Bharathiyar: A Great Tamil, Indian poet!

Bharathiyar, known as 'Maha Kavi Bharathiyar,' is a revered Tamil and Indian poet. 'Maha' means great in Tamil. Among Tamil writers, he is my personal favorite. Despite his short life, his literary achievements were incredibly impressive. Not only was he a prolific poet, but he also played a crucial role as a social and political activist. During the British rule, he ardently fought against their dominion, making him a notable freedom fighter in India's nationalistic struggle.

I appreciate his writings for the following reasons: his thoughts, as expressed in his writings, were not narrow-minded. He contemplated the social and political perils facing his society, the nationalistic struggle of his country, and the class differences prevalent in Indian society. When considering his country's national struggle, he also envisioned a classless society within India. Simultaneously, he extended his thoughts to encompass the planet we inhabit, the fellow creatures that coexist with us, and the nature.

He was religious but against the superstitious thoughts that existed within religion. He also contemplated human existence. An ardent reader proficient in Tamil, Sanskrit, and English languages, he frequently perused major newspapers, including 'Manchester Guardian' from the UK. This publication featured numerous political articles on Russia's October Revolution. Engaging with these articles, he analyzed the distinctions between Capitalism and Communism, examining the positive aspects of both political ideologies.

Apart from these, his writings are creative. The language, positive tone, and feelings expressed in them are the best characteristics of his writing. The words in his writings soothe our hearts while reading. When I am tired and feeling low, I read his poems. Immediately, my tiredness and low morale disappear, and I feel positive energy flowing inside me. Without it, I don't feel complete.

One of his poems that attracts me a lot begins with the lines:

Anything,
standing, walking, flying,
are you a dream?
Or illusions of many appearances?

Learning, listening, thinking,
are you merely illusions?
Don't you have any meanings in your existence?

நிற்பதுவே நடப்பதுவே பறப்பதுவே
நீங்களெல்லாம் சொற்பனந்தானோ?
பல தோற்ற மயக்கங்களோ?

கற்பதுவே கேட்பதுவே கருதுவதே
நீங்களெல்லாம் அற்ப மாயைகளோ?
உம்முள் ஆழ்ந்த பொருளில்லையோ?

Sky, sunlight, trees,
are you the water of a mirage?
Or just errors in sight?
Since the past disappeared like a dream,
am I a dream? Is this world a lie?

வானகமே இளவெயிலே மரச்செறிவே நீங்களெல்லாம்
கானலின் நீரோ? வெறும் காட்சிப் பிழைதானோ?
போனதெல்லாம் கனவினைப்போல் புதைந்தழிந்தே போனதனால்
நானும் ஓர் கனவோ? இந்த ஞாலமும் பொய்தானோ?

He asks many questions about human existence. In the end, he comes to a conclusion:

If what we see disappears, the disappeared will be seen.
Does fate continue on lies?
What we see is true. Without seeing, nothing is true?
Seeing is energy. This is eternal.

காண்பவெல்லாம் மறையுமென்றால் மறைந்ததெல்லாம் காண்பமன்றோ?
வீண்படு பொய்யிலே நித்தம் விதி தொடர்ந்திடுமோ?
காண்பதுவே உறுதிகண்டோம் காண்பதல்லால் உறுதியில்லை
காண்பது சக்தியாம்; இந்தக் காட்சி நித்தியமாம்.

In the poem, Bharathiyar analyzes not only human existence but also the two philosophical concepts of modern philosophy: idealism vs materialism. What a great poet! He is truly remarkable.