AuroBharati, Sri Aurobindo Society in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Government of Puducherry & XuFancheng Culture Study Centre, Pondicherry, on the occasion of the completion of 75th Anniversary of India’s Independence, 150th Birth Anniversary of Sri Aurobindo, & remembering Mahakavi Subramania Bharatiyar, organized a special programme focussing on Lecture, Poetry Recitation & Musical Performance dedicating in memory of Sri Aurobindo & Mahakavi Bharatiyar on 8th September, 2022 at Sri Aurobindo Society, Pondicherry.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Kishor Kumar Tripathy, Member Secretary, AuroBharati, Sri Aurobindo Society said that this celebration marks three important chapters of Indian history. Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotshav, completion of 75th year of India’s Independence reminds us independence movement of India incorporated by the efforts of Indians involved a wide spectrum of Indian political organizations, philosophies and rebellions and Indian’s emergence as an independent country. The freedom movement of India is considered one of the biggest movements in world history which gave birth of a democratic, republic and a sovereign country.
In a time when we are celebrating 150th birth anniversary of Sri Aurobindo, the immortal souls, who considered India as his Mother. Sri Aurobindo, the yogi, seer, philosopher, poet and Indian nationalist propounded the philosophy of divine life on earth. He has given special emphasis on the divinity that would hasten the descent of the Divine into earthly life and transform it into a Divine Life. Mahakavi Subramania Bharati in a short span of exemplary life, he contributed as a freedom fighter, poet, social and spiritual reformer. His contribution to Indian ethos will be celebrated for generations to come. During his lifetime, he not only aroused patriotic fire but touched every aspect of human life through his poems and writings.
Emphasizing the relationship between Sri Aurobindo & Mahakavi Subramani Bharati, the two immortal souls of Mother India, i.e. he said that Maharshi Aurobindo and Mahakavi Subramania Bharati’s interaction added a new chapter in the history of India. Both of them considered “Bharat the Mother,” they developed the spirit of patriotism, the burning fire of nationalism and fought for the freedom for this great land.
Guest of honour, Dr. Bose, Principal, Bharathiyar Palkalai Koodam, Puducherry and eminent Artist in the field of Carnatic music said that Mahakavi Subramania Bharati, within a short span of time, less than 40 years, contributed so much to the world. Throughout the world, everywhere, his glory is spoken. Some of his songs were composed in a simple manner that even people do not know about. He has not only composed patriotic songs but also devotional songs which can be compared with the songs of Meerabai. He presented some of the songs of Subramania Bharati.
Mrs Radha Srinivasagopalan, the Director of XuFancheng Culture Study Centre, Puducherry was the Chief Guest. She said, Mahakavi Subramani Bharti lived in Pondicherry for ten years where he has given a significant contribution in many areas. He has given a lot of essence through the immortal words which will be ever remembered by the generations. She explained about the activities uundertaken by the centre for the popularization of the works of Mahakavi among educational institutions so that the message can be reached the millions.
Prof. D.Thiruvalavan, Former Lecturer, Department of Education, Puducherry and Tamil Teacher of Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education delivered a lecture on the topic “Contribution of Sri Aurobindo & Subramania Bharati on National Integration.” Speaking on the occasion, he said that it’s a great moment for us to think about two great personalities, who have contributed to the enrichment of humanity.
He said that the soil of Puducherry was sanctified by Rishi Agastya and the Siddhas, again sanctified by the arrival of the Divine Master, Sri Aurobindo. He spoke that Sri Aurobindo and Subramani Bharati had a good relationship. He presented the similar ideas of Sri Aurobindo and Subramania Bharati on the Shakti Cult and consciousness of Lord Krishna. He highlighted many historical facts about the association between Sri Aurobindo and Subramanai Bharati and their discussions on literature, society, politics, the various arts; they exchanged stories, even cracked jokes, and had a lot of fun. During his presentation, he emphasized on the contribution of Sri Aurobindo and Mahakavi Subramania Bharati for creating national integration as well as to create a developed human civilization.
