Subramania Bharati
Tamil poet and freedom fighter
- Lived
- 38 yrs
- 1882 – 1921
- Works listed
- 3
- Poetry
- Honours
- 0
- Awards & distinctions
- Profile views
- 0
- 0 followers
Subramania Bharati was a Tamil poet, journalist and freedom fighter whose patriotic songs and calls for social reform made him one of the greatest figures of modern Tamil literature. Known as Mahakavi, the great poet, he died in 1921 at the age of 38.
Biography
Early life
Bharati was born in Ettayapuram, where his poetic talent earned him the title “Bharati” as a boy. He spent time in Varanasi, learning Sanskrit and Hindi and encountering nationalist ideas.
Poet of freedom
Working as a journalist for the Tamil daily Swadesamitran and his own weekly India, he wrote fiery articles and poems against British rule. To avoid arrest he lived in the French territory of Pondicherry from 1908 to 1918, where he wrote many of his finest works.
Works
His poetry includes Panchali Sabatham, a retelling of Draupadi’s vow from the Mahabharata, Kuyil Paattu and Kannan Paattu, as well as patriotic songs that are still sung. He wrote in simple, powerful Tamil, bringing poetry closer to ordinary people.
Reformer
Bharati campaigned against caste discrimination and for the education and freedom of women, ideas radical for his time. He died in Madras on 11 September 1921, aged 38. His birthday is commemorated across Tamil Nadu, and his songs feature in many films.
Timeline
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1882
Born in Ettayapuram, Tirunelveli district, Madras Presidency (now Tamil Nadu)
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1904
Joins Swadesamitran
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1908
Moves to Pondicherry
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1912
Panchali Sabatham
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1918
Returns to British India
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1921
Dies in Madras
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1921
Died, aged 38
Notable works
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1912
Panchali Sabatham Poetry
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—
Kuyil Paattu Poetry
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—
Kannan Paattu Poetry
Did you know?
-
1
He lived in French Pondicherry to escape British arrest.
-
2
He campaigned for women’s freedom and against caste.
-
3
His songs are still used in Tamil films.
Connections
Related people
Frequently asked
Who is Subramania Bharati?
Subramania Bharati was a Tamil poet, journalist and freedom fighter whose patriotic songs and calls for social reform made him one of the greatest figures of modern Tamil literature. Known as Mahakavi, the great poet, he died in 1921 at the age of 38.
When did Subramania Bharati die?
Subramania Bharati died on 12 September 1921 at the age of 38.
Where is Subramania Bharati from?
Subramania Bharati was born in Ettayapuram, Tirunelveli district, Madras Presidency (now Tamil Nadu).
What is Subramania Bharati known for?
Subramania Bharati is best known for Patriotic poetry; Panchali Sabatham; Kuyil Paattu; Kannan Paattu; women’s emancipation.
References
- Subramania Bharati — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 2 November 2026.
- Subramania Bharati — Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 2 November 2026.
- Subramania Bharati — Hindi Wikipedia. Wikipedia (Hindi). Retrieved 2 November 2026.
- Subramania Bharati (Q256286) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 2 November 2026.
Includes material from the Wikipedia article “Subramania Bharati”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. That text is available under the same licence. Learn more
External links
About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editorial team; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal under our editorial policy
- First published 2 November 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“Subramania Bharati.” TrackFame, last updated 3 November 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/subramania-bharati
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