Naam Tamilar Party’s Chief Coordinator Seeman praised Tamil poet Subramania Bharati, highlighting that he was unparalleled in living by his own principles. Seeman commended Bharati for his relentless efforts to create a casteless society and for championing the cause of gender equality. He also criticized Dravidianists for dismissing Bharati solely based on his Brahmin identity, emphasizing that Bharati had transcended all such boundaries.
Speaking at an event in Chennai organized by NTK to commemorate the birth anniversary of Mahakavi Subramania Bharati, Seeman began by lauding Bharati’s spiritual devotion, his connection with the divine, and the unmatched elegance of his language.
Seeman stated, “As far as I know, everyone in the world stands before God and asks, ‘Grant me wisdom.’ No matter who it is in the world. But Bharati was only one in the world asked, ‘Tell me, Sivasakthi, why did you create me with this blazing intellect?’ the only one in the world who posed such a question is our ancestor Bharati, truly lived by the principles.”
Praising Bharati’s advocacy for gender equality, Seeman remarked, “Visit the homes of our ancestors, and you’ll find our grandfathers seated while our grandmothers stand. But in Bharati’s home, Chellamma would be seated while Bharati stood beside her. Chellamma would sit in a chair, and Bharati would stand there like that.”
Praising Bharati’s rationalism and his vision of a casteless society, Seeman drew parallels to saintly figures like Vaikundar and Vallalar. Seeman said, “You will not find a rationalist like him. Who is he? He is another Vaikundar, a Vallalar—a true counter-revolutionary. He sang, ‘I chanced upon a fiery ember of fire—I hid it in the hollow of a tree! The forest was laid waste by this small spark of fire.’ Why didn’t he place the fire at the roots or the branches? Why the hollow? Bharati knew the hollow would emerge only in an old tree, and that’s where he placed the fire. He was setting ablaze conservatism, superstition, and false beliefs. That is Bharati.” Seeman continued, “In Agraharam, donkey was forbidden to enter. Then I will enter by carrying the donkey with me. He is a true counter revolutionary.”
Seeman remarked, “Bharati is the only one in the world who changed the caste. He brought Kanagalingam from the Paraiyar community, shaved off his moustache, adorned him with the sacred thread (poonool), and declared by changing his caste that, ‘From today, you are an Iyer.’ It was him who boldly said, ‘If anyone asks who gave you the sacred thread, tell them it was Subramania Bharati.’ Just look at how he sings: ‘There is no caste, children! It is a sin to speak of caste as inferior or superior! Justice, high morals, education—those who have a lot of love are superior.’”
Taking a jab at Dravidianists and Periyarists, Seeman added, “Here is a man who taught us that ‘there is no caste,’ but for them, he’s just a ‘Paapan’ (a ridiculing word for Brahmin). Bharati said, ‘We shall not look at caste or religion. All human beings in this land—whether they preach the Vedas or belong to other castes—are one.’ He says all are one. Now, who is he to you? A Paapan. Why he is Paapan? Because he sees everyone as equal, and for that, he’s labeled a Paapan.”
”உலகத்திலேயே சாதியை மாற்றிய ஒரே ஆள் பாரதி மட்டும் தான்….” பாரதி பாடல்களை பாடி சீமான் ஆவேச பேச்சு.!#Seeman | #Bharathi | #NTK | #PolimerNews pic.twitter.com/nUPqQ27cDv
— Polimer News (@polimernews) December 21, 2024
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.