Notes from a poet
Subramania Bharati had always wanted that his poems be available to the public ‘as a matchbox’. Usha Rajagopalan attempts to fulfil his desire with this translation.
Nowadays when books release, along with their English version, the author also releases translated versions of the book. While earlier translations were criticised for losing the essence of the story or poem, today the scene is different, it’s the translations that work more. Usha Rajagopalan fulfilled her childhood dream by translating Subramania Bharati’s Tamil poems into English. She first learnt Tamil and then applied for a fellowship to be able to do more with the language and his poems. The result is the book in front of us.
This special bilingual edition of Subramania Bharati’s poems contain the fiercely patriotic philosophy of the poet. Bharati is held in high esteem — as the one who heralded the renaissance in Tamil Literature. It is the inherent music in his poetry that draws the reader to it. Through his powerful poetry he tried to stir in his fellow Indians the feelings of patriotism and bravado. Poems titled Awake, Mother India, Bharat our country, Our country and Salutations to the Motherland bring out the poet’s patriotic sentimentalities. He has even written verses dedicated to the elements—rain, wind, fire, sun and the earth. Usha has neatly categorised and given the reader a glimpse of the creative genius of the poet.
The poet’s wife Chellamma is also a major presence in his work. Most of his poems are dedicated to his wife whom he married at the age of 14. She was seven at that time. She was his muse through 24 years of their married life and some of his most passionate poetry was written with her in mind. Here in the book you can see at least five poems that show his romantic side.
The beautiful evocative prose by Bharati is bound to draw the readers.
Name: Selected Poems
Author: Subramania Bharati
Translated by: Usha Rajagopalan
Pages: 176
Publisher: Hachette India
Category: Books
About the Author (Author Profile)
Am a dreamer, writer and traveller. Still trying to find my niche but what counts is being able to give wings to my imagination.
Subscribe
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it.
Loading ...
Exchange Rate
