11/12/2025
Subramania Bharati, also known as Mahakavi Bharati, was born on December 11, 1882, in Ettayapuram, Tirunelveli district, Madras Presidency, British India. He was a renowned Indian writer, poet, composer, journalist, teacher, Indian independence activist, social reformer, and polyglot. Bharati's works include patriotic songs composed during the Indian Independence movement, and he fought for women's emancipation, against child marriage, and opposed the caste system ¹.
Some of his notable works include:
- *Kuyil Pattu*: A poetic masterpiece that showcases his literary skills
- *Panjali Sabatham*: A work that highlights his devotion and spiritual pursuits
- *Kannan Paatu*: A collection of poems that demonstrate his love for Krishna
- *Vinayagar Nanmanimalai*: A devotional work dedicated to Lord Ganesha
Bharati's life was marked by his passion for literature and activism. He was imprisoned for three weeks in 1918 for his involvement in the Indian independence movement. After his release, he continued to write and advocate for social reform. He met Mahatma Gandhi in 1919 and resumed editing Swadesamitran in 1920 ¹ ².
Sadly, Bharati's life was cut short when he was attacked by an elephant on September 26, 1921, and died a few days later on September 11, 1921, at the age of 38 ¹.
*Some interesting facts about Bharati:*
- He was given the title "Bharati" at the age of 11 for his poetic excellence
- He was a polyglot and knew languages like Sanskrit, English, Hindi, Telugu, French, and Arabic
- He translated Vedic hymns, Patanjali's Yoga Sutra, and Bhagavat Gita into Tamil