A multilingual poetry recitation session dedicating in meomory of Maharshi Aurobindo and Mahakavi Subramanai Bharati was organized during this occasion, where Thiru Sundara Murugan, Shri Shiva Kumar, Shri Sushanto, Shri Anshul S, Dr. Bikashkali Das and Dr. Kishor Kumar Tripathy presented selected poems of Sri Aurobindo and Mahakavi Subramania Bharati. Dr Sundara Murugan, recipient of the Bharathidasan Award presented the poem “Vande Mataram Enbom” by Mahakavi Subramania Bharati and Tamil Translation of the poem “The Universal Incarnation” by Sri Aurobindo. Sri Sushanto, a senior Sadhak in the light of the Integral Yoga by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother presented the poem “Jagilo Janani” by Sri Aurobindo in Bengali with English Translation. Shri Shiva Kumar, Director of AuroYouth and Sri Aurobindo Foundation of Integral Education presented the poem “Invitation” by Sri Aurobindo and “Manathil Urudhi Vendum” by Mahakavi Subramania Bharati. Sri Anshul Sinha, Ex-student of Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education presented the poem Lorsque rien n’existait, written by Sri Aurobindo at Circa 1914 – 20. Sri Aurobindo seems to have written this prose poem during a fairly early period of his stay in Pondicherry. Dr. Bikashkali Das, Directors of XuFancheng culture study, Pondicherry presented two poems by Sri Aurobindo, ‘The Mother of God’ (written in the mid of 1940s) and ‘Immortal Love’ (poems from Ahana and Other Poems). Dr. Kishor Kumar Tripathy, Member Secretary, AuroBharati, Sri Aurobindo Society presented selected verses of Bhavani Bharati by Sri Aurobindo’s only poem in Sanskrit, written between 1904 and 1908. He also presented Hindi Translation of the Poem “Bharat-Our Land” by Subramani Bharati by Sri Anil JayVijay.
The evening session witnessed a beautiful devotional musical performance by Prof. Dharmu, retired Principal-cum-Professor, Tagore Government Arts and Science College, Puducherry. Dr. Dharmu recited some of the poems by Sri Aurobindo and Mahakavi Subramania Bharati including Kural, who, Vande Mataram, Kaani Neelam Vendum and Jivanmukta. He recited the first chapter of the Kural composed by the poet Tiruvalluvar. Around 1919, Sri Aurobindo translated the first chapter (in a different order from the original). Who, the Poem by Sri Aurobindo written by Sri Aurobindo Circa 1908 – 9. Published in the Karmayogin on 13 November 1909. He recited two poems by Subramani Bharati, i.e. Vande Mataram and Kaani Neelam Vendum ("kaani nilam vendum" especially, a song in which the poet asks the supreme power ( God) to bless him with an ideal home in exchange for his verses). The poetry recitation was completed with a musical performance of the English poem ‘Jivanmukta’ By Sri Aurobindo written in 1934 and first published in the Calcutta Review in June 1934. This poem signifies the characteristics of the Jivanmukta as a liberated soul.
The grand finale of Bharati Vizha-2022 was organized by XuFancheng Culture Study Centre, Pondicherry in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Government of Puducherry, Department of Art & Culture, Govt of Puducherry, Sri Aurobindo Society, Shreeverma Ayurveda, Puducherry, Bharathiyar Palkalai Koodam, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (Regional Campus, Puducherry) at Kamban Kalaiarangam, Puducherry on 12th September, 2022. During this occasion, a Musical Theatre Drama on Mahakavi Bharatiyar with Productions and Direction Script Dialogues Music Backgdrop by Krishna Subramanian.
“To one whose soul enjoys for its high possession
Infinity and the sempiternal
All is his guide and beloved and refuge.”
-Sri Aurobindo
