Permanent Pictorial Cancellation inaugural day covers

Description: Subramania Bharati, widely known as Mahakavi Bharathiyar, was a towering figure in Tamil literature and India’s freedom movement. He was born on 11 December 1882 in Ettayapuram in the present-day Ramanathapuram district. Recognised early for his brilliance, he was awarded the title “Bharati” by the local ruler. During his education in Varanasi in 1898, he was deeply influenced by Hindu spirituality and patriotic ideas, including the song Vande Mataram. Bharati strongly believed in social reform. He advocated women’s rights, equality, and the abolition of caste discrimination, themes that became central to his writings. His literary masterpiece Sudesha Geetangal reflects his patriotic spirit. 

He also gained recognition for translating and interpreting the ideas and speeches of leaders such as Sri Aurobindo, Swami Vivekananda, and Bal Gangadhar Tilak into Tamil. His stay in Pondicherry marked a significant phase in his life. There, he interacted with prominent thinkers, including Sri Aurobindo, and immersed himself in Vedic studies. He translated sacred texts such as the Bhagavad Gita and Yoga Sutras, making them accessible to Tamil readers. Bharati also made remarkable contributions to journalism. He founded the weekly newspaper India, notable for introducing political cartoons, and worked with journals like Vijaya. Due to his association with the extremist wing of the Congress, he was imprisoned in 1918. After his release in 1920, his health declined. He died on 12 September 1921 in Chennai after a tragic elephant attack at the Parthasarathy Temple. Despite his short life, his legacy remains immortal.