Penangite Indians ( ta, பினாங்கு இந்தியர்கள்; ms, Kaum India di Pulau Pinang), also known as Chulias, are
Malaysian Indians that live primarily in the state of
Penang,
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 ...
. Most are the descendants from those who migrated from India during the
British colonisation of Malaya. However, historical sources prove that the ancient Indians arrived in Penang during the
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 ...
. Penangite Indians forms a large percentage of the state's professional community such as business, law and medicine as well as politics, it can be proven by the appointment of
Dr. P. Ramasamy as deputy chief minister of Penang. It made him the first Malaysian of Indian origin to hold the post of deputy chief minister in any state of Malaysia.
In addition, first Tamil Vernacular School in Malaysia was established in Penang.
History
![Feilberg Klings Penang 1867](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Feilberg_Klings_Penang_1867.jpg)
Already in the 1790s, Light mentions Chulias (that is, people from the
Coromandel Coast
The Coromandel Coast is the southeastern coastal region of the Indian subcontinent, bounded by the Utkal Plains to the north, the Bay of Bengal to the east, the Kaveri delta to the south, and the Eastern Ghats to the west, extending over an ...
of India) as shopkeepers and farm labourers in Penang. Light estimated that about two thousand men came to work in this manner each year. however, in contrast to the Chinese, these labourers did not create a permanent settlement in Penang. They would, rather, work long enough to save money and then return to their families in south India. This group of migrants comprised the ‘Adi Dravidas,’ a group of impoverished labourers originating in the hinterlands of the Tamil country and Andhra Desa who, facing insufficient work in their homeland, went abroad for survival.
The
Malabars
Malabari is a term used for Indians originating from the Malabar region. The region does includes the present state of Kerala in India ''or'' southwestern coast.
See also
*Malabar district
Malabar District, also known as Malayalam D ...
, also known as Malabaris, who were predominantly Muslims were brought in to Penang as convict labourers. They were known to build the roads and government buildings in Penang. The migration of the Malabaris to Penang led to the existence of places such as Kampung Kaka and Kampung Malabar in Penang.
Another class of Indian migrants was a class of people hailing from the Kaveri delta areas (from the Sivaganga district of Madras) known as ‘Nattukottai Chettiars’ who were by occupation money-lenders. Their presence in Penang and elsewhere where plantations sprang up aided merchants, miners, and planters, as these Chettiars were advancing required working capital in the absence of any effective banks. Light also encouraged migration by the Chettiar community as part of his plan to create a cash economy on Penang.
Unlike the Tamil migrants, Telugu migrants from the northern Coromandel Coast came to Penang as families. For this reason, many did not leave when their work terms expired, but rather continued working on plantations or as merchants. Over 1,500,000 south Indians who worked in Malayan plantations, more than three-fourths returned to India, nearly all of them Tamil.
As a result of the occupation of Malaysia, the Japanese killed about 150,000+ Indian Tamils of Malaysia and Burma in Burma within a period of time after arriving for slave labour work of constructing the Myanamr rail.
Beginning with Light, Penang boasted a tradition of religious and ethnic tolerance. All races could practice their respective religious faith and social stability in a multi-racial society was thus achieved.
Language
The main language spoken by Indians in Penang is
Malaysian Tamil
Malaysian Tamil ( ta, மலேசியத் தமிழ் மொழி, Malēsiyat Tamiḻ Moḻi), also known as Malaya Tamil, is a local variant of the Tamil language
Tamil (; ' , ) is a Dravidian language natively spoken by ...
dialect of
Tamil language
Tamil (; ' , ) is a Dravidian language natively spoken by the Tamil people of South Asia. Tamil is an official language of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, the sovereign nations of Sri Lanka and Singapore, and the Indian territory of P ...
in addition to the country's official and national language
Malaysian
Malaysian may refer to:
* Something from or related to Malaysia, a country in Southeast Asia
* Malaysian Malay, a dialect of Malay language spoken mainly in Malaysia
* Malaysian people, people who are identified with the country of Malaysia regard ...
(
English
English usually refers to:
* English language
* English people
English may also refer to:
Peoples, culture, and language
* ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England
** English national ide ...
is also widely spoken and understood). Besides Tamil,
is also spoken by a small number of Indian Muslims and
Telugu
Telugu may refer to:
* Telugu language, a major Dravidian language of India
*Telugu people, an ethno-linguistic group of India
* Telugu script, used to write the Telugu language
** Telugu (Unicode block), a block of Telugu characters in Unicode
S ...
as well as
Malayalam
Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian languages, Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (union territory), Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of 2 ...
and
Punjabi is also spoken by ethnic
Telugu
Telugu may refer to:
* Telugu language, a major Dravidian language of India
*Telugu people, an ethno-linguistic group of India
* Telugu script, used to write the Telugu language
** Telugu (Unicode block), a block of Telugu characters in Unicode
S ...
,
Malayalam
Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian languages, Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (union territory), Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of 2 ...
and
Punjabi community. Ethnic
Jawi Peranakan
The Jawi Peranakan ( Jawi: ) is an elite ethnic group found primarily within the Malaysian state of Penang and in Singapore, both regions were part of the historical Straits Settlements where their culture and history is centred around. The t ...
, a Muslim creole ethnic group of mixed Indian, Malay and Arab ancestry with predominantly Indian origin mostly use Malay as their first language in addition to English. Another distinct group of Indian Muslims known as ''Mamak'' use the
Penang Malay (''Pelat Utara'') variant as their first and daily language. Historically,
Penang Hokkien
Penang Hokkien (; Tâi-lô: ''Pin-siânn Hok-kiàn-uā''; ; ) is a local variant of Hokkien spoken in Penang, Malaysia. It is spoken as a mother tongue by 63.9% of Penang's Chinese community, and also by some Penangite Indians and Penangit ...
was referred to as a lingua franca of Penang before the rise in the use of Mandarin and English. Penang Hokkien is still used by some members of the Penangite Indian community particularly street vendors.
Enclave
Little India
Little India or India Town (less commonly known as Indian Street or India Bazaar) is an Indian or Desi (South Asian) sociocultural environment outside India or the subcontinent. It especially refers to an area with Indian residences and a dive ...
in the city of George Town is a well-known Indian enclave in Malaysia. It Covers an area around Lebuh Queen, Lebuh Chulia and
Market Street Market Street may refer to:
*Market Street, Cambridge, England
*Market Street, Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia
* Market Street, George Town, Penang, Malaysia
*Market Street, Manchester, England
*Market Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
...
. Its location at the centre of Penang Heritage Zone and nearby Penang's main finance centre, Beach Street makes it one of the most famous and notable shopping spot in Penang among local and international tourists.
Culture
Cuisine
Indian cuisine in Penang is a phenomenon in Malaysian cuisine. Dishes like
Nasi Kandar
Nasi kandar is a popular northern Malaysian dish from Penang, originally introduced by Tamil Muslim traders from India. The meal consists of steamed rice combined with an array of distinct curries, sides dishes, and gravies. The selection of curr ...
and
Roti Canai
Roti canai (pronunciation: /tʃanaɪ/) or roti prata, also known as roti chenai and roti cane (/tʃane/), is an Indian flatbread dish found in several countries in Southeast Asia, especially in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thai ...
are not only the most popular dishes in Penang, but throughout Malaysia. Indian food in Penang is heavily influenced by the Chitty cuisine.
Festival
![The Indian procession at Balik Pulau, Penang in 1937](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7d/The_Indian_procession_at_Balik_Pulau%2C_Penang_in_1937.jpg)
One of the biggest festivals in Penang is a Hindu religious festival called
Thaipusam
Thaipusam or Thaipoosam (Tamil language, Tamil: தைப்பூசம், ''taippūcam'' Wikipedia:Naming conventions (Indic), ?), is a festival celebrated by the Hindu Tamil people, Tamil community on the full moon in the Tamil calendar, T ...
. Thaipusam is dedicated to the lord
Murugan
Kartikeya ( sa, कार्त्तिकेय, Kārttikeya), also known as Skanda, Subrahmanya, Shanmukha (), and Murugan ( ta, முருகன்), is the Hindu god of war. He is the son of Parvati and Shiva, the brother of Ganesha ...
.
