BHARATHI AND SANSKRIT

Abstract

Subramania Bharathi is widely regarded as a revolutionary Tamil poet who advocated social reform, nationalism, and women’s liberation through his writings. At the same time, his works reveal a significant influence of Sanskrit language and literary traditions. While Bharathi employed Tamil as the primary medium for his creative expression, he often portrayed Sanskrit as a classical and superior language. This dual perspective reflects a complex linguistic and cultural position within his literary ideology.
This article examines the relationship between Bharathi and Sanskrit by analyzing his poems, essays, and linguistic views with suitable textual evidence. It explores the extent of Sanskrit influence in his vocabulary, style, themes, and philosophical outlook. The study further investigates whether Bharathi’s admiration for Sanskrit affected his commitment to Tamil linguistic identity. By critically evaluating these aspects, the article seeks to present an objective understanding of Bharathi’s language consciousness and his place within the broader discourse of Tamil–Sanskrit relations.