This lesson analyses the poems of Barathidaasan, a renowned Tamil poet of the 20th century. Born in 1891 Barathidaasan, was called Kanaka Subburathinam. An ardent admirer of Barathiyaar, he chose to write under the pseudonym Barathidaasan ie., ("a devotee of Barathi"). He worked for 37 years as a Tamil teacher. He was also the editor of several Tamil journals. In a literary career spanning several decades, Barathidaasan wrote a number of inspiring poems celebrating Tamil culture and language. Hailed as "Puratchi Kavingar" and "Paaventhar", Barathidaasan won a number of awards for his literary contribution.

Barathidaasan's deep love for the Tamil language is evident in many of his poems. In a well known poem he uses a number of interesting metaphors to convey the sweetness and grandeur of the Tamil language. Tamil, he declares, is as sweet as nectar.

While celebrating ancient Tamil culture, Barathidaasan does not fail to expose the injustices and pretensions of contemporary society. A firm believer in the equality of men, Barathidaasan championed the cause of the working class and the underprivileged. He condemned untouchability and inequitable distribution of wealth in his poems. He was deeply pained by the exploitation of the working class and caste divisions that marred society. He also ridiculed the superstitious beliefs that were rife among the people despite the advancement in science and technology.

Like Barathiyaar, Barathidaasan also believed that the progress of women was indispensable for the progress of society. His poems on women underline the fact that women play an important role in family and society and women's education is the panacea to the evils that plague society. An active social reformer, Barathidaasan, spoke boldly of several issues that were a taboo during his time. In one of his poems he urges that a small family is a happy family, thereby recommending family planning. He also supported widow remarriage and condemned child marriage.