Subramaniya Bharathiyar

P. Hariprasath, VII – A

        Subramaniya Bharathiyar was a poet, freedom fighter and social reformer fromTamil Nadu. He was known as Mahakavi Bharathiyar and the laudatory epithet Mahakavi means a great poets. 

        He is considered as one of India’s greatest poets. His songs on nationalism and freedom of India helped to rally the massen to support the Indian Independence movement in Tamil Nadu.

          Subramaniya Bharathiyar was born on 11^th December 1882 in a village called Ettayapuram in Tirunelveli District in Tamil Nadu and his childhood name was Subbiah. His father was Chinaswamy Iyer and his mother was Lakshmi Ammal.

         At the age of seven, Subbiah started writing poems in Tamil. When he was eleven, he wrote in such a way that even learned men praised him for his great knowledge and skill. In the eleventh year, Subbiah felt that he had to establish his credentials. He threw a challenge to the eminent men in the assembly of scholars. That they should have a contest with him in a debate on any subject without any precious notice or preparation.

         In June 1897 Bharathi was hardly fifteen when has marriage took place, and his child-bride was Chellammal. Bahrathi left for Benerras which was also known as Kashi and Varanasi.

         Baharathi was essentially a lyrical poet. Kannan pattu, Kuyil pattu, Papa pattu are examples of Bharathi great poetic output.