Remembering Bharathiyar
Throughout the annals of time, there always comes along a soul, almost regularly, who not only impacts the land in which he was born and where his feet had tread but also leaves the whole world as a better place. These souls, because of the impact they leave behind, traverse time and continue to reverberate in the hearts and minds of the people who most venerate them. Yet, they continue to shape the destiny of those who are even merely cognizant of them.
Like a stone that sends out a ripple on the surface of a pond, every one of these great souls either with their actions or their words, cause a ripple that is felt all the way across the planet. One such great soul was the Tamil revolutionary poet and social reformer, Subramanya Bharathi, otherwise known as Mahakavi Bharathiyar. (A Poet among poets, a son of the Mother India)
A man, who was integrity personified, the very epitome of honour and above all, a patriot who stood for the highest level of virtues of his creed. His life rings out a message that continues to peal today in the hearts of every Tamil, be it those born in the motherland or elsewhere.
His greatest message has been one of truth, honour and integrity which has been echoed by another equally great soul from the same motherland, Mahatma Gandhi.
Let us remember on this day of his 88th death anniversary, this giant amongst men, whose poems continue to inspire us and a whole new generation to follow.