SUBRAMANIAR BHARATHIAR REMEMBRANCE DAY HELD IN VERULAM, SOUTH AFRICA

(Pix Karunen (BY SUBRY GOVENDER) A prominent academic and cultural exponent, Professor K G Moodley, has called on the people to emulate the values and principles of Saint Subramaniar Bharathiar when propagating and building their cultures, languages and religions. Professor Moodley was the guest speaker at a function held to observe “Maha Subramaniar Bharathiar Remembrance Day” at the Shri Siva Subramaniar Alayam in Umdloti Drift, Verulam on Sunday, September 11. The function was organised by the Verulam Cultural Co-Ordinating Committee and the participants included members of the Verulam Kalay Khzuham, Shri Siva Subramaniar Alayam, Verulam Sival Sabay, Verulam Cultural Group, Avvyaar Kalay Sungam and the Havenridge Saraswathi Praathynaa Kootum. One of the active proponents of the Tamil culture and language in the North Coast, Mrs Saro Moodley, led a group of members of the Verulam Kalay Khzuham in a vibrant “flag march” in honour of Subramaniar Bharathiar. Mrs Moodley also led a group of colourfully-attired women in a traditional Tamil dance called “Gummi”. Subramaniar Bharathiar, who was born on December 11 1882 in the Tiruneveli District of Tamil Nadu, was one of India’s greatest journalists, editors, poets, freedom fighters and cultural leaders. Although he only lived for 39 years, he made an enormous contribution, not only in the freedom struggles against the British colonial power, but also in promoting the Tamil language and culture. In 1919 when the struggles against British rule was gaining momentum, Subramaniar Bharathiar, held talks with Mahatma Gandhi, who had just returned to India from South Africa where he devised the philosophy of Sathiyagara or Passive Resistance in the struggles against racial discrimination and oppression of the black majority. Professor Moodley said Subramaniar Bharathiar respected all cultures, languages and religions but emphasised the importance of the Tamil language and culture. Professor Moodley also said Subramaniar Bharathiar emphasised through his articles, poetry and songs during his short life that “unity is strength and divided we fall”. “We also must advocate these values and principles in our daily lives and in our different organisations and groups,” he said. He also said much more must be done to attract the younger generation to the cultural and linguistic functions. He said this could be done by taking advantage of the modern information technology that the young people easily adapted to and understood.