Aringhar Anna, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, with the earnest association of the eminent scholars of Tamilology planned to start a Tamil Research Institute with the prime intention of promoting advance research in Tamilology in the year 1986. Accordingly on 21st, October 1970, the International Institute of Tamil Studies was incepted as a research institute in Madras, the state capital of Tamil Nadu.

International Institute of Tamil Studies has been concentrating on inter-disciplinary research and translating great Tamil classical works into English. It is through translation we expose the richness of our literature. to the unknown world.

In continuation to this venture the present work entitled 'Selected poems of Bharathidasan has been designed. It is Bharathidasan who has been responsible in creating social awareness among the Tamils in the matters related to caste, religion feminism and social imbalances.

The present anthology consists of 100 poems of Bharathidasan and these poems have been translated into English and other Dravidian languages such as Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam.

It is a pleasure that a book of this kind is being released at this Ceremonial 8th World Tamil Conference by the Honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Puratchi Thalaivi Dr.J.Jayalalitha.

I appreciate the sincere efforts of the Director of The International) Institute of Tamil Studies in bringing out the translated Volumes to fulfil the dream of Bharathidasan.

**Contents and Sample Pages**