Deepavali
Diwali (), Dewali, Divali, or Deepavali (IAST: ''dīpāvalī''), also known as the Festival of Lights, related to Jain Diwali, Bandi Chhor Divas, Tihar, Swanti, Sohrai, and Bandna, is a religious celebration in Indian religions. It is on ...
, better known as the 'Festival of Lights', is another major Hindu festival celebrated by all Hindus. Tamils celebrate the harvest festival of
Pongal Pongal may refer to:
* Pongal (festival), an annual Tamil festival
* Pongal (dish)
Pongal, also known as pongali or huggi, is an Indian rice dish. In Tamil, "pongal" means "boil" or "bubbling up". The two varieties of pongal are ''chakarai pong ...
, which is usually held 13 to 16 January. Similar celebrations, known as Makar Sankranti is celebrated by most other Indian communities and Punjabis called them as Lohri. While Indian Christians celebrate Christmas Day and Good Friday. Indian Muslims, Jawi Peranakans and Mamaks celebrates
Eid Al Fitr
, nickname = Festival of Breaking the Fast, Lesser Eid, Sweet Eid, Sugar Feast
, observedby = Muslims
, type = Islamic
, longtype = Islamic
, significance = Commemoration to mark the end of fasting in Ramadan
, date ...
and
Eid Al Adha
Eid al-Adha () is the second and the larger of the two main holidays celebrated in Islam (the other being Eid al-Fitr). It honours the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Ismail (Ishmael) as an act of obedience to Allah' ...
along with the country's other Muslim groups like their ethnic
Malay counterparts.
Thaipusam
Theppa Thiruvizha
Theppa Thiruvizha or floating chariot festival is considered as one of the most important festival in Penang after Thaipusam. The annual festival is hosted by Sri Singamuga Kaliamman Temple at
Teluk Bahang
Teluk Bahang is a town within the city of George Town in the Malaysian state of Penang. It is located within the Southwest Penang Island District, near the northwestern tip of Penang Island. Established as a fishing village, Teluk Bahang has evo ...
.
A celebration to thank the goddess,
Sri Singamuga Kaliamman, for her good grace and to beseech her to continue providing devotees with protection and prosperity, Theppa Thiruvizha only takes place during Masi Magam, the 11th month1 in the Tamil calendar. It is a day when temple idols are taken out for a ceremonial bath. Thousands travel from all over Malaysia to take part in the festivities.
The day begins with morning prayers; the devotees who attend bring milk as an offering to the goddess. In the afternoon, the floating chariot is carefully pushed into the sea by temple president Sadha Sivam, the youth club members and other temple members. Later, after evening prayers, the idol of the goddess is carried to the chariot
Literature
he first known Tamil magazine called Thangai Nesan was published in 1876. Two other magazines Ulaka Nesan and Hindu Nesan were published in 1887 and 1888 respectively. We also know that in 1887 a book entitled Sathiya Vedha Sarithira Saaram (The Essence of the Bible) by Palavendhiram Rayappan was published here. In 1890, Pathaanandha Maalai (A garland of Praise) was published by Mohamed Sultan Maraikkayar. (A list of early books provided.) Many of these books and magazines were produced by Indian immigrants and much of the literary output was in the form of poetry and some of the notable poets of recent times were Swami Ramadasar, Panaikkulam M. Abdul Majid and N.Karim. This tradition continues today with home-grown writers and poets. In the early fifties Tamil Murasu, a Singapore Tamil daily, began a student supplement called Maanavar Manimandra Malar (Supplement for Students Bell Club). This served as a training ground for budding writers in Tamil. The Thamilar Thirunaal (Tamils Festival, also sponsored by this daily, provided motivation and training for writers with its various literary competitions.
Following these examples, several- associations were formed in Penang to promote and nourish Tamil writing. Among them were the Tamil Youth Bell Club, Valluvar Debating Society, Bharathi Debating Society, the Senthamizh Kala Nilayam and North Malaya Tamil Writers Association.
Poetry can be said to be the most. prolific of the literary output. (A list of significant poets and poetry provided.) Following this is the significant production of short stories. The Penang-based writers’ list is long, but among them are Murugaiyan, Dato P. Shanmugam, A. Kadir, CT. Ramasamy, Anthony Muthu, S. Anbanantham, M. Sultan, etc. (List provided.)
