Bharathidasan

Bharathidasan Biography

Bharathidasan was a Tamil poet and rationalist who created many literary works. Together with poetry he also wrote film scripts, plays, essays and short stories. Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathi was his guru and so he changed his original name, Kanagasubburathinam to Bharathidasan. His works were more political in nature contributing to the growth of Dravidian movement in Tamil Nadu.

He was born on 29^th April 1891 in Pondicherry in a wealthy family. His parents are Kanagasabai Mudaliar and Lakshmi ammal. He studied formal education in Tamil literature, Tamil grammar and Saiva Sidhantha and Vedanta philosophy. He studied at the College Calve in Pondicherry. He was introduced to Subramanya Bharathi in 1909. He worked as a Tamil teacher in Karaikal. He participated in Indian Independence Movement and opposed British and French government through his writings.

He was imprisoned for his voice against French Government that was ruling Pondicherry at that time. He supported Periyar and was an important member of Suya Mariyathai Iyakkam and Dravida Movement. He was encouraged by political leaders like Annadurai and M. G. Ramachandran. He was elected to the Pondicherry Legislative Assembly in 1954.

His pen names are Paavendar, Puduvai Kalaimakal, Desopakari, Desabhaktan, Anantapotini, Swadesamitran, etc. He was a follower of Anti-Brahmanism. Some of his works are Srimayilam Suppiramaniar Thuthiyamuthu, Sanjivi Parvathin Saaral, Edhipaaraadha Mutham, Kaadhal Ninaivugal, Nalla Theerppu, Alagin Sirippu, Kudumba Vilakku, Pandiyan Parisu, Kannaki Puratchi Kaappiyam, Manimekalai Venba, etc.

Periyar gave him the title Puratchi Kavingar. He got Golden Parrot Prize in 1946 for his play Amaithi-Oomai. He was given Sahitya Academy award after his death for his play Pisiranthaiyar. He died on 21^st April 1964 in Chennai. A commemorative stamp of Bharathidasan was released on 9^th October 2001 by the Postal Department in Chennai. Bharathidasan award was given by State Government of Tamil Nadu to poets.

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Updated: August 16, 2011