This is a list of notable

Tamils The Tamil people, also known as Tamilar ( ta, தமிழர், Tamiḻar, translit-std=ISO, in the singular or ta, தமிழர்கள், Tamiḻarkaḷ, translit-std=ISO, label=none, in the plural), or simply Tamils (), are a Drav ...

Ancient Kings and Rulers

Tamil dynasties

Chola dynasty The Chola dynasty was a Tamil thalassocratic empire of southern India and one of the longest-ruling dynasties in the history of the world. The earliest datable references to the Chola are from inscriptions dated to the 3rd century BCE ...

* Pandya dynasty * Chera dynasty *

Pallava dynasty The Pallava dynasty existed from 275 CE to 897 CE, ruling a significant portion of the Deccan, also known as Tondaimandalam. The dynasty rose to prominence after the downfall of the Satavahana dynasty, with whom they had formerly served as f ...

Ay dynasty Ay (short from of Ayar) was one of the Tamil dynasties which controlled the south-western tip of the peninsula, from the early historic period up to the medieval period.The clan traditionally held sway over the harbour of Vizhinjam, the fert ...

* Velir dynasty *

Aryacakravarti dynasty The Arya Chakravarti dynasty ( ta, ஆரியச் சக்கரவர்த்திகள் வம்சம், Sinhalese: ආර්ය චක්‍රවර්තී රාජවංශය) were kings of the Jaffna Kingdom in Sri Lank ...

* Vanni dynasty *

Rajahnate of Cebu Cebu, or Sugbu, also called the Cebu Rajanate, was an Indianized raja (monarchical) mandala (polity) on the island of Cebu in the Philippines prior to the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. It is known in ancient Chinese records as the na ...

Other royal families

* Rulers of Ramnad ** Ramanatha Sethupathi (?–1979), last Raja of

Ramnad estate The Kingdom of Ramnad or Ramnad estate was a permanently settled kingdom and later ''zamindari'' estate that existed in the Ramnad subdivision of the Madurai district and later Ramnad district of the erstwhile Madras Presidency in British Indi ...

** Rajeswari Nachiyar, only daughter of last Raja Ramanatha Sethupathi, present titular ruler of

Rajkumar Sethupathi Rajkumar Sethupathy is an Indian actor who acts predominantly in Malayalam and Tamil films. He has acted in 50 movies in both Malayalam and Tamil films. He started his film career in the Tamil film ''Soolam'', directed by M. Bhaskar, then with ...

, actor, brother of last Raja Ramanatha Sethupathi and Latha, married leading actress in the 1980s Sripriya ** Latha, actress, sister of last Raja Ramanatha Sethupathi and actor Rajkumar Sethupathi * Rulers of Pudukkottai ** Rajagopala Thondaiman (1922–1997), last ruler of the princely state of Pudukkottai ** R. Rajagopala Thondaiman (1958–?), present head of the royal house of Pudukkottai, son of Radhakrishna Thondaiman, nephew of last ruler Rajagopala Thondaiman ** Charubala Thondaiman (1958–), wife of R. Rajagopala Thondaiman, member of the INC, former mayor of Tiruchirappalli (2001–2009)

Governor-Generals, Presidents and Vice Presidents

C. Rajagopalachari Chakravarti Rajagopalachari (10 December 1878 – 25 December 1972), popularly known as Rajaji or C.R., also known as Mootharignar Rajaji (Rajaji'', the Scholar Emeritus''), was an Indian statesman, writer, lawyer, and independence activis ...

(1878–1972), Governor-General of India (1948–1950) * S. Radhakrishnan (1888–1975), President of India (1962–1967) and Vice President of India (1952–1962) *

R. Venkataraman Ramaswamy Venkataraman (, 4 December 191027 January 2009) was an Indian lawyer, Indian independence activist and politician who served as a Union Minister and as the eighth president of India. Venkataraman was born in Rajamadam village in Ta ...

(1910–2009), President of India (1987–1992) and Vice President of India (1984–1987) * Veerasamy Ringadoo (1920–2000), Governor-General of Mauritius (1986–1992) * Veerasamy Ringadoo (1920–2000), President of Mauritius (1992–1992) * A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (1931–2015), President of India (2002–2007) * S. R. Nathan (1924–2016), President of Singapore (2002–2011) * Angidi Veeriah Chettiar (1928–2010), Acting President of Mauritius (2002–2002) * Ariranga Govindasamy Pillay (1945–), Acting President of Mauritius (2002–2002) *

Kamala Harris Kamala Devi Harris ( ; born October 20, 1964) is an American politician and attorney who is the 49th vice president of the United States. She is the first female vice president and the highest-ranking female official in U.S. history, as well ...

(1964–), Vice President of the United States (2021– present)

Prime Ministers

Moses Nagamootoo Moses Veerasammy Nagamootoo (Tamil: மோசஸ் வீராசாமி நாகமுத்து; born 30 November 1947) is a Guyanese politician, writer and novelist who served as the Prime Minister of Guyana under former President Da ...

(1947–), Prime Minister of Guyana (2015–2020)

Multinational positions

Radhika Coomaraswamy Deshamanya Radhika Coomaraswamy (born 17 September 1953)is a Sri Lankan lawyer, diplomat and human rights advocate who served as the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict until 13 ...

(1953–), Under-Secretary-General of the

United Nations The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization whose stated purposes are to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmoniz ...

, Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict * James Appathurai (1968–), Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs, Ex-spokesperson for NATO, *

Roy Padayachie Radhakrishna Lutchmana "Roy" Padayachie (1 May 1950 – 5 May 2012) was the Minister of Public Service and Administration of the Republic of South Africa. He died in the early hours of 5 May 2012 in an Ethiopian hotel room, while on an offic ...

(1950–2012), Minister of Public Service and Administration of the Republic of South Africa; also served in the economics desk of the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal and as deputy head of local government portfolio; consultant to UNICEF, UNESCO and the World Bank *

Sundar Pichai Pichai Sundararajan (born June 10, 1972), better known as Sundar Pichai (), is an Indian-American business executive. He is the chief executive officer (CEO) of Alphabet Inc. and its subsidiary Google. Born in Madurai, India, Pichai earned hi ...

, CEO of Google *

Indra Nooyi Indra Nooyi (née Krishnamurthy; born October 28, 1955) is an Indian-American business executive and former chief executive officer and chairperson of PepsiCo. She has consistently ranked among the world's 100 most powerful women. In 2014, sh ...

, Indian-American business executive and former chairman and

chief executive officer A chief executive officer (CEO), also known as a central executive officer (CEO), chief administrator officer (CAO) or just chief executive (CE), is one of a number of corporate executives charged with the management of an organization especial ...

(CEO) of PepsiCo *

Raghuram Rajan Raghuram Govind Rajan (born 3 February 1963) is an Indian economist and the Katherine Dusak Miller Distinguished Service Professor of Finance at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Quote: "I am an Indian citizen. I have always b ...

, former IMF Chief Economist

Independence movement

Indian independence movement

* Nagappan Padayatchi(1891 – 6 July 1909) *

Maveeran Alagumuthu Kone Maveeran Alagumuthu Kone (11 July 1710 – 19 July 1759), from Kattalankulam in Thoothukudi District, was an Indian polygar who revolted against the British presence. In Tamil Nadu he waged a war against the Presidency armies from 1750 - 1 ...

(1710–1757) *

Puli Thevar Puli Thevar was a Tamil Palaiyakkarar who ruled Nerkattumseval, situated in the Sankarankoil taluk, Tenkasi,formerly Tirunelveli Tamil Nadu. He is notable fighting against East India Company from May 22, 1752 - 1767 in India. Worship of God ...

(1715–1767) *

Marudhanayagam pillai Maruthanayagam Pillai (1725 – 15 October 1764), was the commandant of the British East India Company's Madras Army . He was born in a Tamil Vellalar family in a village called Panaiyur in British India, what is now in Nainarkoil Taluk, Raman ...

(1725–1764) *

Veerapandiya kattabomman Veerapandiya Kattabomman was an 18th-century Tamil Palayakarrar and king of Panchalankurichi in Tamil Nadu, India. He refused to accept the sovereignty of the British East India Company and waged a war against them. He was captured by the Briti ...

(1760–1799) *

Rani Velu Nachiar Rani Velu Nachiyar (3 January 1730 – 25 December 1796) was a queen of Sivaganga estate from 1780–1790. She was the first Indian queen to wage war with the East India Company in India.Rettamalai Srinivasan Diwan Bahadur Rettamalai Srinivasan (7 July 1860 - 18 September 1945), commonly known as R. Srinivasan, was a Scheduled Caste activist and politician from then Madras Presidency of British India (now the Indian state of Tamil Nadu). He is a Para ...

(1860–1945) *

Dheeran Chinnamalai Dheeran Chinnamalai (17 April 1756 – 31 July 1805) was a Palayakkarar and Pattakarar who fought against the British East India Company. Early life Dheeran Chinnamalai was born on April 17, 1756 in present-day Kangeyam, to a noble family. Hi ...

Subramanya Bharathi C. Subramania Bharathi Birth name: C. Subramaniyan, the person's given name: Subramaniyan, father's given name: Chinnaswami. (C. Subramaniyan by the prevalent patronymic initials as prefix naming system in Tamil Nadu and it is Subramaniyan C ...

(1882–1921), poet and social reformer * V. Kalyanasundaram (1883–1953), scholar * Subramaniya Siva (1884–1925), writer * Jeevanandham (1907–1963) *

Champakaraman Pillai Chempakaraman Pillai, alias Venkidi, (15 September 1891 – 26 May 1934) was an Indian-born political activist and revolutionary. Born in Thiruvananthapuram, to Tamil Pillai parents, he left for Europe as a youth, where he spent the rest of hi ...

(1891–1934) * Tiruppur Kumaran (1904–1932) *

K. Kamaraj Kumaraswami Kamaraj (15 July 1903 – 2 October 1975, hinduonnet.com. 15–28 September 2001), popularly known as Kamarajar was an Indian independence activist and politician who served as the Chief Minister of Madras State (Tamil Nadu) ...

(1903–1975) *

Veeran Sundaralingam Sundaralinga Kudumbanar (died 1799), also known as "Veeran" Sundaralingam Kudumbanar, was an 18th-century CE general from Tamil Nadu, India. Fight against British He was a general of the Poligar Veerapandiya Kattabomman in their fight against ...

(1770–1799) * Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar (30 October 1908 - 30 October 1963)

Independence movements in other countries

Velupillai Prabhakaran Velupillai Prabhakaran (; ta, வேலுப்பிள்ளை பிரபாகரன்; , (26 November 1954 – 18 May 2009) was a Sri Lankan Tamil guerrilla and the founder and leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) ...

(1954–2009), founder and leader of

Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE; ta, தமிழீழ விடுதலைப் புலிகள், translit=Tamiḻīḻa viṭutalaip pulikaḷ, si, දෙමළ ඊළාම් විමුක්ති කොටි, t ...

, fighting for independent Tamil state in Sri Lanka,

Tamil Eelam Tamil Eelam ( ta, தமிழீழம், ''tamiḻ īḻam''; generally rendered outside Tamil-speaking areas as தமிழ் ஈழம்) is a proposed independent state that many Tamils in Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora ...

* Thillaiaadi Valliammai (1898–1914), South African militant *

Captain Miller Vallipuram Vasanthan ( ta, வல்லிப்புரம் வசந்தன்; 1 January 1966 – 5 July 1987; commonly known by the nom de guerre Captain Miller) was a Sri Lankan Tamil member of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam ( ...

(1966–1987) Tamil rebel and member of the

Tamil Tigers The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE; ta, தமிழீழ விடுதலைப் புலிகள், translit=Tamiḻīḻa viṭutalaip pulikaḷ, si, දෙමළ ඊළාම් විමුක්ති කොටි, t ...

, a separatist Tamil militant organisation in Sri Lanka. He is known as the LTTE's first

Black Tiger A black tiger is a rare colour variant of the tiger, and is not a distinct species or geographic subspecies. Description There are reports and one painting (now lost) of pure black non-striped tigers (true melanistic tigers). Most black mammal ...

(suicide bomber). * V. T. Sambanthan (1919–1979), one of the three founding fathers of

Malaysia Malaysia ( ; ) is a country in Southeast Asia. The federation, federal constitutional monarchy consists of States and federal territories of Malaysia, thirteen states and three federal territories, separated by the South China Sea into two r ...

* Pon Sivakumaran (1950–1974), was a Eelam Tamil rebel and the first

Tamil militant Sri Lankan Tamil militant groups rose to prominence in the 1970s to fight the state of Sri Lanka in order to create an independent Tamil Eelam in the north of Sri Lanka. They rose in response to the perception among minority Sri Lankan Tamils th ...

to commit suicide by swallowing

cyanide Cyanide is a naturally occurring, rapidly acting, toxic chemical that can exist in many different forms. In chemistry, a cyanide () is a chemical compound that contains a functional group. This group, known as the cyano group, consists of ...

Ponnambalam Ramanathan Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan, CMG, KC ( ta, பொன்னம்பலம் இராமநாதன், translit=Poṉṉampalam Irāmanātaṉ; 16 April 1851 – 26 November 1930) was a Ceylon Tamil lawyer, politician and Solicitor-General ...

, leader in the Sri Lankan independence movement *

Ponnambalam Arunachalam Ponnambalam Arunachalam ( ta, பொன்னம்பலம் அருணாசலம், translit=Poṉṉampalam Aruṇācalam; 14 September 1853 – 9 January 1924) was a Ceylonese civil servant and a member of the Executive Council of Cey ...

, leader in the Sri Lankan independence movement * Cankili I also known as Cekaracacekaran VII, is the most remembered Jaffna kingdom king in the Eelam Tamil history. He was very active in resisting Portuguese colonial inroads into

Eelam Eelam ( ta, ஈழம், ''īḻam'', , also spelled Eezham, Ilam or Izham in English) is the native Tamil name for the South Asian island now known as Sri Lanka. The exact etymology and the original meaning of the word are not clearly know ...

. *

Cankili II Cankili II ( ta, சங்கிலி குமாரன், translit=Caṅkili Kumāraṉ; died 1619) was the last king of the Jaffna kingdom and was a usurper who came to throne with a palace massacre of the royal prince and the regent Ara ...

was known as the last King of the Jaffna Kingdom * Arumaipperumal was Batticaloa chieftain in the 18th century who led a rebellion against the British colonial occupiers in 1803 *

Pandara Vanniyan Pandara Vanniyan ( ta, பண்டார வன்னியன், Paṇṭāra Vaṉṉiyaṉ, si, වන්නි බණ්ඩාර, Vanni Baṇḍāra) was a Tamil Chieftain who ruled in Vanni Nadu in 18th century AD. He is referred to ...

(1775–1810) was a

Tamil Tamil may refer to: * Tamils, an ethnic group native to India and some other parts of Asia **Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka also called ilankai tamils **Tamil Malaysians, Tamil people native to Malaysia * Tamil language, nativ ...

Chieftain who ruled in Vanni Nadu in 18th century AD. He is referred to by some as the last Tamil king in Sri Lanka, who also rose to revolt against the British Ceylon empire and Dutch Ceylon empire, who died battling the British colonial rule on the island. *

Periyapillai Periyapillai ( ta, பெரியபிள்ளை) (died 1582) was of one of the Aryacakravarti rulers of Jaffna kingdom who followed in the chaotic period after the death of Cankili I(1519–1561). Some sources claim that he deposed the Cank ...

He is known to mount the major attack on the

Portuguese Portuguese may refer to: * anything of, from, or related to the country and nation of Portugal ** Portuguese cuisine, traditional foods ** Portuguese language, a Romance language *** Portuguese dialects, variants of the Portuguese language ** Portu ...

fort in the

Mannar Island Mannar Island ( ; ta, மன்னார் தீவு, Maṉṉār tīvu; si, මන්නාරම් දූපත, Mannāram dūpata), formerly spelt Manar Island, which lies off the north-western coast of Sri Lanka, is part of Mannar ...

to regain territory lost during Cankili's rule *

Migapulle Arachchi Migapulle Arachchi ( or ) also known as ''Chinna Migapillai'', was a feudal lord from the Jaffna Kingdom who became a rebel leader just after its annexation by the Portuguese Empire in 1619. His title ''Arachchi'', is a title given to the commanders ...

also known as Chinna Migapillai, was a feudal lord from the Jaffna Kingdom who became a rebel leader just after its annexation by the Portuguese Empire in 1619. His title Arachchi, is a title given to the commanders of

Lascarins Lascarins ( si, ලස්කිරිඤ්ඤ, translit=laskiriñña'','' or Lascareen, Lascoreen and Lascarine) is a term used in Sri Lanka to identify indigenous soldiers who fought for the Portuguese during the Portuguese era (1505–1658) ...

or native military forces. *

Varunakulattan Varunakulattan (also identified as Khem Nayak or Chem Nayak) was a 17th-century feudal lord and military commander from the Jaffna Kingdom. He led a rebellion as the military commander of Thanjavur Nayak against the Portuguese in their conquest o ...

was a 17th-century feudal lord and military commander from the Jaffna Kingdom. He led a rebellion as the military commander of Thanjavur Nayak against the Portuguese in their conquest of the Jaffna kingdom in 1619. Although the nominal king was Cankili II, Varunakulattan was described as the king of Karaiyars, and wield the real power in the Jaffna Peninsula. *

Puviraja Pandaram Puviraja Pandaram ( ta, புவிராஜ பண்டாரம்) (died 1591) ruled the Jaffna kingdom during a period of chaos during and after the death of his father Cankili I in 1565. He became king in 1561 following a local uprising a ...

Kasi Nayinar Pararacacekaran Kasi Nayinar Pararacacekaran ( ta, காசி நயினார் பரராஜசேகரன்) (died 1570) was of one of the Aryacakravarti The Arya Chakravarti dynasty ( ta, ஆரியச் சக்கரவர்த்திக ...

Ethirimana Cinkam Ethirimanna Cinkam ( ta, எதிர்மன்னசிங்கம்) (died 1617) was the penultimate ruler of the Aryacakravarti line of Kings of the Jaffna Kingdom in northern Sri Lanka. He came to power due to the second Portuguese expedi ...

Contributions to Tamil people

Marshal Nesamony A. Nesamony, sometimes known as Marshal Nesamony, was a political leader from Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India. He was the second son of Kesavan Appavu Nadar, born on 12 June 1895 at Nesarpuram, Palliyadi in Vilavancode Taluk, Kanya ...

(1895–1968), responsible for Kanyakumari district merger with Tamil Nadu *

Varadarajan Mudaliar Sathuvachari Varadarajan Mudaliar (9 October 1926 – 2 January 1988), also known as Vardhabhai and Vardha, was an Indian crime boss. From the early 1960s to the 1980s, he was, along with Karim Lala and Haji Mastan, one of the most powerful ...

(1926–1988), known as Vardha Bhai; the Tamil movie ''

Nayakan ''Nayakan'' (; ) is a 1987 Indian Tamil-language gangster film written and directed by Mani Ratnam. Produced by Muktha Srinivasan, the film stars Kamal Haasan, Saranya (in her feature debut) and Karthika, with Janagaraj, Vijayan, M. V. Vasu ...

'' was based on his life story * Thamizhavel G. Sarangapani, Singaporean Tamil pioneer

Governors of states

(1878–1972), Governor of West Bengal (1947–1948) *

P. S. Kumaraswamy Raja Poosapati Sanjeevi Kumaraswamy Raja (8 July 1898 – 16 March 1957) was an Indian politician who served as the last Chief Minister of Madras Presidency from 6 April 1949 to 26 January 1950 and first Chief Minister of Madras State from 26 January ...

