SUBRAMANYA BARATHI MEMORIAL DAY- September 11th

Three are my mentors from their Heavenly abode- who hold my hands
Whenever I step out of my flat, take me safe when I am away
And get me back to my abode in Jivan Bama Nagar Chennai
Safe and sound, completing my work successfully! One is Bharathi
Whose Memorial  day is today September Eleventh-born in Eighteen Eighty Two!
Unlike these days, great personalities wrote in praise of other greats!

Here is what a great poet Kavimani Desiya Vinayagam Pillai wrote on Bharathi- original, transliteration and translation in English given below!

:ஊரறிய நாடறிய உண்மையெல்லாம்
ஒருவரையும் அஞ்சாமல் எடுத்துரைத்தோன்
ஆரமுதம் அனையகவி பாடித் தந்தோன்,
அமரகவி யென்றவரும் புகழப் பெற்றோன்,
சீருயரும் தமிழ்மக்கள் செய்த வத்தால்
தென்னாடு சிறக்க வந்த சுப்ரமண்ய
பாரதியும் பெயர்போற்றி ஏத்து வோமே
பாமாலை புனைந்தவற்கு சாத்து வோமே!”

TRANSLITERATION

Urariya nAdariya uNmaiyellAm
Oruvaraiyum anjaamal eduththuraiththoan
Aaramudham anaiyakavi paadith thandhoan
Amarakavi yendravarum pugazhap petroan
Seeruyarum thamizmakkkaL sey thavathththaal
Thennaadu sirakka vandha subramaNya
Baarathiyum peyarpoatri aeththuvoamae
Paamaalai punaindhavarkkuch chaaththuvoamae!

TRANSLATION

When broadly translated the version will read like this.

To spread the truth and let know all over
Declared sans any fear or favor
Gave divine nectar like great Tamil songs
Extolled as Eternal, immortal poet!
Due to the noble deeds of the Tamils
He was born in Tamil land with frills
Named Subramanya Bharathi quite sweet
We adore and praise with garland fragrant!

• March 21, World Poetry Day

Poetry indeed a pleasant branch of literature in any language
Great mode of Expression of one’s feelings and emotions happy and otherwise!
POETRY World indeed a blessed world blessed with great and noble
Poets in all languages all over the world! Poetry lift the souls!

March Twenty First is the  World Poetry Day declared by the
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
“with the aim of supporting linguistic diversity through poetic expression
And increasing the opportunity for endangered languages to be heard”.

Purpose is to promote  reading, writing, publishing and teaching of
Poetry throughout the world. to “give fresh recognition and impetus
To national, regional and international poetry movements”. we have quite a few.*

Let us recall with reverence the greats like Milton, Shakespeare, Keats and Shelly!
Barathiyar and Kamban, Ilango and Thikkanna, Valmiki and Kalidasa
Whose monumental poetic works will survive for centuries and centuries!
Let us train the young poets and encourage to work on poetry!

• Chennai Poetry Circle, India Poetry Circle, கவிஞர்கள் சங்கமம்  and other greats..

TAMIL THATHTHA U V S Birth day! February 19th

Uttamadhanapuram Venkatasubbaiyer Swaminatha Iyer
A great  Tamil scholar and researcher  instrumental in bringing
Out many long-forgotten works of classical Tamil literature to light.
His singular effort over five decades brought to light major
Literary works in Tamil and contributed vastly to the enrichment
Of its literary heritage. Iyer published over 90 books in his lifetime!

All were on a variety of matters connected to classical Tamil literature,
And collected over three thousand paper manuscripts, palm-leaf Manuscripts and notes of Various kinds.  affectionately called Tamil Thatha That is Grandfather of Tamil.
Was born on this day the Nineteenth February In Eighteen Fifty Five,
Lived up to Twenty Eighth April Nineteen Forty Two!

All languages in the world were enriched by remarkable
Works of great and highly versatile scholars in the language.
Tamil one of the most ancient languages in the world
Had a long roll of honor of such scholars being revered.
One among them is the GRAND FATHER of Tamil seen above.

