Subramanya Bharathi was a renowned Tamil poet, reformer and freedom fighter during the pre-independence era. He is called Mahakavi, meaning, ‘Great Poet’ in Tamil. His name is counted amongst the most celebrated bards of the country. He was an expert in both prose and poetry and enticed the masses to join the great Indian struggle for Independence with his powerful speeches. His contemporaries included the likes of Mahatma Gandhi, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Sri Aurobindo and V.V.S. Aiyar.  

Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar was fluent in many languages including Tamil, Bengali, Hindi, Sanskrit, and English. He often referred to Tamil as 'Tamil Thai ' (Mother Tamil). He started his career in journalism by joining as assistant editor of a Tamil daily 'Swadeshamitran' in 1904. Soon thereafter, he became the editor of a Tamil weekly 'India' and another newspaper 'Bala Bharatham' in 1907.

He was born to Chinnasami Subramanya Iyer and Lakshmi Ammaal as "Subbayya" on December 11, 1882 in Ettayapuram. He was skilled enough to write verse even at the early age of seven. Bharathi lost his mother at the age of 5 and his father at the age of 16. He was brought up by his strict disciplinarian father who wanted him to learn English, excel in arithmetic, become an engineer and lead a comfortable life. However, Bharathi was given to day dreaming and could not concentrate on his studies. In 1897, 14 year old Bharathi, married his seven year younger cousin, Chellamal.

The last years of Bharathi’s life were spent in a house in Triplicane, Chennai. This house was bought and renovated by the Government of Tamil Nadu in 1993 and named 'Bharathiyar Illam’. It was opened to public as a museum on October 2, 1993. The museum is open from 09:00-12:30 hrs and 14:00-17:45 hrs on all days except Mondays.  It is a must see tourist spot when visiting Chennai.

The house takes us back to the life and times of Mahakavi Bharathi. Photographs of Bharathiyar and his family and friends are displayed here. Also his hand written verses are framed and displayed. They give us a wonderful glimpse of his powerful writing. In a letter to his brother, we can see his affection where he advices his brother to take oil bath and to use scarfs in cold climate. A letter to his friend Nellaiappar and a letter from Mahatma Gandhi to mark the occasion of the opening of Bharathiyar Mani Mandapam in Ettayapuram in 1947 are also displayed. Bharathi was struck by an elephant at the Parthasarathy temple, Triplicane, Chennai. He used to feed this elephant regularly. Although he survived this accident, a few months later his health deteriorated and he died on September 11, 1921.