Exploring the Poetry of Subramanya Bharathi: Verses and Their English Translations

 India boasts a rich literary heritage, with poets who have made an indelible mark on the nation's cultural tapestry. Among these luminaries stands Subramanya Bharathi, affectionately known as "Bharathiyar." Bharathiyar was a prolific Tamil poet, writer, and freedom fighter who lived during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His literary contributions are celebrated not only for their poetic brilliance but also for their profound messages of social reform and independence.

Bharathiyar's poetic oeuvre, known as "Kavithai" in Tamil, encompasses a wide array of themes, spanning patriotism, nationalism, social justice, and women's empowerment. His verses are distinguished by their emotional depth and lyrical beauty, making them enduring pieces of literature. In this blog post, we embark on a journey to explore some of Bharathiyar's most renowned poems and offer their English translations to illuminate the genius of his poetry.

1. பல வேடிககை மனிதரைப் போலே - நான் வீழ்வேன் னென்று நினைத் தாயோ?

pala vedikkai manitharai pola - naan vizhven endru ninaithayo?

Do you think that I will get defeated like many foolish people?

2. என்று தணியும் இந்த சுதந்திர தாகம்?

என்று மடியும் எங்கள் அடிமையின் மோகம்?

 Endru thaniyum intha suthanthira thagam?

Endru madiyum engal adimayin moham?

When will this thirst for freedom be quenched?

When will the desire of a slave die?

3. மனதில் உறுதி வேண்டும், வாக்கினிலே இனிமை வேண்டும்

Manathil uruthi vendum, Vakkinile inimai vendum

Firmness in mind we should have, Sweetness in words we should have

4. காரியத்தில் உறுதி வேண்டும், பெண்  விடுதலை வேண்டும்

Kariyathil uruthi vendum, Pen viduthalaio vendum

Our actions should be firm, Women should have freedom

5. அச்சமில்லை அச்சமில்லை அச்சமென்ப தில்லையே

இச்சகத்து ளொரெலாம் எதிர்த்து நின்ற போதிலும்,

அச்சமில்லை அச்சமில்லை அச்சமென்பதில்லையே

துச்சமாக எண்ணி நம்மைத் தூறு செய்த போதினும்,

அச்சமில்லை அச்சமில்லை அச்சமென்பதில்லையே

Achamillai, achamillai, acham enpathu illaye,

Icckathulorellam yethirthu nindra pothilum,

Achamillai, achamillai, acham enpathu illaye,

Thuchamagi yenni nammai thooru cheytha pothilum,

Achamillai, achamillai, acham enpathu illaye

Fear I have not , fear I have not,

Even if all the world opposes me,

Fear I have not, fear I have not,

Even if they judge me as the worst,

And tell things bad about me,

Fear I have not, Fear I have not

6.  இன்னுயிர் தந்தெமை ஈன்று வளர்த்து  அருள்

 ஈந்ததும்  இந்நாடே -எங்கள்

அன்னையர் தோன்றி மழலைகள் கூறி

அறிந்ததும் இந்நாடே -அவர்

கன்னியராகி    நிலவினிலாடிக்

களித்ததும் இந்நாடே -தங்கள்

பொன்னுடலின்புற   நீர்விளையாடி  இல்

போந்ததும்  இந்நாடே -இதை 

வந்தே மாதரம், வந்தே மாதரம்

என்று வணங்கேனோ?

Innyuir thanthu yemai eendru valarthu, arul,

Eenthathum innade- yengal,

Annayar thondri mazhalaigal koori ,

Arinthathum innade-avar,

Kanniyaragi, nilavinil aadi,

Kalithathum innade-thangal,

Ponnudal inbura neer vilayadi, il

Pondhadhum innade, ithai ,

Vande Matharam , Vandhe Matharam,

Yendru vanangeno?

This is the land which gave me life, brought me up,

And showered bountiful mercy on me,

This is the land where our mothers were born,

And knew the world by their innocent prattling,

This is the land where they became sweet maidens,

And played in the cool light of the full moon,

This is the land where they played in the water,

With their golden bodies and returned home,

Shall I not salute this land with chants of,

“Mother I salute you, Mother I salute you”?