Did you know that the little baby who inspired Bharathiyaar’s “Chinnanchiru Kiliye” was his young neighbour’s daughter? ❤️
For years, we have sung:
“Odi varugaiyile Kannamma,
Ullam kulirudhadi…”
And every time, we mentally picture our own little one.
But who was in Bharathiyaar’s mind when he composed this song? It is said that Bharathiyaar was completely enchanted by the sight of his young neighbour’s baby. Overcome with affection seeing the little child those tender emotions found expression in one of his most beloved poems.
Yadugiri ammal with her baby
When Bharathiyaar was living in exile in Pondicherry, young Yadugiri, his neighbour, would visit him almost every day. Her book, published in 1938, gives us a wonderfully intimate glimpse into the poet’s life, his struggles, his poverty and his loving relationship with those around him. Yadugiri’s young daughter sent the poet into raptures and made him compose that timeless poem, Chinnachiru Kiliye which he sang in Kamas. But now its popularly sung as a Ragamalika in concerts.
One heartwarming anecdote in Yadugiri’s book is of an evening when Bharathiyaar’s wife, Chellamma was upset because there was no oil at home to light the evening lamp. Bharathiyaar, ever the unconventional thinker, pointed to the bright electric street light and asked why they needed an oil lamp!
Soon, he gathered Chellamma, his daughters and neighbours around him. Nine people sat together and all of them sang Bharathiyaar’s poems. He taught them a new song, Sakthi Vilakkam, and before long, more people gathered for this impromptu home concert to listen.
Seeing this, Bharathiyaar teased Chellamma:
“You were worried whether Lakshmi would enter the house if you didn’t light a lamp. Look now! So many have come! Go and distribute Manjal and Kungumam!”
And this is just one heartwarming anecdote from the life of the Mundaasu Kavignar, a poet who was truly ahead of his times.
Such a pleasure reading about Bharathiyar, yet so poignant!
So beautifully penned, so touching, I am a great fan of sri Mahakavi Bharathiyar, & love reading his works & listening to all his songs.
Thanks so much, your thoughts made my day.
Megha lovely! I was able to recollect reading this. I think such authentic anecdotes from his life should be popularised. 👍
A very pleasant read .meghu.. enjoyed reading it
Informative and well narrated.
Stories with illustrations read better . Nice read as always Megu !
யாம் அறியாத யாதுகிரி அம்மாவின் இளம்கிளி தான்
மீசை கவியின் சின்னஞ்சிறு கிளி ..
என நமக்கு உரைத்த இன்றே
ஒரு செல்வ களஞ்சியம் ஆன நாள் ….
தாங்கள் நலம் மீண்டு பதிந்த நாளும் கூட அல்லவா 👍🙏🏽
மகாகவிக்கு நல் நினைவு கூடிய வணக்கங்கள்
அதை நமக்கு பதிந்த உங்களுக்கு பல பல நன்றிகள் 🙏🏽🙏🏽
Wow…lively..simple words..very good information about the great Poet🙏🙏
Endearing story of a great poet and a compassionate human. Well written.
Nice 👍👏👏👏.
Thank you so sharing this lovely background on this beautiful poem by Mahakavi. I always thought this poem was written on his child. Such a heartwarming story. Thank you, Megha. ❤️
So much info on Barathiyar.thanks megm.His songs are really timeless n priceless pokisham for us.
A revolutionary who spoke through his poems !
Im happy to be familiar with some of them.
A fitting tribute to a great human !
A heart touching anecdote about our favourite Mahakavi. Short & sweet presentation.
Thanks for sharing 🙏🏼
இந்தக் கட்டுரையின் மிகப்பெரிய சிறப்பு — பாரதியைப் பற்றிப் பெரிய பெரிய வார்த்தைகள் பேசாமல், ஒரு சிறிய சம்பவத்தின் வழியாகப் பெரிய பாரதியை காட்டுகிறது.
Amazing Meghu. A very captivating, thought provoking and interesting write up about Mahakavi. And I went and googled Kamas and Ragamalika used in this song. Learnt so much.
Truly a most wonderful story indeed! And it comes with a wise lesson too! In times when not everyone had access to electric lamps, it gains even more relevance! 99% people today have electric connection at home or have access to it at a neighbour’s or relative’s home; so it’s very difficult to make today’s generation understand how life was without access to electric light.
I have experienced life without electric light in some villages. I’m sure you too may have had the chance to experience it somewhere. But today’s generation, I don’t think so …
Nice piece of information conveyed in your typical style. 👌
Megu, what a tender and luminous piece! A song we have heard and cherished all our lives suddenly acquires another layer of meaning when seen through the little human story behind it. The image of Bharathiyaar, captivated by a child’s innocence, and the intimate glimpse of those simple moments with Chellamma, are beautifully evocative. You have gently lifted the veil around the Mahakavi and let us see the poet not merely through his immortal words, but through the warmth, wonder and tenderness of his everyday life. A lovely read—one that lingers in the heart, much like the opening notes of Chinnanchiru Kiliye.
Never learnt to read and write Tamil. But have heard stories about the great poet from my Mom who’s actually from Trichy.
This is a nice story. Am hearing for the first time.