(1898–1957), Governor of Odisha (1954–1956) *

Jothi Venkatachalam Jothi Venkatachalam (born 27 October 1917, date of death unknown) was an Indian politician who served as Governor of Kerala and Member of the Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu. Life and career Jothi Venkatachalam was born in Maymyo, hill cit ...

(1917–unknown), Governor of Kerala (1977–1982) *

P. Ramachandran P. Ramachandran (11 July 1921 – 23 May 2001) was an Indian politician and Member of the Legislative Assembly. In parliament he represented Tamil Nadu. He was also Governor of Kerala (1982–1988). In the assembly he was elected from Pe ...

(1921–2001), Governor of Kerala (1982–1988) * T. V. Rajeswar (1926–2018), Governor of Sikkim (1985–1989), West Bengal (1989–1990) and Uttar Pradesh (2004–2009) *

C. Rangarajan Chakravarthi Rangarajan (born 1932) is an Indian economist, a former Member of Parliament and 19th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India. He is the former Chairman of the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council, he resigned the day the UPA ...

(1932–), Governor of Andhra Pradesh (1997–2003) * Sasindran Muthuvel (1974–), Governor for West New Britain Province (2012–incumbent) *

E. S. L. Narasimhan Ekkadu Srinivasan Lakshmi Narasimhan (born 1945) is an Indian former civil servant and politician who served as the first Governor of Telangana. He assumed office of the Governor of United Andhra Pradesh in December 2009 to 01 June 2014,He was ...

(1945–), Governor of Chhattisgarh (2007–2010), Andhra Pradesh (2007–incumbent) and Telangana (2014–2019) *

P. Sathasivam Palanisamy Sathasivam (born 27 April 1949) is an Indian judge who served as the 40th Chief Justice of India, holding the office from 2013 to 2014. On retirement from his judicial career, Sathasivam was appointed the 21st List of governors of K ...

(1949–), Governor of Kerala (2014–2019) *

V. Shanmuganathan V Shanmuganathan (born 21 November 1949) was the Governor of the Indian state of Meghalaya, in office from 2015 to 26 January 2017. A veteran from Tamil Nadu, he also held an additional charge as Governor of Arunachal Pradesh from September 2 ...

(1949–), Governor of Manipur (2015–2016), Meghalaya (2015–2017) and Arunachal Pradesh (Additional charge) (2016–2017) *

Tamilisai Soundararajan Tamilisai Soundararajan (born 2 June 1961) is an Indian politician serving as the 2nd and current Governor of Telangana, and is the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry (Additional charge) since 18 February 2021. She was the National Secretary an ...

(1961–), Governor of Telangana (2019–Incumbent) *

La. Ganesan La. Ganesan Iyer (born 16 February 1945) is an Indian politician who is serving as the List of governors of Manipur, Governor of Manipur since 27 August 2021 and also served additionally as List of governors of West Bengal, Governor of West Be ...

(1945–), Governor of Manipur (2021–2023), West Bengal (Additional charge) (2022) and Nagaland (2023–Incumbent) * C. P. Radhakrishnan (1957–), Governor of Jharkhand (2023–Incumbent)

Lieutenant Governors of union territories

(1961–), Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry (Additional charge) (2021–Incumbent)

Chief Ministers

C. V. Vigneswaran Canagasabapathy Visuvalingam Vigneswaran, PC ( ta, கனகசபாபதி விசுவலிங்கம் விக்னேஸ்வரன், translit=Kaṉakacapāpati Vicuvaliṅkam Vikṉēsvaraṉ; si, කනකසභාපත� ...

(1939–), Chief Minister of Northern province of Sri Lanka (2013–2018) * S. Chandrakanthan (1975–), Chief Minister of Eastern province of Sri Lanka (2008–2012) * P. Subbarayan (1889–1962), Chief Minister of Madras Presidency (1926–1930) * P. T. Rajan (1892–1974), Chief Minister of Madras Presidency (1936–1936) *

(1878–1972), Chief Minister of Madras Presidency (1947–1949) and Tamil Nadu (1952–1954) * Omanthur P. Ramaswamy Reddiar (1895–1970), Chief Minister of Madras Presidency (1947–1949) *

(1898–1957), Chief Minister of Madras Presidency (1949–1950) and Tamil Nadu (1950–1952) *

(1903–1975), Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (1954–1963) * M. Bhakthavatsalam (1897–1987), Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (1963–1967) * V. Venkatasubba Reddiar (1909–1982), Chief Minister of Puducherry (1964–1967; 1968–1968) *

C. N. Annadurai Conjeevaram Natarajan Annadurai (15 September 1909 – 3 February 1969), popularly known as Anna also known as Arignar Anna or Perarignar Anna (''Anna, the scholar'' or ''Elder Brother''), was an Indian Tamil politician who served as the fo ...

(1909–1969), Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (1967–1969) * V. R. Nedunchezhiyan (1920–2000), Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (1969–1969; 1987–1988) * M. Karunanidhi (1924–2018), Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (1969–1976; 1989–1991; 1996–2001; 2006–2011) * S. Ramassamy (1939–2017), Chief Minister of Puducherry (1974–1974; 1977–1978) *

M. G. Ramachandran Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran (17 January 1917 24 December 1987), also popularly known as M.G.R., was an Indian politician, actor, philanthropist, and filmmaker who served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu from 1977 until his death in 1987 ...

(1917–1987), Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (1977–1987) *

V. N. Janaki Ramachandran Vaikom Narayani Janaki (30 November 192319 May 1996), also known as Janaki Ramachandran, was an Indian politician, actress and activist who served as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu for 23 days after the death of her husband M. G. Ramachandra ...

(1924–1996), Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (1988–1988) * J. Jayalalithaa (1948–2016), Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (1991–1996; 2001–2001; 2002–2006; 2011–2014; 2015–2016) * V. Vaithilingam (1950–), Chief Minister of Puducherry (1991–1996; 2008–2011) *

P. Shanmugam P. Shanmugham (25 March 1927 – 2 February 2013) (Born to Panchanatha Mudaliyar - Gowri) was the Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Pondicherry. He served from 22 March 2000 to 27 October 2001. A staunch loyalist of the Nehru-Gandhi ...

(1927–2013), Chief Minister of Puducherry (2000–2001) * O. Panneerselvam (1951–), Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (2001–2002; 2014–2015; 2016–2017) *

N. Rangasamy Natesan Krishnasamy Rangasamy (born 4 August 1950) is an Indian politician who is the Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Puducherry. He previously served as last Chief Minister of Pondicherry from 2001 to 2006 and first Chief Minister ...

(1950–), Chief Minister of Puducherry (2001–2008; 2011–2016; 2021–Incumbent) * V. Narayanasamy (1947–), Chief Minister of Puducherry (2016–2021) *

Edappadi K. Palaniswami Edappadi K. Palaniswami (born 12 May 1954), also known as E.P.S., is an Indian politician and the leader of opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. He served as the 7th Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, from 2017 to 2021. He has been th ...

(1954–), Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (2017–2021) *

M. K. Stalin Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin ( , born 1 March 1953), often referred to by his initials MKS, is an Indian Tamil politician serving as the 8th and current Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. The son of the former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, Stalin ...

(1953–), Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (2021–Incumbent)

Deputy Chief Ministers

(1953–), Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (2009–2011) * O. Panneerselvam (1951–), Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (2017–2021)

Union Ministers

R. K. Shanmukham Chetty Sir Ramasamy Chetty Kandasamy Shanmukham Chetty KCIE (17 October 1892 – 5 May 1953) was an Indian lawyer, economist and politician who served as first Finance Minister of India from 1947 to 1948. He also served as President of India's Centr ...

(1892–1953), Minister of Finance (1947–1948) *

N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar Diwan Bahadur Sir Narasimha Gopalaswami Ayyangar (31 March 1882 – 10 February 1953) was an Indian civil servant and statesman, who served as the Prime Minister of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir (princely state), Jammu and Kashmi ...

(1882–1953), Minister of Defence (1952–1953) *

K. Santhanam Kasturiranga Santhanam (1895 – 28 February 1980), also known as Kumitithadal Santhanam, was an Indian politician. He was a conservative Iyengar from Tamil Nadu. Early life Santhanam obtained a Master of Arts degree in mathematics from the U ...

(1895–1980), Minister of State for Transport and Railways (1948–1952) *

(1878–1972), Minister of Home Affairs (1950–1951) * P. Subbarayan (1889–1962), Minister of Transport and Communications (1959–1962) * C. Subramaniam (1910–2000), Minister of Defence (1979–1980) *

Mohan Kumaramangalam Surendra Mohan Kumaramangalam ( ta, சுரேந்திர மோகன் குமாரமங்கலம்) (1 November 1916 — 30 May 1973) was an Indian politician and communist theorist who was a member of the Communist Party of I ...

(1916–1973), Minister of Steel and Mines (1971–1973) *

Sathiavani Muthu Sathyavani Muthu (15 February 1923 – 11 November 1999) was an Indian politician and an influential leader from Chennai, Tamil Nadu. She was a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu, Rajya Sabha member and Union Minister. She began h ...

(1923–1999), Minister of Social Welfare (1979–1979) * A. Bala Pajanor (1935–2013), Minister of Petroleum, Chemicals and Fertilizers (1979–1979) *

P. Chidambaram Palaniappan Chidambaram (born 16 September 1945), better known as P. Chidambaram, is an Indian politician and lawyer who currently serves as Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha. He served as the Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee ...

(1945–), Minister of Finance (2012–2014) *

Murasoli Maran Murasoli Maran (17 August 1934 – 23 November 2003) was an Indian politician and an important leader of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party which was headed by his maternal uncle and mentor, M. Karunanidhi. A Member of Parliament for 3 ...

(1934–2003), Minister of Commerce and Industry (1999–2002) *

Subramanian Swamy Subramanian Swamy (born 15 September 1939) is an Indian politician, economist and statistician. Before joining politics, he was a professor of Mathematical Economics at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. He is known for his Hindu n ...

(1939–), Minister of Commerce, Law and Justice (1990–1991) * M. Arunachalam (1944–2004), Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers (1997–1998) * T. R. Baalu (1941–), Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways (2004–2009) * P. R. Kumaramangalam (1952–2000), Minister of Power (1998–2000) * R. Muthiah (1945–), Minister of Surface Transport (1998–1998) * M. Thambidurai (1947–), Minister of Law, Justice, Company Affairs and Surface Transport (1998–1999) * R. K. Kumar (1942–1999), Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Finance (1998–1998) * Kadambur M. R. Janarthanan (1929–2020), Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions and Finance (1998–1999) * K. Ramamurthy (1940–2002), Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas (1998–1999) * Gingee N. Ramachandran (1944–), Minister of State for Textiles (2003–2003) * A. Raja (1963–), Minister of Communications and Information Technology (2009–2010) *

Pon Radhakrishnan Pon Radhakrishnan (born 1 March 1952) is an Indian politician from Tamil Nadu, representing the Bharatiya Janata Party. He was the Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Shipping between May 2014 and May 2019. Earlier, ...

(1952–), Minister of State for Finance (2017–2019) * K. Jana Krishnamurthy (1928–2007), Minister of Law and Justice (2002–2003) * A. K. Moorthy (1964–), Minister of State for Railways (2002–2004) * M. K. Alagiri (1951–), Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers (2009–2013) * G. K. Vasan (1964–), Minister of Shipping (2009–2014) * Anbumani Ramadoss (1968–), Minister of Health and Family Welfare (2004–2009) *

Mani Shankar Aiyar Mani Shankar Aiyar (born 10 April 1941) is an Indian politician and former career civil servant diplomat. He is a member of the Indian National Congress Party. He represented the Mayiladuthurai constituency of Tamil Nadu in the 10th Lok Sabha, ...

(1941–), Minister of Panchayati Raj (2004–2009) * S. S. Palanimanickam (1950–), Minister of State for Finance (2004–2013) * K. Venkatapathy (1947–), Minister of State for Law and Justice (2004–2009) * Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan (1947–), Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment (2004–2009) *

R. Velu Rangasamy Velu (born 25 July 1940), is an Indian politician of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) party. He has been elected to 14th Lok Sabha as Union Minister of State, Railways from Arakkonam Lok Sabha constituency of Tamil Nadu from 2004 to 20 ...

(1940–), Minister of State for Railways (2004–2009) * S. Regupathy (1950–), Minister of State for Environment and Forests (2007–2009) *

Dayanidhi Maran Dayanidhi Murasoli Maran (born 5 December 1966) is an Indian politician and one of the prominent members of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party. He was elected thrice as a Member of Parliament to Lok Sabha from Chennai Central constituency during ...

(1966–), Minister of Textiles (2009–2011) * V. Radhika Selvi (1976–), Minister of State for Home Affairs (2007–2009) * D. Nepoleon (1963–), Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment (2009–2013) *

S. Jagathrakshakan S. Jagathrakshakan (born 15 August 1950 in Kalingamali, Villupuram district in Tamil Nadu) is an Indian Tamil businessman and politician. He did his matriculation at Valudavur. He is a member of Lok Sabha of India from Arakkonam constituency of ...

(1950–), Minister of State for Commerce and Industry (2012–2013) * V. Narayanasamy (1947–), Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (2010–2014) *

Nirmala Sitharaman Nirmala Sitharaman (born 18 August 1959) is an Indian economist and politician serving as the Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs of India since 2019. She is a member of the Rajya Sabha, upper house of the Indian Parliament, since 2014. ...

(1959–), Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs (2019–Incumbent) * S. Jaishankar (1955–), Minister of External Affairs (2019–Incumbent) *

L. Murugan Loganathan Murugan (born 29 May 1977) is an Indian politician and advocate currently serving as Minister of State (India), Minister of State in the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting ...

(1977–), Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, Dairying, Information and Broadcasting (2021–Incumbent)

Political leaders outside of India

* Moses Veerasammy Nagamootoo (1947–), Prime Minister, Guyana * Jeanne Dupleix, (1706-1756), French political advisor * S. Jayakumar (1939–), former Deputy Prime Minister, Singapore *

Tharman Shanmugaratnam Tharman Shanmugaratnam (Tamil: தர்மன் சண்முகரத்தினம்; born 25 February 1957) is a Singaporean politician and economist who has been serving as Senior Minister of Singapore since 2019 and has also been C ...

(1957–), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Singapore *

Vivian Balakrishnan Vivian Balakrishnan ( ta, விவியன் பாலகிருஷ்ணன்; born 1961) is a Singaporean politician, diplomat and former ophthalmologist who has been serving in the Cabinet as Minister for Foreign Affairs since 2015. A m ...

(1961–), Minister of Community Development, Youth and Sports, Singapore * S. Rajaratnam (1915–2006), former Deputy Prime Minister, Singapore * S. Dhanabalan (1937–), former Minister (various portfolios), Singapore *

J. B. Jeyaretnam Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam ( ta, ஜோசுவா பெஞ்சமின் ஜெயரத்தினம்; 5 January 1926 – 30 September 2008), better known as J. B. Jeyaretnam or by his initials JBJ, was a Singaporean politician, law ...

(1926–2008), ex-opposition leader and MP, Singapore *

Ramasamy Palanisamy Prof. Dr. P. Ramasamy s/o Palanisamy ( ta, இராமசாமி பழனிசாமி; born 10 May 1949) is a Malaysian politician who has served as the Deputy Chief Minister of Penang II and Member of the Penang State Executive Counc ...

(1949–), Deputy Chief Minister of Penang state, Malaysia * Nagalingam Shanmugathasan (1920–1993), founding General Secretary of the Ceylon Communist Party, Sri Lanka *

Bala Tampoe Bala Tampoe (23 May 1922 – 1 September 2014) was a Sri Lankan lawyer and a trade unionist. He was the General Secretary of the Ceylon Mercantile, Industrial and General Workers Union (CMU) in Sri Lanka. Early life and education Born on 23 May 1 ...

(1922–2014), Tamil trade unionist, Sri Lanka * Pillayan alias Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan (1975–), former Chief Minister of Eastern Province, Sri Lanka * P. P. Devaraj (1929–), former Cabinet Minister of Sri Lanka *

Radhakrishnan Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (; 5 September 1888 – 17 April 1975), natively Radhakrishnayya, was an Indian philosopher and statesman. He served as the 2nd President of India from 1962 to 1967. He also 1st Vice President of India from 1952 ...

, Deputy Minister for Industry Affairs of Sri Lanka *

Visvanathan Rudrakumaran Visuvanathan Rudrakumaran ( ta, விசுவநாதன் உருத்ரகுமாரன்) is the prime minister of the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam, which aims to realize accountability for crimes against humanity, war cr ...

, Prime Minister of the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam * Samy Vellu (1937–2022), former Works Minister and Leader of Malaysian Indian Congress, Malaysia * K. R. Somasundram (1930–), politician and member of Malaysian Indian Congress, Malaysia *

Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam ( ta, ஜோசுவா பெஞ்சமின் ஜெயரத்தினம்; 5 January 1926 – 30 September 2008), better known as J. B. Jeyaretnam or by his initials JBJ, was a Singaporean politician, law ...

(1926–2008), founder of Reform Party of Singapore * Radhakrishna Padayachi (1950–2012), Deputy Minister for Communication, Republic of South Africa *

Rathika Sitsabaiesan Rathika Sitsabaiesan (; born December 23, 1981) is a Canadian former politician who was the member of Parliament (MP) for Scarborough—Rouge River from 2011 to 2015 as a member of the New Democratic Party (NDP). Sitsabaiesan is the first Tami ...

(1981–), Member of Parliament, Canada * Gunasagaran Gounder, prominent politician and a member of

Fiji Labour Party The Fiji Labour Party (FLP; fj, Ilawalawa Cakacaka ni Viti), also known as Fiji Labour, is a political party in Fiji. Most of its support is from the Indo-Fijian community, although it is officially multiracial and its first leader was an i ...

, Fiji * Perumal Mupnar, prominent politician and a member of

, Fiji * S. J. V. Chelvanayakam (1898–1977), leader and father figure of Sri Lankan

Savumiamoorthy Thondaman Savumiamoorthy Thondaman (30 August 1913 – 30 October 1999; also spelled ''Saumyamurthy Thondaman'' or ''Saumiyamoorthy Thondaman'') was a Sri Lankan politician who represented the Indian Tamils of Sri Lanka of which he was a member. At the ...

(1913–1999), leader of Indian Tamils of Sri Lanka and had served the Sri Lankan Cabinet * N. Shanmugathasan (1920–1993), prominent Communist politician, Sri Lanka *

Joseph Pararajasingham Joseph Pararajasingham ( ta, யோசப் பரராஜசிங்கம்; 26 November 1934 – 25 December 2005) was a Sri Lankan Tamil civil servant, journalist, businessman and politician. He was Member of Parliament for Batticaloa ...

(1934–2005),

Member of Parliament A member of parliament (MP) is the representative in parliament of the people who live in their electoral district. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, this term refers only to members of the lower house since upper house members o ...

, Sri Lanka *

Lakshman Kadirgamar Sri Lankabhimanya Lakshman Kadirgamar, PC ( ta, லக்ஷமன் கதிர்காமர்; si, ලක්ෂ්මන් කදිර්ගාමර්, 12 April 1932 – 12 August 2005) was a Sri Lankan lawyer and statesman. He s ...

(1932–2005), former Foreign Minister, Sri Lanka * Veerasingham Anandasangaree (1933–),

, Sri Lanka * Murugesu Sivasithamparam (1923–2002),

, Sri Lanka *

Rajavarothiam Sampanthan Rajavarothiam Sampanthan ( ta, இராஜவரோதயம் சம்பந்தன்; si, රාජවරෝදියම් සම්බන්දන්; born 5 February 1933) is a Sri Lankan Tamil politician and lawyer who has led the Ta ...

