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.
