remembering the 'great poet' Bharathi

hyderabad
19 august, 2008

India celebrated 61st anniversary of its independence from colonial British rule on 15th august 2008. i was going through a poetry collection of Bharathiyar (Subramania Bharathi) born in 1882 who lived until he was 39. Bharathi gained national repute and stood at the forefront of the battle against colonization and foreign rule. He stood tall as a courageous voice for freedom from slavery, servitude and oppression. His works contributed to both Tamil and Indian nationalism. He spoke 5 languages in addition to his "mother" Tamil, yes, that is how he saw his relationship with Tamil, as his mother.

He was also a visionary and saw an India that had skilled workers, educated people, women living in freedom from oppression. While being the editor of nationalistic magazines he also took active interest in indian freedom struggle. He participated in the historic Surat Congress where the Indian National Movement split. Bharathiyar along with V.O. Chidambaram Pillai and Kanchi Varadachariyaar lent support to the "militant" camp of the Indian National Movement, led by Balagangadhar Tilak and Aurobindo. He edited nationalism inspired weekly, monthly and daily magazines and organized mass celebration of right to self-governance. The colonial British government wanted him arrested and hence he escaped to Pondichery, which was then under French rule. He continued his editorial work and national struggle for independence from Pondichery. He entered British colonized part of India in Cuddalore in 1918 and was arrested. He was released after three weeks in custody and an eventual General Amnesty order of 1920 removed all restrictions on his movement. Between 1918 and 1920 he met with Gandhi and took up editing of a nationalist magazine Swadeshamitran in Madras. He died in 1921.

I am providing below a translation of one his most powerful poem on courage and fearlessness against oppressive colonial rule.

No fear, No fear, no such thing as fear
Even if everyone in the world is against us
No fear, no fear, no such thing as fear
Even when they look down on us and keep us away
No fear, No fear, no such thing as fear
Even when we are forced to beg and eat
No fear, no fear, no such thing as fear
Even when our wealth is drained from us
No fear, No fear, no such thing as fear
Even when the seductress passes glances
No fear, no fear, no such thing as fear
Even when dear friends bring poison and feed it into mouth
No fear, no fear, no such thing as fear
Even when the entire British army comes marching
No fear, no fear, no such thing as fear
Even when the sky splits asunder and falls down on our heads
No fear, no fear, no such thing as fear