From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a list of famous and notable Tamil people.This would include persons who are known to a large number of people and is not based on the extent of their popularity. Neither is the list viewed from the context of the present. Their fame could be brief, what matters is that they were well-known during the peak of their popularity.

This list also includes emigrant Tamilians and could be taken as a list of famous Tamilians.

Contents 1 Heads of State 2 Freedom Fighters 2.1 India 2.2 The struggle for Tamil Eelam 2.3 Other Countries 3 Political Leaders 3.1 India 3.2 Other Countries 4 Defence 4.1 Army 4.2 Air Force 4.3 Navy 5 Award Winners 5.1 Nobel Laureates 5.2 Ramon Magsaysay Award 5.3 Bharat Ratna 5.4 Padma Vibhushan 5.5 Padma Bhushan 5.6 Padma Shri 5.7 Param Vir Chakra 5.8 Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award 5.9 Arts, Music & Literature 5.10 Arjuna Award 6 Industrialists & CEO's 6.1 India 6.2 Other Countries 7 Eminent Scholars 7.1 Academicians 7.2 Agriculture 7.3 Botanists 7.4 Computer Science 7.5 Finance & Economics 7.6 Law 7.7 Mathematics 7.8 Medicine 7.9 Scientists 7.10 Zoologist 8 Arts & Music 8.1 Tamil Music 8.2 Carnatic Music 8.3 Film Music 8.4 Classical Dance 9 Cinema 9.1 Directors 9.1.1 Actors 9.2 In Hollywood 9.3 Actress 9.3.1 Music Composers 9.3.2 Other Entertainers 9.4 Sports & Games 9.4.1 Carrom 9.4.2 Volley Ball 9.4.3 Chess 9.4.4 Cricket 9.4.4.1 India 9.4.4.2 Other Countries 9.4.5 Football 9.4.6 Hockey 9.4.7 Kabaddi 9.4.8 Racing 9.4.9 Tennis 9.5 Cultural Icons 9.6 Tamil Language Icons 9.7 Spiritual Icons 9.8 Classical Literature 9.9 Spiritual Literature 9.9.1 Hindu 9.9.2 Christian 9.9.3 Islam 9.10 Modern Literatures 9.10.1 India 9.10.2 Other Countries 9.11 Crime 9.12 Others 9.13 See also

[edit] Heads of State

• A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (b. 1931), 11th President of India (July 25, 2002 – Present).
• S.R. Nathan (b. 1924), current President of Singapore (September 1, 2002 – Present).
• Ramaswamy Venkataraman (b. 1910), 8th President of India (July 25, 1987 – July 25, 1992).
• C. Rajagopalachari (1878 – 1972), Only Indian Governor General of India (1948 - January 26, 1950), Writer & Statesman.
• Veerasamy Ringadoo (1920 – 2000), was Governor-General & President of Mauritius .
• Angidi Veeriah Chettiar, Acting President of Mauritius (Feb 15, 2002 - Feb 18, 2002).
• Ariranga Govindasamy Pillay, Acting President of Mauritius (Feb 18, 2002 - Feb 25, 2002).

[edit] Freedom Fighters

[edit] India

• Dheeran Chinnamalai (1756 - 1805), One of the first Freedom Fighter from Kongu Nadu.
• Kattabomman (1760 - 1799), One of the first Freedom Fighter from Thirunelveli.
• Maruthu Pandiyar, One of the first Freedom Fighter.
• V.O. Chidambaram Pillai (1872 - 1936), Freedom Fighter, who launched the first Indian ship on Indian waters under British Rule.
• Subramanya Bharathy (1882 - 1921), Revolutionary poet and Freedom Fighter.
• V. Kalyanasundaram (1883 - 1953), Scholar and Freedom Fighter.
• Subramanya Siva, Freedom Fighter.
• Sathyamoorthy, Freedom Fighter and Indian National Congress Leader.
• Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar (1908 - 1965), Freedom Fighter and All India Forward Bloc Leader.
• Thiruppur Kumaran, Freedom Fighter.
• Champakaraman Pillai, Freedom Fighter.
• QUID-E-Milath Mohamed Ismail, Freedom Fighter, Member of Parliament and was the President of Indian Muslim League.
• Lakshmi Sahgal, A Colonel in the Indian National Army.

