Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Bharati’s letters

The letters of Tamil poet Subramania Bharati (April 6) have thrown light on the political, social and economic conditions that prevailed in the pre-independence era.

The problems he has referred to, which exist even today, could have easily been eradicated from society had we taken a few of the sentiments expressed by him seriously. The unfulfilled dreams of the young poet can be realised by following his unselfish ideals. The initiative should come from well-meaning citizens, politicians, social workers and elites in the literary field.

K. Deenadayalan,

Salem

By publishing the letters written by Subramania Bharati, The Hindu rekindled the spirit of millions of Mahakavi’s followers. Our politicians can learn a lesson or two from him on nationalism transcending the barriers of caste, creed and religion. For this precious discovery, The Hindu and its team deserve to be specially praised.

Prabhu Jagannathan,

Chennai

The painstaking efforts of A.R. Venkatachalapathy, Professor, MIDS, and K. Rajendrababu, chief librarian of The Hindu, in sifting through the records and ferreting out from the old microfilmed archives the letters and articles scripted by the great nationalist bard and published in The Hindu paid rich dividends and threw light on the hitherto unknown facets of the poet’s life. From his writings, we can visualise his characteristic courage while taking on the mighty British regime.

The language, with a prolific flow interspersed with punch words, bears testimony to his mastery over English, his sense of patriotism and his strong desire for achieving social transformation along with political freedom. Hats off to The Hindu for providing this illustrious poet a forum to air his views even while he was in trying situations.

The funeral of this epoch-making writer was attended by only a few. But The Hindu paid a fitting tribute to him on September 12, 1921, through a short editorial.

R. Sampath,

Chennai

Subramania Bharati’s letters made interesting reading. His thoughts on casteism, ill- treatment of widows and his ideas on Tamil were way ahead of his times. It is amazing to see how proficiently he used English to express his thoughts on India being a social slave.

His views are relevant even today and have a profound impact on the reader. Thanks to The Hindu for giving the readers a rare glimpse into such inspired and thought-provoking letters.

Stories in this Section

Too little, too late
What the Dickens?
Implications of the M.S. Gill precedent statecraft
Potential consequences of a regional nuclear conflict
Corrections and clarifications
Inappropriate
On reservation
Bharati’s letters
Corporal punishment

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu