International Bharathi Festival 2020

    • Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed International Bharathi Festival 2020 through video conferencing and paid tributes to the Bharathiyar on his Jayanti.

    • The festival is being organised by Vanavil Cultural Centre to celebrate the 138th birth anniversary of Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathi.

    • Scholar Shri Seeni Viswanathan has received the Bharathi Award for this year.

    • PM said that Subramanya Bharathi's persona is difficult to describe since he cannot be linked to any single profession or dimension. He was a poet, writer, editor, journalist, social reformer, freedom fighter, humanist and much more. 

    • He was a pioneer of modern Tamil poetry and is considered one of the greatest Tamil literary figures of all time.

    • In a seemingly short life of 39 years, he has written volumes and included fiery songs kindling patriotism during the Indian Independence movement. His writings are a healthy mix between the ancient and the modern.

    • He fought for the emancipation of women, against child marriage, stood for reforming Brahminism and religion. He was also in solidarity with Dalits and Muslims.

    • Born in Ettayapuram of Tirunelveli district (present day Thoothukudi) in 1882, Bharathi had his early education in Tirunelveli and Varanasi and worked as a journalist with many newspapers, including The Hindu, Bala Bharata, Vijaya, Chakravarthini, the Swadesamitran and India.

    • During his stay in Varanasi, Bharati was exposed to Hindu spirituality and nationalism. This broadened his outlook and he learned Sanskrit, Hindi and English.

    • He died on 11th Sep 1921. Throughout his composition, one can find usage of simple words and rhythms, novel ideas & techniques and his imagery & vigour of his verse were a forerunner to modern Tamil poetry in different aspects.

    • To cement his legacy, the Government of India in 1987 instituted a highest National Subramanyam Bharti Award conferred along with Ministry of Human Resource Development, annually confers on writers of outstanding works in Hindi literature.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants. The views expressed here are personal.)