Today is Mahakavi Bhaarathiyaar's birth anniversary.

From whatever little I read about him, I believe he was among the most fiery intellectual people who have lived in the last century. He was one of his kind.

He was a contrasting bundle of Wisdom, Intelligence sparkling like firebrand, Devotion, Patriotism, Creativity, Moral Angst at Injustice, Compassion, Love, Lofty Ideals, Melting Heart, Eccentricity, Child-like enthusiasm, Social responsibility and familial abandonment.

There might have been some shortcomings in him as a person - who is perfect except God ? But his writings can be seen to bubble with life even now. I have not read them all but wish to.

In Vinayakar NaanmaNi Maalai, we can admire the way he refers to Vedic and Upanishadic slokas and also handles four different types of Thamizh verses cyclically. Had the good fortune to read it in MaNakkuLa Vinayakar temple in Puducherry, where he is supposed to have composed it.

His Bhagavad Gita translation is another pleasure to read. When the creative genius who has learnt Sanskrit at Kashi translates the Gita, we can experience the liveliness of the translated verses.

And, if there is a song which can serve as an agenda for India, it is this :

"Bhaaratha DesamenRu peyar solluvaar"

Thamizh lyrics can be read here :
https://ilakkiyam.com/bhrathiyar-padalgal/58-desiya-geethangal/4110-bharatha-desam

This song should have been the mission statement for independent India. I personally feel this song almost covers everything which a truly Indian government should strive to achieve. Some are done... some to be done, including linking of rivers.

Trivia :
Different stanzas of this song have been used in two movies :
"VeLLi pani malaiyin" in 'KappalOttiya Thamizhan'
and
"Sindhu nadhiyin misai" in 'Kai kodutha Deivam'

Of course, it is divine listening to Smt. M S Subbulakshmi rendering this song with devotion.

Was just sharing a few observations of mine from whatever little I have read of the Mahakavi's writings.

Many would be knowing all these. Please ignore if this is repetition

Thread on Bhaarathiyaar :
@adityasbharat
https://twitter.com/adityasbharat/status/1204779223702859776