Ettayapuram is a town in Thoothukudi district (also known as Tuticorin district). It is notable for being the birthplace of the great Tamil Poet Subramanya Bharathy (Mahakavi Bharathiar). Muthuswami Dikshitar, one of the triad of Carnatic music also was patronised in his final years by the ruler of Ettayapuram. Umaru Pulavar a Tamil Islamic poet also lived here. Subramanya Bharathy, deemed as one of the greatest poets of twentieth-century. He was born here on 11 December 1882. A prolific writer, philosopher and a great visionary of immense genius and perspicacity, Bharathiar was also one of the most prominent leaders of the Indian independence movement in South India. His house in Ettayapuram has now been converted into a memorial The Cancellation depicts Subramanya Bharathiar Memorial.
(Note: It appears that old cancellation has been replaced with new cancellation with new design. New design depicts sketch of eyes and moustache of poet Subramanya Bharathiar.)