Latest news with #Bharathidasan
NDTV
4 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Tamil Nadu Government Staffer Assaulted By Councillor Belonging To DMK Ally
A councillor of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), part of the ruling DMK alliance in Tamil Nadu, has been arrested for allegedly assaulting a government employee inside the Bhuvanagiri Town Panchayat office in Cuddalore district. The incident reportedly took place on Thursday when Bharathidasan entered the office and demanded that a bill be prepared for a contractor for works carried out in his ward. The staffer, who was engaged with another task, asked for time until the evening to process the bill. This led to an argument during which the councillor allegedly verbally abused and assaulted the staffer, issuing death threats and punching him in the face. Speaking to NDTV, a senior police officer said, "We have immediately arrested the VCK party functionary on the basis of the government official's complaint. There was an issue over payments. Investigation is on." CCTV visuals show the councillor, identified as Bharathidasan alias Kalimuthu, physically assaulting Radhakrishnan, a junior assistant at the panchayat office. The video shows the man initially roughing up the official and later shows both men engaging in a scuffle exchanging blows. The incident has sparked a political row, with BJP leader K. Annamalai launching a scathing attack on the DMK government. Sharing the CCTV footage on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, "When public servants are attacked in their office, it is not just a breakdown of governance; it is a breakdown of trust in the very system meant to protect the people". He added "This isn't just an isolated act of lawlessness in the last 4 years in TN; it is a reflection of a political culture perpetrated by DMK that has normalised intimidation, violence, and absolute disregard for public institutions." When public servants are attacked in their office, it is not just a breakdown of governance; it is a breakdown of trust in the very system meant to protect the people. In a shocking incident from Bhuvanagiri, a public servant was verbally abused and physically assaulted by a… — (@annamalai_k) August 8, 2025 The ruling DMK, however, defended the swift police action, with spokesperson Dr Syed Hafeezullah saying, "Strict action has already been taken. BJP's Annamalai should first turn towards BJP-ruled states where his party functionaries are complicit in crimes." Radhakrishnan, who sustained facial injuries, was initially admitted to Bhuvanagiri Taluk Hospital and later shifted to Chidambaram Medical College Hospital for further treatment. Councillor Kalimuthu also claimed he was assaulted and was admitted to the same hospital before he was put behind bars. The VCK is yet to comment. Both men are currently undergoing treatment at a medical college hospital in Chidambaram. Police have retrieved CCTV footage and are continuing their investigation.
New Indian Express
06-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
State nationalises works of five Tamil writers, provides Rs 10L compensation
CHENNAI: Chief Minister M K Stalin on Monday provided compensation of Rs 10 lakh each to two writers and the legal heirs of three more writers, whose works have been nationalised by the Tamil Nadu government. He presented the cheques to them at the valedictory event of the Tamil Week celebrations, being observed for the first time this year in honour of the eminent poet Bharathidasan. The five writers are Kavikko Abdul Rahman, Mervin, A Pazhani, Ko Ma Kodhandam and Pulavar Ilama Tamilnavan. The cheques were presented to the legal heirs of the first three writers while the latter two received them in person. The celebration of Tamil Week starting this year was announced by the CM in the Assembly on April 22 under Rule 110, designating April 29 to May 5 to celebrate Tamil language and literature. On Monday, Stalin also distributed prizes to students from government music and fine arts colleges who won competitions various competitions held in honour of poet Bharathidasan's legacy. A government release noted that, over the last four years, the DMK-led government has additionally nationalised the works of 32 distinguished Tamil writers and scholars, including Nannan, Silampoli Chellappan, Viduthalai Rajendran, Prof R Kumaravelan, and Mammathu, with Rs 3.79 crore disbursed as compensation for 1,442 books. Ministers Duraimurugan, M Saminathan, P K Sekarbabu, R S Rajakannappan, Ma Subramanian, and other elected representatives also took part.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