(1933–),

, Sri Lanka * Dr. Neelan Tiruchelvam (1944–1999),

, Sri Lanka *

Appapillai Amirthalingam Appapillai Amirthalingam ( ta, அப்பாப்பிள்ளை அமிர்தலிங்கம்; si, අප්පාපිල්ලෙයි අමිර්තලිංගම්; 26 August 1927 – 13 July 1989) was a leading ...

(1927–1989), leader of the opposition,

Parliament of Sri Lanka The Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (Sinhala: ශ්‍රී ලංකා පාර්ලිමේන්තුව ''Shri Lanka Parlimenthuwa'', Tamil: இலங்கை நாடாளுமன்றம் ''Ila� ...

Douglas Devananda Kathiravelu Nythiananda Devananda, commonly known as Douglas Devananda ( ta, டக்ளஸ் தேவானந்தா), is a Sri Lankan Tamil politician, Cabinet Minister and leader of the Eelam People's Democratic Party. Originally a Sri ...

(1957–), leader of EPDP and Minister of Rehabilitation, Sri Lanka * Thamizhavel G. Sarangapani (1903–1974), Tamil journalist, writer, publisher, social activist *

Patrick Pillay Patrick Georges Pillay is a Seychellois politician who was the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Seychelles from 2016 to 2018. Previously he served as Minister of External Affairs and Minister of Health. In 2010, he was appointed resident ...

, Minister of External Affairs of the

Seychelles Seychelles (, ; ), officially the Republic of Seychelles (french: link=no, République des Seychelles; Creole: ''La Repiblik Sesel''), is an archipelagic state consisting of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean. Its capital and largest city, ...

Jean-Paul Virapoullé Jean-Paul Virapoullé ( ta, ழான் பால் வீரபிள்ளை) (born 15 March 1944 in Bras-Panon, Réunion) is a member of the Senate of France, representing the island of Réunion. Virapoullé is a member of the Union for ...

(1944–), member of the Senate of France, representing the island of Réunion *

Raja Krishnamoorthi Subramanian Raja Krishnamoorthi ( born July 19, 1973) is an Indian-born American businessman and politician serving as the U.S. representative for since 2017. The district includes many of Chicago's western and northwestern suburbs, such as Hof ...

(1973-), American congressman * E. E. C. Thuraisingham (1898–1979), first local Member in British-ruled Malaya * *

Maya Harris Maya Lakshmi Harris (born January 30, 1967) is an American lawyer, public policy advocate, and writer. Harris was one of three senior policy advisors for Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign's policy agenda and she also served as chair o ...

, Vice President for Democracy, Rights and Justice at the

Ford Foundation The Ford Foundation is an American private foundation with the stated goal of advancing human welfare. Created in 1936 by Edsel Ford and his father Henry Ford, it was originally funded by a US$25,000 gift from Edsel Ford. By 1947, after the death ...

and executive director of the

American Civil Liberties Union The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1920 "to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States". T ...

(ACLU) of Northern California. * Vanushi Walters, New Zealand lawyer, politician and Member of Parliament in the House of Representatives for the Labour Party representing the Upper Harbour electorate

Governors of the Reserve Bank of India

S. Venkitaramanan Sri Venkitaramanan was the eighteenth Governor of the Reserve Bank of India. He served for a period of 2 years, from 1990 to 1992. Earlier, he served as Finance Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, from 1985 to 1989. Venkitaramanan is seen by ...

, 18th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India *

, 19th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India *

, 23rd Governor of the Reserve Bank of India

Political families

Tamil Nadu

C. Rajagopalachari family

(1878–1972), Former Governor-General of India ** C. R. Narasimhan (1909–1989), Former Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha); son of Rajagopalachari

C.P. Ramaswami Iyer family

C. P. Ramaswami Iyer Sir Chetput Pattabhiraman Ramaswami Iyer (12 November 1879 – 26 September 1966), popularly known as Sir C. P., was an Indian lawyer, administrator and politician who served as the Advocate-General of Madras Presidency from 1920 to 1923, Law m ...

(1879–1966), Former Dewan of Travancore ** C. P. R. Pattabhiraman (1906–2001), Former Union Minister of Law and Company Affairs; son of Ramaswami Iyer

D. Jayakumar family

* D. Jayakumar (1960–), Former Speaker of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly **

J. Jayavardhan Jayakumar Jayavardhan (born 29 May 1987) known as J. Jayavardhan is an Indian politician and was a Member of Parliament elected from Tamil Nadu. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Chennai South constituency as an All India Anna Dravida Munne ...

(1987–), Former Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha); son of Jayakumar

E. V. K. Sampath family

E. V. K. Sampath Erode Venkatappa Krishnasamy Sampath( – 23 February 1977), usually referred to as ''E. V. K. Sampath'' was a prominent politician from Tamil Nadu, India. He was an advocate of the Dravidian Movement of Periyar E. V. Ramasamy and was conside ...

(1926–), Former Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) ** E. V. K. S. Elangovan (1948–), Former Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Textiles; son of E. V. K. Sampath

G. K. Moopanar family

* G. K. Moopanar (1931–2001), Former Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) ** G. K. Vasan (1964–), Former Union Minister of Shipping; son of Moopanar

H. Kumari Ananthan family

* H. Kumari Ananthan (1933–), Former Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) **

(1961–), Governor of Telangana; daughter of Kumari Ananthan * H. Vasanthakumar (1950–2020), Former Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha); brother of Kumari Ananthan **

Vijay Vasanth Vijay Vasanth (born Vijayakumar Vasanthakumar on 20 May 1983) is an Indian politician who is a Member of Parliament from Kanyakumari Loksabha constituency. He contested and won the bypoll that took place for Kanyakumari Loksabha constituency i ...

(1983–), Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha); nephew of Kumari Ananthan

M. Bhakthavatsalam family

* M. Bhakthavatsalam (1897–1987), Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu **

Jayanthi Natarajan Jayanthi Natarajan (born 7 June 1954) is an Indian lawyer and politician. She was a member of the Indian National Congress and has been thrice elected Member of Parliament representing the state of Tamil Nadu in the Rajya Sabha. From July 2011 ...

(1954–), Former Union Minister of Environment and Forests; granddaughter of Bhakthavatsalam

M. Karunanidhi family

* M. Karunanidhi (1924–2018), Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu ** M. K. Alagiri (1951–), Former Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers; son of Karunanidhi **

(1953–), Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu; son of Karunanidhi **

Kanimozhi Karunanidhi Kanimozhi Karunanidhi (born 5 January 1968) is an Indian politician, poet and journalist. She is a Member of Parliament, representing Thoothukkudi Lok Sabha constituency, Thoothukkudi constituency in the Lok Sabha (the lower house of Parliamen ...

(1968–), Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha); daughter of Karunanidhi *** Dayanidhi Alagiri (unknown–), Indian cinema producer; grandson of Karunanidhi ***

Udhayanidhi Stalin Udhayanidhi Stalin (born 27 November 1977) is an Indian film producer, actor, and politician who prominently works in the Tamil cinema. He is the Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development of Tamil Nadu in the ministry led by his father, ...

(1977–), Member of Legislative Assembly (Tamil Nadu); grandson of Karunanidhi *** Arulnithi Tamilarasu (1987–), Indian actor; grandson of Karunanidhi **

(1934–2003), Former Union Minister of Commerce and Industry; nephew of Karunanidhi ***

Kalanithi Maran Kalanithi Murasoli Maran is an Indian billionaire media mogul who is the chairman and founder of the Sun Group. He owns television channels, newspapers, weeklies, FM radio stations, DTH services, a cricket team (Sunrisers Hyderabad), and a mov ...

(1964–), Founder of the Sun Group; grand-nephew of Karunanidhi ***

(1966–), Former Union Minister of Communications and Information Technology; grand-nephew of Karunanidhi

An M. G. Ramachandran family

(1917–1987), Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu *

(1924–1996), Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu; wife of Ramachandran * M. G. Chakrapani (1911–1986), Indian actor; brother of Ramachandran

An O. Panneerselvam family

* O. Panneerselvam (1951–), Former Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu ** P. Ravindhranath (1980–), Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha); son of Panneerselvam

P. Subbarayan family

* P. Subbarayan (1889–1962), Former Union Minister of Transport and Communications **

(1916–1973), Former Union Minister of Steel and Mines; son of Subbarayan **

Parvathi Krishnan Parvathi Krishnan (15 March 1919 – 20 February 2014) was an Indian politician from the Communist Party of India. She was a three time former Member of Parliament representing Coimbatore Lok Sabha constituency and Rajya Sabha member. She was ...

(1919–2014), member of the Communist Party of India; daughter of Subbarayan ***

Rangarajan Kumaramangalam Phanindranath Rangarajan Kumaramangalam (12 May 1952 – 23 August 2000) was a prominent politician of the Indian National Congress and later the Bharatiya Janata Party and a Member of parliament, Lok Sabha from the Salem constituency from 1 ...

(1952–2000), Former Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha); grandson of Subbarayan ****

Rangarajan Mohan Kumaramangalam Rangarajan Mohan Kumaramangalam (born 6 July 1978) is an Indian politician and businessman. He is one of the working presidents of Tamil Nadu Congress Committee. He serves as President of All India Professionals' Congress-Tamilnadu and member of ...

(1978–), member of the

Indian National Congress The Indian National Congress (INC), colloquially the Congress Party but often simply the Congress, is a political party in India with widespread roots. Founded in 1885, it was the first modern nationalist movement to emerge in the British E ...

; great-grandson of Subbarayan ***

Lalitha Kumaramangalam Lalitha Kumaramangalam (born 1958) is an Indian politician who is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and former chairperson of the National Commission for Women. She was previously the National Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJ ...

(1957–), member of the National Executive of the

BJP The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP; ; ) is a political party in India, and one of the two major Indian political parties alongside the Indian National Congress. Since 2014, it has been the ruling political party in India under Narendra Mo ...

; granddaughter of P. Subbarayan

P. T. Rajan family

* P. T. Rajan (1892–1974), Former Chief Minister of Madras Presidency ** P. T. R. Palanivel Rajan (1932–2006), Former Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly; son of P.T. Rajan *** P. T. R. Palanivel Thiagarajan, Finance Minister of Tamil Nadu; grandson of P.T. Rajan

Sri Lanka

Arumugampillai Coomaraswamy family

Arumugampillai Coomaraswamy Arumugampillai Coomaraswamy ( ta, ஆறுமுகம்பிள்ளை குமாரசுவாமி; 1783 – 7 November 1836) was a Ceylon Tamil member of the Legislative Council of Ceylon. Early life and family Coomaraswamy was ...

(1783–1836), Gate Mudaliyar, Member of Legislative Council **

Muthu Coomaraswamy Sir Muthu Coomaraswamy ( ta, முத்து குமாரசுவாமி; 23 January 1834 – 4 May 1879) was a Ceylon Tamil lawyer, writer and member of the Legislative Council of Ceylon. Early life and family Coomaraswamy was born ...

(1833–1879), Member of Legislative Council, son of Arumugampillai Coomaraswamy ***

Ananda Coomaraswamy Ananda Kentish Muthu Coomaraswamy ( ta, ஆனந்த குமாரசுவாமி, ''Ānanda Kentiś Muthū Kumāraswāmī''; si, ආනන්ද කුමාරස්වාමි ''Ānanda Kumārasvāmī''; 22 August 1877 − 9 Septem ...

(1877–1947), grandson of Arumugampillai Coomaraswamy

Arunachalam Ponnambalam family

Arunachalam Ponnambalam Gate Mudaliyar Arunachalam Ponnambalam, JP, UM (1814 – 4 September 1887) was a Ceylonese colonial-era government functionary, businessmen and philanthropist. He was the cashier at the Colombo Kachcheri and was appointed to the titular rank of ...

(1814–1887), son in law of

P. Coomaraswamy Ponnambalam Coomaraswamy (7 December 1849 – 7 June 1906) was a Ceylon Tamil lawyer and member of the Legislative Council of Ceylon. Early life and family Coomaraswamy was born on 7 December 1849. He was the son of Gate Mudaliyar A. Ponnamb ...

(1849–1906), first son of Arunachalam Ponnambalam ** P. Ramanathan (1851–1930), second son of Arunachalam Ponnambalam ***

Arunachalam Mahadeva Arunachalam Mahadeva, KCMG ( ta, அருணாசலம் மகாதேவா, translit=Aruṇācalam Makātēvā; 5 October 1885 – 15 April 1966) was a Ceylon Tamil lawyer, politician and diplomat. He served as Minister of Home Affairs ...

(1885–1969), son of P. Ramanathan ****

Baku Mahadeva Deshamanya Balakumara Mahadeva ( ta, பாலகுமாரன் மகாதேவா; 29 October 1921 – 29 November 2013; commonly known as Baku Mahadeva) was a leading Sri Lankan Tamil civil servant. Early life and family Mahadeva was ...

(1921–2013), grandson of P. Ramanathan **

P. Arunachalam Ponnambalam Arunachalam ( ta, பொன்னம்பலம் அருணாசலம், translit=Poṉṉampalam Aruṇācalam; 14 September 1853 – 9 January 1924) was a Ceylonese civil servant and a member of the Executive Council of Ceyl ...

(1853–1924), third son of Arunachalam Ponnambalam

S. Pararajasingam family

* S. Pararajasingam, senator, son in law of

, married Pathmavathy (daughter of

)

V. P. Ganeshan family

* V. P. Ganeshan, founder of the Democratic Workers' Congress, film producer and actor **

Mano Ganesan Akilan Manoharan Ganesan (born 17 December 1959) is a Sri Lankan trade unionist, politician and government minister. He is the leader of the Democratic People's Front (DPF) and Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA), members of the United National Fr ...

(1959–), Member of Parliament, Provincial Councillor, son of V.P. Ganeshan ** Praba Ganesan (1964–), Member of Parliament, Provincial Councillor, son of V.P. Ganeshan

Savumiamoorthy Thondaiman family

* Savumiamoorthy Thondaiman (1913–1999), founder and leader of the Ceylon Workers' Congress, government minister, Member of Parliament *** Arumugam Thondaiman (1964–), leader of the Ceylon Workers' Congress, Member of Parliament, grandson of Savumiamoorthy Thondaiman

G. G. Ponnambalam family

* G. G. Ponnambalam (1901–1977), founder and leader of the All Ceylon Tamil Congress, government minister, Member of Parliament, Member of State Council ** Kumar Ponnambalam (1940–2000), former leader of the All Ceylon Tamil Congress, presidential candidate (1982), son of G.G. Ponnambalam *** Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam (1974–), present leader of the All Ceylon Tamil Congress, son of Kumar Ponnambalam, grandson of G.G. Ponnambalam

Arumugam Canagaratnam family

* Arumugam Canagaratnam (1873–1929), Member of Legislative Council **

Cathiravelu Sittampalam Cathiravelu Sittampalam ( ta, கதிரவேலு சிற்றம்பலம்; 13 September 1898 – 3 February 1964) was a Ceylon Tamil civil servant, politician, Member of Parliament and government minister. Early life and famil ...

(1898–1964), government minister, Member of Parliament, son of A. Cathiravelu, nephew of A.Canagaratnam ** Cathiravelu Ponnambalam, first mayor of

Jaffna Jaffna (, ) is the capital city of the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. It is the administrative headquarters of the Jaffna District located on a peninsula of the same name. With a population of 88,138 in 2012, Jaffna is Sri Lanka's 12th mo ...

, son of A. Cathiravelu, nephew of A. Canagaratnam

Military leaders

Army

* General

Paramasiva Prabhakar Kumaramangalam General Paramasiva Prabhakar Kumaramangalam, (1 July 1913 – 13 March 2000) was the 6th Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of the Indian Army from 1967 to 1969. He was one of the last British-trained King's Commissioned Indian Officer (KCIO) to s ...

(1913–2000), 7th Chief of Army Staff (1966–1969) * General Krishnaswamy Sundararajan (1930–1999), 14th Chief of Army Staff (1986–1988) * General

Sundararajan Padmanabhan General Sundararajan Padmanabhan PVSM, AVSM, VSM (born 5 December 1940 in Thiruvananthapuram, Travancore The Kingdom of Travancore ( /ˈtrævənkɔːr/), also known as the Kingdom of Thiruvithamkoor, was an Indian kingdom from c. 1729 u ...

(1940–), 19th Chief of Army Staff (2000–2002)

Navy

* Admiral Oscar Stanley Dawson (1923–2011), 12th Chief of Naval Staff, India, 1982–1984 * Admiral Sushil Kumar (1940–2019), 16th

Chief of the Naval Staff (India) The Chief of the Naval Staff (India), also known as the Navy Chief, abbreviated to CNS, is a statutory position in the Indian Navy held by a four star admiral. As the highest ranking officer to serve solely in the Indian Navy, the chief is the ...

(1988–2001) * Vice Admiral Nilkanta Krishnan (1919–1982), Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command, India, 1947–1976 * Rear Admiral

Rajan Kadiragamar Rear Admiral Rajanathan "Rajan" Kadiragamar, MVO (born 1922) was a Ceylonese flag officer. He was the second Ceylonese Captain of the Royal Ceylon Navy from 1960 to 1970 and as such the longest serving Commander of the Navy. Early life and educ ...

, 2nd Ceylonese

Captain of the Royal Ceylon Navy Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police department, election precinct, e ...

* Admiral

Travis Sinniah Admiral Travis Jeremy Liyanduru Sinniah, WWV, RWP, RSP, USP, ndu, psc was a Sri Lankan admiral and the 21st Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy. He has served as the Commander of Sri Lanka's Eastern Naval Area and as Flag Officer Commanding ...

, 21st Commander of the

Sri Lankan Navy ta, இலங்கை கடற்படை , image = Sri Lanka Naval Seal.png , image_size = 180px , caption = Emblem of Sri Lanka Navy , dates = , c ...

Air Force

* Air Chief Marshal

Srinivasapuram Krishna Swamy Air Chief Marshal Srinivasapuram Krishnaswamy PVSM, AVSM, VM & Bar, ADC (born January 1943) is a former Air Officer in the Indian Air Force (IAF). He served as the 19th Chief of the Air Staff from 2001 to 2004. He raised the first electron ...

(1943–), 19th Chief of Air Staff (2001–2004)

Independence Movement

, founder of

Vaithilingam Sornalingam Vaithilingam Sornalingam (September 1949 – 26 September 2001; ta, வைத்தியலிங்கம் சொர்ணலிங்கம், alternative spellings include Vythilingam Sornalingam; often referred to by his ''nom de guerr ...

, also known as Colonel Shanker, was founder of the

air wing In military aviation, a wing is a unit of command. In most military aviation services, a wing is a relatively large formation of planes. In Commonwealth countries a wing usually comprises three squadrons, with several wings forming a group ( ...

and marine division of the

* Ambalavanar Neminathan commonly known by the nom de guerre Raju) was a leading member of the

, Raju served as the head of the LTTE's Engineering Corps. He was special commander of the Leopard Commandos, an infantry unit, and chief technical officer in the Kittu Regiment, the LTTE's artillery unit which Raju helped create. * Pottu Amman, was the second-in-command of

. was a Head of Tiger Organization Security Intelligence Service and the Black Tigers. * Lt. Colonel

Thileepan Rasaiah Parthipan ( ta, இராசையா பார்த்திபன்; 29 November 1963 – 26 September 1987; commonly known by the nom de guerre Thileepan) was a Tamil Eelam revolutionary and member of the Liberation Tigers of Tam ...