TALE OF A BLOGGER 36

Yes, what is the magic of TIME! Goddess of Time is very powerful and SHE expects everyone on earth to handle time effectively and efficiently. On the one hand we find the people not knowing what to do with that ”TIME” and on the other hand we do come across people praying the GODDESS OF TIME why she has done only twenty four hours a day and why not it be 48? May be man designed yet……….

I am probably neither here nor there! That I used to get up at 5 in the morning till I completed my college course in 1961, and at 4 till I was in the service of my Alma mater great premier public sector organization Life Insurance Corporation of India where I learnt the art of life and living and now post retirement I get up at 3 yet I am unable to complete my routine with peace!!!

Time and tide waits for none it is said; but tide waits for full moon to blossom to show its beauty in depth!”

Time goes on and on, on and on for eternity! Eternity to eternity! It looks February twenty fifth two thousand and fifteen was just yesterday- but it was 1766 days ago! ENVIUS THOUGHTS took birth on that great day with its FIRST POST “MY TRYST WITH LIC” and today on 1^st December 2019, it is EIGHTEEN Hundredth post! Post for a TALE- “TALE OF A BLOGGER 36”! (36X50=1800)

As any other writer, I write for my satisfaction. When they are found to be useful to the viewers through my Blog ENVIUS THOUGHTS in https://nvsr.wordpress.com, I am indeed delighted and am motivated to proceed further and further, farther and farther! One measurement of my viewers is obviously the overall number of views.  I do constantly think of how the Blog can be made more interesting.

I am a little sensitive to the daily number of this Blog’s view and overall as I feel it is the measure of viewers’ estimate of the quality of the Blog.  This is 36th TALE OF THE BLOGGER!

Let us have a look at the overall views since the last Tale 35.

01/12/2019   1766th day   1800th post     2,25,616
26/11/2019   1761st day   1794^th post     2,25,000
20/11/2019   1755th day   1788th post   2,24,000
14/11/2019   1749th day   1782nd post   2,23,000
08/11/2019   1743rd day  1 776th post   2,22,000
05/11/2019   1740th day  1773rd  post   2,21,000
01/11/2019   1736thday   1769th post    2,20,000
27/10/2019   1731^st day    1764^th post    2,19,000
20/10/2019   1724^th day    1756^th post    2,18,000
13/10/2019   1717^th day   1750^th post    2,16,876

A landmark achievement was crossing the overall views of TWO LAKS AND TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND on 26^th November 2019!

It has always been a great matter of awe and delight, inspiration and wonder! I mean the astrological/astronomical knowledge of our learned saints and seers, yogis and predictors of the future. That is getting strengthened as days pass bye. Astrology is a great art and science – not superstitious beliefs of a few.

Planets govern the world and they move from house to house from time to time. That way October 30^th was “GURU PEYARCHI DAY” that is Transit of GURU-Bruhaspati- from one house to another. That morning in the temple the priest was mentioning that the person having SWATHI star (I am a SWATHI starred person) may have to face minor problems! It took its own stride. One may not believe what I experienced in that very evening! I am a type of person rushing to help others asked or unasked, known or unknown, young or old! Lady from the third floor was going out and she had come to the road. Her son threw a bag at her request from their flat. In the normal course it should have fallen on the ground and she would have picked up and proceeded with her work. In my over enthusiasm to help her, I wanted to catch that bag as it was falling and in the process I hit against the iron gate and got hurt in my head, shoulders and back-thank God not very serious!!!I was writhing in pain for a few hours after applying some ointment!! Then I decided to visit a 1000 year old temple-guru kshethram- in walking distance from my flat- every Thurs day and I continue. It was 4^th
a couple of days back!  Several thousands of years ago they calculated that the planet will transit on that day and predicted the possible effect on persons born in different stars!    That is why India, my holy Motherland is very great in all spheres on earth.

On 14^th November-Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru’s birthday being observed in deference to his wishes as Children’s day. We in our colony observed with great fun and respect- a lot of children enthusiastically participating displaying their talents in various activities.

Great MUSIC SEASON commences today in Chennai. Scintillating Music festivals many in each locality- attract lot of music lovers from the whole of India and many countries abroad! A month long season indeed is great for the participating musicians -young and old, men and women-and music lovers of all ages.Music is divine and divinity can be felt, seen and heard in Chennai through out this month.