CM Stalin awards students, felicitates govt fine arts colleges at Tamil week finale
Chennai: Chief minister M K Stalin on Sunday gave away prizes to students and felicitated govt music and fine arts colleges during the valedictory of the Tamil Week Celebrations held at Kalaivanar Arangam. Stalin had earlier announced in the state assembly that Tamil Week would be celebrated from April 29 to May 5, marking Bharathidasan's birth anniversary, with poetry sessions, literary seminars, competitions for students, and cultural performances organised across Tamil Nadu to promote Tamil language pride. A 50 lakh fund was allocated for the celebrations, coordinated by the Tamil Development and Information Department. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai On Sunday, he handed over 10 lakh cheques to five Tamil writers — Kavikko Abdul Rahman, Mervin, A Pazhani, Ko Ma Kodhandam, and Ilama Tamilnavan — whose works were nationalised during the event. Officials said these nationalisations reflect the govt's commitment to bringing Tamil literary works into public ownership. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Moose Approaches Girl At Bus Stop In Sankt-peterburg - Watch What Happens Happy in Shape Undo A series of cultural performances marked the ceremony. A debate moderated by Tamil Nadu Textbook Corporation Chairman Dindigul I Leoni explored whether Bharathidasan's songs highlighted linguistic pride or social consciousness. Notably, in the past four years, the govt nationalised 1,442 works of 32 Tamil scholars to make their writings accessible to the public and preserve Tamil literary heritage.
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
How Bharathidasan Parambarai boxed social evil with verses and created an enduring legacy of tamil poetic heirs
Subramania Bharati inspired millions , but not many of his disciples can claim to have spawned a family of poets who reinforced his literary legacy with such verve. Born in Puducherry on April 29, 1891, Kanaga Subburathinam was a Tamil teacher who, until the age of 30, wrote only devotional poetry. It was his association with popular poet and social reformer C Subramania Bharati that made him move from praising gods to championing the cause of people. Bharathidasan first met poet Bharati, the firebrand nationalist bard, at 17, during a gathering at his physical education teacher Venu Naicker's home in Puducherry. Upon Venu's request, Subburathinam sang a few songs, unaware they were Bharati's compositions. After that interaction, Subburathinam renamed himself Bharathidasan — meaning 'disciple of Bharati', out of reverence for the Mahakavi. "After my meeting with Subramania Bharati, I found a new voice in my language," Bharathidasan later wrote in one of his songs. From that point on, he chose to write poems about social issues instead of religious idols. Over time, he went beyond Bharati in his verses on Tamil identity, society, and culture, which later earned him the title 'Paavendhar' or the king of poetry. At Bharati's request, Bharathidasan wrote 'Engengu kaaninum sakthiyadaa' (Wherever I look, there is power). Bharati not only endorsed it but also sent it to Swadesamitran, where he once worked as an assistant editor. Bharati, while recommending the poem for publication, wrote: "The poem was written by Kanaga Subburathinam of Sri Subramania Bharati Kavitha Mandalam (Sri Subramania Bharati's poetry circle)." That was how Bharati came to see Bharathidasan as his literary heir. In turn, Bharathidasan tried to carry the legacy forward, launching a monthly magazine 'Sri Subramania Bharati Kavitha Mandalam' in 1935 to discover and nurture Bharati's next heirs. But the magazine, published from Puducherry, folded after just six issues. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo While Bharati found only one true successor in Bharathidasan, the latter had 48 literary heirs. How those heirs were identified is a story, says Mu Elangovan, associate professor of Tamil at Kanchi Mamunivar Government Institute for PG Studies and Research in Puducherry. "Bharathidasan was invited to speak at Athangudi in Sivaganga district, a village dominated by the devout Chettiar community," says Elangovan. "He was asked to speak on rationalism and atheism. As the topics didn't sit well with the people of the region, not a single villager showed up." But ten others did. Six were members of the Dravidar Kazhagam (founded by rationalist Periyar) and four were students from Konapattu (now part of Pudukottai district). "Among them was Murugu Subramaniam, a student who went on to launch the magazine 'Ponni' in 1947." Moved by Bharathidasan's speech, Subramaniam was determined to contribute to the development of Tamil. At the time, Bharathidasan was only popular in Dravidar Kazhagam circles. "Ponni was started with the sole aim to popularise Bharathidasan's works," says Elangovan. The magazine ran from 1947 to 1954. Between 1947 and 1949, it started to publish poems of budding poets who followed the style, structure, and content of Bharathidasan. The series was titled ' Bharathidasan Parambarai '. One of the poetic heirs, Suradha, short for Subburathina Dasan, compiled these 48 poems into a book with the same name. By then, Murugu Subramaniam moved to Malaysia, where he was the editor of 'Tamil Nesan', a now-defunct Tamil daily. Elangovan, whose doctoral thesis was on 'Bharathidasan Parambarai', says this literary lineage wasn't confined to those introduced by Ponni. "I found two more categories of descendancy — poets who were introduced by Bharathidasan in his magazine 'Kuyil' and those inspired by the poet's works," he says. The first wave of Bharathidasan Parambarai included prominent personalities such as V C Kulandaisamy, the second Vice-Chancellor of Anna University; politician Nanjil K Manoharan, who served in DMK and AIADMK regimes; and Subbu Arumugam, the villupattu exponent. All 48 poets in this group wrote 'marabu kavithai', a traditional format with a defined set of rules. "Bharathidasan wrote about rationalism, Tamil pride, and communist thought. He also penned lyrics for films," says Senthalai Na Gowthaman, Sulur Paavendar Peravai, a group that popularises the works of Bharathidasan in Coimbatore district. "The literary heirs chose to focus on different themes Bharathidasan touched. For example, poets Mudiyarasan and Perunchithiranar focused on Tamil pride, Tamil Oli wrote about communism, and in films, Kannadasan and Pattukottai Kalyanasundaram reflected Bharathidasan's style." Gowthaman says the lineage didn't end with the 48 poets. "It continues, especially through Tamil cinema." When 'Puthukavithai' (free verse) became popular in the Tamil literary world by breaking the rules and grammar of poetry, 'marabu kavithai' started to lose its sheen. "It was then that some poets in Coimbatore founded 'Vaanampaadi', a poetry circle which brought together new verse and old traditional poetry formats in line with Bharati and Bharathidasan," says Gowthaman. Some of the well-known poets of the 'Vaanampaadi' style include Abdul Rahman, Sirpi, Puviyarasu, Erode Tamilanban, Inquilab, and Kovai Gnani. "Writer Sujatha, through his columns, introduced various grammar and rules of Tamil poetry. He also identified some of the new poets such as Na Muthukumar, who later went on to become a popular lyricist in the Tamil film industry. Today, lyricists such as Arivumathi, Palani Bharathi, and Yuga Bharathi retain Bharathidasan's style, structure, sentiments, and content," says Gowthaman. The Tamil diaspora, says Gowthaman, has been urging the state govt to announce a 'Tamil language day'. "Now, chief minister M K Stalin has announced 'Tamil Week' (between April 29 and May 5) after Bharathidasan's birth anniversary instead of 'Tamil day', which is a good sign for our literary heritage." Email your feedback with name and address to MSID:: 120800031 413 |
The Hindu
29-04-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Tiruchi District Central Library to hold Bharathidasan poetry recitation contest for schoolchildren on May 4
The Tiruchi District Central Library and its Readers' Forum will be holding a poetry recitation competition for schoolchildren on May 4, to celebrate the 135th birth anniversary of Tamil poet 'Pavendhar' Bharathidasan. According to a release, the contest will be held as part of the 'Tamil Week', being held between April 29 and May 5. Students from Classes VI to XII are eligible to participate by reciting poems of up to 32 lines. The top three students will be given a cash prize of ₹500 each. Second place winners will get ₹300 and those in third place will win ₹200 respectively. All the winners will be gifted a book of Bharathidasan's poems. Those interested can register their names on the WhatsApp (ph: 9344754036) on or before May 3, the release said.
