A legendary thinker and a scholar, who gave a new orientation to the story telling art and rejuvenated Bhakti Movement, bringing it to new heights, was Thirumuruga Kirubananda Variyar, popularly known as 'Variyar SwamigaI'. He was born at Kangeyanallur in Tamilnadu on 25th August 1906. At the age of five, he started composing poems in Tamil and started giving discourse at. the age of nine. Though he received no formal education, he showed his deep understanding of savaite literature. A disciple of Sri Eesana Sivacharya, he mastered the Tiruppugazh, a collection of poems on Lord Muruga. He also had in depth knowledge of Tirukkural and other classics.

Quoting extensively from Tamil literature, he would hold his audience spellbound during his discourses.

Kirubananda Variyar had special interest in the teaching of Vallalar and founded the journal  Tiruppugasha-mirtham.  He was honoured  with  many  titles  for  his  selfless service to the society.

He gave a new direction to the Tamil Bhakti Movement and was revered by Saivites all over world. His musical discourses brought out the best philosophical truths in a lucid style, laced with interesting parables, short stories and personal anecdotes. He was known as a walking encyclopedia of Saivite Sidhanta and was revered by his followers as another Nayannar of this age.

He passed away on 7th November 1993.

The Department of Posts is proud to issue a commemorative postage stamp on Thirumuruga Kirubananda Variyar.

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