A music performancc on at Chennai Music Academy

A section of the audience enjoying the divine performance

I am always proud of my esteemed viewers. One Shri Shankar from Pondicherry is one of the regulars and he suggested the post like “November 29th-Sirappuli Nayanar IS 36* Day” in respect of other Tamil Saint poets Nayanmars 63 in number and it will be a big task. Anyhow I may start the series in a planned manner in due course. I am indeed grateful to him.

 

Statues of 63 nayanmars installed in all major Shiva temples.

December first is today promising a great closing of the year for me! On
7^th I am presiding over a Tamil Poets’ Meet, on 11^th I am presenting my Tamil poem on Bharathiyar, on 13^th I am presenting my Tamil Poem and getting an award, on 15^th I am presenting my Tamil poem on Barathiyar, on 29^th I am getting an award for my poem on Barathiyar. One English Poets Meet in Nellore for Flamingo Festival for which date is yet to be fixed.

Thus goes  my life told to my esteemed viewers through this TALE OF A BLOGGER 36. We shall meet as usual tomorrow and till then GOOD BYE!

;

Bharathiyar Memory Day 11th September

One of the three of my mentors from their heavenly aboard
Is mahakavi Bharathiyar- greatest National Patriotic
Tamil poet who takes me by his hands once I step out of my home
And brings me back my home safe and sound! yesterday was his death day.

His Dhasa’ -disciple -Bharathi Dasan paid glowing tributes:
In TAMIL
”உய்வகை காட்டும் உயர் தமிழுக்குப்
புது நெறி காட்டிய புலவன் பாரதி”

”பைந்தமிழ்த் தேர்ப்பாகன், அவனொரு
செந்தமிழ்த் தேனீ, சிந்துக்குத் தந்தை!
குவிக்கும் கவிதைக் குயில்! இந்நாட்டினைக்
கவிழ்க்கும் பகையைக் கவிழ்க்கும் கவிமுரசு
நீடுதுயில் நீக்கப் பாடி வந்த நிலா;
காடு கமழும் கற் பூரச் சொர்கோ!
கற்பனை ஊற்றாம் கதையின் புதையல்
திறம் பாட வந்த மறவன். புதிய
அறம் பாட வந்த அறிஞன், நாட்டிற்
படரும் சாதிப் படைக்கு மருந்து!
மண்டும் மதங்கள் அண்டா நெருப்பவன்;
அயலார் எதிர்ப்புக் கணையா விளக்கவன்”

TRANSLITERATION:
“Uyvagai kaattum uyar thamizukku
Pudhu neri kaattiya pulavan Bhaarathi”

“Painthamizth thaerppaagan, avanoru
senthamizththaenii,sindhukkuth thandhai!
kuvikkum kavithaik kuyil!In naattinaik
kavizkkum paghaiyaik kavizkkum kavimurasu
Needu thuyil neekkap paativandha nilaa;
kaadu kamazum kar pooras chorko!
karpanai ootraam, kadhaiyin pudhaiyal
Thiram paada vandha maravan. pudhiya
Aram paada vandha arignan, naattir
Padarum saadhip padaikku marundhu!
MaNdum madhangkaL aNdaa neruppavan;
Ayalaar ethir5pppuk kaNaiyaa viLakkavan.”

TRANSLATION IN ENGLISH
For great Tamil that lifts the man
New dimension was added by Poet Bharathi

A chareeteer for beautiful Tamil
He is a honey bee of Tamil, father of Sindhu!
He is a sweet voiced cuckoo!A great Poetic Drum
to defeat the enemies of the Nation.
He is a poetic Moon who came to rid of long sleep!
The scented camphor in the garden of poetry.
He is the treasure of writings with the stream of imagination
A great captain of Poets
A poet who came ti sing of nobility
A medicine for the ills of castes
Religions cannot divide and put out
The light among the poets!

IN AND OUT OF THE NOBLE CIRCLE!

