The animosity of the Dravidian political ecosystem towards the renowned Tamil poet Bharathiyar has been well-documented over the years, stemming from various instances of disdain and mockery directed at the poet and his works. Here, is a comprehensive thread highlighting the relentless campaign of hatred peddled against Bharathiyar by figures within the Dravidian movement:
EVR’s Mockery Of Bharathiyar’s Patriotism
E.V. Ramasamy (EVR) also known as Periyar, a prominent figure in the Dravidian movement, was recorded making disparaging remarks about Bharathiyar’s patriotic poems. In a derisive tone, EVR belittled Bharathiyar’s work, stating, “On hearing the word Senthamizhnaadu, honey does not flow in one’s ears, but onion. It feels like a scorpion stinging the ear.” This instance exemplifies the contemptuous attitude towards Bharathiyar’s literary contributions.
This is a lie.
Bharathi has been vehemently criticized by EVR and people from DK.
Even after Bharathi's death, EVR, Maniyammai and others from their movement kept asking "Tamils" to not take part in any of Bharathi's birthday or memorial events.
Here is EVR making fun of a… https://t.co/FYkYtiDgJ9 pic.twitter.com/1orWDmZTCN
— Tamil Labs 2.0 (@labstamil) April 1, 2024
How Kuthoosi Gurusami Derogated Bharathiyar
Kuthoosi Gurusami, another figure associated with the Dravidian movement, likened Bharathiyar’s poems to “Unsold Omapodi” and “foul-smelling Boondi (a snacks),” disparaging his works and attempting to diminish their significance. He said, “Although poet Bharathiyar’s birthday is commemorated across the nation, his verses resemble stale and unappealing snacks with a bad odor, akin to a shop peddling secondhand and aged merchandise.”
Maniyammai’s Disparagement
In 1944, Maniyammai, a proponent of the Dravidian movement, subtly discouraged Tamils from attending Bharathiyar’s memorial events. Maniyammai raised the question of whether Bharathiyar leans more towards the Aryan race or the Dravidian race. She cast doubt on the intentions behind Bharathiyar’s poems, insinuating that they were irrelevant and unworthy of commemoration.
EVR’s Criticism in Theechudar
EVRamasamy criticized Bharathiyar in the journal Theechudar. He questioned the elevation of Bharathiyar as an immortal poet, suggesting that such praise was unwarranted and influenced by Bharathiyar’s Brahmin caste. EVR’s remarks aimed to undermine Bharathiyar’s literary legacy and cast doubt on his poetic prowess. He wrote, “They say Bharathi is an immortal poet…even if a rat dies in an agraharam, they would declare it to be immortal. ..of Tamil Nadu praises him. Why should this be so?”.
Pulavar Kulandhai’s Accusation
Pulavar Kulandhai, a Dravidian poet, accused Bharathiyar of inserting Sanskrit into Tamil under the guise of nationalism. He claimed that Bharathiyar’s advocacy for the unity of Sanskrit and Tamil led to a loss of pride among Tamil speakers and their subjugation to Northern influences. He wrote, “In the name of nationalism, Bharathi inserted Sanskrit into Tamil, caused themselves to lose pride in their own community and enslaved them to northerners.”
These instances collectively demonstrate the systematic vilification of Bharathiyar by elements within the Dravidian political ecosystem. Despite attempts to tarnish his reputation and legacy, Bharathiyar’s enduring influence and contributions to Tamil literature remain indelible. As the saying goes, “Dogs keep barking at the rising sun won’t do harm for the sun,” indicating that the greatness of Bharathiyar transcends the petty criticisms of detractors.
You can also read how Bharathiyar exposed the Dravidian Movement here.
(This article based on the X thread by Tamil Labs 2.0)
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