Bharathi, to avoid political arrest, had to leave the British Indian territory and live in the French occupied Pondicherry for ten years, between 1908 and 1917. He continued with his journalistic career against the British Govt. in hiding. His presence in Pondicherry brought him into close contact with Swami Aravinda, V.V.S. Iyer, the Swami of Jaffna, Bharathidasan, குள்ளச்சாமி, கோவிந்தசாமி.
குவளைக் கண்ணன் and others. His acquaintance with these people sharpened his quest for the oriental philosophy and also helped him study the literature, politics, history and philosophy of countries like China, Japan, England, America and Russia. It was during his stay in Pondicherry that he wrote the three long verses - கண்ணன் பாட்டு, பாஞ்சாலி சபதம் and குயில் பாட்டு.