Chennai Poets’ Circle is not new to my esteemed viewers as several references have been made earlier in this Blog ENVIUS THOUGHTS in https://nvsr.wordpress.com – an elite group of poets budding and renowned and I must admit it is purely HIS will that I have been a part of this set up for quite a few years. This Sunday story is an attempt to give a fair report on the CPC’s ANNUAL SEMINAR on ENGLISH POETRY IN INDIA nicely organized and well attended by poets from West Bengal, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Pondicherry and Tamil Nadu.on 20th January at the World University Service Center in Chetpat, Chennai.
Let me share with my viewers with the feedback received by some of the poets who participated in the Seminar on their getting back to their places.

Padmaja Iyengar-Paddy, Vijayawada
Sun, Jan 20, 8:19 PM (3 days ago)
Respected Dr. Kannan,
Thank you so much for your mail CPC is one of the most looked-forward-to event for me as it so well and seamlessly organized by you and the CPC team, packing in a highly enlightening guest lectures in the inaugural session, illuminating paper readings and truly engaging poetry readings from CPC’s excellently put together annual poetry anthology Efflorescence by poets from across India and overseas! For me, as I keep saying CPC is second home.

SARANYA FRANCIS, Bangalore
Dear Mr Kannan
I truly appreciate your leadership and vision for CPC. The annual seminar is an exclusive event that focuses on poetry alone and avoids unnecessary frills. The event was well organised. Kudos to all your efforts. Hema, Jairam, Dr. Tirumeni, and rest of CPC core members. May your tribe increase.
Regards
Thank you all, Dr Tirumeni Sir, Hema, Jairam and you Dr Kannan Sir and Team CPC, for providing a memorable and poetically enriching experience every year!
Warm and respectful regards.

Vidya Shankar
Sun, Jan 20, 10:14 PM (3 days ago)
Dear Mr Kannan,
What I truly loved about today’s meet was the genuineness of the platform. It was authentic poetry in all its humility and grace. My husband and I feel so privileged to have been a part of it. Thank you for giving both of us the opportunity.
Please find below the google drive link to download the photos of the CPC meet held on 20-01-2019 at WUSC, Chennai.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1erLSjGIfIKQeS3_pUYLiun73RhhEXAar?usp=sharing
Thanks once again,
Vidya Shankar

Kannan Srinivas
Sun, Jan 20, 10:27 PM (3 days ago)
Dear Madam Vidya Shankar,
Greetings.
Mr.Shankar has done a highly commendable and selfless service in covering the entire proceedings of the Seminar.
He took countless photos with a smiling face and cheerful gentleness.
Our grateful thanks are due to him.
We at CPC are very much delighted to see both of you so much involved and dedicated towards the cause of Poetry .
With renewed thanks and kind regards
Dr S Kannan

Ravi Ranganathan
Mon, Jan 21, 10:46 AM (2 days ago)
Dear Dr.Kannan,
As you rightly mentioned the function yesterday was truly a remarkable national event of which all of us can be really proud of. I liked your significant remark about presentation of more papers as was done in earlier years. I am sure in future, a great deal of thought would be given to this aspect.This would really set us apart .
I went back with happy memories of the event. Thank you and all in the team who made it happen.
Regard

Madhu mathi
Jan 21, 2019, 5:41 PM (2 days ago)
Dear Mr.Kannan,
It was a fruitful experience, taking part in the CPC event, and meeting many beautiful creative minds. Felt very happy, and blessed to be a part of it.
Much grateful to you, Jairam Seshadri Sir, Hema Ravi Ma’m, and to the entire team for organising and making this event a memorable one for all.
Being my first time at the CPC event, felt very happy to meet so many poets; inspired by the Kaleidoscope of thoughts and emotions flowing through words from each one of them.
The chief guests’ speech too were interesting, and thought-provoking.
Wishing each and everyone in the CPC family, many many journeys of sowing poetry in the universe…
Warm regards,
Madhumathi.H

Given below is the newspaper coverage of the event as an example:
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Anthology ‘Efflorescence 2018′ released at Chennai Poets’ Circle seminar
Posted on January 21, 2019 by NT Bureau

