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Book Review
Life history of a great patriot
AMARAN KATHAI: Vijaya Bharathi; Narmada Pathippagam, 16/7, Rajabathar Street, T. Nagar, Chennai-600017. Rs. 300.
THIS BOOK sketches the life history of a great patriot, Subramania Bharathi with a refreshing vision. Under 50 sub-headings it details about Bharathi's parents, his birth, education, marriage, poetry, revolutionary act, newspaper editorship and the British's repressive measures.
Though there are many books on Bharathi, this one is unique in some respects providing subtle messages like a research work. The reader will be emotionally overwhelmed by the touching descriptions of Bharathi's wife, children, family friends, his job in Ettayapuram Zamin, education and a dignified life even in poverty.
His devotion to Mother Kali and the songs on Her revealed him as a Saktidasa. His avid study of Vedas, Puranas and Gita shaped him as a philosophical poet. How under such an influence came out his Panchali Sabatham Kannan Paattu and Kuyil Paattu are well potrayed.
His patriotic songs, his writings in The Swadesmitran, India and Chakravartini were almost daily features, which shook the mighty British administration. His energetic "Vande Mataram" slogan, song about the National Flag, friends in Madras and Pondicherry, where he lived for ten years, find detailed mention. The unfailing moral, physical and many-sided support he got from a host of illustrious persons of his time — Aurobindo Ghosh, <243>Arumugam Chettiar, Kanaka Subburatnam, Kanakalingam, Kuvalaikannan alias Krishnamachariar, Harihara Sarma and V. Ramaswamy — to mention just a few, are interestingly given.
Friends like Somasundara Bharathi, G. Subramania Iyer of The Swadesamitran, Surendranath Arya, Mandayam Thirumalachari, Sakkarai Chettiar, G.A. Natesan and M.C. Nanjunda Rao eminently fitted the adage "friend, philosopher and guide".
Bharathi strongly opposed child marriage, espoused women's empowerment, condemned caste divisions and mechanical rituals and strived hard to elimate these in the society.
Above all, the account given in the last chapter about Bharathi falling ill as a result of trampling by the elephant of Parthasarathy temple, Thiruvallikeni, and the great poet, patriot and humanist living through his last days in the vision of Lord Vishnu, Kali's benediction and Prahlada's devotion chanting the sacred "Om Namo Narayanaya" as the only reaction and answer will move anyone in tearful tribute to this great soul.
The poet's London based granddaughter Vijaya Bharathi whose facile pen has written this fine book which lends itself to an absorbing and informative reading so persuasive and appealing as the inimitable historic novels of that uncrowned king of Tamil writers `Kalki' deserves a hearty praise. This neatly printed, useful book for research students will be a worthy addition to any library.
K.A. MANAVALAN
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