Udumalai Narayana Kavi (25 September 1899 – 23 May 1981) was an Indian poet and lyricist known for his work in Tamil films.

Udumalai Narayana was born on 25 September 1899 in Poolavadi, a small village in Udumalaipettai taluk, Tiruppur district, Tamil Nadu, India.

With the help of his brother, he made a small living selling matchboxes to the nearby villages.

[1] Many movies that Narayana Kavi wrote lyrics for in 1940s and 1950s were box office hits; thee include Velaikari, Nallathambi, Poompuhar, Parasakthiand Manohara.

[2] What made Narayana Kavi very popular was his ability to use simple language that could be understood even by general public.