 They left behind their stamp
 DMK president and former Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi released the stamps of three eminent Tamils - freedom fighter and trade union leader Thiru Vi. Kalyanasundaranar, eminent poet Kavimani Desiga Vinayagam Pillai and social reformer-cum-educationist Ayothidasa Pandithar, at a function in Kalaignar Arangam, Arivalayam, in Chennai, on October 21.
The function was organised in association with the Department of Posts which brought the first-day covers and special stamps in honour of the three. It function was chaired by Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Dayanidhi
Maran.
Karunanidhi hailed the services of the three distinguished Tamils and said they had rendered immense contribution to the field of emancipation of Tamils. He recalled the pioneering efforts of Thiru Vi Ka as a trade unionist and as a freedom fighter. Kavimani Desiga Vinayagam Pillai was an astounding poet and patriot, he said, adding that Ayothidasa Pandithar was a social reformer who was well ahead of his time, who fought for political recognition of the Dalits and the Dravidian movement.
Referring to the participation of the grandsons of Thiru Vi Ka, Kavimani and relatives of Ayothidasa in the function said it was a function of 'grandsons' as his grandson (Dayanidhi) too had organised the function.
Dayanidhi Maran said the Department of Posts was honoured to bring out the stamps of three eminent Tamils, and said it would continue its work in honouring such distinguished citizens of India.
Noted film lyricist and poet Vairamuthu said the three Tamils had rendered outstanding service to social and political emancipation.
 THIRU VI KA
Vi Kalyanasundaranar, popularly known as Thiru Vi. Ka., was one of the prominent figures in Indian politics. He was an eminent scholar in Tamil, prolific writer, fiery speaker, trade union leader and a freedom fighter.
He was born on August 26, 1883, to Virudhachala Mudaliar and Chinnammal. After completing his education in Wesley High School, Royapettah, he joined as a teacher in the same school. He worked in several companies run by the English, but inspired by the ideals of Bal Gangadhar Tilak and the prevailing nationalist sentiments, he gave up his job and joined the freedom struggle. He was placed under house arrest.
In 1983, Vi. Kalyanasundaranar was closely associated with Mahatma Gandhi. Whenever Gandhiji came to Chennai and addressed public meetings, Vi. Kalyanasundaranar translated his speeches into Tamil. It was he who started addressing Mahatma Gandhi as 'Gandhi
Adigal'.
 He did not hesitate to address the gatherings in Tamil. This encouraged others to feel proud of expressing themselves freely in their mother tongue i.e. Tamil, while addressing public meetings at that time.
He started a labour union in 1918 in Chennai and organised a confederation of labour unions in 1920.
He started the newspaper 'Desa Bakthan' but it was banned by the British. Then he started another newspaper 'Nava Sakthi' and worked for the growth of Tamil language and to propagate nationalist ideals.
A great scholar, Vi. Kalyanasundaranar authored more than 50 books, the most popular being 'The Greatness of Women' in which he spread the ideals of national freedom, the growth of Tami1 language and literature, and social reforms, particularly emancipation of women in all walks of life.
His career was marked by nationalism, spiritual discipline, courage and compassion. He passed away on September 17, 1953, but his legacy lives on.
KAVIMANI S. DESIGAVINAYAGAM PILLAI
 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 Tamil Nadu, on July 27, 1876, Desigavinayagam Pillai had his early school education in Theroor and attended college at Nagercoil. He started his career as a schoolteacher 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 Maalayum' (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 Omar Khayyam are his masterpieces.
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 Nagercoil. His research work 'Kandalur Salai' was famous and was reprinted in 1953.
Desigavinayagam Pillai adopted simple living and high thinking as his guiding principles. 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 used to spin the Charkha. He was deeply concerned with the uplift of the downtrodden.
The South Travancore Hindu College was the brainchild of Kavimani. He retired from service in 1931 but even after retirement worked as a member of the Text Book Committee of Travancore state and also as a consultant for Tamil lexicon prepared by Madras University.
He breathed his last on September 26, 1954, at the age of 78 but till today Kavimani Desigavinayagam Pillai lives in the hearts and minds of people because of his noble deeds and legendary qualities.
AYOTHIDHASA PANDITHAR
 A social reformer, educationist and visionary, Ayothidhasa Pandithar was far ahead of his time.
Ayothidhasa was born on May 20, 1845, in Coimbatore District of Tamil Nadu. He was named 'Kathavarayan' by his parents. After acquiring proficiency in Siddha medicine, he changed his name to Ayothidhasa Kaviraj
Pandithar.
Ayothidhasa Pandithar established 'The Advaithantha Sabha' in the Nilgiris in 1870 and 'Dravida Mahayana Sabha' in 1891.
 A sincere social worker and philanthropist, he was a pioneer and forerunner to Dr. B R Ambedkar and Periyar and campaigned against the caste system and untouchability besides advocating social equality. He took up the causes of the poor and the downtrodden and fought against orthodoxy. A man of action, Ayothidhasa Pandithar heralded a social revolution in Tamil
Nadu.
Ayothidhasa Pandithar published a weekly called 'Oru Paisa Thamizhan' in 1907. He wrote more than 20 books on various fields. A good orator, he was fluent in Tamil, Sanskrit, Pali and English. His views on the writings of Tiruvalluvar and Auvaiyar gave a new insight and different exposition in terms of Buddhism. He founded Chakkia Buddhist Association which evoked great response among social and political circles. He gave a new direction to Tamil literature.
Ayothidhasa Pandithar passed away in 1914 but his views on social issues have left a lasting impact.
R Rangaraj
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