Mahakavi Subramaniya Bharathiyar - Memorial Day - September 11th

Quick and Interesting Information Bytes 

1. Bharathiyar was born as C.Subramaniyan Iyer in Ettayappuram in the erstwhile Thirunelveli district in Madras Presidency. Now, Ettayappuram comes under Thoothukudi District of Tamilnadu state of Bharat.

2. He wrote his first poem in Tamil at the age of eleven.

3. He worked at Ettayappuram Palace for some time.

4. He travelled to Kasi and lived there for a few years.

5. He was a polyglot and learnt multiple languages including Hindi and Sanskrit.

6. C. Subramaniyan was a Brahmin but he opposed the practice of untouchability.

7. 'Bharathi' was a title earned by him for his erudition and his debating skills.

8. He was considered a 'Mahakavi' or 'Great Poet' like Kalidasa.

9. He was a social reformer.

10. He wrote many patriotic poems including 'Vande Mataram' and 'Jai Bharat'.

11. He wrote many poems on the greatness of Tamilnadu and the Tamil language. His poem, 'Sentamizhnadu' deserves to be The Tamil Anthem.

12. He wrote devotional songs.

13. He wrote short stories.

14. He wrote a commentary on the Bhagavad-Gita.

15. He wrote his autobiography.

16. He was a genius poet-writer.

17. He worked as the Assistant Editor of Swadesamitram, a Tamil Daily.

18. He edited the Tamil Weekly 'India' and the English newspaper, 'Bala Bharatam'.

19. He worked with Shri. Aurobindo on the 'Arya' and 'Karma Yogi" journals.

20. He was an Indian Independence activist.

21. He opposed the oppression of women.

22. He wrote in a simple and easy to understand language.