Message to Tamil diaspora from a Bharathithaasan poem

2010-03-13T07:00:00.000-08:00

Paaventhar Bharathithaasan’s poetic works dealt with socio-political issues that are true and relevant to this day.

Many of his works have been featured in Tamil movies as well. His song “Siththira Solaikale” was included in the film “Naan ean piranthen” – Why was I born?, starring Makkal Thilakam M.G. Ramachandran.

Universal Hero Kamal Hasaan stated in an event that Puradchi Thalaivar MGR insisted on including this song in “Naan ean piranthen?” against the wishes of the producer of the movie.

Bharathithaasan was born on April 29, 1891 in Pondicherry, French India and passed away on April 21, 1964 in Chennai (Madras), India. His original name was Subburathinam. In 1909, he was introduced to Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar, and his interactions with the Mahakavi had a major impact on him.

Bharathithaasan was greatly influenced by Periyar and and his writings were encouraged by political leaders C.N. Annadurai and M.G. Ramachandran. And his works stand true to contemporary issues, as a true poet’s ‘poetic justice’ comes to life at all junctures in history.

The poem “Siththira Solaikale” parallels nature, labor and machines that are bettering life on earth for humanity wherein beneath it lies numerous sacrifices. This poem, a tribute to the hard working labor is compiled in the following video with paintings from another time.

This video features paintings by Shan Sundaram of Pennsylvania, USA. Many of his paintings are featured in www.free-tamil.com

Together with Bharathithaasan’s poem, the paintings bring a message to the Tamil diaspora – recalling of sacrifices and the plight while calling now to set course in charity to help those in dire need. It reminds against becoming forgetful along with complacency that sets in as time goes on.

Translation of “Siththira Solaikale”

Picturesque groves
Nurture you on this earth – how many
Comrades shredded
Blood on your roots!

Lotus blooming ponds
In those days you set in – Of our
Holiest comrades buried extinct
Shall I recite of it in this world!

Machine clusters that mill
Your first and finale – shall I recite
Laboring our villager’s toil
Didn’t it give rise to truth?

World that's witnessing labors' toil
Purging hunger plunders life – telling
Wealthy you are
Is this justice just? – Paaventhar Bharathithaasan’s poem, Translated by K.T. Kumaran

சித்திரச் சோலைகளே!

2010-03-13T06:03:00.000-08:00

சித்திரச் சோலைகளே! உமை நன்கு
திருத்த இப்பாரினிலே - முன்னர்
எத்தனை தோழர்கள் இரத்தம் சொரிந்தனரோ
உங்கள் வேரினிலே!

தாமரை பூத்த தடாகங்களே! உமைத்
தந்த அக் காலத்திலே - எங்கள்
தூய்மைச் சகோதரர் தூர்ந்து மறைந்ததைச்
சொல்லவோ ஞாலத்திலே

ஆர்த்திடும் யந்திரக் கூட்டங்களே! - உங்கள்
ஆதி அந்தம் சொல்லவோ? - நீங்கள்
ஊர்த் தொழிலாளர் உழைத்த உழைப்பில்
உதித்தது மெய் அல்லவோ?

தாரணியே! தொழிலாளர் உழைப்புக்குச்
சாட்சியும் நீயன்றோ? - பசி
தீரும் என்றால் உயிர்போகும் எனச் சொல்லும்
செல்வர்கள் நீதி நன்றோ? - பாவேந்தர் பாரதிதாசன் (1891 - 1964)

Sundaram Art Gallery

Message to Tamil diaspora from a Bharathithaasan poem

சித்திரச் சோலைகளே!