In the annals of 20th century Tamil literature, the name of S.Desigavinayagam Pillai occupies a special place.

Born to Sivathanupillai and Adilakshmi at Theroor in the Princely state of Travancore now known as Kanyakumari District in Tamilnadu on 27th July 1876, Desigavinayagam Pillai had his early school education in Theroor and attended college at Nagarcoil. He started his career as a school teacher and after serving in one or two schools in Kottar and in Trivandrum, he joined Maharaja's college at Trivandrum as a lecturer in Tamil.

He composed his first Tamil poem at the age of 19. He wrote many songs for children which were published in 'Malarum Malayum' (Flower & Garland) in 1938. Asiya Jothi (Light of Asia), Nanjil Nattu Marumakkal Vazhi Manmiyam (a satire on society) and the translation of the work of Omarkhayyam are his master pieces. Even now, his poems are taught in schools and colleges. His poems are marked by nobility of intent and simplicity of language. He had a good command over Malayalam and English and translated the work of some selected authors from English to Tamil. In 1940 the Tamil Sangam at its 7th annual conference held at Madras honoured Desigavinayagam Pillai with the title 'Kavimani'.

He was also an epigraphist and studied many stone inscriptions in and around Kanyakumari and Nagarcoil. His research work "Kandalur Salai" was very famous and was reprinted in the year 1953.

Desigavinayagam Pillai adopted simple living and high thinking as his guiding principle. In 1948 Kavimani was offered the post of the Laureate which he refused and recommended the name of a contemporary Tamil poet for this post. He also showed unwillingness for the post of Honorary Professor of Tamil offered by Shri Raja Muthiya Chettiyar, the pro-chancellor of Annamalai University.

A devout follower of Gandhiji, he always wore khadi and use to spin the Charkha. He was deeply concerned with the upliftment of the downtrodden.

The South Travancore Hindu College was the brain child of Kavimani Desigavinayagam Pillai. He retired from service early back in 1931 but even after retirement he worked as a member of text book committee of Travancore state and also as a consultant for Tamil lexicon prepared by Madras University.

He breathed his last on 26th September 1954 at the age of 78 but till today kavimani S. Desigavinayagam Pillai lives in the hearts and minds of people because of his noble deeds and legendary qualities.

The Department of Posts honours the memory of Kavimani Desigavinayagam Pillai through issue of this commemorative postage stamp.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India