VVS AIYAR-THE ICON UNBEKNOWNST!! (ENGLISH TRANSLATION) A COMPELLING ARTICLE!!!
My Dear Friends,
Last
April 2nd was the birthday of one of the greatest freedom fighters of India.
While we hail and idolize
numerous freedom fighters of our country, it's indeed very disheartening that
many of today's generation don’t even know who he is. I'm talking here about
Varahaneri Venkatesa Subramaniam Aiyar or simply VVS Aiyar.
First
off, I'm hugely honored to have an opportunity to write this blog. Although, it
may not suffice to write all about VVS Aiyar here, I'd glad be a firefly to
emit a little light into the life of a selfless man named VVS Aiyar.
Once
in 2002, whilst in my college library I came across a book named ''The Maxims
of Thiruvalluvar''. The first chapter I went through was on ''Friendship''. All
the couplets or kurals were written with a vivid imagination in a clear,
concise and simple manner. Yes, those maxims were translated into English by
VVS Aiyar. What I felt as I read through was the passion that was involved in
his writing. Sometimes I felt VVS Aiyar had surpassed in explaining the
concepts even better than Valluvar himself. To this day and forever, ''The Maxims
of Thiruvalluvar'' by VVS Aiyar holds a special place in my heart for I
consider it as a most valuable literary treasure a person can behold.
VVS
Aiyar was born in Varahaneri, a suburb of Tiruchirapalli. He studied BA in
history at the prestigious St. Joseph’s college. He then studied Law at the
University of Madras. He practiced law for brief period after which he went to
London to study Barrister-at-Law at Lincoln's Inn. Here at the India's house,
Aiyar met with revolutionary leaders such as Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, Bhikaji
Cama, Hardayal which turned out to be a turning point in his life.
Seeds
of revolutionary ideas flocked into Aiyar's mind and he was drawn towards the
fight against the British occupation in India. He resigned from Lincoln's Inn
in 1910. Once his revolutionary activities came to notice by British Government
they had issued an arrest warrant against Aiyar.
To
escape any persecution Aiyar escaped to Paris and finally reached Pondicherry
which was under French rule. Once in Pondicherry Aiyar met Subramania Bharathi
and Sri Aurobindo. Aiyar lived in Pondicherry for around ten years until the
First World War came to an end. During this time, Aiyar translated Thirukkural
in English.
There
is an interesting story behind the translation of Thirukkural by Aiyar which
I'm obliged to explain.
During
First World War German cruiser SMS Emden approached Madras Harbor and started
to bombard the city. The then British Government of India pointed out the
exiles as a prime reason for this and sought the help of the Governor of
Pondicherry to expel Aiyar and his associates to Africa. The British Government
was impatient to exterminate all the revolutionaries who were linked to
conspiracies against the ruling Government. In particular, was the
revolutionary named Vanchinathan who assassinated the then collector of
Tirunelveli district Robert William Escourt Ashe on June 17, 1911. Vanchinathan
was one of the disciples of VVS Aiyar and was trained in shooting. Hence VVS
Aiyar was the most wanted man by the British. The French too wanted to get rid
of the exiles in Pondicherry and took various steps but in vain. The French
Governor in Pondicherry was relentless to extradite the exiles to Algeria.
Although he didn’t wish to interfere directly he did so through his messengers,
who directly warned the revolutionary leaders of dire consequences if they
didn't leave Pondicherry. The French Government was well aware of the secret
society named ''India Office'' which printed '' The India'' magazine. Thus time
was ticking for VVS Aiyar's arrest and subsequent expel from Pondicherry.
Realizing
the grave situation that he is in VVS Aiyar started to ponder what's next for
him. He wanted to leave a legacy behind so that his people would remember him
in their hearts. His literary acumen and his passion towards Tamil literature
inspired him to translate Thirukkural in English language. Thus he started
writing his magnum opus, ''The Maxims of Thiruvalluvar'' on 1st of November,
1914. He was hell-bent to complete the translation and tried to translate as
many couplets as possible before he is expelled from Pondicherry. On 1st of
March 1915 the work was completed amidst several trials and tribulations. Thus,
one of the finest translations of Thirukkural came to existence.
At
the end of Second World War, Aiyar retured to Madras where he would work for
''Dhesabhakthan'' journal. He was arrested on sedition charges by British Government
in 1921 and spent around 9 months in prison. Whilst in prison, Aiyar produced
another masterpiece of English translation. This time it was ‘‘Kamba
Ramayanam''.
VVS
Aiyar died under mysterious circumstances on 3rd of June, 1925 in Papanasam
falls. It is said that he tried to save his daughter Subhadra while she drowned
and accidently Aiyar drowned too.
VVS Aiyar's comrade
Damodar Savarkar on learning Aiyar's death paid an emotional tribute which
explains his friendship with Aiyar and the greatness of his friend.
Let’s
not forget VVS Aiyar and his noble, selfless deeds for our country. I’d be much
privileged if I could create more awareness and understanding of our freedom fighters
(who are not much known) that persevered in the face of all adversities of our
nation. They should be held with high esteem deep in our hearts. Let’s walk in
their footsteps and pave way for a nobler, peaceful and prosperous nation. I will shed more light on some very
interesting events in Aiyar’s life in my next blog. I would like to conclude
for now with the below couplet in memory of one of the greatest sons of Mother
India, VVS Aiyar.
His
heart into his Fatherland... Endured all the anguish for a noble sake
A
life lived worthwhile, smiles' unbeknownst its ache!!
Till next time
MJ
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