New Delhi [India], December 11: On the 143rd birth anniversary of Tamil poet and freedom fighter Subramania Bharati, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a compendium of his complete works at an event in Delhi on Wednesday.
The collection, titled Kaala Varisayil Bharathi Padaippugal, presents the complete works of Mahakavi Bharathiyar in chronological order and was compiled by Seeni Viswanathan.
During the event, PM Modi honored Bharati as a “profound thinker dedicated to serving Maa Bharati” and paid tribute to him. “Today, the country celebrates the birth anniversary of the great Tamil poet and freedom fighter, Subramania Bharati. I pay my tributes to him. Despite the pandemic in 2020, we commemorated his 100th death anniversary,” PM Modi said.
The Prime Minister also praised Bharati for his vision, saying, “He was a person who understood what lies in the future. At a time when society faced many challenges, he advocated for the empowerment of youth and women and believed in science and innovation.” Modi referenced Bharati’s forward-thinking ideas, such as his call for an instrument to observe events in Kashi while sitting in Kanchi, a concept now realized in modern technology.
PM Modi emphasized the significance of words in Indian culture, noting, “In our country, words are not just a means of expression but hold deeper meaning. Our sages’ words are not just their thoughts but the distillation of their contemplation, experience, and spiritual practice.”
The event was attended by Union Ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and L Murugan, among others. After the release, PM Modi shared on X (formerly Twitter), “Honoured to release a compendium of Mahakavi Subramania Bharati’s works. His vision for a prosperous India and the empowerment of every individual continues to inspire generations.”
Subramania Bharati, known as the ‘Mahakavi Bharathiyar’, is celebrated as the father of modern Tamil literature. His works, including Kannan Pattu, Panchali Sapatham, Kuyil Pattu, Pudiya Russia, and Gnanaratham, reflect his strong sense of social justice and commitment to the cause of self-determination.