Tamil Poet: Socio political reformer & Tamil Poet Bharathidasan ✒ Santha In 1938, Bharathidasan Kavitaikal, Vol.-1 released by the poet with financial assistance by Kuttuci Gurusamy, Kunjitam Gurusamy and Narayana Samy Naidu. It is hailed by Periyar E.V.Ramasamy as the organ voice of the Self – Respect Movement. In 1939, he writes the story, dialogue and songs for the film, Kavi Kalamekam. By 1941, he starts the publication of Etirparata Muttam. In 1942, he starts the publication of ‘Kutumpa Vilakku’, Part-I, Icaiyamutu I. In 1944, the poet’s eldest daughter, Saraswathi’s is marriaged with Pulavar Kannappar in the presence of Periyar. E.V. Ramasamy. In the same year, he also publishes Irunta Vitu, Katal Ninaivukal, Nalla Tirppu, Alakin Cirippu, Kutumpa Vilakku, Part-11. In 1945, he commences the publication of Pantiyan Paricu, buys the house at 95, Perumal Koil Street, publishes Tamiliyakkam, Etu Icai. In 1946, the journal called Mullai is published by PL. Muthiah under the patronage of Bharathidasan. The title, “Puratcik-Kavi” conferred on the poet at a meeting presided over by Navalar Somasundara Bharathi. He is honoured with a cash award of Rs. 25,000 by Arignar Anna. He retires after serving as a Tamil teacher for thirty seven years, on November 8. In 1947, he releases the first two issues of the monthly Kuyil. He also publishes Caumiyan (drama), Bharathidasan Atticudi, Kavingar Pecukirar (Speeches). In 1948, Kuyil from Putucceri, is banned by the Government. The book Iranian Allatu Inaiyarra Viran and the staging of the drama banned by the Government of Tamil Nadu. He publishes Katala Katamiya, Mullaikkatu, Intietirppuppatalkal, Patitta Penkal (Prose Drama), Katalmerkumilikal, Kutumpa Vilakku – III, Tiravitar Tiruppatal and Akattiyan Vitta Putukkarati. By 1949, he releases Bharathidasan Kavitaikal: Vol-II, Cera Tantavam, Tamilacciyin Katti, Errappattu. In 1950, he also publishes Kutumpa Vilakku IV, Kutumba Vilakku V. In the year 1951, he publishes Amiltu Etu, Kalaikkuttiyin Katal. In 1954, he publishes Ponkal Valttukkuviyal. He then presides over the meeting of Official Language Committee at Kulittalai. In 1955, he wins the assembly election and becomes the Protem Speaker of Pondicherry Legislative Assembly. The following year, in 1956 he publishes Tenaruvi (Songs). In 1958, he publishes Tayinmelanai, Ilainar Ilakkiyam. He becomes a distinguished member of the Tamilkappulavar Kulu. In 1959 Bharathidasan futher publishes Natakankal, Kurincittittu. He continues to write Picirantaiyar Natakam. He also starts to write Valluvar Ullam, a commentary on Tirukkural, November-1, Publication of Kuyil weekly. By the end 1961, he shifts his family to Madras, plans to film his masterpiece Pantiyan Paricu, accepts a copy of Kamil Zvelebil’s Czech translation of Bharathidasan’s poems. In 1962, he resumes the publication of the monthly, Kuyil, on April 15. He also publishes Birth of Anaittulakakkavinar Manram, Kannaki Purutcikkappiyam and Manimekalai Venpa . He is honoured by Rajaji with a shield on behalf of Tamil Eluttalar Cankam. In 1963, he publishes Panmanittiral. In the year 1964, he dies at the General Hospital, Madras, April 21. A TO Z INDIA ● SEPTEMBER 2021 ● PAGE 10