[edit] The struggle for Tamil Eelam

• Velupillai Prabhakaran (b. 1954), leader of the LTTE, who fights for a separate homeland for the Tamils in Sri Lanka.
• Captain Miller
• Anton Balasingham
• Colonel Soosai
• Colonel Kittu
• Arul Pragasam

• Sathasivam Krishnakumar

• Mahattaya

• Thenmuli Rajaratnam

[edit] Other Countries

• Thillaiaadi Valliammai (1899 - 1914), South African Freedom Fighter, who inspired Mahatma Gandhi to involve in the Freedom Movement.
• Thambi Naidoo, South African Freedom Fighter & Early collaborator of Mahatma Gandhi in the Freedom Movement.
• Naransamy Roy Naidoo (1901 - 1953), South African Freedom Fighter.
• Amma Naidoo (1908 - 1993), South African Freedom Fighter.
• George Naicker (1919 - 1998), South African Freedom Fighter.
• Shanti Naidoo, South African revolutionary & fought against the apartheid regime.

[edit] Political Leaders

[edit] India

Ex-Chief Ministers

• P. Subbarayan, Premier of Madras Presidency (1926 - 1930).
• P. T. Rajan, Premier of Madras Presidency (1936 - 1936).
• K. Kamaraj (1903 - 1975), President of the Indian National Congress Party, Who was instrumental in appointing Indira Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri as the Prime Minister of India. He was also the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
• CN Annadurai (1909 - 1969), Popularly known as Anna, ex-Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
• M. Karunanidhi (b. 1924), Leader of DMK and Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
• J. Jayalalithaa (b. 1948), Leader of ADMK and ex-Chief Minister, Tamil Nadu.
• O Panneerselvam (b. 1951), ex-Minister and was Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (2001 - 2002).

Ex-Ministers in the Union government

• C. Subramaniam (1910 - 2000), Former Union Minister, Bharat Ratna Awardee & Father of the Indian 'Green Revolution'.
• R. K. Shanmukham Chetty (1892 - 1953), first Finance Minister of independent India.
• Mohan Kumaramangalam, Eminent Lawyer, Former Union Minister & Communist Leader. Son of P. Subbarayan.
• Rangarajan Kumaramangalam, Eminent Lawyer, Former Union Minister & Congress/BJP Leader. Son of Mohan Kumaramangalam.
• K. Santhanam (1895 - 1980), Freedom Fighter & the First Railway Minister of independent India.
• T.T. Krishnamachari (1899 - 1974), Industrialist & Indian Finance Minister 1956 - 1958 and 1964 - 1966, resigning from the position twice.
• Murasoli Maran, ex-Industries Minister of India.

Leaders of major political parties

• V. R. Nedunchezhian Former Finance Minister of Tamil Nadu.
• Vaiko (b. 1944), Leader of MDMK.
• Jana Krishnamurthi (b. 1928), Ex-President of the BJP & Former Union Law Minister.
• Dr. Ramdoss, Leader of PMK.
• K. Veeramani (b. 1933), Leader of DK(Dravidar Kazhagam).
• N. Rangaswamy (b. 1950), Chief Minister of Pondicherry.
• Subramanian Swamy (b. 1939), Leader, Janatha Party.

Central Ministers

• P. Chidambaram (b. 1945), Finance Minister of India.
• Mani Shankar Aiyar (b. 1941), Panchayat Raj, Youth Affairs and Sports Minister of India.
• Dayanidhi Maran (b. 1966), IT & Communications Minister of India.
• Dr. Anbumani, Leader, Health Minister of India.
• T.R. Baalu (b. 1941), Shipping, Highways and Road Transport Minister of India.
• Subbulakshmi Jegadeesan, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment of India.
• A Raja, Environment and Forests Minister of India.
• S S Palanimanickkam, Minister of State for Finance of India.
• K Venkatapathy, Minister of State for Law and Justice of India.
• S Regupathy, Minister of State for Home of India.
• EVKS Elangovan, Minister of State for Textiles of India.
• GK. Vasan, Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation of India.
• R Velu, Minister of State for Railways of India.