Award winners

Nobel Prize winners

C. V. Raman Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman (; 7 November 188821 November 1970) was an Indian physicist known for his work in the field of light scattering. Using a spectrograph that he developed, he and his student K. S. Krishnan discovered that when ...

Nobel Prize in Physics ) , image = Nobel Prize.png , alt = A golden medallion with an embossed image of a bearded man facing left in profile. To the left of the man is the text "ALFR•" then "NOBEL", and on the right, the text (smaller) "NAT•" then " ...

, 1930 * Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar,

, 1983 *

Venkatraman Ramakrishnan Venkatraman Ramakrishnan (born 1952) is an Indian-born British and American structural biologist who shared the 2009 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Thomas A. Steitz and Ada Yonath, "for studies of the structure and function of the ribosome" ...

Nobel Prize in Chemistry ) , image = Nobel Prize.png , alt = A golden medallion with an embossed image of a bearded man facing left in profile. To the left of the man is the text "ALFR•" then "NOBEL", and on the right, the text (smaller) "NAT•" then "M ...

, 2009

Fields Medal

Akshay Venkatesh Akshay Venkatesh (born 21 November 1981) is an Australian mathematician and a professor (since 15 August 2018) at the School of Mathematics at the Institute for Advanced Study. His research interests are in the fields of counting, equidistrib ...

, Fields Medal in mathematics, 2018

Bharat Ratna

The

Bharat Ratna The Bharat Ratna (; ''Jewel of India'') is the highest civilian award of the Republic of India. Instituted on 2 January 1954, the award is conferred in recognition of "exceptional service/performance of the highest order", without distinctio ...

, India's highest civilian honor *

, Former Governor-General of the Republic of India, 1954 *

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (; 5 September 1888 – 17 April 1975), natively Radhakrishnayya, was an Indian philosopher and statesman. He served as the 2nd President of India from 1962 to 1967. He also 1st Vice President of India from 1952 ...

, Former President of the Republic of India, 1954 *

, Indian Physicist, 1954 *

, Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, 1976 *

, Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, 1988 * A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, Former President of the Republic of India, 1997 *

M. S. Subbulakshmi Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi (16 September 1916 – 11 December 2004) was an Indian Carnatic singer from Madurai, Tamil Nadu. She was the first musician ever to be awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour. She is ...

, Indian Singer, 1998 * C. Subramaniam, Former Minister of Defence of the Republic of India, 1998

Padma Vibhushan

The

Padma Vibhushan The Padma Vibhushan ("Lotus Decoration") is the second-highest civilian award of the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna. Instituted on 2 January 1954, the award is given for "exceptional and distinguished service". All persons without ...

is India's second highest civilian honour. * Arcot Lakshmanaswami Mudaliar, for Medicine, 1963 * Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, for Science & Engineering, 1968 * K. V. Kalyana Sundaram, for Public Affairs, 1968 *

Arcot Ramasamy Mudaliar Sir Arcot Ramasamy Mudaliar (14 October 1887 – 17 July 1976) was an Indian lawyer, diplomat, and statesman who was the first president of the United Nations Economic and Social Council and the 24th and last Diwan of Mysore. He also served as ...

, for Civil Service, 1970 * T. Swaminathan, for Civil Service, 1973 * T. Balasaraswati, for Arts, 1977 *

V. Arunachalam Aladi Aruna (alias) V Arunachalam was an Indian politician. He was the Law Minister of Tamil Nadu. He was elected to the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly as a member of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam from Alangulam constituency in the 1967, 197 ...

, for Literature & Education, 1990 *

Raja Jesudoss Chelliah Raja Jesudoss Chelliah (12 December 1922 – 7 April 2009) was an economist and founding chairman of the Madras School of Economics. He completed an MA in economics from the University of Madras and PhD in the United States. He worked as the ch ...

, for Public Affairs, 2007 * Balu Sankaran, for Medicine, 2007 * V. Krishnamurthy, for Civil Service, 2007 * Ilaiyaraaja, for Music, 2018

Padma Bhushan

The

Padma Bhushan The Padma Bhushan is the third-highest civilian award in the Republic of India, preceded by the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan and followed by the Padma Shri. Instituted on 2 January 1954, the award is given for "distinguished service ...

is India's third highest civilian honour. *

Sivaji Ganesan Villupuram Chinnaiya Manrayar Ganesamoorthy, better known by his stage name Sivaji Ganesan, (1 October 1928 – 21 July 2001) was an Indian actor and producer. He was active in Tamil cinema during the latter half of the 20th century. Sivaji Ga ...

, 1984 * Kamal Haasan, Arts * Ilaiyaraaja, veteran musician and Tamil music director *

A. R. Rahman Allah Rakha Rahman (; born A. S. Dileep Kumar; 6 January 1967) is an Indian music composer, record producer, singer and songwriter, popular for his works in Indian cinema; predominantly in Tamil and Hindi films, with occasional forays in int ...

, Oscar-winning musician from

Chennai Chennai (, ), formerly known as Madras ( the official name until 1996), is the capital city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost Indian state. The largest city of the state in area and population, Chennai is located on the Coromandel Coast of th ...

; referred to as the Mozart of Madras * Arogyaswami Paulraj, wireless technology pioneer * Shiv Nadar, Indian industrialist and philanthropist *

Jayakanthan D. Jayakanthan (24 April 1934 – 8 April 2015), popularly known as JK, was an Indian writer, journalist, orator, filmmaker, critic and activist. Born in Cuddalore, he dropped out of school at the age of 9 and went to Madras, where he join ...

, author *

Muthulakshmi Reddy Muthulakshmi Reddy (also spelled Reddi in some British Indian sources; 30 July 1886 – 22 July 1968) was an Indian medical practitioner, social reformer and Padma Bhushan award recipient. Muthulakshmi Reddy was appointed to the Madras Legisl ...

, doctor, social reformer * Krishnammal Jaganathan, Social Service

Padma Shri

The

Padma Shri Padma Shri ( IAST: ''padma śrī''), also spelled Padma Shree, is the fourth-highest civilian award of the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan. Instituted on 2 January 1954, the award is conf ...

is India's fourth highest civilian honour. *

(1966), Arts *

K. Balachander Kailasam Balachander (9 July 1930 – 23 December 2014) was an Indian film maker and playwright who worked mainly in the Tamil cinema. He was well known for his distinct film-making style, and the Indian film industry knew him as a master of un ...

(1987), Arts *

Vairamuthu Vairamuthu Ramasamy (born 13 July 1953) is an Indian lyricist, poet, and novelist working in the Tamil film industry. He is a prominent figure in the Tamil literary world. A master's graduate from the Pachaiyappa's College in Chennai, he first ...

(2003), Literature and Education * B. Palaniappan (2006), Medicine * Sivanthi Adithan (2008), Literature and Education *

Vivek Vivek (or Bibek/Bivek in some regions) (विवेक in Devanagari script) is a masculine given name that is popular in South Asia, particularly in India and Nepal. It is of Sanskrit origin and means "wisdom" and/or "conscience". Vivek may refe ...

(2009), Arts * Mecca Rafeeque Ahmed (2011), businessman and entrepreneur

Ramon Magsaysay Award

The Ramon Magsaysay Award was established in 1957 in memory of

Ramon Magsaysay Ramon del Fierro Magsaysay Sr. (August 31, 1907 – March 17, 1957) was a Filipino statesman who served as the seventh president of the Philippines, from December 30, 1953, until his death in an aircraft disaster on March 17, 1957. An automo ...

, the late president of the

Philippines The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no), * bik, Republika kan Filipinas * ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas * cbk, República de Filipinas * hil, Republ ...

. It is often considered to be Asia's Nobel Prize. *

M. S. Swaminathan Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan (born 7 August 1925) is an Indian agronomist, agricultural scientist, plant geneticist, administrator and humanitarian. Swaminathan is a global leader of the green revolution. He has been called the main archi ...

, for Community Leadership, 1971 *

, for classical carnatic genre, 1974 *

Jockin Arputham Jockin Arputham (15 August 1947 – 13 October 2018) was an Indian community leader and activist, known for his campaigning work of more than 40 years on issues related to slums and shanty towns. He was born in Karnataka, India and moved to M ...

, for Peace and International Understanding, 2000 *

Kulandei Francis Kulandei Francis (born 1946) is an activist, social worker, and the founder of the Non-governmental organization, NGO Integrated Village Development Project in Tamil Nadu, India. He was one of six recipients of the Magsaysay Award in 2012 for "h ...

, 2012 *

T. M. Krishna Thodur Madabusi Krishna (born 22 January 1976) is an Indian Carnatic vocalist, writer, activist, author and Ramon Magsaysay awardee. As a vocalist, he has made a large number of innovations in both the style and substance of his concerts, ther ...

, 2016

Dadasaheb Phalke Award

The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India's highest award in cinema, given annually by the Government of India for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema. It was instituted in 1969, the birth centenary year of Dadasaheb Phalke, considered as the father of Indian cinema. *

, 1996 *

, 2011

Param Vir Chakra

The

Param Vir Chakra The Param Vir Chakra (PVC) is India's highest military decoration, awarded for displaying distinguished acts of valour during wartime. Param Vir Chakra translates as the "Wheel of the Ultimate Brave", and the award is granted for "most conspicu ...

is India's highest military honor. * Major Ramaswamy Parmeshwaran (1946–1987), awarded in 1987 (

posthumous Posthumous may refer to: * Posthumous award - an award, prize or medal granted after the recipient's death * Posthumous publication – material published after the author's death * ''Posthumous'' (album), by Warne Marsh, 1987 * ''Posthumous'' ...

) for

IPKF Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) was the Indian military contingent performing a peacekeeping operation in Sri Lanka between 1987 and 1990. It was formed under the mandate of the 1987 Indo-Sri Lankan Accord that aimed to end the Sri Lank ...

operations in Sri Lanka

Sahitya Akademi Award

Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award

The

Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna The Khel Ratna Award (), officially known as the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award ( Major Dhyan Chand Sport Jewel Award), is the highest sporting honour of India. It is awarded annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Governm ...

Award is India's highest sporting honor. *

Viswanathan Anand Viswanathan "Vishy" Anand (born 11 December 1969) is an Indian chess grandmaster and a former five-time World Chess Champion. He became the first grandmaster from India in 1988, and is one of the few players to have surpassed an Elo rating o ...

, for Chess, 1991–92 *

Dhanraj Pillai Dhanraj Pillay (born 16 July 1968) is a retired Indian field hockey player and former captain of the Indian national team. He also looks after the Air India Sports Promotion Board as a Joint Secretary based in Mumbai. For the last 5 years, Dha ...

, for Men's field hockey, 1999–2000 * Mariyappan Thangavelu, for Paralympic high jump, 2020–2021

Jnanpith Award

The

Jnanpith Award The Jnanpith Award is the oldest and the highest Indian literary award presented annually by the Bharatiya Jnanpith to an author for their "outstanding contribution towards literature". Instituted in 1961, the award is bestowed only on Indian w ...

is India's highest literary honor *

Akilan Akilandam, better known by his pen name Akilan, was an Indian writer and novelist who wrote in Tamil. He was attracted by Gandhian philosophy during his school days and he discontinued his college education at Pudukkottai to join the freedom st ...

, 1975 *

, 2002

Sangeet Natak Akademi Award

Vyjayanthimala Vyjayanthimala (born 13 August 1936) is a former Indian actress, dancer and parliamentarian. She is the recipient of several accolades, including two BFJA Awards and five Filmfare Awards. She made her screen debut at the age of thirteen wit ...

Sangeet Natak Akademi Sangeet Natak Akademi (The National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama in English) is the national level academy for performing arts set up by the Government of India. History It was set up by the Indian education ministry on 31 May 1952 and ...

, 1982

Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship

Karaikudi Sambasiva Iyer Karaikudi Sambasiva Iyer (1888 - 1958) was noted Indian classical musician and Veena player. In 1952, he was amongst the first awardees of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship the highest honour conferred by Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's Natio ...

Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar (19 May 1890 – 23 January 1967), popularly known as ''Ariyakudi'', was a Carnatic music vocalist, born in Ariyakudi, a town in the present-day Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu. Ariyakudi developed a unique style of ...

* Papanasam R. Sivan *

V. Raghavan Venkataraman Raghavan (1908–1979) was a Sanskrit scholar and musicologist. He was the recipient of numerous awards, including the Padma Bhushan and the Sahitya Akademi Award for Sanskrit, and authored over 120 books and 1200 articles. Early ...

Guinness World Records

* L. Athira Krishna, Guinness World Record holder *

Suresh Joachim Suresh Joachim Arulanantham (born August 17, 1968) is a Canadian film actor, producer, and multiple-Guinness World Record holder who has broken more than 60 world records. World records Farthest distance run, whilst carrying a 4.5 kg bric ...

Canadian Canadians (french: Canadiens) are people identified with the country of Canada. This connection may be residential, legal, historical or cultural. For most Canadians, many (or all) of these connections exist and are collectively the source of ...

actor, producer, and multiple- Guinness World Record holder * V. S. Kumar Anandan, his many records include swimming the

Palk Strait The Palk Strait ( ta, பாக்கு நீரிணை ''Pākku Nīriṇai'', si, පෝක් සමුද්‍ර සන්ධිය ''Pok Samudra Sandhiya'') is a strait between the Tamil Nadu state of India and the Jaffna Distri ...

, from Sri Lanka to India and back in 51 hours, in 1971 * Kutraleeswaran, swam across

English Channel The English Channel, "The Sleeve"; nrf, la Maunche, "The Sleeve" (Cotentinais) or ( Jèrriais), (Guernésiais), "The Channel"; br, Mor Breizh, "Sea of Brittany"; cy, Môr Udd, "Lord's Sea"; kw, Mor Bretannek, "British Sea"; nl, Het Kana ...

in 1994 when he was just 13 years old; the same year, he swam across six channels to break Mihir Sen's record of swimming across five channels in a calendar year * Rajasekharan Parameswaran, Guinness World Records holder. *

Aari Arujunan Aari Arujunan, known by the mononym Aari, is an Indian actor who has appeared in Tamil language films. He made his lead debut in '' Rettaisuzhi'' (2010) produced by director Shankar, before having a breakthrough performance as Murugan in '' N ...

, actor and Guinness World Record holder

Arjuna Award

The Arjuna Award was instituted in 1961 by the

Government of India The Government of India (ISO: ; often abbreviated as GoI), known as the Union Government or Central Government but often simply as the Centre, is the national government of the Republic of India, a federal democracy located in South Asia, ...

to recognize outstanding achievement in national sports. * Kutraleeswaran, youngest Arjuna Award winner

Oscar awards

, won the Academy Award for Best Original Score and Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2009 *

Cottalango Leon Cottalango Leon (born 1971)Alum Profile. (2016).
Mr. Cottalango(1992 BE-CSE), an Alumnus of PSG Colleg ...

, won the Academy Award for scientific and technical achievement "the design, engineering and continuous development" of Sony Pictures Imageworks itView technology in 2016

Social workers

* Pandit iyothee thass, Anti-caste activist, founding father of dravidian movement and first buddhist revivalist of India * M. B. Nirmal, founder and chairman of

Exnora International Exnora International is a non-governmental environmental service organization started in 1989 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, by M. B. Nirmal, a social activist. It focuses on preserving nature and preventing environmental degradation. The nam ...

, founder and chairman of World Peace Marathon *

Krishnammal Jagannathan Krishnammal Jagannathan (born 16 June 1926) is an Indian social activist from the state of Tamil Nadu. She and her husband, Sankaralingam Jagannathan (1912 – 12 February 2013), protested against social injustice and they are Gandhian activis ...

Naraina Pillai Narayana Pillai was a social entrepreneur and businessman, who spent most of his life in Singapore during the colonial period. Of Tamil origins, he greatly contributed to the Tamil community in Singapore. Prior to 1819, Pillai (also spelled Nar ...

* Anjali Gopalan, first Indian Tamil woman awarded with the

Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur The National Order of the Legion of Honour (french: Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur), formerly the Royal Order of the Legion of Honour ('), is the highest French order of merit, both military and civil. Established in 1802 by Napoleon B ...

, "Knight in the order of the legions of Honor", the highest award from France, 2013 *

Harish Iyer Harish Iyer, also known as "Aham", ''hiyer'' and "Harrish Iyer" (born 16 April 1979) is an Indian equal rights activist. Iyer engages in advocacy for a number of causes, including promoting the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transge ...

Mumbai Mumbai (, ; also known as Bombay — List of renamed Indian cities and states#Maharashtra, the official name until 1995) is the capital city of the Indian States and union territories of India, state of Maharashtra and the ''de facto'' fin ...

based blogger and LGBT rights activist *

Chinna Pillai Chinna Pillai is a community leader from Pulliseri, a small village near Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. She had started a very successful banking system in the villages of Tamil Nadu, and has made many contributions to attempt to reduce poverty and d ...

, started Kalanjiam, a microcredit movement in villages * Traffic Ramasamy, self-appointed traffic policeman, public interest litigator and social activist from Chennai *

Kumi Naidoo Kumi Naidoo (b 1965 in Durban, South Africa) is a human rights and climate justice activist. He was International Executive Director of Greenpeace International (from 2009 through 2015) and Secretary General of Amnesty International (from 201 ...

, Secretary General of Amnesty international *

Rettamalai Srinivasan Diwan Bahadur Rettamalai Srinivasan (7 July 1860 - 18 September 1945), commonly known as R. Srinivasan, was a Scheduled Caste activist and politician from then Madras Presidency of British India (now the Indian state of Tamil Nadu). He is a Para ...

, Dalit activist

Criminals

* Bentong Kali (1961–1993), was a Malaysian-Tamil criminal and

mobster A gangster is a criminal who is a member of a gang. Most gangs are considered to be part of organized crime. Gangsters are also called mobsters, a term derived from '' mob'' and the suffix '' -ster''. Gangs provide a level of organization and ...

who gained a national attention in the 1990s. He was implicated in over 17 different murders, and terrorized the capital Kuala Lumpur through violence, extortion and heroin smuggling. He also made headlines when he challenged the police to arrest him. He was finally gunned down by Royal Malaysia Police's Special Actions Unit from Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur. *

(1957-) is a paramilitary leader, politician and a proclaimed offender in India and is wanted on charges of murder, attempt to murder, child prostitution, rioting, unlawful assembly and kidnapping.

(Tamil Tigers), tried unsuccessfully to assassinate him over 10 times. *

(1926–1988), also known as Vardhabhai and Vardha, was an Indian-Tamil crime boss. He was one of the infamous trio of mafia gang leaders of Mumbai the other being

Karim Lala Karim Lala (1911 – 19 February 2002), born as Abdul Karim Sher Khan in the Samalam Village of the Shegal District of the Kunar province of Afghanistan, was infamous as one of the three "mafia dons of Mumbai" in India for more than two d ...

and

Haji Mastan Mastan Mirza (1 March 1926 25 June 1994), popularly known as Haji Mastan or Sultan Mirza, was an Indian mafia gang leader, originally from Tamil Nadu and based in Bombay. He was one of an infamous trio of mafia gang leaders in Bombay for over ...

. His origin is North Arcot district of Tamil Nadu, from where his father migrated to Tuticorin to work in shipping business. He was born in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu. From early 1960s to the 1980s; he was one of the most powerful mob bosses in Bombay, along with Haji Mastan and Karim Lala. * Auto Shankar (1954–1995), was a serial killer and a gangster from the state of Tamil Nadu active in Chennai throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

Business and administration

Tamil billionaires

Ananda Krishnan Tatparanandam Ananda Krishnan (Tamil: த. ஆனந்தகிருஷ்ணன்) (born 1 April 1938) is a Malaysian-Tamil businessman, the Chairman of Usaha Tegas Sdn Bhd and founder of Yu Cai Foundation (YCF). Nicknamed A.K., he is es ...