Significant contribution from Penang to Malaysian Tamil literature includes writings of K. Sonaimuthu with several of his biographies and essays, and R. Karthigesu with his novels. While writers like Karthigesu and Seeni Naina Mohamed came into Penang from other states, Penang has also lost some of its illustrious writers like M. Asan Gani, M. Sultan and Karaikizhaar to other states.
A current list of writers is appended. Almost all the writers in our list belong to an older generation and it is a thing of great concern that writers from the younger generation are scarce.
Penangite Indian movies
*
Appalam
*
Vennira Iravuggal
''Vennira Iravuggal'' () is a 2014 Malaysian Tamil romantic comedy film written, directed and produced by R.Perakas. Starring Vikadakavi Magen in the lead role with Sangeeta Krishnasamy. The film revolves around a journey of love which begins ...
Education
The first Tamil vernacular schools in Malaya (now Malaysia) was set up in Penang under the Labour Code. In 2014, the Penang government brought a motion to open the first Tamil vernacular secondary school in Malaysia at Penang. But for political reasons this proposal was rejected by the central government.
Indian Malaysians also form the bulk of English teachers in Penang. Law and medicine has traditionally been a preferred career option by Indian families although younger Indians now venturing into other fields such as engineering, finance and entrepreneurship
List of Tamil schools in Penang and Perak
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Jawi
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Alma
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Juru
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Malakoff
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Mayfield
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Prye
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ramakrishna
♦ SJK (Tamil) Sungai Ara
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Valdor
♦ SJK (Tamil) Sungai Bakap
♦ SJK (Tamil) Azad
♦ SJK (Tamil) Bayan Lepas
♦ SJK (Tamil) Bukit Mertajam
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Byram
♦ SJK (Tamil) Nibong Tebal
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Changkat
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Sempah
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Krian
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Transkrian
♦ SJK (Tamil) Permatang Tinggi
♦ SJK (Tamil) Palaniandy
♦ SJK (Tamil) Mak Mandin
♦ SJK (Tamil) Perai
♦ SJK (Tamil) Jalan Sungai
♦ SJK (Tamil) Tasik Permai
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Batu Kawan
♦ SJK(Tamil) Perak Sangeetha Sabah, Ipoh
♦ SJK (Tamil) Kerajaan, Jalan Sungai Pari, Ipoh
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Yam Seng, Semanggol
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Changkat Salak, Salak Utara
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Selaba, Teluk Intan
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Jendarata 1, Teluk Intan
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Jendarata 2
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Jendarata 3
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Getah Taiping
♦ SJK (Tamil) Pangkor
♦ SJK (Tamil) Taman Desa Pinji
♦ SJK (Tamil) Kampung Tun Sambanthan, Ayer Tawar
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Ayer Tawar
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Cluny
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Banopdane
♦ SJK (Tamil) Kampung Baru Matang
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Sogomana
♦ SJK (Tamil) Kampong Colombia, Ayer Tawar
♦ SJK (Tamil) Flemington
♦ SJK (Tamil) Bandar Behrang
♦ SJK (Tamil) Batak Rabit
♦ SJK (Tamil) Jebong Lama
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Kota Bahroe
♦ SJK (Tamil) Methodist Malim Nawar
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Gapis
♦ SJK (Tamil) Nova Scotia 2
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ayer Tawar
♦ SJK (Tamil) Tapah
♦ SJK (Tamil) Khir Johari
♦ SJK (Tamil) Tun Sambanthan
♦ SJK (Tamil) Bharathy
♦ SJK (Tamil) Sungkai
♦ SJK (Tamil) Slim River
♦ SJK (Tamil) Slim Village
♦ SJK (Tamil) Tan Sri Dato' Manickavasagam
♦ SJK (Tamil) Tong Wah
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Bidor Tahan
♦ SJK (Tamil) Bikam
♦ SJK (Tamil) Sungai Kruit
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Sunkai
♦ SJK (Tamil) Trolak
♦ SJK (Tamil) Kelapa Bali
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Behrang River
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Katoyang
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Cashwood
♦ SJK (Tamil) Maha Ganesa Viddyasalai
♦ SJK (Tamil) Chettiars
♦ SJK (Tamil) Pengkalan Baru
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Huntly
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Walbrook
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Sungai Wangi 2
♦ SJK (Tamil) Mukim Pundut
♦ SJK (Tamil) Kampung Kayan
♦ SJK (Tamil) Beruas
♦ SJK (Tamil) Tanjong Rambutan
♦ SJK (Tamil) St. Philomena Convent
♦ SJK (Tamil) Perak Sangeetha Sabah
