Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar


Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar, is one of the greatest tamil poets of the century. He was born on 11 December 1882 in Ettiyapuram in Tamil Nadu. He was a wonderful teacher, an outstanding poet, a dynamic journal editor and a great freedom fighter.
He worked hard in every sphere, and strived hard to be a patriot Indian and an ardent lover of Tamil ( the language). At the age of 11, in 1893, he became a recognized poet and was given the title of 'Bharathi'. He was a student at Nellai Hindu School and in 1897, he married Sellamal.
“Tamil is my mother, ” Bharathi would say, as he pioneered the writing of conventional poetry, called “Pudhu Kavithai” in Tamil Literature. At the same time, he was fluent in many languages including Bengali, Hindi, Sanskrit, Kucch, and English and frequently translated works from other languages to Tamil.
He inspired many people though his writings. A revolutionist, who firmly believed all religious faiths, envisioned India to be free where men and women were treated alike and expressed his        VAJRAKEEL as s="tip"  deep love for the country.
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He passed away on 11 September 1921 when he was 39. Mahakavi Subramanya Bharati made an eternal and enduring hallmark in Indian History.

The poems below are translations of some of Subramanya Bharathiyar’s very famous poems.

 

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There is no Fear


1. The people of this world, if against they stand,
There is no fear, there is no fear, nothing like fear.

Although, we are counted cheap and rebuked,
There is no fear , there is no fear , nothing like fear.

If to beg for food, would be a life attained,
There is no fear , there is no fear , nothing like fear.

Loveable possessions if, are lost,
There is no fear , there is no fear , nothing like fear.

2. If clothed bosomed damsels, cast their eyes
There is no fear , there is no fear , nothing like fear.

Poison in the mouth, if fed by friends
There is no fear , there is no fear , nothing like fear.

Shielded armies, if to attack approach
There is no fear , there is no fear , nothing like fear.

On the acme of my head, if the sky did crash and plummet down
There is no fear , there is no fear , nothing like fear.

Conch

After death, the world of Siva and the world of Vaikunta
We shall attain, who believe thus
Inane people are they who preach such words
Mindless are they, pronounce thus while you blow the conch!

In this world, in this day
In this moment, to reach liberation
With lucid intellect, who endeavor to strive
Pure are they, pronounce thus while you blow the conch!

Deceptive Illusion, who perceive to be deceptive,
Senses, slash and discard away
Yet, indisputably remain content
Aryans are they, pronounce thus while you blow the conch!

Kajal applied sword-like eyed ones, and also gold
Mire are they, who believe thus, unflustered
Work with ease, performing
Saints, are they akin to, pronounce thus while you blow the conch!
 

The Drum of Victory

Chorus

Beat the drum of victory! Beat it!
Beat the drum of victory!


Verses

1. The fear-demon we thrashed- The falsehood
serpent we hacked, and devoured its life
The entire world, is nectar we comprehend
A vedic life we’ve acquired. (Beat the drum of victory!)


2. In the sunshine we bathed – The luster’s
nectar we relished and splurged
In the night came he, living beings to destroy
Yama trembled as we glared. (Beat the drum of victory!)

3. The crow and sparrow, are our caste – the extensive
oceans and mountains, our cluster
Seen in all directions is us and nobody else
And as you see it, dance along. (Beat the drum of victory!)
 

Order to the Mind

Satan residing little mind
Listen to my words from today
Don’t you go searching alone
For Im your leader, you better know
Mother Sakthi’s feet and
Righteousness, as what I proclaim to be
Without laziness you shall stand and work
I sermonize, abide and you will live high.
 

AA spark of fire

A spark of fire I did see
Which there , in a forest tree hole I’d stowed
Burned and ashed was the forest
For the flame’s intensity, is there something like a spark or a blaze ?
 

Translated by Suma V.S