, Desabhaktan, Anantapotini, Swadesamitiran, Tamilarasu, Tupleks, Kirukkan, Kindalkaran and the name by which he known today - Bharathidasan. A pseudonym (Greek: false name) is a fictitious name used by an individual as an alternative to his or her legal name. ...

His works include

• Srimayilam Suppiramaniar Thuthiyamuthu
• Sanjivi Parvathin Saaral
• Edhirpaaraadha Mutham
• Kaadhal Ninaivugal
• Nalla Theerppu
• Alagin Sirippu
• Kudumba Vilakku
• Pandiyan Parisu
• Irunda Veedu
• Tamil Illakiyam
• Amaidhi - Oomai
• Saumiyan
• Kavingyar Pesugiraar
• Kadhala Kadamaiya
• Hindi Ethurppu Paadalgal
• Kannagi Puratchik Kaapiyam
• Manimekalai Venpa
• Panmanithiral
• Tenaruvi Isai Paadalgal

Awards and Recognitions

Bharathidasan was conferred with the title of "Puratchi Kavingyar" (meaning the "poet of reforms") by Periyar. He won the Golden Parrot Prize in 1946 for his play Amaithi-Oomai (Peace and Dumbness). He was given the Sahitya Academy award posthumously in 1970 for his play Pisiranthaiyar Posthumous means after death. ...

External links

• Paventhar Bharathidasan - People's Poet

• http://www.stateless.freehosting.net/BibliographyofPublications-TamilStudies.htm