Bharatha Bharathi Book Series: An Introduction

Nurturing Values and Inspiring Young Minds

The ‘Bharatha Bharathi’ book series is a monumental literary initiative designed to introduce the present generation to the inspiring lives of hundreds of great personalities who built India’s rich history, glorious heritage, and culture. With the noble intention of instilling patriotism, moral values, and strong character in young minds, ‘Rashtrotthana Sahitya’ (Rashtrotthana Parishat) conceptualized this ambitious project.

Background and History

Launched in the 1970s (specifically 1972), the project was driven by the vision that children need more than just fictional tales; they need the real-life stories of our nation’s true heroes to build a strong foundation of cultural values. This massive literary endeavor was realized under the chief editorship of the renowned critic and writer, Prof. L. S. Seshagiri Rao.

In its very first phase, the project identified achievers from every corner of India, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, publishing a staggering 510 books. The series began with the biography of ‘Valmiki’ and concluded its first major run with the life story of ‘Jayaprakash Narayan’.

Key Features of the Series

• Diverse Personalities: The collection features the proud sons and daughters of India who excelled in various fields, including freedom fighters, visionary scientists, social reformers, spiritual saints, poets, and revolutionaries.

• Simple and Engaging Style: These pocket-sized books, typically around 40 pages and 2,000 words each, are written in simple, captivating language. They are perfectly tailored for children to understand easily, actively cultivating a lifelong habit of reading.

• Contributions by Literary Giants: A major highlight of this series is that many of these biographies were penned by legendary Kannada writers, including literary stalwarts like Da. Ra. Bendre, Masti Venkatesha Iyengar, and N. S. Lakshminarayana Bhatta.

• Record-Breaking Reach: To date, over one crore (10 million) copies of ‘Bharatha Bharathi’ books have been printed, reaching countless homes, schools, libraries, and organizations across the state.

Why is it Relevant Today?

In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, it is more important than ever to connect children with their cultural roots. The ‘Bharatha Bharathi’ books are not merely biographies; they are practical guides on how to live and what ideals to embrace. Whether it is the wisdom of Swami Vivekananda, the profound courage of Bhagat Singh, or the unwavering dedication of Sir M. Visvesvaraya, this series brings these virtues to life in the form of engaging stories.

A future disconnected from its heritage is incomplete. The ‘Bharatha Bharathi’ series bridges this gap, serving as a guiding light that shapes the personalities, values, and futures of our children.