Kaniyan Poongunranar, also Poongundranar or Pungundranar (), was an influential Tamil Just World philosopher from the Sangam age from around 6th century BCE. His name Kaniyan implies that he was an Kaala Kanithar (astronomer) (kaala kanitham in Tamil literally means mathematics of date, time and place). Kaniyan was born and brought up in Mahibalanpatti, a village panchayat in Tamil Nadu's Sivaganga district. He composed two poems in Purananuru and Natrinai.
Poongundranar rejected division of mankind into various categories and emphasised the universality of all humans. The Tamil bards and intellectuals of the time of Poongundranar and those preceding his age considered that all humans, whatever their rank or station in life, were alike.
Poongundranar states that the wooden log is carried by the water in its direction and similarly postulates that everything in life will also follow karma. This he calls 'Way of Order'().
Throughout his poem, Poongundranar lays down the principles of his version of natural law. The first part of the poem deals with the basic principles of the 'Way of Order'() which is his term for natural law.
Poongundranar further goes onto explain these principles with an example of a raft.
Poongundranar was extremely influential in the revivalist Self-respect movement. The sentence "Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir" has been adopted as the motto of the World Thamizh Confederation to represent Tamil people.
The quote "Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir" is at present depicted in the United Nations Organisation. G. G. Ponnambalam concluded his 1966 address to the 21st session of the United Nations General Assembly by invoking this quote. A. P. J Abdul Kalam was the first one to quote this famous quote in European Union Historical Speech by Abdul Kalam in European Union, another one is Narendra Modi who quoted it in 74th Session of the UN General Assembly.
The first musical form of Yaadhum Oore poem was composed by composer Raleigh Rajan and was chosen as the theme song of 10th World Tamil Conference. It has been sung by Academy nominated singer Bombay Jayashri and Karthik (singer) among other international artists. It was part of the album and became commercially successful, featuring in Amazon's Top#10 International Music albums.