* Shiv Nadar *

Ram Shriram Kavitark Ram Shriram (born 1956/57) is an Indian-American billionaire businessman and philanthropist. He is a founding board member and one of the first investors in Google. He was earlier employed by Amazon, working for Jeff Bezos. Shriram cam ...

* A. Vellayan * Maha Sinnathamby * G. Gnanalingam * R. G. Chandramogan *

B. S. Abdur Rahman Buhari Syed Abdur Rahman (15 October 1927 – 7 January 2015) was an Indian entrepreneur, philanthropist and educationist. He had a range of business interests in the UAE and India (in Tamil Nadu) including maritime shipping, real estate, insu ...

T. S. Kalyanaraman T. S. Kalyanaraman (born 23 April 1947) is an Indian businessman, best known as the chairman and managing director of Kalyan Jewellers and Kalyan Developers. Kalyan Group is the holding company of Kalyan Jewellers. Early life Kalyanaraman wa ...

Subaskaran Allirajah Subaskaran Allirajah (born 2 March 1972) is a British-Sri Lankan Tamil entrepreneur. He is the founder and chairman of Lycamobile, a telecommunications company. He is also a producer of Tamil films through his entertainment subsidiary Lyca Pr ...

Sridhar Vembu Sridhar Vembu (born 1968) is an Indian billionaire business magnate and the founder and CEO of Zoho Corporation. According to ''Forbes'', he is the 55th richest person in India with a net worth of $3.75 billion, as of 2021. He was awarded India' ...

Tamil executives and business people

* Palani G. Periasamy, Chairman of PGP Group of companies *

Indra Krishnamurthy Nooyi Indra Nooyi (née Krishnamurthy; born October 28, 1955) is an Indian Americans, Indian-American business executive and former chief executive officer and chairperson of PepsiCo. She has consistently ranked among the Forbes list of The World's ...

, former chairman and CEO of PepsiCo *

, CEO of Google, Inc. * Prabhakar Raghavan, Senior vice President of Google Inc. *

Kalanidhi Maran Kalanithi Murasoli Maran is an Indian billionaire media mogul who is the chairman and founder of the Sun Group. He owns television channels, newspapers, weeklies, FM radio stations, DTH services, a cricket team (Sunrisers Hyderabad), and a mov ...

, founder and head of

Sun TV Network Sun TV Network is an Indian mass media company headquartered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is a part of Sun Group and is one of Asia's largest TV networks. Established on 14 April 1992 by Kalanithi Maran, it owns a variety of television c ...

; ex-owner of

SpiceJet SpiceJet is an Indian budget airline headquartered in Gurgaon, Haryana. It is the second largest airline in the country by number of domestic passengers carried, with a market share of 13.6% as of March 2019. The airline operates 630 daily fl ...

Airline and owner of

Sunrisers Hyderabad Sunrisers Hyderabad (stylised as SunRisers Hyderabad, SRH) are a franchise cricket team based in Hyderabad, Telangana, India, that plays in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The franchise is owned by Kalanithi Maran of the SUN Group and was ...

IPL The Indian Premier League (IPL), also known as TATA IPL for sponsorship reasons, is a men's T20 franchise cricket league of India. It is annually contested by ten teams based out of seven Indian cities and three Indian states. The leagu ...

team *

Natarajan Chandrasekaran Natarajan Chandrasekaran (born 2 June 1963) is an Indian businessman, and the chairman of Tata Sons. He was chief operating officer (COO) and executive director of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), where in 2009, he became chief executive offi ...

, Chairman of Tata & Sons *

Subramaniam Ramadorai Subramanian Ramadorai, CBE (born 6 October 1945) was the adviser to the Prime Minister of India in the national council on skill development, Government of India. He held the rank equivalent to an Indian Cabinet Minister. He is also the chairpe ...

, adviser, Prime Minister of India *

, CEO WBBAS, No Poverty No Disease No War, World Peace Marathon and Suresh Joachim International Group Of Companies. * Valiama Narain *

Ramamurthy Thyagarajan R. Thyagarajan may refer to: * R. Thyagarajan (director) * R. Thyagarajan (industrialist) * R. Thiyagarajan, politician {{hndis, Thyagarajan, R. ...

Educators

* L. S. Kandasamy, teacher at

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) is the state agricultural university of Tamil Nadu located in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. History The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University had its genesis from establishment of an agricultural sc ...

Jeppiaar Dr. Jeppiaar (11 June 1931 – 18 June 2016), also known as J. P. R., was an Indian politician, educationist, and industrialist. He was born in Muttom near Nagercoil, Travancore Cochin Presidency, now the Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu. H ...

, founder,

Sathyabama University Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology (SIST), formerly Sathyabama University, is a deemed to be university, situated at Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. It was founded in 1987 as Sathyabama Engineering College by the late Jeppiaar and re ...

V. L. Ethiraj Vellore Lakshmanaswamy Ethiraj (18 July 1890 – 18 August 1960) was an Indian lawyer and philanthropist who founded Ethiraj College for Women, a college in Chennai, India. He was the first Indian to be appointed as Crown Prosecutor by th ...

, founder,

Ethiraj College for Women Ethiraj College for Women is an arts and science college for women in Chennai, India, managed by the Ethiraj College Trust. It was founded in 1948 by the barrister V. L. Ethiraj of Vellore. History Ethiraj College for Women is an autonomous col ...

Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy Yecha Gunja Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy (27 November 1925 – 6 August 2019), better known as Mrs YGP, was an Indian journalist, educationist and social worker. She was the founder and dean of the Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan. Rajalakshmi was award ...

, founder,

Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan (PSBB) is a group of schools located in Chennai, India. The school was founded by educationalist Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy (1925–2019), also known as Mrs. YGP. History The PSBB School in Chennai was established ...

, founder,

B. S. Abdur Rahman University B.S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology, formerly B. S. Abdur Rahman University, is a private university located in Tamil Nadu, India. Previously, functioning under University of Madras (1984–2001) and Anna University (2 ...

Munirathna Anandakrishnan Munirathna Anandakrishnan (12 July 1928 – 29 May 2021) was an Indian civil engineer, educationist, a chairman of the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur and a Vice-Chancellor of Anna University. He was also an Advisor to the Government of ...

, former chairman,

Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) Hindi: भारतीय प्रौद्योगिकी संस्थान कानपुर) is a public institute of technology located in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. It was ...

and former Vice-Chancellor,

Anna University Anna University is a public state university located in Tamil Nadu, India. The main campus is in Chennai. It was originally established on 4 September 1978 and was named after C. N. Annadurai, the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. History & ...

* Bala V. Balachandran, founder, Dean & Chairman,

Great Lakes Institute of Management The Great Lakes Institute of Management (also known as Great Lakes or GLIM) is a Private school, private business school in India. It was founded in 2004 by Bala V. Balachandran, a professor at Kellogg School of Management with its first cam ...

* V. M. Muralidharan, former chairman,

* Subra Suresh, President of Carnegie Mellon University, former Dean of the School of Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, former Director of the

National Science Foundation The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent agency of the United States government that supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering. Its medical counterpart is the National ...

Ramayya Krishnan Ramayya Krishnan is an Indian American Management and Information technology scholar from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is the dean of Heinz College, and is the W. W. Cooper and Ruth F. Cooper Professor of Management science and Information syst ...

, Dean of Heinz College and H. John Heinz III, W. W. Cooper and Ruth F. Cooper Professor of Management Science and Information Systems at Carnegie Mellon University

Philanthropists

Annamalai Chettiar '' Diwan Bahadur'' Sir Satappa Ramanatha Muttaiya Annamalai Chettiar, Raja of Chettinad KCSI (30 September 1881 – 15 June 1948) was an Indian industrialist, banker, educationist and philanthropist from Tamil Nadu. He is the founder of Anna ...

Pachaiyappa Mudaliar Vallal Pachaiyappa Mudaliar (1754–1794) or Arcot Pachayyappa Mudaliar was a Madras merchant, philanthropist, and dubash of the 18th century. Commemorative stamp on Vallal Pachaiyappa was released 31 March 2010. Early life Vallal Pachai ...

* Chengalvaraya Naicker * Kandasamy Kandar *

Alagappa Chettiar Sir Alagappa Chettiar (6 April 1909 – 5 April 1957) was an Indian businessman and philanthropist. He received the Padma Bhushan award (the third highest civilian award in India) in 1956. Early life Chettiar was born in Kottaiyur in the ...

* T. M. Jambulingam Mudaliar

Diplomats

, former Sri Lankan foreign minister and diplomat *

Gopalapuram Parthasarathy Captain Gopalaswami Parthasarathy, popularly known as G. Parthasarathy (born 13 May 1940) is a former commissioned officer in the Indian Army (1963-1968) and a diplomat and author. He has served as the High Commissioner of India, Cyprus (19 ...

, diplomat and author in India *

Yogendra Duraiswamy Yogendra Duraiswamy, SLOS was a Sri Lankan diplomat, who served in India, Myanmar, the United States (New York), Australia, Iraq, Italy, China and the Philippines. Early life and education He was born in 1923 in Jaffna to Sir Waithilingam Duraisw ...

, Sri Lankan diplomat * Tamara Kunanayakam *

Anton Muttukumaru Major General Anton Muttukumaru, OBE, ED, ADC (6 July 1908 – 2001) was the first native Ceylonese to serve as the Commander of the Ceylon Army (now Sri Lankan Army), a post he held from 1955 to 1959. He also served as Ceylon's High Commi ...

Manicasothy Saravanamuttu Manicasothy Saravanamuttu (died 1970) was a Sri Lankan journalist and diplomat in Malaya. He was the editor of '' The Straits Echo'', Penang (1931–1941), and was credited with 'saving' Penang during Japanese invasion in 1941. Early life He was b ...

* H. W. Thambiah *

Krishnan Srinivasan Krishnan Srinivasan (born 15 February 1937) is a retired Indian diplomat, historian, author, former Indian Foreign Secretary, and Deputy Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations . He was born in Madras, India and educated at Bedford S ...

* K. Raghunath * Beno Zephine N L

Journalists and broadcasters

J. S. Tissainayagam Jayaprakash Sittampalam Tissainayagam (known as J. S. Tissainayagam, Tamil Language, Tamil: ''ஜெயப்பிரகாஷ் சிற்றம்பலம் திசைநாயகம்'') is a Sri Lankan journalist. He was detained b ...

, journalist, first winner of the Peter Mackler Award for Courageous and Ethical Journalism *

George Alagiah George Maxwell Alagiah ( born 22 November 1955) is a British newsreader, journalist and television news presenter. Since 3 December 2007, he has been the presenter of the ''BBC News at Six'' and was previously the main presenter of '' GMT'' o ...

BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board exam. ...

...

Hari Sreenivasan Hariharan "Hari" Sreenivasan, born in 1974, is an American broadcast journalist. Biography Sreenivasan was born in Mumbai, India, around 1974.Public Broadcasting Service

Scientists

Mylswamy Annadurai Mylswamy Annadurai, popularly known as Moon Man of India , is an Indian scientist working as vice president for Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology (TNSCST), Chairman, Board of Governors, National Design and Research Forum(NDRF. ...

, scientist with the Indian Space Research Organization; Director of ISRO Satellite Centre *

Shiva Ayyadurai V. A. Shiva Ayyadurai (born Vellayappa Ayyadurai Shiva, December 2, 1963) is an Indian-American engineer, politician, entrepreneur, and anti-vaccine activist. He has become known for promoting conspiracy theories, pseudoscience, and unfounded m ...

, as a high school student in 1979, he developed an electronic version of an interoffice mail system, which he called "EMAIL" and copyrighted in 1982 *

Kailasavadivoo Sivan Kailasavadivoo Sivan (born 14 April 1957) is an Indian space scientist who served as the Secretary of the Department of Space and chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation and Space Commission. He has previously served as the Director o ...

, current chairperson of Indian Space Research Organization.

Social anthropologists

Stanley Jeyaraja Tambiah Stanley Jeyaraja Tambiah (16 January 1929 – 19 January 2014) was a social anthropologist and Esther and Sidney Rabb Professor ''(Emeritus)'' of Anthropology at Harvard University. He specialised in studies of Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Tamils, a ...

Academicians

* Arumugam Vijiaratnam, became the first Pro-Chancellor of Nanyang Technological University in 1992 and served until 2005 * Bala V. Balachandran, founder and dean of Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai, India; professor at Northwestern University *

, founder of Ethiraj College for Women *

Malcolm Adiseshiah Malcolm Sathiyanathan Adiseshiah (18 April 1910 – 21 November 1994), was an Indian development economist and educator. In 1976 he was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award. In 1998, UNESCO created the Malcolm A ...

(1910–1994), economist; former Deputy Director General of

UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...

; founder of MIDS (

Madras Institute of Development Studies The Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS) is a research institute based in Chennai. It is a joint undertaking of the Governments of India and Tamil Nadu for conducting research on development problems in Tamil Nadu and the rest of Ind ...

) *

V. C. Kulandaiswamy V C Kulandaiswamy (14 July 1929 – 10 December 2016) was an Indian academic and author. He completed his Bachelor of engineering in Civil at Government College of Technology, Coimbatore. He obtained his Master of Technology degree from IIT Khar ...

, educator and technologist; formerly

Vice Chancellor A chancellor is a leader of a college or university, usually either the executive or ceremonial head of the university or of a university campus within a university system. In most Commonwealth and former Commonwealth nations, the chancellor ...

IGNOU Indira Gandhi National Open University, known as IGNOU, is a Central University located at Maidan Garhi, New Delhi, India. Named after former Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi, the university was established in 1985 with a budget of 20& ...

and Tamil Virtual University * M. Varadarasan, winner of sahitya Academy Award; Ex-

Madurai Kamaraj University Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) is a public state university located in Madurai city, in southern Tamil Nadu, India, established in 1966. MKU is one of the 15 universities in India with the University with Potential for Excellence status, wh ...

* Prof Philip Jeyaretnam, professor of law; member of Public Service Commission * Prof Sittampalam Shanmugaratnam, former Head of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at the National University of Singapore *

Arjun Appadurai Arjun Appadurai (born 1949) is an Indian-American anthropologist recognized as a major theorist in globalization studies. In his anthropological work, he discusses the importance of the modernity of nation states and globalization. He is the fo ...

, contemporary

social theorist Social theories are analytical frameworks, or paradigms, that are used to study and interpret social phenomena.Seidman, S., 2016. Contested knowledge: Social theory today. John Wiley & Sons. A tool used by social scientists, social theories relat ...

; educator; founder of the School of International Relations, JNU, New Delhi * Dr. H.S.S. Lawrence, educator; formerly Director of School Education, Tamil Nadu;

Expert to the Government of

Afghanistan Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,; prs, امارت اسلامی افغانستان is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. Referred to as the Heart of Asia, it is bordere ...

* C. K. Prahalad, Professor of Corporate Strategy at the

Ross School of Business The Stephen M. Ross School of Business, also known as Michigan Ross, is the business school of the University of Michigan, a public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Founded in 1924, the school is ranked among the best business schools i ...

of the University of Michigan * Prof B.P. Sanjay, Vice-Chancellor of First Central University in Tamil Nadu at Tiruvaroor *

M. S. Ananth Madaboosi Santanam Ananth is an Indian academic who served as the director of the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras from 2001 to 2011. He was presented with The Herdillia award for excellence in basic research in chemical engineering. Bio ...

, Director of Indian Institute of Technology, Madras * Xavier Thaninayagam, known for setting up the International Association for Tamil Research (IATR) and organising the first

World Tamil Conference The World Tamil Conference ( ta, உலகத் தமிழ் மாநாடு) is a series of occasional conferences to discuss the social growth of the Tamil language. Each conference is attended by thousands of Tamil enthusiasts around t ...

Christie Jayaratnam Eliezer Christie Jayaratnam Eliezer ( ta, கிரிஸ்டி ஜெயரத்தினம் எலியேசர், translit=Kirisṭi Jeyarattiṉam Eliyēcar; 12 June 1918 – 10 March 2001) was a Ceylon Tamil mathematician, physicist an ...

, appointed a Member of the

Order of Australia The Order of Australia is an honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on the advice of the Australian Gov ...

* Sanjay Subrahmanyam, awarded the

Infosys Prize The Infosys Prize is an annual award given to scientists, researchers, engineers and social scientists of Indian origin (not necessarily born in India) by the Infosys Science Foundation and ranks among the highest monetary awards in India to r ...

in the field of

humanities Humanities are academic disciplines that study aspects of human society and culture. In the Renaissance, the term contrasted with divinity and referred to what is now called classics, the main area of secular study in universities at the t ...

(history) in 2012 *

Indira Samarasekera Indira Vasanti Samarasekera (née Arulpragasam; April 11, 1952) is the former president and former vice-chancellor of the University of Alberta. She has been a member of the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments, which advises on ...

, 12th and current president and vice-chancellor of the

University of Alberta The University of Alberta, also known as U of A or UAlberta, is a Public university, public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It was founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford,"A Gentleman of Strathcona – Alexande ...

Vilayanur S. Ramachandran Vilayanur Subramanian Ramachandran (born 10 August 1951) is an Indian-American neuroscientist. He is known for his wide-ranging experiments and theories in behavioral neurology, including the invention of the mirror box. Ramachandran is a disti ...

, neuroscientist known primarily for his work in the fields of behavioral neurology and visual psychophysics

Agriculture

* G. Nammalvar, Indian organic farming scientist *

, agricultural scientist and Ramon Magsaysay Awardee

Botanists

* Ganapathi Thanikaimoni (1938–1986) * M. O. P. Iyengar * Dr. C. Livingstone

Computer science

* Ramanathan V. Guha, known for his work on

Cyc Cyc (pronounced ) is a long-term artificial intelligence project that aims to assemble a comprehensive ontology and knowledge base that spans the basic concepts and rules about how the world works. Hoping to capture common sense knowledge, Cyc f ...

Schema.org Schema.org is a reference website that publishes documentation and guidelines for using structured data mark-up on web-pages (called microdata). Its main objective is to standardize HTML tags to be used by webmasters for creating rich results (di ...

Meta Content Framework Meta Content Framework (MCF) is a specification of a content format for structuring metadata about web sites and other data. History MCF was developed by Ramanathan V. Guha at Apple Computer's Advanced Technology Group between 1995 and 1997. Roo ...

, Resource Description Framework; developed the first version of

RSS RSS ( RDF Site Summary or Really Simple Syndication) is a web feed that allows users and applications to access updates to websites in a standardized, computer-readable format. Subscribing to RSS feeds can allow a user to keep track of many di ...

Madhu Sudan Madhu Sudan (born 12 September 1966) is an Indian-American computer scientist. He has been a Gordon McKay Professor of Computer Science at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences since 2015. Career He received ...

(1966–), professor at the

Massachusetts Institute of Technology The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a private land-grant research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Established in 1861, MIT has played a key role in the development of modern technology and science, and is one of the ...

; member of

MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) is a research institute at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) formed by the 2003 merger of the Laboratory for Computer Science (LCS) and the Artificial Intelligence Lab ...

