This lesson discusses the poems of Kavimani Desika Vinayakam Pillai, a Tamil poet of great talent and repute. Born in 1876, Kavimani showed a keen interest in Tamil language and literature from his childhood. In his long career as a teacher and lecturer, Kavimani taught Tamil language and literature with unbound passion. Kavimani started writing poems from a very early age. He was multi-faceted and evinced equal interest in music, translation and rock inscriptions. "Marumakkal Vazhi Manmiyam", "Malarum Malaiyum", "Asia Jothi", "Deviyin Keerthanaigal", and "Kuzhanthai Selvam" are some of his important works. He also translated the poems of Omar Khayam. He contributed several poems and articles to various literary journals.

Kavimani's poems are direct, simple and mellifluous. He wrote in a lucid style and believed that poetry is not only about the complexities of life. Even commonplace things and every day occurrences can be the subject of great poetry. He stressed the fact that good poetry is spontaneous.

Kavimani was adept at combining the art of story-telling and poetry-writing. The anthology "Malarum Maalaiyum" abounds in poems that narrate a tale. A very good example is the poem that tells the story of the thirsty crow.

Kavimani also excelled in writing poems for children. These poems are remarkable for their musical quality and simplicity. His experiences as a school teacher brought him closer to children and his poems reflect his profound understanding of their innocent world.

A deeply religious man, Kavimani wrote a number of Bakthi poems on various Hindu gods and goddesses. Men, he wrote, must strive to find the god within themselves.

Though Kavimani did not take part in the freedom struggle, he was a great admirer of Mahatma Gandhi. Like Gandhi, he was deeply moved by the story of Raja Harichandra and upheld truth as the noblest virtue. He was also attracted by the Buddhist philosophy. These were part of his poetic themes and testify to his spirit of nationalism.

Kavimani's poems also display his urge to reform society. He spoke strongly against untouchability and caste divisions. He insisted that hard work and unity is the key to political freedom and economic progress. Along with Barathiyaar and Barathidaasan Kavimani shared a deep love for the Tamil language. He wrote poems celebrating the greatness of Tamil language.