Shri  K.A.P.   Viswanatham   was born on 10th November 1899 to Shri Periyanna Pillai and Smt. Subbammal in Thiruchirapalli District of Tamil Nadu. He had no regular schooling, but learnt to write Tamil alphabets at the age of five. Out of his own efforts he learned Tamil literature.

Shri. K.A.P. Viswanatham was a firm believer in Siddha medicines, an ancient medicinal system evolved by Siddhas. He himself learned this system from traditional practitioners. He carried out extensive research and wrote several treatises on it.

He, by his persistent efforts, got the Tamil University created exclusively for the development of Tamil at Thanjavur. He visited Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar, France, Arab countries, Germany and England.

Shri K.A.P. Viswanatham was a social thinker and worked for the upliftment of downtrodden. Recognising his yeoman service to society and valuable contribution to Tamil literature he was awarded a Doctorate by two universities and made a member in each of their senates. He passed away on 19 December  1994.

India Post is happy to issue a commemorative postage stamp on K.A.P. Viswanatham.

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