* Hari Balakrishnan, professor at the

; member of

* Arogyaswami Paulraj (1944–), Professor of Electrical Engineering at Stanford University; a pioneer of wireless smart antenna technology *

Ravindran Kannan Ravindran Kannan ( ta, ரவீந்திரன் கண்ணன்; born 12 March 1953, Madras) is a Principal Researcher at Microsoft Research India, where he leads the algorithms research group. He is also the first adjunct faculty of ...

, a principal researcher at ''Microsoft Research India'' * T. V. Raman *

, CEO of Google

Finance and economics

* Marti Subrahmanyam, professor at

New York University New York University (NYU) is a private research university in New York City. Chartered in 1831 by the New York State Legislature, NYU was founded by a group of New Yorkers led by then- Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin. In 1832, th ...

(NYU); on board of directors of

Infosys Infosys Limited is an Indian multinational information technology company that provides business consulting, information technology and outsourcing services. The company was founded in Pune and is headquartered in Bangalore. Infosys is the s ...

and

ICICI ICICI Bank Limited is an Indian Private bank. It is headquartered at Mumbai. It offers a wide range of banking products and financial services for corporate and retail customers through a variety of delivery channels and specialized subsidiari ...

* Bala V. Balachandran, professor at the Kellogg School of Management *

Ravi Jagannathan Ravi Jagannathan is an American economist. He is a chaired professor at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. With the exception of the period 1989–1997 when he was a professor at the University of Minnesota, Jagannatha ...

, economist and professor at the Kellogg School of Management *

H. V. R. Iyengar Haravu Venkatanarasingha Verada Raj "H. V. R." Iengar CIE, ICS (23 August 1902Reserve Bank of India The Reserve Bank of India, chiefly known as RBI, is India's central bank and regulatory body responsible for regulation of the Indian banking system. It is under the ownership of Ministry of Finance, Government of India. It is responsible f ...

(1957–1962) * S. Jagannathan, ex-Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (1970–1975); executive at the

World Bank The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans and grants to the governments of low- and middle-income countries for the purpose of pursuing capital projects. The World Bank is the collective name for the Inte ...

and

International Monetary Fund The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a major financial agency of the United Nations, and an international financial institution, headquartered in Washington, D.C., consisting of 190 countries. Its stated mission is "working to foster glo ...

(IMF) *

M. Narasimham Maidavolu Narasimham (3 June 192720 April 2021) was an Indian banker who served as the thirteenth governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) from 2 May 1977 to 30 November 1977. For his contributions to the banking and financial sector in Indi ...

, banker; ex-Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (1977); executive at the World Bank and IMF *

, ex-Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (1990–1992) *

K. Ramachandran K. Ramachandran (born 9 August 1951) is an Indian politician and the Minister for Forests in Tamil Nadu. He was born in Coonoor. He was elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly as a Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam(DMK) candidate from Gudalur ...

, Director and CFO of ''Barclays Wealth'', India (2008–) *

T. N. Srinivasan T. N. Srinivasan, in full Thirukodikaval Nilakanta Srinivasan (27 March 1933 – 11 November 2018), was an Indian economist who had taught and worked in the United States. He was the Professor#Retired faculty 2, Emeritus Samuel C. Park, Jr. Prof ...

(1933–), economist; Samuel C. Park Jr. Professor of Economics at

Yale University Yale University is a Private university, private research university in New Haven, Connecticut. Established in 1701 as the Collegiate School, it is the List of Colonial Colleges, third-oldest institution of higher education in the United Sta ...

, Professor at

University of Chicago Booth School of Business The University of Chicago Booth School of Business (Chicago Booth or Booth) is the graduate business school of the University of Chicago. Founded in 1898, Chicago Booth is the second-oldest business school in the U.S. and is associated with 10 N ...

, ex- Governor of Reserve Bank of India (2013–2016), Chief Economist,

(IMF), (2003–2007) *

Sendhil Mullainathan Sendhil Mullainathan () (born c. 1973) is an American professor of Computation and Behavioral Science at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and the author of '' Scarcity: Why Having Too Little Means So Much'' (with Eldar Sha ...

, co-founder of Ideas-42 *

Jomo Kwame Sundaram Jomo Kwame Sundaram ( ta, ஜோமோ குவாமே சுந்தரம், Jōmō Kuvāmē Cuntaram) (born 1 December 1952), fondly known just as Jomo, is a prominent Malaysian economist. He is a senior adviser at the Khazanah Resea ...

* Ramon Navaratnam * Raj Chetty, listed in 2008 by ''

The Economist ''The Economist'' is a British weekly newspaper printed in demitab format and published digitally. It focuses on current affairs, international business, politics, technology, and culture. Based in London, the newspaper is owned by The Eco ...

'' as one of the top eight young economists in the world * Swaminathan Gurumurthy, Indian economist *

Arvind Subramanian Arvind Subramanian is an Indian economist and the former Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India, having served from 16 October 2014 to 20 June 2018. Subramanian is currently a Senior Fellow at the Watson Institute for International ...

, Indian Economist,

Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India ThChief Economic Adviser (CEA)is a post in Government of India and is equivalent to rank of Secretary to the Government of India. The CEA is the ex-officio cadre controlling authority of the Indian Economic Service. The CEA is head of Econom ...

(2014–2018) * Krishnamurthy Subramanian, Indian Economist, Associate Professor in

Indian School of Business The Indian School of Business (ISB) is a private business school established in India in 2001. It has two parallel campuses in India, in Hyderabad (Telangana) and Mohali (Punjab). It offers certificates in various post-graduate management prog ...

and current

(2018-)

Law

* K. Sripavan,

Chief Justice of Sri Lanka The Chief Justice of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is the head of the judiciary of Sri Lanka and the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka. Established in 1801, the Chief Justice is one of ten Supreme Court justices; the other nine are t ...

; former Deputy Solicitor General; judge and president of the Court of Appeal; Puisne Justice of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka * Rajesh Sreenivasan *

Karthy Govender Karthy Govender is a commissioner for the South African Human Rights Commission. Karthy Govender, along with Commissioner Jody Kollapen are two Commissioners of minority South African Tamil ancestry. Karthy Govender is also an associate professor i ...

, Commissioner of the

South African Human Rights Commission The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) was inaugurated in October 1995 as an independent chapter nine institution. It draws its mandate from the South African Constitution by way of the Human Rights Commission Act of 1994. Commissioner ...

; law professor at the

University of Natal The University of Natal was a university in the former South African province Natal which later became KwaZulu-Natal. The University of Natal no longer exists as a distinct legal entity, as it was incorporated into the University of KwaZulu-N ...

K. S. Rajah Kasinather Saunthararajah (3 March 1930 – 17 June 2010), known professionally as K. S. Rajah, was a Senior Counsel and Judicial Commissioner of the Supreme Court of Singapore, Supreme Court of Singapore. Born in Penang, he came to Singapor ...

, former Supreme Court Judge – Singapore *

Navanethem Pillay Navanethem "Navi" Pillay (born 23 September 1941) is a South African jurist who served as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2008 to 2014. A South African of Indian Tamil origin, she was the first non-white woman judge o ...

, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights; South African of Indian origin and Tamil descent; first non-white woman on the High Court of South Africa; has served as a judge of the International Criminal Court and President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda * M. Patanjali Sastri, Second Chief Justice of India * V. Bhashyam Aiyangar, lawyer and jurist *

A. Vaidyanatha Iyer A. Vaidyanatha Iyer (16 May 1890 – 23 February 1955), also known as Madurai Vaidyanatha Iyer or Ayyar was an Indian activist, politician and freedom-fighter who spearheaded the temple entry movement in Madras Presidency in 1939. Early lif ...

(1890–1955), Tamil Indian activist; participated in the Indian independence movement and organized the temple entry movement in the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai; President of the Tamil Nadu Harijan Seva Sangh *

Mythili Raman Mythili Raman is a Tamil American lawyer and the former acting Assistant Attorney General for the United States Department of Justice's Criminal Division. Early life and family Mythili is the daughter of Athishdam Tharmaratnam and grand daughte ...

Tamil American Tamil Americans (தமிழ் அமெரிக்கர்கள்) are Americans who are of Tamil origin. The majority of Tamil Americans come from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Significant minorities are from other Indian states like Ka ...

lawyer; current acting

Assistant Attorney General Many of the divisions and offices of the United States Department of Justice are headed by an assistant attorney general. The president of the United States appoints individuals to the position of assistant attorney general with the advice and ...

for the Criminal Division *

Sri Srinivasan Padmanabhan Srikanth "Sri" Srinivasan (; born February 23, 1967) is an Indian-born American lawyer and jurist serving as the chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Before he was a circuit judge, Srinivas ...

United States circuit judge In the United States, federal judges are judges who serve on courts established under Article Three of the U.S. Constitution. They include the chief justice and the associate justices of the U.S. Supreme Court, the circuit judges of the U.S. ...

of the

United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (in case citations, D.C. Cir.) is one of the thirteen United States Courts of Appeals. It has the smallest geographical jurisdiction of any of the U.S. federal appellate co ...

* Muthucumaraswamy Sornarajah, C. J. Koh Professor of Law at the National University of Singapore * Malliha Wilson, Former Assistant Deputy Attorney General of the

Government of Ontario The government of Ontario (french: Gouvernement de l'Ontario) is the body responsible for the administration of the Canadian province of Ontario. A constitutional monarchy, the Crown—represented in the province by the lieutenant governor� ...

Mathematics

* Srinivasa Ramanujan (1887–1920), known for his contributions to

mathematical analysis Analysis is the branch of mathematics dealing with continuous functions, limit (mathematics), limits, and related theories, such as Derivative, differentiation, Integral, integration, measure (mathematics), measure, infinite sequences, series (m ...

number theory Number theory (or arithmetic or higher arithmetic in older usage) is a branch of pure mathematics devoted primarily to the study of the integers and integer-valued functions. German mathematician Carl Friedrich Gauss (1777–1855) said, "Mat ...

infinite series In mathematics, a series is, roughly speaking, a description of the operation of adding infinitely many quantities, one after the other, to a given starting quantity. The study of series is a major part of calculus and its generalization, math ...

and

continued fraction In mathematics, a continued fraction is an expression obtained through an iterative process of representing a number as the sum of its integer part and the reciprocal of another number, then writing this other number as the sum of its integer ...

s * Swami Bharati Krishna Tirtha, known for his book '' Vedic Mathematics'' *

Ramachandran Balasubramanian Ramachandran Balasubramanian (born 15 March 1951) is an Indian mathematician and was Director of the Institute of Mathematical Sciences in Chennai, India. He is known for his work in number theory, which includes settling the final g(4) case o ...

, Indian number theorist; Director of the Institute of Mathematical Sciences in Chennai, India *

Subbayya Sivasankaranarayana Pillai Subbayya Sivasankaranarayana Pillai (5 April 1901 – 31 August 1950) was an Indian mathematician specialising in number theory. His contribution to Waring's problem was described in 1950 by K. S. Chandrasekharan as "almost certainly his best ...

(1901–1950), known for his work in

* Kollagunta Gopalaiyer Ramanathan (1920–1992), known work in number theory *

(1918–2001), mathematician and

rights activist from Sri Lanka; recipient of the

C. S. Seshadri Conjeevaram Srirangachari Seshadri (29 February 1932 – 17 July 2020) was an Indian mathematician. He was the founder and director-emeritus of the Chennai Mathematical Institute, and is known for his work in algebraic geometry. The Seshadri ...

, Director of the

Chennai Mathematical Institute Chennai Mathematical Institute (CMI) is a higher education and research institute in Chennai, India. It was founded in 1989 by the SPIC Science Foundation, and offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in physics, mathematics and compute ...

;

Trieste Trieste ( , ; sl, Trst ; german: Triest ) is a city and seaport in northeastern Italy. It is the capital city, and largest city, of the autonomous region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, one of two autonomous regions which are not subdivided into prov ...

awardee * S. R. Srinivasa Varadhan, mathematician and fellow of the Royal Society, Abel Prize winner. Pioneer of LargeDeviations Theory. * C. P. Ramanujam (1938–1974), worked on number theory and algebraic geometry * T. S. Vijayaraghavan (1902–1955), worked on

Pisot–Vijayaraghavan number In mathematics, a Pisot–Vijayaraghavan number, also called simply a Pisot number or a PV number, is a real algebraic integer greater than 1, all of whose Galois conjugates are less than 1 in absolute value. These numbers were discovered by Axel ...

, Professor of Computer Science and Mathematics at

; joint winner of the 1991

Fulkerson Prize The Fulkerson Prize for outstanding papers in the area of discrete mathematics is sponsored jointly by the Mathematical Optimization Society (MOS) and the American Mathematical Society (AMS). Up to three awards of $1,500 each are presented at e ...

in discrete mathematics for work on the volumes of

convex Convex or convexity may refer to: Science and technology * Convex lens, in optics Mathematics * Convex set, containing the whole line segment that joins points ** Convex polygon, a polygon which encloses a convex set of points ** Convex polytop ...

bodies *

Kannan Soundararajan Kannan Soundararajan (born December 27, 1973) is an India-born American mathematician and a professor of mathematics at Stanford University. Before moving to Stanford in 2006, he was a faculty member at University of Michigan where he pursued hi ...

* Ramaiyengar Sridharan * Srinivasacharya Raghavan *

Madabusi Santanam Raghunathan Madabusi Santanam Raghunathan FRS is an Indian mathematician. He is currently Head of the National Centre for Mathematics, Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai. Formerly Professor of eminence at TIFR in Homi Bhabha Chair. Raghunathan receiv ...

* A. A. Krishnaswami Ayyangar, exponent of Vedic mathematics * Mudumbai Seshachalu Narasimhan, mathematician and fellow of the Royal Society (1996) * K. R. Parthasarathy, Professor Emeritus at the Indian Statistical Institute of New Delhi * Ramaiyengar Sridharan, mathematician at

; awarded the

Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology (SSB) is a science award in India given annually by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for notable and outstanding research, applied or fundamental, in biology, ...

in Mathematical Science * Raman Parimala, known for her contributions to

algebra Algebra () is one of the broad areas of mathematics. Roughly speaking, algebra is the study of mathematical symbols and the rules for manipulating these symbols in formulas; it is a unifying thread of almost all of mathematics. Elementary ...

* S. Ramanan, works in algebraic geometry * Kavita Ramanan, daughter of S. Ramanan. Mathematician at Brown University

Medicine

* Balamurali Ambati, world's youngest doctor at age 17 * Rangaswamy Srinivasan, ultraviolet excimer laser / LASIK inventor at IBM Research *

V. S. Ramachandran Vilayanur Subramanian Ramachandran (born 10 August 1951) is an Indian-American neuroscientist. He is known for his wide-ranging experiments and theories in behavioral neurology, including the invention of the mirror box. Ramachandran is a disti ...

, neuroscientist; Director Professor at UC San Diego * S. S. Ratnam, pioneer in Singapore in-vitro fertilisation; Sri Lankan Tamil ancestry * Ganapathi Thanikaimoni,

palynologist Palynology is the "study of dust" (from grc-gre, παλύνω, palynō, "strew, sprinkle" and '' -logy'') or of "particles that are strewn". A classic palynologist analyses particulate samples collected from the air, from water, or from deposit ...

at French Institute of Pondicherry; awarded the Fyson Prize in Natural Science *

Govindappa Venkataswamy Govindappa Venkataswamy (1 October 1918 – 7 July 2006), popularly known as Dr V., was an Indian ophthalmologist who dedicated his life to eliminate needless blindness. He was the founder and former chairman of Aravind Eye Hospitals. He i ...

, founder of Aravind Eye Hospital *

Ravi Iyengar Ravi Iyengar, is a principal investigator at The Mount Sinai Medical Center. Trained as a biochemist, Iyengar studies cellular signaling networks using both experiments and computer simulations. His laboratory focuses on how cell signals are rout ...

, professor and founder of the ''Iyengar Laboratory'',

Mount Sinai School of Medicine The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS or Mount Sinai), formerly the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, is a private medical school in New York City. It is the academic teaching arm of the Mount Sinai Health System, which manages eig ...

Gunamudian David Boaz Gunamudian David Boaz (31 March 1908 – 8 July 1965) was the first Indian psychologist. He received his PhD from The University of Oxford in 1935, and graduated from Scott Christian College. The department of Psychology was instituted at t ...

, Indian

psychologist *

Paul Kalanithi Paul Sudhir Arul Kalanithi (April 1, 1977 – March 9, 2015) was an American neurosurgeon and writer. His book '' When Breath Becomes Air'' is a memoir about his life and illness with stage IV metastatic lung cancer. It was posthumously published ...

Neurosurgeon Neurosurgery or neurological surgery, known in common parlance as brain surgery, is the medical specialty concerned with the surgical treatment of disorders which affect any portion of the nervous system including the brain, spinal cord and peri ...

Manoj Durairaj Dr Manoj Durairaj is an Indian heart transplant surgeon, based in Pune. He was awarded “Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice” in November 2021. He has been working as Director, Marian Cardiac Centre and Research Foundation, Pune, India, the firsts hea ...

Cardiac surgeon Cardiac surgery, or cardiovascular surgery, is surgery on the heart or great vessels performed by cardiac surgeons. It is often used to treat complications of ischemic heart disease (for example, with coronary artery bypass grafting); to corr ...

, philanthropist and winner of

Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice ''Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice'' ("For Church and Pope" in Latin) is a decoration of the Holy See. It is currently conferred for distinguished service to the Catholic Church by lay people and clergy. History The medal was established by Leo XIII o ...

Soumya Swaminathan Soumya Swaminathan (born 2 May 1959) is an Indian paediatrician and clinical scientist known for her research on tuberculosis and HIV. From 2019 to 2022, she served as the chief scientist at the World Health Organization under the leadership of ...

, Chief Scientist of

WHO Who or WHO may refer to: * Who (pronoun), an interrogative or relative pronoun * Who?, one of the Five Ws in journalism * World Health Organization Arts and entertainment Fictional characters * Who, a creature in the Dr. Seuss book '' Horton He ...

* Celine Gounder, is an American Tamil infectious disease

physician A physician (American English), medical practitioner (Commonwealth English), medical doctor, or simply doctor, is a health professional who practices medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring health through th ...

, internist,

epidemiologist Epidemiology is the study and analysis of the distribution (who, when, and where), patterns and determinants of health and disease conditions in a defined population. It is a cornerstone of public health, and shapes policy decisions and evidenc ...

, filmmaker, and medical journalist who specializes in infectious disease and global health * Raghavan Varadarajan, Molecular Biologist At Indian Institute Of Science, Bangalore *

V. Shanta Viswanathan Shanta (11 March 1927 – 19 January 2021) was an Indian oncologist and the chairperson of Adyar Cancer Institute, Chennai. She is best known for her efforts towards making quality and affordable cancer treatment accessible to all ...

, Cancer Specialist Head Of Adyar Cancer Institute

Engineering (scientists)

Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman (; 7 November 188821 November 1970) was an Indian physicist known for his work in the field of light scattering. Using a spectrograph that he developed, he and his student K. S. Krishnan discovered that when ...

, 1930 Nobel Prize Winner in

physics Physics is the natural science that studies matter, its fundamental constituents, its motion and behavior through space and time, and the related entities of energy and force. "Physical science is that department of knowledge which r ...

* Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, 1983 Nobel Prize Winner in physics * Dr.

K. Kasturirangan Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan (born 24 October 1940) is an Indian space scientist who headed the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from 1994 to 2003. He is presently Chancellor of Central University of Rajasthan and NIIT University. He ...

, former Chairman of ISRO; director of the National Institute of Advanced studies (NIAS) *

Raja Ramanna Raja Ramanna (28 January 1925 – 24 September 2004) was an Indian physicist who is best known for his role in India's nuclear program during its early stages. Having joined the nuclear program in 1964, Ramanna worked under Homi Jeha ...