♦ SJK (Tamil) Kampung Simee
♦ SJK (Tamil) Gunong Rapat
♦ SJK (Tamil) Menglembu
♦ SJK (Tamil) Cangkat
♦ SJK (Tamil) Tronoh
♦ SJK (Tamil) Gopeng
♦ SJK (Tamil) Methodist, Buntong Ipoh
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Chemor
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Changkat Kiding
♦ SJK (Tamil) Klebang
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Strathisla
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Kinta Vally
♦ SJK (Tamil) Mambang Diawan
♦ SJK (Tamil) Kampar
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Kampar
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Selinsing
♦ SJK (Tamil) Kuala Kurau
♦ SJK (Tamil) Simpang Lima
♦ SJK (Tamil) Bagan Serai
♦ SJK (Tamil) Saint Mary's
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Sungai Bogak
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Gula
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Chersonese
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Jin Seng
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Soon Lee
♦ SJK (Tamil) Arumugam Pillai
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Kelumpong
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Gedong
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Sungai Biong
♦ SJK (Tamil) Mahathma Gandi Kalasalai
♦ SJK (Tamil) Gandhi Memorial
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Kati
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Gapis
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Perak River Valley
♦ SJK (Tamil) Enggor
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Elphil
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Sungai Reyla
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Dovenby
♦ SJK (Tamil) Thiruvalluvar
♦ SJK (Tamil) Sithambaram Pillay
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Sussex
♦ SJK (Tamil) Netesa Pillay
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Sungai Timah
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Sabrang
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Nova Scotia 1
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Rubana 1
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Teluk Buloh
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Jendarata Bahagian Alpha Bernam
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Flemington
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Teluk Bharu
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Kuala Bernam
♦ SJK (Tamil) Bagan Datoh
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Strathmashie
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang New Coconut
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Ulu Bernam 2
♦ SJK (Tamil) ladang Sungai Samak
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Kamatchy
♦ SJK (Tamil) Kamunting
♦ SJK (Tamil) YMHA
♦ SJK (Tamil) St Teresa's Convent
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ulu Sepetang
♦ SJK (Tamil) Selama
♦ SJK (Tamil) Pondok Tanjung
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Holyrood
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Malaya
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Sin Wah
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Lauderdale
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Matang
♦ SJK (Tamil) Kampong Baru
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Allagar
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Temerloh
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Stoughton
♦ SJK (Tamil) Pengkalan Hulu
♦ SJK (Tamil) Gerik
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Kota Lima
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Glenealy
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Serapoh
♦ SJK (Tamil) Ladang Buloh Akar
Notable Penangite Indians
*
Abdul Malik Mydin (1975–), Malaysian solo long-distance swimmer. He was notable as the first Malaysian and Southeast Asian to swim across the English Channel on 3 August 2003.
*
Bishan Singh Ram Singh (1944–2006), Malaysian social activist and environmentalist.
*
Cecil Rajendra (1941–), Malaysian poet and lawyer
*
David Arumugam
Dato’ Thiagarajan K.R. Arumugam (born 3 May 1950), known by his stage name David Arumugam, is a Malaysian musician and singer who is one of the founding members of the band called Alleycats. He is the elder brother of Loganathan Arumugam. O ...
, founding members of the band
Alleycats.
*
Deborah Priya Henry
Deborah Priya Henry (born 21 July 1985), also known as Priya Emmanuel, is a Malaysian TV Host of Indian and Irish descent and a former model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe Malaysia 2011 but did not make it to the ...
(1985–), Miss Malaysia 2007 (of Irish and Indian ancestry)
*
Faezah Elai (1982–), Malaysian actress (of Punjabi, Thai and Malay ancestry)
*
Gobind Singh Deo
Gobind Singh Deo s/o Karpal Singh ( pa, ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਿੰਘ ਦਿਓ, Gobind Siṅgh Dio; born 19 June 1973) is a Malaysian politician and lawyer who served as the Minister of Communications and Multimedia in the Pakatan Harapa ...
