Book Review: Rebellion in Verse: Resistance and Devotion in the Tamil Bhakti Movement

Book Name: Rebellion in Verse: Resistance and Devotion in the Tamil Bhakti Movement
Author: Raghavan Srinivasan
Publication: Penguin Viking
Genre: Indian History. 

“Rebellion in Verse: Resistance and Devotion in the Tamil Bhakti Movement” by Raghavan Srinivasan is an evocative exploration of how, during the Bhakti Movement, poetry was used to challenge social barriers.

Review

The book is supported by hymns to keep readers entertained and understand the rawness of the thoughts through a lyrical approach. It frames the Bhakti movement as a radical, grassroots revolution that democratized the divine.

What readers will explore in the book?

• Social Stratification:

The Egalitarian Spirit (it is one of the chapters as well in this book) is the root of this book that showcases how poetry, hymns and songs were not limited to any specific community, caste or creed but meant for everyone from leather workers, lower caste panas, fishermen, outcast devotees etc.

Excerpt from the book: “What made the Bhakti movement truly revolutionary was its ability to blend the sacred with the social, the divine with the democratic.”

• Gender Inclusive:

Not just men, but readers will also know about the role of women saints through verses, and how they beautifully and powerfully paint love and devotion, challenging societal norms. Women saints including Andal, Karaikal Ammaiyar, Mangaiyarkkarasiyar, Isaignaniyar, and many others are discussed. In this book, readers will learn about the challenges women faced while balancing societal norms and still trying to pave their paths towards sainthood and leadership.

From Andal’s poetry:

She says to her relatives,

‘When people know that I went with Kannan

And they blame you saying,

“She left her father, mother and her dear relatives

And went with someone,”

You will be hurt and you won’t be able

To avoid the disgrace that comes to you.’

• The "North-South" Link:

What stood out was the link showing how poetry has been connected between South India and North India. The fire of poetry did not remain limited to Tamil but reached different parts of the country. The movement spread from Basavanna’s vachanas in Kannada, to Tukaram’s abhangas in Marathi, from Chaitanya’s kirtans in Bengal to Sankardev’s borgeets in Assam, it stayed rooted in principles of love, equality and social reform as it started in the Bhakti Movement.

The author’s writing style is lyrical and thought-provoking. The book is knowledge-heavy as it explores Indian history and the role of poetry in the Bhakti Movement, from talking about different poets, saints, Gods like Vishnu & Shiva to ideating about poetry through meditative and spirituality practices. Bhakti isn’t merely devotion, but more than that it preaches egalitarianism. Readers would learn a lot of new things, and get introduced to names in ancient India related to hymns in Indian history during the Bhakti movement, like Andal, Sambandhar, Appar and many more.

Readers who love to know about Indian literature in depth, this book is going to be a perfect read for them as it will not only allow them to get introduced to poetry in Bhakti movement but the exploration of how through poetry, saints, poets, and people in the society tried to present their bold thoughts challenging the biases prevailing in society. It is a knowledge-heavy read, and should be read calmly and with focus for the best experience.

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