Chennai: Age is no bar for creativity: You would not think this is a tired cliche if you had attended the annual seminar of Chennai Poets’ Circle (CPC) on Sunday, 20 January, at the World University Service Centre, Chetpet. The highlight of this year’s seminar was the contribution of poets aged 11 years to 87 years.
The CPC is a non-profit, non-sectarian, literary body of academicians, professionals, students and homemakers interested in poetry writing in English, and sharing such creativity with like-minded personalities; over the years, the CPC has spread its wings nationally and internationally.
The local members of CPC meet once a month to recite and discuss poetic views. At the annual seminar, distinguished guest speakers share their views on poetry, member-poets present academic papers on Indian English writing and recite their poems in front of a distinguished gathering of poets, special invitees and the public. Amateur guest poets are encouraged to recite their poems.
During the seminar on Sunday, the anthology ‘Efflorescence 2018’, a collection of poems written by its members, was released.
The chief guest on the occasion was Dr C N Srinath, director, Dhvanyaloka Centre for Indian Studies, Mysuru, and the guest of honour was Dr V Rajagopalan, retired HOD, English, MCC College, Chennai.
Dr Thirumeni, chairman, welcomed the gathering, and Dr Kannan traced the achievements of the CPC in the last few years. Hema Ravi, secretary, anchored the poetry reading session in the forenoon, while Jairam Seshadri compered the proceedings in the afternoon session.
The paper presentations were chaired by Dr T V Reddy, Dr Biplab Chakraborty and Dr Kannan. Sharing their erudition with the audience, the speakers spoke about the contribution of great poets, emphasising that the poet is a ‘seer’ and poetry is the encounter with the impossible.
Quoting a renowned poet, one of the speakers said, “Like a piece of ice on a hot stove, the poem must ride on its own melting.” The role of poets in ‘digital detoxification’ was also stressed upon.
The highlight of this year’s seminar was the contribution of poets aged 11 years to 87 years and paper presentations by academicians from Sastra University. Eminent writer, poet and media personality, Andal Priyadarshini, who has been awarded the Kalaimamani award by the Tamilnadu government, was among the audience as a contributing poet.
Poets had come from Tirupati, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Puducherry and Tiruchi. Two budding poets, aged seven and ten, wards of member-poets recited their verses confidently in front of the gathering.
For details, contact secretary, Hema Ravi, at 9841003201.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I am sure my esteemed viewers have received a fairly a good report on the event.

The said Anthology carries the following Poems by me and Miss. S Nivetha one of the EIGHT young poets who contributed their creations to the Anthology.
Dr. V. Rajagopalan, Guest of Honor who was the Principal and Head of the English Department quoted a few lines from the Book FLY,FLY,FLY published by S > NIVETHA (released in the last Seminar in 2018) and commended the imagination and expression of the young poet and wished her every success.
Following is Nivetha’s poem in the Anthology released on this occasion:
CHENNAI POETS’ CIRCLE

Chennai Chennai Poets’ Circle my literary home
Heartily I pray for its noble service-dome!
Elder poets are there to guide me ever nice
Naturally it is my literary home twice
Never can I leave my noble home I enjoy
Advising me how to write poetry with joy
Influenced me a lot in my thoughts and words!

Poetry, the soul of my family members
Offers opportunities for the young ones too
Ever I will remain grateful to my elders
Thanking them for all their kindness shown to me
Several great minds and hearts are there to help and guide!

Circle with long radius has lot of members
In Chennai and outside-deem it as a prestige
Reading and writing poems of their choice willing
Caring the young ones like me giving good training
Lot of opportunities to present in meets
Every month which I am not able to avail.

Members discuss art and science of writing poems
Young ones can learn a lot from the experienced.

Literary talents I would like to develop
Inside my home with others to guide
Trained poet can be more effective than others
Enthusiasm injected by all members
Remember I will- all through my life happily
Along with others I also write usefully
Rectification of any error-I get
Yearly once the Anthology blossoms bright!

Home is where I get food for literary thought
Opportunities provided by my beloved home
Many more I have to try and create shortly
Ever increasing thirst I have for poetry!

An acrostic poem –“CHENNAI POETS’ CIRCLE –MY LITERARY HOME”.

