Translated by Rajesh Subramanian
1.
I won’t fall
Filling their stomach every time
after strenuous search,
Gossiping around with many many petty stories,
Their minds saddened and
burdened with endless despair,
Most of their actions hurting others
Attain their old age with full grey hair.
Thus entangled in the gory games of fate
Many a funny man fall prey to death.
Did you think I too will fall
like one among them?
2.
A tiny ball of ember
A tiny ball of ember
that I found,
I placed in a tree hole
In the vast woods.
The forest was burnt
Into ashes
In valiant bravery
No difference between
An infant and a ripened.
Thatharikida thathrikida thithom
About the author:
Chinnaswami Subramania Bharati, also known as Bharathiyar (11 December 1882 – 11 September 1921) was a Tamil writer, poet and journalist, and Indian independence activist and social reformer from Tamil Nadu. Popularly known as “Mahakavi Bharati”, he was a pioneer of modern Tamil poetry and is considered one of the greatest Tamil literary figures of all time. His numerous works were fiery songs kindling patriotism and nationalism during the Indian Independence movement.
