Subhramaniya Bharathiyar [1882-1921] is a well known Tamil poet.He is famous for stoking patriotic spirit during the British rule , by his stirring poems that mirrored the anger of the people belonging to an ancient civilisation, against the repression by alien rulers.He is also considered as a National poet of India along with Rabindranath Tagore and few others.
He has also written poems on various other topics . I have attempted to translate a few of those that have caught my fancy.
The first one being on, Woman's freedom.
Penniku vidhuthalai yendru ingu vor needhi pirapitthen :
adharikku ooria perri khellir.
I have proclaimed a law regarding Woman's freedom,
Lend your ears to what I have decreed.
Mannukhul yev ooirum deivamendral ,
mannaiyallum deivam andro?madhi ketteere'!
If every life in this world is but a reflection of god
Isn't your wife also one such reflection? Fools!
Vinnukku parapadupol kadhaigal solveer,
vidhuthalai yenbheer karunai vellam yenbhir,
You spin exotic tales ,dreaming of space travels,
agitate for freedom and wax eloquently on love and kindness
Pennikku vidhuthalai neer illai yenral
pinn indha ulaghinile vazhikkai illai
If your not for Woman's freedom,
you have no right to live in this world.
No comments:
Post a Comment