(1973–), prominent Malaysian lawyer and politician and the Member of Parliament for Puchong, Selangor.
*
Jagdeep Singh Deo
Jagdeep Singh Deo s/o Karpal Singh ( pa, ਜਗਦੀਪ ਸਿੰਘ ਦਿਓ, Jagdīp Siṅgh Dio; born 3 May 1971) is a Malaysian politician and lawyer who has served as Member of the Penang State Executive Council (EXCO) in the Pakatan R ...
(1971–), lawyer and Democratic Action Party (Malaysia) assemblyman for Dato Keramat, Penang.
*
Karpal Singh
Dato' Seri Utama Karpal Singh s/o Ram Singh Deo ( pa, ਕਰਪਾਲ ਸਿੰਘ, Karpāl Siṅgh; 28 June 1940 – 17 April 2014) was an Indian Malaysian politician and lawyer. He was Member of Parliament (MP) for the constituency of Bu ...
(1940–2014), Malaysian former lawyer and politician
* Kishva Ambigapathy (1990–), First Asian Chairperson, Commonwealth Youth Council & Royal Mace Bearer Queen Elizabeth II 90th Birthday
*
Krishnamurthi Muniandy
N Krishnamurthi Muniandy (born 24 July 1980) is a Malaysian cricketer. A right-handed batsman and right-arm medium pace bowler, he has played for the Malaysia national cricket team since 1999, (1980–), Malaysian cricketer
*
Loganathan Arumugam
Loganathan Arumugam (15 July 1953 – 4 June 2007), better known as Loga, was a Malaysian musician and singer who was one of the founding members of the band Alleycats. Loga was one of the lead singers of Alleycats along with his elder brother ...
(1952–2007), founding members of the band
Alleycats.
*
M. Manogaran (1959–), Malaysian politician
*
Nicol David
Datuk Nicol Ann David (born August 26, 1983) is a retired female Malaysian professional squash player. Beginning in August 2006, David was the world number one for a record-breaking 108 consecutive months, finally ceding the ranking in Septemb ...
(1983–), World no.1 squash player (of Indian and Chinese ancestry)
*
G. Palanivel (1949–), Minister of Natural Resources and Environment and current president of
Malaysian Indian Congress.
*
Peter Pragas (1926–2014), Malaysian composer and musician
*
D. S. Ramanathan, first mayor for the city of George Town and founder of
Labour Party of Malaya
The Labour Party of Malaya ( ms, Parti Buruh Malaya; abbrev. LPM) was a political party in Malaya that was active between 1952 and 1969. It was originally formed as a confederation of state based labour parties known as the Pan-Malayan Labour P ...
*
Ramkarpal Singh, Malaysian lawyer and politician
*
Syed Thajudeen (1943–), Malaysia well known painter
*
Vanessa Raj, professional squash player who represents Malaysia
*
Vanida Imran
Vanidah binti Imran (born 1 October 1973) better known by her stage name Vanidah Imran, is a Malaysian actress, model and television host.
In 2007, she received the Best Female Actress award at 20th Malaysia Film Festival. She is mixed of Indian- ...
, actress and television host
*
S. Veenod
Veenod a/l Subramaniam (; born 31 March 1988 in Penang, Malaysia) is a Malaysian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder.
Veenod started off as a striker in his early days with Penang before Selangor's former head coach Irfan B ...
(1988–), Malaysian footballer.
*
Vijay Eswaran
Vijay Eswaran (born 7 October 1960) is a Malaysian businessman and the executive chairman of the QI Group, headquartered in Hong Kong.
Early life
Eswaran was born in Penang, Malaysia to Penangite Indian parents of minority Ceylonese Tam ...
(1960–), Malaysian businessman
* SK Sundaram (Malaysian businessman)
* Dr. Jegajeeva Rao Subba Rao, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, First recipient of the inaugural Prime Minister of Australia Asia Endeavour Award in 2010.
References
Bibliography
*
*
*
{{NRI-PIO , state=collapsed
*
Indian diaspora in Malaysia
Ethnic groups in Malaysia
*
Sub-ethnic groups