S.Nivetha an upcoming young poet aged 19, is studying in the second
year of Degree course in Chennai. India. She was the youngest poet
delegate in the International Multilingual Poets Meet held in
Vijayawada on 13 and14th November in 2016 and again the youngest delegate inthe Annual Poetry Seminar organized by Chennai Poets’ Circle in January 2017. She is well anthologized. She writes prose and verse, a good painter and cartoonist. Nivetha finds a place of pride in the INDIAN BOOK OF RECORDS FOR CHILDREN for having participated in the Vijayawada Meet as the youngest poet.
S.Nivetha.
12/2045,Jeevan Bima Nagar,
Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
Phone: +919840477552, 044-26544950

My poem published in the EFFLORESCENCE 2018

TIRUKKURAL
GLORY OF GOD

1. “A” leads the language
The Lord Almighty protects
Like peacock’s plumage!
2. Learning lacks meaning
If the learner believes not
In Him – protecting!
3 He surely lives long
Who seeks the feet of the Lord
To whom the noble throng!
4. To the one who clings
To HIM beyond likes-dislikes
No woes the life brings!
5. Who sings in HIS praise
Seeking HIS love and grace
Freed from the sins nice!
6. For long he lives for sure
Who treads HIS path sans desires
In this world – pure!
7. Who seeks not HIM whose
Compassion beyond compare
Never free from worry’s woes!
8. He can’t cross the sea
Of sins if he thinks not HIM
Indeed Virtues Sea!
9. Those heads that pray not
The God of eight virtues sure
Have eyes and ears just dot(s)!
10. Those who pray the Lord
Nicely cross the sea of birth
Others don’t – face woes!

These ten couplets are my translation of the Magnum Opus Thirukkural by Thiruvalluvar written about 2000 years ago in Tamil into English. The chapter 1 of the 133, speaks about the Glory of God.

N V Subbaraman, a bilingual poet is the Asia -Pacific Book of Records holder for his Blog ENVIUS THOUGHTS n https://nvsr.wordpress.com.
He has participated in many poetry festivals of which he holds International Multilingual Poets Meet held in November 2016 at Vijayawada and the Seminar organized by Chennai Poet’s Circle in January 2018 high in his mind. He is a haikuist with more than 1000 haiku to his credit and he is a Member of the American Haiku Society. He has published 38 books in English and Tamil. He is retired Deputy Zonal Manager of Life insurance Corporation of India.
N V Subbaraman
12/1045, Jeevan Bima Nagar,
Chennai 600101.
044/26544950;9840477552
nvsubbaraman@gmail.com

Indeed the day was a very memorable one for all the poets present in the Seminar.
Dr.C. Thirumeni, Chairman of CPS extended a very warm welcome which was very chill outside due to mid-winter season, Dr.S.Kannan President of CPC, delivered his Presidential Address, followed by the launch of the Anthology by Dr. Prof. C N Srinath, Chairman, Bhavanyaloka Center for Indian Studies, Mysore..Dr. V.Rajagopalan addressed the gathering of Poets. Annual Report was presented by Shri Jairam Seshadri, Treasurer. Poetry presentation first session started.
After delicious lunch, poetry session continued and two papers were presented by two academicians. Vote of thanks was proposed by Mrs.Hema Ravi. After National Anthem, poet delegates returned carrying the great memories “IN AND OUT OF THE NOBLE CIRCLE”.
Thus we end our this week’s Sunday story and the week to follow as usual. Till then GOOD BYE!

Indian Republic Day-January 26th

A sacred day is today the great INDIAN REPUBLIC DAY
-January twenty Sixth! A day to remember Indian
Constitution came into force -Seventy years ago
In Nineteen Fifty, completing the country’s transition
And became an independent republic to the joy of Indians
Adding responsibility of protecting freedom won!

“Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now
Time comes when we shall redeem our pledge, very substantially.
At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps,
India will awake to life and freedom” Great Nehruji’s
“TRYST WITH Destiny” words of the visionary Prime Minister
Greatest among all! Let us salute our Flag and Constitution!

 

I N C Foundation Day 28th December

 

Twenty Eighth December today a historic day of our holy
Motherland-India that is Bharath one hundred and thirty
Three years ago-the great Indian National Congress party
Was founded in Bombay- brought in a revolution-happy!