, former Chairman of Department of Atomic Energy; presided over India's first nuclear test in 1974 * Dr.

P. K. Iyengar Padmanabhan Krishnagopala Iyengar (29 June 1931 – 21 December 2011; best known as P. K. Iyengar), was an Indian nuclear physicist who is widely known for his central role in the development of the nuclear program of India. Iyengar previousl ...

, former Chairman of Department of Atomic Energy * M. R. Srinivasan, former Chairman of the Department of Atomic Energy *

R. Chidambaram Rajagopala Chidambaram (born 11 November 1936) is an Indian Physicist who is known for his integral role in India's nuclear weapons program; he coordinated test preparation for the Pokhran-I (1975) and Pokhran-II (1998). Previously served ...

, scientific adviser to the Prime Minister of India and ex-Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission * S. R. Ranganathan, devised the five laws of

library science Library science (often termed library studies, bibliothecography, and library economy) is an interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary field that applies the practices, perspectives, and tools of management, information technology, education, an ...

* A. Sivathanu Pillai, defence scientist; CEO of the Indo-Russian Brahmos company * G. N. Ramachandran (1922–2001), made major contributions to

biology Biology is the scientific study of life. It is a natural science with a broad scope but has several unifying themes that tie it together as a single, coherent field. For instance, all organisms are made up of cells that process hereditary i ...

and physics * R. V. Perumal, former Director of the

Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre The Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) is a research and development centre functioning under Indian Space Research Organisation. It has two units located at Valiamala, in Thiruvananthapuram of Kerala, and Bengaluru of Karnataka. LPSC i ...

* Ramanuja Vijayaraghavan (1931–),

physicist A physicist is a scientist who specializes in the field of physics, which encompasses the interactions of matter and energy at all length and time scales in the physical universe. Physicists generally are interested in the root or ultimate cau ...

at the

Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) is a public deemed research university located in Mumbai, India that is dedicated to basic research in mathematics and the sciences. It is a Deemed University and works under the umbrella of the ...

* Udaya Kumar, designer of the

Indian rupee sign The Indian rupee sign (₹) is the currency symbol for the Indian rupee (ISO 4217: INR), the official currency of India. Designed by D. Udaya Kumar, it was presented to the public by the Government of India on 15 July 2010, following its select ...

* Vallampadugai Srinivasa Raghavan Arunachalam *

Poondi Kumaraswamy Ponnambalam Kumaraswamy (often referred to as Poondi Kumaraswamy) (October 4, 1930 - March 9, 1988) was a leading hydrologist from India. He was elected a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences in 1972 although his only formal education was a ...

, only person to have received both the ''Homi Bhabha Fellowship'' 1967–69 and the

Jawaharlal Nehru Fellowship The Jawaharlal Nehru Trust Scholarship U.K. was founded by Admiral Lord Mountbatten of Burma in 1966 as a tribute to the India's first Prime Minister – Jawaharlal Nehru – after his death in 1964. The scholarship was funded by the Nehru M ...

1975–77, two of the country's top research awards;

hydrologist Hydrology () is the scientific study of the movement, distribution, and management of water on Earth and other planets, including the water cycle, water resources, and environmental watershed sustainability. A practitioner of hydrology is calle ...

* P. S. Krishnaprasad, professor of electrical engineering at the University of Maryland * S. Somasegar, recipient of the Asian American Engineer of the Year Award * S. Vanajah, the only woman among four finalists who outlasted 11,000 other

Malaysians Malaysians are nationals and citizens who are identified with the country of Malaysia. Although citizens make up the majority of Malaysians, non-citizen residents and overseas Malaysians may also claim a Malaysian identity. The country is h ...

who applied for the astronaut selection process in 2003 *

Ramamurti Shankar Ramamurti Shankar (born April 28, 1947) is the Josiah Willard Gibbs professor of Physics at Yale University, in New Haven, Connecticut. Education He received his B. Tech in electrical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, I ...

, John Randolph Huffman Professor of Physics at

* B. C. Shekhar, modernised Malaysia's natural rubber industry *

Raman Sundrum Raman Sundrum (born 1964) is an Indian-American theoretical particle physicist. He contributed to the field with a class of models called the Randall–Sundrum models, first published in 1999 with Lisa Randall. Sundrum is a Distinguished Universi ...

, developed a class of models called the Randall–Sundrum models *

Siva Sivananthan Professor Sivalingam Sivananthan ( ta, சிவலிங்கம் சிவானந்தன்) is an American academic, scientist, businessman and Director of the Microphysics Laboratory at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Early lif ...

, awarded the "Champion of Change" (Immigrant Entrepreneurs and Innovators category) by the

White House The White House is the official residence and workplace of the president of the United States. It is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., and has been the residence of every U.S. president since John Adams in ...

Zoologists

* Mahadeva Subramania Mani, entomologist

Music

Tamil music

Muthu Thandavar Muthu Thandavar (1525 – 1600 CE) (Tamil:முத்துத்தாண்டவர்)was composer of Carnatic music. He was an early architect of the present day Carnatic '' kriti'' (song) format, which consists of the ''pallavi'' (refra ...

, one of the

Tamil Trinity The Tamil Trinity (also known as the Tamil Moovar) commonly refers to the three Tamil composers of early Carnatic music. They were Muthu Thandavar (?1560 - ?1640 CE), Arunachala Kavi (1712–1779) and Marimutthu Pillai Marimutha Pillai (1712 ...

Marimutthu Pillai Marimutha Pillai (1712 – 1787 CE) was a composer of Carnatic music and, along with Arunachala Kavi and Muthu Thandavar, was one of the pioneering Tamil Trinity The Tamil Trinity (also known as the Tamil Moovar) commonly refers to the th ...

, one of the Tamil Trinity * Arunachala Kavi, one of the Tamil Trinity * *

Kollangudi Karuppayee Kollangudi Karuppayee ( ta, கொல்லங்குடி கருப்பாயி) is a Tamil folk singer who has also performed in films. She is considered one of the pioneers of Tamil folk music; as the first of her genre and background t ...

* Nagore E. M. Hanifa

Carnatic music

* Ranjani & Gayatri *

Papanasam Sivan Paapanaasam Raamayya Sivan (26 September 1890 – 1 October 1973) was an Indian composer of Carnatic music and a singer. He was awarded the Madras Music Academy's Sangeetha Kalanidhi in 1971. He was also a film score composer in Kannada cinema ...

Sikkil Gurucharan . In 2020, he acted in a tamil anthology film, Putham Pudhu Kaalai. Early life Around 1987, as a 5-year-old, Gurucharan was casually coaxed by his grandmothers, the Sikkil Sisters, to sing some tune. After a little cajoling, he sang a popular f ...

Lalgudi Jayaraman Lalgudi Gopala Iyer Jayaraman (17 September 1930 – 22 April 2013) was an Indian Carnatic violinist, vocalist and composer. He is commonly grouped with M.S. Gopalakrishnan and T.N.Krishnan as part of the violin-trinity of Carnatic Mus ...

Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan (2 March 1935 – 8 September 2008) was an Indian classical music violinist and music composer. Early life Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan was born on 2 March 1935 and was trained by his father, Ramaswamy Sastry. He was the brother ...

Madurai Mani Iyer Madurai Mani Iyer ( ta, மதுரை மணி ஐயர்; 25 October 1912 – 8 June 1968) was an Indian Carnatic music singer, who was famous for his unique style. He was one of the most highly celebrated carnatic vocalists during the fi ...

Veena Dhanammal Veenai Dhanammal ( ta, வீணை தனம்மாள்) (1867–1938) was a highly accomplished Carnatic musician, and the torchbearer of the school of Carnatic music that goes by her name. She was both a vocalist and a performer on the S ...

* E. Gayathri * D. K. Pattammal *

Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer Semmangudi Radhakrishna Srinivasa Iyer (25 July 1908 – 31 October 2003) was an Indian Carnatic vocalist. He was the youngest recipient of the Sangeetha Kalanidhi awarded by the Music Academy in 1947, a distinction he holds to this day a ...

Muthuswami Dikshitar Muthuswami Dikshitar (Mudduswamy Dikshitar)(, 24 March 1776 – 21 October 1835), mononymously Dikshitar, was a South Indian poet, singer and veena player, and a legendary composer of Indian classical music, who is considered one of the musical ...

* N. Ramani * L. Athira Krishna *

Aruna Sairam Sangita Kalanidhi Aruna Sairam is an Indian classical vocalist and carnatic music singer. She is a recipient of the Padma Shri award from the Government of India and has been elected as Vice Chairman of the Sangeet Natak Academy (India's premier ...

* T. Brinda * T. Muktha *

T. Viswanathan Tanjore Viswanathan (13 August 1927 – 10 September 2002) was a Carnatic musician specializing in the Carnatic flute and voice. Early life and background Viswa, as T. (Tanjore/Thanjavur) Viswanathan is often called, was born in Madras, I ...

* R. Vedavalli *

Sirkazhi Govindarajan Sirkazhi Govindarajan (19 January 1933 – 24 March 1988) was an Indian Tamil Carnatic vocalist and a leading playback singer of Indian cinema. Early life Govindarajan, was born on 19 January 1933 at Sirkazhi (a small town in present day Ma ...

Maharajapuram Santhanam Maharajapuram Santhanam, (20 May 1928-24 June 1992) was an Indian Carnatic music vocalist. He was awarded the Madras Music Academy's Sangeetha Kalanidhi in 1989. He was born in Sirunangur, a village in the state of Tamil Nadu. He followed the ...

Sanjay Subrahmanyan Sanjay Subrahmanyan (born 21 January 1968 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu) is a Carnatic vocalist from India. He was awarded the Madras Music Academy's Sangeetha Kalanidhi in 2015. Biography Sanjay Subrahmanyan was born on 21 January 1968 in Chennai ...

T. M. Soundararajan Thoguluva Meenatchi Iyengar Soundararajan (24 March 1923 – 25 May 2013), popularly known as TMS, was an Indian Carnatic musician and a playback singer in Tamil cinema for over six and a half decades. He sang over 10,138 songs from 3,162 fi ...

* Nithyashree Mahadevan * Nisha Rajagopalan * Chinmayi *

Mahathi Mahathi. S, known by the mononym Mahathi is a Carnatic musician and playback singer for film songs in several Indian languages such as Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Punjabi. Family Mahathi hails from a family of musicians: her father ...

Aruna Sayeeram Sangita Kalanidhi Aruna Sairam is an Indian classical vocalist and carnatic music singer. She is a recipient of the Padma Shri award from the Government of India and has been elected as Vice Chairman of the Sangeet Natak Academy (India's premier ...

Alathur Brothers Alathur Brothers Srinivasa Iyer (1911–1980) & Sivasubramania Iyer (1916–1965) were Carnatic vocalists. The world of Carnatic music knows them as the star duo of the twentieth century. They learnt under Alathur Venkatesa Iyer, the father ...

, Alathur Brothers Srinivasa Iyer (1912–1964) and Sivasubramania Iyer (1916–1980) *

Poochi Srinivasa Iyengar Poochi Srinivasa Iyengar (1860 - 1919), whose real name was Ramanathapuram Srinivasa Iyengar, was a singer and composer of Carnatic music. He was born in Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu on August 16, 1860. He studied music under Patnam Subramania Iy ...

* Patnam Subramania Iyer * G. N. Balasubramaniam * S. Sowmya * M. L. Vasanthakumari *

Charumathi Ramachandran Charumathi Ramachandran (born 12 July 1951) is a Carnatic music singer. She is a disciple of M.L. Vasanthakumari. She was a gold medalist and stood first in music from the Madras University. She was one of the first carnatic vocalists to introd ...

Vasundhara Devi Vasundhara Devi (1917-1988) was an Indian actress, trained Bharathanatyam dancer and carnatic singer. The Indian actress Vyjayanthimala is her daughter. Filmography *(1941) '' Rishyasringar'' *(1943) '' Mangamma Sapatham'' *(1947) ''Udayanan ...

* Abraham Pandithar,

musicologist Musicology (from Greek μουσική ''mousikē'' 'music' and -λογια ''-logia'', 'domain of study') is the scholarly analysis and research-based study of music. Musicology departments traditionally belong to the humanities, although some m ...

and

siddha ''Siddha'' (Sanskrit: '; "perfected one") is a term that is used widely in Indian religions and culture. It means "one who is accomplished." It refers to perfected masters who have achieved a high degree of physical as well as spiritual ...

medicine practitioner from Madras Presidency, British India

Film music

* K. V. Mahadevan (1918–2001), composer; winner of the

National Film Award for Best Music Direction The National Film Award for Best Music Direction (the Silver Lotus Award) is an honour presented annually at the National Film Awards by the Directorate of Film Festivals to a musician who has composed the best score for films produced within th ...

(1968 & 1980) * T. K. Ramamoorthy (1922–2013), composer *

V. Kumar V. Kumar ( ta, வரதராஜுலு குமார், ) (28 July 1934 – 7 January 1996) was a yesteryear Tamil cinema music director, born in Chennai, Tamilnadu on 28 July 1934 to Varadharajulu and Dhanabhakiyam couple, in July 1969 ...

(1934–1996) *

Ilayaraja Ilaiyaraaja (born R. Gnanathesikan, 3 June 1943) is an Indian musician, composer, arranger, conductor, orchestrator, instrumentalist, lyricist and singer, popular for his works in Indian Cinema, prominently in Tamil films. Reputed to be one of ...

* Gangai Amaran (1947–), composer, singer, director * Chandrabose (?–2010), composer *

Shankar–Ganesh Shankar–Ganesh is an Indian music director duo who has worked on Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada movies for around 50 years. Career They started as assistants to Tamil music composers M. S. Viswanathan and T. K. Ramamoorthy in 1964 an ...

, composer *

Deva Deva may refer to: Entertainment * ''Deva'' (1989 film), a 1989 Kannada film * ''Deva'' (1995 film), a 1995 Tamil film * ''Deva'' (2002 film), a 2002 Bengali film * Deva (2007 Telugu film) * ''Deva'' (2017 film), a 2017 Marathi film * Deva ...

(1950–), composer, singer * S. A. Rajkumar (1964–), composer * Sirpy (1962–), composer *

(1967–), composer, singer, winner of Academy Award for Best Original Song,

(1993, 1997, 2002 & 2003) *

Yuvan Shankar Raja Yuvan Shankar Raja or Abdul Haliq (born 31 August 1979) is an Indian film score and soundtrack composer and singer-songwriter. He mainly scores music for Tamil films. Considered a versatile composer, he is particularly known for his use of Wes ...

(1979–), composer, singer, winner of

Cyprus International Film Festival The Cyprus International Film Festival (CYIFF) is an annual film festival held in Cyprus. The festival has taken place in Nicosia and more recently in Paphos, in cooperation with Cultural International Festivals. Description The International ...

Award in 2006 for ''Raam'' *

Harris Jayaraj Harris Jayaraj (born 8 January 1975) is an Indian composer from Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He composes soundtracks predominantly for Tamil films, while also having composed for a few films in Telugu and two films in Hindi. He has been honoured with K ...

(1975–), composer *

Kavita Krishnamurti Sharada Krishnamurthy, popularly known as Kavita Krishnamurthy or Kavita Subramaniam, is an Indian playback and classical singer. She has recorded 50,000 songs in 45 various Indian languages including Hindi, Bengali, Kannada, Rajasthani, Bhoj ...

(1958-), singer *

D. Imman Immanuel Vasanth Dinakaran (born 24 January 1983), better known as D. Imman, is an Indian film composer and singer, predominantly working in Tamil cinema. Also worked in Kannada, Malayalam, Telugu, and Hindi film industry. His first film as mu ...

(1983–), composer, singer * Srikanth Deva, composer, singer *

Bobo Shashi Shashikanth, better known as Bobo Shashi ( ta, போபோ சஷி : born 12 October 1981) is an Indian film composer and singer. Biography and career Shashi was born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India to a musically affluent family. His father M ...

, composer, singer *

Karthik Raja Karthik Raja is an India composer based in Chennai, India. He made his debut as film composer in the Tamil film ''Pandiyan'' (1992) and went on to score music for many critically and commercially acclaimed feature films. Personal life Karthik ...

(1973–), composer *

Bharathwaj Ramani Bharathwaj known professionally as Bharadwaj is an Indian music director, composer, singer-songwriter, and music producer, predominantly known for his work in Tamil cinema. He is trained in Hindustani, Western and Carnatic music and is a ...

(1960–), composer, singer * G. V. Prakash Kumar (1987–), composer, singer, actor * Vijay Antony (1975–), composer, singer, actor * Anirudh Ravichander (1990–), composer, singer * James Vasanthan, composer * Santhosh Narayanan (1983–), composer * Mohamaad Ghibran (1980–), composer * Joshua Sridhar (2004-), composer * Nivas K. Prasanna (2014-), composer

Western music

* Master Dhanraj, Mentor of Ilaiyaraaja and

* M.I.A. (rapper), M.I.A. (Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam), British musician * Sketchy Bongo (Yuvir Pillay), South African musician and DJ * Clarence Jey (Clarence Jeyaretnam), Sri Lankan American record producer * Poetic Ammo, Yogi B (Yogeswaran Veerasingam), Malaysian hiphop artist, founder of Poetic Ammo * Kamahl (Kandiah Kamalesvaran), Australian cabaret/easy listening singer * Tharini Mudaliar, Australian singer and violinist * Tommy Genesis, Canadian rapper * Shan Vincent de Paul, Canadian singer-songwriter, Rapper * Jacintha Abisheganaden, Singaporean singer * Rudra (band), Rudra, Singaporean death metal band * Shruti Haasan, western singer, daughter of Tamil actor Kamal Haasan * Blaaze, rap artist and playback singer * Lord Kossity * Siva Kaneswaran, band member of The Wanted * Arjun Coomaraswamy, UK R&B singer * Dinesh Kanagaratnam, Sri Lankan hiphop artist * Hiphop Tamizha, Tamil rap duo * Vidya Vox, American singer * Yanchan, Canadian music artist * Priya Ragu, Swiss singer

Other

* Jaclyn Victor, Malaysian singer, winner of inaugural Malaysian Idol * Chen Gexin, Chinese songwriter * Chen Gang (composer), Chen Gang, Chinese composer * Lydian Nadhaswaram, child prodigy, Indian pianist, winner of The World's Best, 2019 * Ashan Pillai, Sri Lankan born British violist and professor

Dance

* T. Balasaraswati * Chitra Visweswaran * Padma Subramanyam * Rukmini Devi Arundale * Anita Ratnam *

* Rajee Narayan

Cinema

Directors

Actors

*Gemini Ganesan * Kamal Haasan *Suriya *Silambarasan *Vijay (actor), Vijay *R. Madhavan *Saravanan (actor), Saravanan *

*Arun Vijay *Vijayakanth *Harish Kalyan *Siddharth (actor), Siddharth *Karthi *Vijay Sethupathi *Sivakarthikeyan *Vadivelu *Goundamani *Senthil *Ramarajan *Vivek (actor), Vivek *Santhanam (actor), Santhanam *Sathyaraj *Sathish *Sibi Sathyaraj *Vikram (actor), Vikram *M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar *N. S. Krishnan *P. U. Chinnappa *T. R. Mahalingam (actor), T. R. Mahalingam *Yogi Babu *Manivannan *Thengai Srinivasan *Manobala *Mansoor Ali Khan (actor), Mansoor Ali Khan *Vennira Aadai Moorthy *Karunas *Delhi Ganesh *Singamuthu *Kumarimuthu *Vinu Chakravarthy *Vijay Antony *G. V. Prakash Kumar *T. Rajendar *Sam Anderson (Tamil actor), Sam Anderson *Jayam Ravi, half Tamil *Prashanth Thyagarajan, half Tamil

