The Transition from Kanaka Suburathinan to Bharathidasan

Kanaka Suburathinam, born on 29th April 1891, even as a child evinced a liking for Tamil Literature which was so ably nurtured by Bangaru Pathar, his school teacher and subsequently reinforced by Saram Periasamipillai, a renowned Tamil scholar. He began his career as a school teacher even before he was 18, in a primary school at Niravi. His contacts with Bharathi and other freedom fighters attracted him to the cause of Indian Nationalism.

The “Kadar Rattinapattu” was the result of his national zeal. Enveloped as he was by the reformist zeal of Bharathi he also defended the cause of the women’s freedom, attacked child marriages and advocated widow re-marriages. In due course he came to call himself as “Bharathidasan”.



Following the tradition set by Bharathi, he wrote in a simple elegant style and sought to liberate, as it were, Tamil poetry from the clutches of the pedantry and infused new life and verve into it. His poems inspired a new generation of young poets not only in Pondicherry but in the whole of TamilNadu. Among them, mention may be made of Vanidasan of Seliyamedu, a self-acknowledged disciple of Bharathidasan.

Thus Kanaka Suburathinam, inspired by Bharathi, followed his foot steps by adding flavor to the Tamil literature on his part.

Subramania Bharathi and Pondicherry

Our home town has the pride of nurturing great poets in its lab. The history gives us a brief list about their literary works when they were in Pondicherry. Subramania Bharathi is a great name in the modern Tamil Literature as well as in the Indian freedom movement. Our Pondicherry is so lucky to have given him place during the freedom struggle. Now let us glimpse his days in Pondicherry.


Although born at Ettayapuram in Thirunelveli district, Subramania Bharathi was one of the first to seek refuge in Pondicherry in 1908 to escape from British incarnation. He lived here under the patronage of Kuvalai Kannan, S. Swaminatha Dikshidar and Sundaresayyar, who were the readers of “India”, a journal with which Subramania Bharathi was closely connected while in Madras. Within a month the “India” press was clandestinely brought to Pondicherry from Madras; the journal which had stopped appearing from the last week of September 1908 reappeared from October 20. He soon settled in a south facing house at Easwaran Dharmarajakoil Street. Sri Aurobindo arrived at Pondicherry in April 1910 and since then Bharathi came more and more under the influence of Sri Aurobindo. A few months later came V.V.S. Iyer. Va.Ra. Aravamudayengar who is popularly known as “Amuda” and Kanakasuburathinam who was later famously known as “Bharathidasan” were the dedicated disciples of Subramania Bharathi. In 1911, when Sub-collector Ashe was shot dead by Vanchi Iyer at Maniyachi, Subramania Bharathi was protected by Sundaresayyar, Ponnu Mugesapillai and Sundaresa Chettiar.

Important Memorial Homes of Patriots and Writers of Pondicherry

Puducherry is as historic as it has given the shelter for so many patriots and writers. Now let us know about the memorial homes of Shree Subramaniya Bharathi, Bharathidasan and Ananda Rangapillai.

Subramanya Bharathi, the Tamil poet-revolutionary whose pen was an important weapon during India's freedom struggle, sought refuge in this French enclave when the British made life impossible for him elsewhere in South India. At No. 20, Easwaran Koil Street, where he lived in Pondicherry, Bharathi composed some of his finest patriotic songs and such immortal works of Tamil literature as the Panchali Sabadham, Kannan Pattu and Kuyil Pattu.

Bharatidasan @ KanagaSuburathinam, another great poet, was inspired by Subramanya Bharathi, whom he regarded as his guru. He won the Sahitya Akademi award for his play "Pisirandayar". He lived at No.95, Perumal Koil Street. The houses of both Bharathi and Bharathidasan are now maintained as memorials and are places of pilgrimage for Tamil-lovers.

Ananda Rangapillai lived at No. 69-C, Rue Rangapillai (Maison Ananda Rangapillai). His palatial house is an excellent piece of 18th century architecture, a unique blend of French and Eastern styles. Ananda Rangapillai is the famous diarist of Dupleix's time. The records he maintained of the events between 1736 and 1760 are an invaluable source of information on the history of Pondicherry and the French India that age.