History was made to create a history- history of freedom
From the foreign yoke-under the noble leadership of Gandhiji
Uniting the entire India to raise in revolt with Ahimsa
Against British rule- weapon of NON VIOLENCE noble and divine!

Party continues as a force to reckon with-for a future bright
Evolution brings changes a lot -some great and some different
Nation has to go strong and united- united for ever
Possible only by a party with national outlook-parochial never.

 

 

KING OF POETS BIRTH DAY -11th DECEMBER

Poets indeed are the ambassadors of peace created by God
All over the world-in all languages-mighty force made by the Lord!
Endless list of poets worth keeping in mind for eternity sure
Rumi, Yeats, Dante, Milton, Shakespeare, Shelly,Keats and all pure!

Tagore, Sarojini Naidu, Ezakiel, Aurabindo Ghosh
Tulsidas, Vemana, Ghalib,Tikkanna,Kambar, Arunagirinathar!
The greatest-national-patriotic-king of poets was born this day Eleventh December eighteen eighty two-a holy day!

MAHA KAVI-Subramanya Bharathiya-born in Ettayapuram
Wielded his SWORD OF NATIONAL and Divine poetry effectively
People began to live and serve patriotically in a noble way
On this sacred day we pay our obeisance to the KING OF POETS!

JATHI PALLAKKU-Bharathi Palanquin coming in a procession.

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With Bharthiyar’s -my mentor from his heavenly abode-grace and blessings, my poem in Tamil has been selected by Vanavil Cultural Center to be presented  in a poets Meet being held at Barathiyar’s Memorial in Triplicane Chennai today at 10 am after the JATHI PALLAKKU-Palanquin  with Bharathi’s portrait-reaches from Triplicane Parthasarathy temple .
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BARATHIYAR ON NAVARATHRI

 

As I always say and write one of my chief Mentors is Mahakavi Bharathiyar . To day being the end of Daserra, it was thought fit to bring in this subject and I am sure my esteemed viewers will relish. Thanks.

NavarAththiri —Bharathi ‘s song நவராத்திரி —பாரதி பாடல்

NavarAththiri Song–நவராத்திரிப் பாட்டு

Composer: MahAkavi Subramanya BhArati

NavarAtri festival is dedicated to goddess Shakthi manifested in three popular forms—Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati. Three days each are allocated to the three goddesses and worshiped during this period. The most popular event during this period is the arrangement of golu in most houses wherein various dolls of religious and mythological sinificance are displayed in a stair-like arrangement.

In the Carnatic music world, this period is celebrated with music concerts which feature exclusively those songs which are in praise of dEvi. Various music sabhas arrange such thematic concerts of several musicians. Some of the prominent composers whose songs are featured in such concerts are: Purandara dAsa, Muththuswami Dikshitar, Thyagaraja, Shyama Sastri, OoththukkADu Venkata Kavi, SwAti ThirunAL, PApanAsam Sivan, and a few other modern day composers.

While the songs of above-mentioned composers are given due importance during NavarAtri, let us see an important composition of Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathi. He wrote one specific song titled navarAtrip pATTu which has 4 stanzas wherein he sang on the three prime goddesses—PArvati, Lakshmi, and Saraswati. This is unique because no one else included all the three of them in the same song.

Bharathi was a maverick universalist and a firebrand nationalist who risked his life and family in the pursuit of national freedom, women’s empowerment, and the upliftment of the” lower class” people while living in abject poverty and writing excellent poetry on various topics all along. His devotional songs on all Hindu Gods and Goddesses, as well as Allah, and Jesus Christ are well-known. Here is navarAtip pATTu here.

This song in ChaarukEshi raagam was specially composed-as reported to have been  extemporaneously by Bharathi at the request of his daughter ThangammaaL in PuduccEri (ca 1912) on the occasion of navaraathri.

நவராத்திரிப் பாட்டு

மாதா பராசக்தி வையமெல்லம் நீ நிறைந்தாய்!
ஆதாரம் உன்னையல்லால் ஆரெமக்குப் பாரினிலே!
ஏதாயினும் வழிநீ சொல்வாய் எமதுயிரே!
வேதாவின் தாயே! மிகப்பணிந்து வாழ்வோமே.