Actresses

*Trisha (actress) *Nivetha Pethuraj *Shruti Haasan, half Tamil *Menaka (actress) *Keerthy Suresh, half Tamil *Priya Anand, half Tamil *Regina Cassandra *Priyamani *Rekha, half Tamil *Meena (actress), Meena, half Tamil *Sridevi, half Tamil *Priya Bhavani Shankar *Vyjanthimala *Madhoo *Meenakshi Seshadri *Vidya Balan, half Tamil *Riythvika *Suhasini Maniratnam *Hema Malini *Esha Deol, half Tamil *Priyanka Arul Mohan, half Tamil *Indhuja Ravichandran *Janani (actress) *Amritha Aiyer *Ramya Krishnan *Sai Dhanshika *Meera Mithun

Music composers

:''See: List of Tamil people#Film music, Film music *

* Ilaiyaraaja *

*Ghibran *Vivek-Mervin *Anirudh Ravichander *Justin Prabhakaran *Santhosh Narayanan * Gangai Amaran *Deva (composer) *Sam C. S. *Vijay Antony *G. V. Prakash Kumar *Darbuka Siva *Sean Roldan

In Hollywood

* Sendhil Ramamurthy, actor in NBC drama ''Heroes (U.S. TV series), Heroes'' and Netflix series Never Have I Ever (TV series), ''Never Have I Ever''; half Tamil * Ashok Amritraj, filmmaker, producer * Merle Oberon, actress * Geraldine Viswanathan, actress from Blockers (film); half Tamil * Sunkrish Bala, actor in American Broadcasting Company, ABC show ''Notes from the Underbelly'' * Mindy Kaling, actor in NBC sitcom ''The Office (U.S. TV series), The Office''; half Tamil * Aziz Ansari, actor and comedian * Poorna Jagannathan, actress in Netflix series Never Have I Ever (TV series), ''Never Have I Ever'' * Chandran Rutnam, award-winning director for the movie ''A Common Man (film), A Common Man'' at the Madrid International Film Festival; half Tamil. * M. Night Shyamalan, director; half Tamil * Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, actress in Netflix series Never Have I Ever (TV series), ''Never Have I Ever'' * Selva Rasalingam, actor; half Tamil * Nimmi Harasgama, actress in Funny Boy (2020 film); half Tamil * Amara Karan, actress in The Darjeeling Limited * Simone Ashley, actress in Bridgerton * Charithra Chandran, actress in Bridgerton

Other entertainers

* Padma Lakshmi, American model and television host * Waheeda Rehman, Indian actress and dancer * Michelle Saram, Chinese-Singaporean actress and singer * Romesh Ranganathan, British comedian * Sindhu Vee, British stand-up comedian; half Tamil * Aurore Kichenin, French model * Deborah Priya Henry, Malaysian-Irish model and television personality

Sports and games

Athletics

* Mariyappan Thangavelu, winner of the gold medal in Paralympics, high jump * Santhi Soundarajan, first World Peace Sports Festival Ambassador from India; first Tamil woman to win a medal at Asian Games * Mani Jegathesan * Sathish Sivalingam * Gomathi Marimuthu, winner of the gold medal in Asian athletics championship

Basketball

* Anitha Pauldurai, basketball player

Boxing

* Venkatesan Devarajan was the second Indian to win a medal at the Boxing World Cup after Pu Zoramthanga (boxer), from Mizoram. He is from Chennai, India. He was awarded the Arjuna Award in 1995. He competed in the men's bantamweight event at the 1992 Summer Olympics. V. Devarajan has been a fighter on and off the boxing ring. He broke new ground by becoming the first Indian to win a World Cup medal on foreign soil in 1994. * Kalaivani Srinivasan is a female boxer from Tamil Nadu who won a silver medal at the Indian Seniors National Boxing Championship in Vijayanagar in 2019. She was named the ‘Most Promising Boxer’ at the Indian National Boxing Championship in 2019. She later won a gold medal at the South Asian Games in Kathmandu, Nepal in 2019.

Carrom

* A. Maria Irudayam, world carrom champion and Arjuna Award winner for carrom (1996) * R. Arokiaraj, carrom champion * B. Radhakrishnan, carrom champion

Volleyball

* A. Palanisamy, first Arjuna Award winner for volleyball (1961) * G. E. Sridharan, Arjuna Award winner * Kumaran, played for Indian team and currently playing for IOB, Chennai * Sivabalan, played for India and currently playing for IOB, Chennai

Chess

, world chess champion; first Indian to earn the title of International Grandmaster, Grandmaster * Manuel Aaron, first Indian to earn the title of International Master * Murugan Thiruchelvam, chess player from United Kingdom * Krishnan Sasikiran, Grandmaster and Arjuna Award winner for chess (2002) * S. Vijayalakshmi, six-time women's national champion of India; first woman Grandmaster from India; Arjuna Award winner for chess (2000) * Aarthie Ramaswamy, woman Grandmaster and under-18 girls' world chess champion * Baskaran Adhiban, chess Grandmaster from Tamil Nadu * S. P. Sethuraman, chess Grandmaster from Tamil Nadu * Srinath Narayanan, Chess Grandmaster From Tamil Nadu * Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, Chess Grandmaster From Tamil Nadu

Cricket

India

* M.J. Gopalan (1909–2003), represented India in both international field hockey and cricket * C. R. Rangachari (1916–1993), fast bowler, pace bowler, India national cricket team, Indian Cricket Team * M. Suryanarayan (1930–2010), batsman, Indian Test cricketer * C. D. Gopinath (1930–), batsman, Indian Cricket Team * Ravichandran Ashwin, all rounder, Indian Cricket Team * Srinivas Venkataraghavan, S. Venkataraghavan (1945–), ex-Captain of Indian Cricket Team and test cricket, Test and One Day International, ODI umpire (cricket), umpire * Krishnamachari Srikkanth, K. Srikkanth (1959–), ex-Captain and current Chief Selector of Indian Cricket Team * T. A. Sekhar (1956–), fast bowler, pace bowler, Indian Cricket Team * Thiru Kumaran (1975–), pace bowler, Indian Cricket Team * Tirumalai Srinivasan, T.E. Srinivasan, batsman, Indian Cricket Team * Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, L. Sivaramakrishnan (1965–), spin bowling, spin bowler, Indian Cricket Team * Margasahayam Venkataramana (1966–), test cricketer, off-spinner * V. B. Chandrasekhar, batsman, Indian Cricket Team * Bharat Arun (1962–), pace bowler, Indian Cricket Team * Murali Kartik (1976–), spin bowling, spin bowler, Indian Cricket Team, Kolkata Knight Riders, Pune Warriors * Sadagoppan Ramesh (1975–), batsman, Indian Cricket Team * Subramaniam Badrinath (1980–), batsman, Indian Cricket Team, Chennai Super Kings * Murali Vijay (1984–), batsman, Indian Cricket Team, Chennai Super Kings * Lakshmipathy Balaji (1981–), pace bowler, Indian Cricket Team, Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders * Dinesh Karthik (1985–), wicketkeeper, Indian Cricket Team, Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians * Washington Sundar (1999–), all-rounder, Indian Cricket Team, Royal Challengers Bangalore * Thangarasu Natarajan, pacer From Salem Tamil Nadu * Varun Chakravarthy, spinner * Murugan Ashwin, leg spinner

Other countries

* Muttiah Muralitharan (1972–), highest wicket taker in test cricket, test and One Day International, ODI cricket from Sri Lanka * Angelo Mathews, Sri Lankan all rounder and captain * Russel Arnold, Sri Lankan cricketer and journalist * Roy Dias, former Sri Lankan test cricketer/vice captain; a Tamil of Negombo Chetty * Sridharan Jeganathan (?–1996), former NCC and Sri Lankan test cricketer/off spin bowler; first Sri Lankan test cricketer to die * Vinodhan John, pace bowler, first Sri Lankan Tamil people, Sri Lankan Tamil Test cricketer 1982 * Pradeep Jayaprakashdaran, Sri Lankan One Day International (ODI) cricket player * S. Illangaratnam, Sri Lankan cricketer, stalwart of Moratuwa and Bloomfield cricket clubs prior to the Test era * Mahadevan Sathasivam, one of the best cricket batsmen produced by Ceylon * K. T. Francis, Kandiah Thirugnansampandapillai Francis, international test cricket, Test and One Day International, ODI Umpire (cricket), umpire from Sri Lanka * Nasser Hussain (1968–), former Essex and England cricketer, test captain * Sanjayan Thuraisingam (1969–), pace bowler, Canadian cricket team, Canadian Cricket Team * Alvin Kallicharan, former West Indies Guyana cricket captain * Mahendra Nagamootoo, former West Indies and Guyana cricketer, nephew of Alvin Kallicharan * Veerasammy Permaul, West Indies and Guyana cricketer

Football

* Peter Velappan (1935–2018), General Secretary of Asian Football Confederation; member of FIFA Strategic Studies Committee & Organising Committee for the FIFA World Cup * Samuel Moutoussamy Professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for FC Nantes and represents the DR Congo internationally. * Gurusamy Kandasamy * Syed Sabir Pasha, represented Indian football team in the early 1990s; also played for and coached Indian Bank-Chennai

Hockey

* Vasudevan Baskaran, captain of the India men's national field hockey team, Indian hockey team that won Olympic medal, Olympic Gold in 1980 Moscow Olympics; Arjuna Award winner (1979–1980) * Dhanraj Pillay (1968–), ex-India men's national field hockey team, Indian hockey team Captain, Arjuna Award winner (1995); winner of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award (1999–2000) * Adam Sinclair, member of the Indian hockey team at the 2004 2004 Summer Olympics, Athens Olympics

Mountain climbing

* M. Magendran, conquered the highest peak in the world, Mount Everest

Racing

* Karun Chandhok, Formula 1 driver * Naren Kumar, four time National Rally Champion * Ajith Kumar, mechanic, F2 racer, Moto gp racer

Squash

* Nicol David, former world number 1 * Joshna Chinappa, Indian women Squash Champion

Tennis

* Vijay Amritraj, international champion and actor * Anand Amritraj, international player * Ashok Amritraj, international player * Prakash Amritraj, international player * Ramanathan Krishnan, international player * Ramesh Krishnan, international player * Nirupama Vaidyanathan, international player

Entertainers

, Bharatanatyam dancer; introduced semi-classical dance in Bollywood * Rukmini Devi Arundale, Bharatanatyam dancer; founder of Kalakshetra * Balasaraswati, Bharatanatyam dancer * Alarmel Valli, Bharatanatyam dancer * Chitra Visweswaran, Bharatanatyam dancer * Padma Subramanyam, Bharatanatyam dancer * Pithukuli Murugadas, musician * K. B. Sundarambal, actress andsinger *

, vocalist and Carnatic music exponent * Dr.Sirkazhi G. Sivachidambaram, vocalist and Carnatic music exponent

Religion and spirituality

* Bodhidharma (5th/6th century), Buddhist monk and 28th patriarch of Buddhism; traditionally credited as the leading patriarch and transmitter of Zen to China; spread Shaolin Kung Fu in China * Ayya Vaikundar (1809–1851), founder and preceptor of the Ayyavazhi sect * Arutprakasa Vallalar Chidambaram Ramalinga Swamigal, Ramalinga Swamigal (1823–1873), popularly known as Vallalar * Ramanuja (1017–1137), philosopher and saint of Vaishnavism * Appayya Dikshidar (1520–1593), philosopher, followed the Advaita school of Indian philosophy * Anandabharati Aiyangar (1786–1846), poet * Ramana Maharshi (1879–1950) * Yogaswami (1872–1964) * Bangaru Adigalar (1941–) * Swami Sivananda, Sivananda Saraswati (1887–1963), proponent of Yoga and Vedanta * Duraisamy Simon Lourdusamy (1924–2014), Cardinal Priest of S Maria delle Grazie alle Fornaci fuori Porta Cavalleggeri, Vatican City * Dayananda Saraswati (Chinmaya Mission), Dayananda Saraswati (1930–2015), founder of the Arsha Vidya Gurukulam * Bala Prajapathi Adikalar, Pattathu Ayya of Swamithope pathi and leader of the Ayyavazhi religion * Bishop Vedanayagam Samuel Azariah (1874–1945), first Anglican Indian bishop, consecrated as the first bishop of the diocese of Dornakal in 1912 * Thirumuruga Kirupananda Variyar * D. G. S. Dhinakaran, Christian Evangelism, Evangelist; founder of Jesus Calls Ministries * Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Spiritual Guru, Founder, Art of Living Foundation * Perumal Rasu, philosopher and painter * Laxmisena, of the Mel Sithamur Jain Math, primary religious head of the Tamil Jain community * Sadhu Kuppuswami, instrumental in the establishment of the Tamil Sangams, Sangam organisation in Fiji * Swami Vipulananda, Hindu social reformer, literary critic, author, poet, teacher and ascetic from the Eastern province of Sri Lanka * Bawa Muhaiyaddeen, Sufism, Sufi Muslim mystic hailing from Sri Lanka * Iyothee Thass, Buddhist philosopher and activist

Tamil literature

Classical literature

* Tholkappiar, author of the ''Tholkappiyam'' * Thiruvalluvar, poet and author of the ''Tirukkuṛaḷ'' * Tirumular, poet and author of ''Tirumantiram'' * Kambar (poet), Kambar, author of ''Ramavataram'' * Avvaiyar, author of ''Ātticcūṭi'' * Eelattu Poothanthevanar, classical Sri Lankan poet of the Sangam period

Spiritual literature

Murugan

* Nakkeerar author of ''Tirumurukāṟṟuppaṭai'' * Arunagirinathar, author of ''Thiruppugazh''

Shaivism

* Sekkizhar, author of ''Periapuranam'' * Manikkavasagar, author of ''Thiruvasagam'' and one of the Nayanmars * Siva prakasar, author of ''Nanneri'' * Thirumular, author of ''Thirumandhiram''

Vaishnavism

* Nammalvar, author of ''Tiruvaymoli'' and one of the Alwars * Thirumazhisai Aazhwar, Thirumazhisai Alvar, author of ''Tiruchanda-virutham'' and one of the Alwars * Andal, author of ''Tiruppaavai'' and one of the Alwars * V. Akilesapillai, scholar, poet and author of ''Thirukonasala Vaipavam'' from Sri Lanka

Islam

* Umaru Pulavar (1605–1703), author of ''Seerappuranam'', Islamic Spirituality, spiritual work on the life of Muhammad, Nabi under the commission of Seethakaathi, the altruist son of entrepreneur Periya Thambi Nainar Marakkayar.

Jain

* Ilango Adigal, Illango Adigal, poet and author of ''Silappathikaram'' * Tirutakakatevar, author of ''Jivaka-chintamani, Jivaka Chintamani'' * Mandalapuruder, author of ''Vira Mandalaver'' is ''Sudamani Nigandhu'' * Svarupananda Desikar

Modern literature

India

* Subramania Bharati, social and literary writer * Bharathidasan (1891–1964), poet and rationalist * Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram, wrote revolutionary Tamil poems in common language * Pudhumaipithan (1906–1948), fiction writer * Samuel Vedanayagam Pillai, first Tamil novelist *

, novelist * Ramalingam Pillai * Thi. Janakiraman, novelist * Mahavidwan Vasudeva Mudaliar, scholar * Kalki Krishnamurthy (1899–1954), novelist and journalist *

(1934–), writer and novelist * G. P. Rajarathnam (1909–1979), Tamil-born Kannada poet and writer * T. P. Kailasam (1884–1946), playwright and writer in Kannada literature from Karnataka * Masti Venkatesha Iyengar (1891–1986), Kannada writer and recipient of

* Kannadasan (1927–1981), popularly called as Kavi Arasu; poet and film lyricist; winner of National Film Award for Best Lyrics (1969) *

(1953–), poet and film lyricist; winner of National Film Award for Best Lyrics (1986, 1993, 1995, 2000, and 2003) * Leena Manimekalai * Indira Soundarajan, novelist and short story writer * Ashoka Mitran (1931–), novelist and short story writer * R. K. Narayan (1906–2001), English novelist and essayist * Makaral Karthikeya Mudaliar, scholar * Pa. Subramania Mudaliar, scholar * Varadarasanar, novelist * Sandilyan, novelist * Pa. Vijay, film lyricist; winner of National Film Award for Best Lyrics (2005) * Vaali (poet), Vaali, film lyricist * Sujatha (writer), Sujatha (1935–2008), novelist, haiku poet, film screenplay writer * R. Raghava Iyengar * K. S. Maniam * S. Abdul Rahman, Kavikko Abdul Rahman * Inkulab, Makkal Pavalar Inqulab, left-leaning poet * Mu Metha * Ka. Mu. Sheriff, Kavi Ka. Mu. Sheriff, film lyricist * Manushyaputhiran * Salma (writer), Rajathi Salma, novelist *Balakumaran (5 July 1946 – 15 May 2018)[1], Indian Tamil writer, author of over 200 novels, 100 short stories, etc. *Pattukkottai Prabakar, Indian Tamil writer. He is a king of crime and thrill novels and also a versatile writer. *Rajesh Kumar (writer), pseudonym of KR Rajagopal, Tamil author of crime fiction. Kalaimaamani Awardee.

Other countries

* Ronnie Govender, South African playwright, actor, activist, won the 1997 Commonwealth Writers' Prize * Kessie Govender, South African playwright, actor and theatre director; founded the Stable Theatre * Kandappu Murugesu, Sri Lankan poet * Shyam Selvadurai, Sri Lankan-Canadian novelist; half Tamil * Sharon Bala, Canadian writer * Akwaeke Emezi, Nigerian writer and video artist; half Tamil * Rani Manicka, Malaysian novelist, won the Commonwealth Writers' Prize in 2003 for South East Asia and South Pacific region * Edwin Thumboo, Singaporean writer; half Tamil * T. K. Doraiswamy (Nakulan) (1921–2007), poet, novelist, translator, professor of English Singapore writer; President of Singapore Law Society * Gopal Baratham (1935–2002), Singaporean writer and neurosurgeon

Others

* Arumuka Navalar (1822–1879), pioneer of Tamil prose; champion of Hinduism from

, Sri Lanka * Siva prakasar, Saiva Siddantha, scholar, wrote 32 books in Tamil (Nanneri, Thiruchendur ula) * Maraimalai Adigal, scholar and activist * U. V. Swaminatha Iyer (1855–1942) * Paventhar Bharathidasan, poet, also known as "Puratchi Kavignar" * Kalyanasundara Mudaliar, writer * Varadarasanar, novelist * Erode Tamilanban, poet * Solomon Pappaiah, scholar and debate judge * Pudhumaipithan, revolutionary writer from the Tirunelveli Saiva Pillai community *

, writer * Kavimani Desigavinayagam Pillai, poet * Manonmaniam Sundaram Pillai, writer * Perumal Rasu, writer, poet, painter * Ramanuja Kavirayar, poet

Modern art

* S. Chandrasekaran, nominated for the APBF Signature Art Prize 2008 as one of the top ten * Vivan Sundaram, Vivian Sundaram, History of the Jews in India, Indian Jewish contemporary artist * Manohar Devadoss, 2020

recipient

References

{{Portal bar, Tamils, Asia, India, Sri Lanka Lists of people by ethnicity, Tamils Tamil people, List