In this first stanza Bharathi is addressing Shakthi who is a blend of all the three goddesses, PArvati, Lakshmi, and Saraswati. Shakthi mother, Bharathi says, is all pervasive in the universe. There is nobody else with whom to seek refuge. He appeals to the goddess to guide him (us) for virtuous life. He addresses her as the mother of all VEdAs and that we will surrender unto her. (Even under the most adverse circumstances in his personal life he never lost hope and worshiped Paraasakthi fervently.)

வாணி கலைத் தெய்வம் மணிவாக் குதவிடுவாள்
ஆணிமுத்தைப் போலே அறிவுமுத்து மாலையினாள்
காணுகின்ற காட்சியாய்க் காண்பதெலாங் காட்டுவதாய்
மாணுயர்ந்து நிற்பாள் மலரடியே சூழ்வோமே

In this second verse Bharathi addresses goddess Saraswati (vANi) who is the deity in charge of the arts who will shower her grace on us for good speech. Like a flawless pearl she is the garland of knowledge. She is one whom we behold with reverence and whatever we see it is she who portrays them. She towers above everything that we imagine and “let us surrender at her flower feet”.

பொன்னரசி நாரணனார் தேவி, புகழரசி
மின்னுநவ ரத்தினம்போல் மேனி யழகுடையாள்
அன்னையவள் வையமெல்லாம் ஆதரிப்பாள், ஸ்ரீதேவி
தன்னிரு பொற்றாளே சரண்புகுந்து வாழ்வோமே

In this third quatrain Bharathi extols goddess Lakshmi as a golden queen ( reminiscent of MuttuswAmi Dikshithar’s song “hiraNmayIm lakshmIm   in lalitaa raagam) who is the consort of lord NaaraayaNa and one who is the epitome of fame. She has the beautiful complexion of the dazzling nine gems. She is the mother who protects all the beings in the universe. “Let us surrender unto the golden feet of Sri dEvi and flourish”.

மலையிலே தான் பிறந்தாள் சங்கரனை மாலையிட்டாள்
உலையிலே யூதி உலகக் கனல் வளர்ப்பாள்
நிலையில் உயர்த்திடுவாள், நேரே அவள் பாதம்
தலையிலே தாங்கித் தரணிமிசை வாழ்வோமே

In the last of the four stanzas, Bharathi praises Goddess Paarvati as having been born in the mountain (hima giri tanayE) and married lord Shiva (Sankaran). She bears all the cosmic energy and by cultivating the flame (in the foundry) she creates and sustains the energy in the universe. She will protect us.” Let us bear her feet on out heads and prosper in this world”.

For the benefit of those who can’t read Thamizh script, the transliterated Roman script version is given below as is the practice with this Blog.

NavarAththirip pATTu 

MAthA parAsakthi vaiyamellam nI niRaindAy!
AdhAram unnaiyallAl Aremakkup pArinilE!
EdhAyinum vazhinI solvAy emadhuyirE!
VEdhAvin tAyE! migappaNindhu vAzhvOmE.

VANi kalaith theyvam maNivAk kudhaviDuvAL
ANimuththaip pOlE aRivumuththu mAlaiyinAL
KANuginRa kATciyAyk kANbadhelAng kATTuvadhAy
MANuyarndhu niRpAL malaraDiyE sUzhvOmE

Ponnarasi nAraNanAr dEvi, pughazharasi
Minnunava raththinampOl mEni yazhaguDaiyAL
annaiyavaL vaiyamellAm AdharippAL, srIdEvi
tanniru poRRALE saraNpugundhu vAzhvOmE

malaiyilE thAn piRandhAL sankaranai mAlaiyiTTAL
ulaiyilE yUdhi ulagak kanal vaLarppAL
nilaiyil uyarthiDuvAL, nErE avaL pAdham
thalaiyilE thAngith tharaNimisai vAzhvOmE

Thanks to Google Guru I could make out this post today and I am sure you will with me tomorrow specifically “In Obeisance of Goddess Saraswathi-the Goddess of LEARNING.