[edit] Other Countries

• S Jayakumar (b. 1939), Deputy Prime Minister, Singapore.
• Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Minister of Education, Singapore (Sri Lankan Tamil ancestry).
• Vivian Balakrishnan (b. 1961), Minister of Community Development, Youth and Sports, Singapore (half-Tamil, half-Chinese).
• S Rajaratnam (1915 - 2006), ex-Deputy Prime Minister, Singapore (Sri Lankan Tamil ancestry).
• S Dhanabalan, ex-Minister (various portfolios), Singapore.
• J. B. Jeyaretnam, ex-opposition leader, Singapore (Sri Lankan Tamil ancestry).
• Samy Vellu, Works Minister and Leader of Malaysian Indian Congress, Malaysia.
• K.R. Somasundram (b. 1930), Politician and member of Malaysian Indian Congress, Malaysia.
• Radhakrishna Padayachi (b. 1950), Deputy Minister for Communication, Republic of South Africa.
• Gunasagaran Gounder, A prominent politician and a member of Fiji Labour Party, Fiji.
• Perumal Mupnar, A prominent politician and a member of Fiji Labour Party, Fiji.
• S. J. V. Chelvanayagam, Popularly known as "Thanthai Chelva", Leader and Father figure of Sri Lankan Tamils.
• S.P. Tamil Selvan, Head, Political wing of the LTTE.
• S. Thondaman, Leader of Indian Tamils of Sri Lanka and had served continuously for 21 years in the Sri Lankan Cabinet from 1978.
• N. Shanmugathasan, A prominent Communist politician, Sri Lanka.
• Joseph Pararajasingham (1934 - 2005), A Member of Parliament, Sri Lanka.
• Lakshman Kadirgamar (1932 - 2005), Ex-Foreign Minister, Sri Lanka.
• V.Aanandasangari, Member of Parliament for 26 years, Sri Lanka.
• C.Rajadurai, Minister 1977 - 1994 & Member of Parliament for 26 years, Sri Lanka.
• M.Sivasithamparam, Member of Parliament for 26 years & Chief opposition whip for 3years, Sri Lanka.
• R.Sampanthan, Member of Parliament for 21 years & Chief opposition whip for 9 months, Sri Lanka.
• Dr.Neelan Thiruchelvam, Constitutional Expert & Member of Parliament, Sri Lanka.
• Appapillai Amirthalingam, Leader of the opposition, Parliament of Sri Lanka.
• Douglas Devanandan, Leader of EPDP and Minister of Rehabilitation, Sri Lanka.
• K.W.Devanayagam, Minister of Home affairs 1977 - 1988 & Member of Parliament for 36 years, Sri Lanka.

[edit] Defence

[edit] Army

• General Paramasiva Prabhakar Kumaramangalam (1913 - 2000), 7th Chief of Army Staff (June 7, 1966 - June 7, 1969).

• General Krishnaswamy Sundararajan (1930 - 1999), 14th Chief of Army Staff (February 1, 1986 - April 30, 1988).

• General Sundararajan Padmanabhan (b.1940), 20th Chief of Army Staff (September 30, 2000 - December 31, 2002).

[edit] Air Force

• Air Chief Marshal Srinivasapuram Krishna Swamy (b.1943), 19th Chief of Air Staff (December 31, 2001 - December 31, 2004).

[edit] Navy

• Admiral Oscar Stanley Dawson, 12th Chief of the Naval Staff (March 1, 1982 - November 30, 1984).

• Admiral Sushil Kumar, 18th Chief of the Naval Staff (December 30, 1998 - December 29, 2001).

[edit] Award Winners

[edit] Nobel Laureates

• Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, for Physics - 1930.
• Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, for Physics - 1983.

[edit] Ramon Magsaysay Award

The Ramon Magsaysay Award was established in April 1957 in memory of Ramon Magsaysay, the late president of the Philippines.

The Ramon Magsaysay Awards are often considered as Asia's Nobel Prize.

• M. S. Swaminathan, for Community Leadership - 1971.
• M.S. Subbulakshmi, for Public Service - 1974.
• R. K. Laxman, for Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts - 1984.
• T. N. Seshan, for Government Service - 1996.
• Jockin Arputham, for Peace and International Understanding - 2000.
• Aruna Roy, for Community Leadership - 2000.
• V Shanta, for Public Service - 2005.

[edit] Bharat Ratna

Bharat Ratna is India's highest civilian honour.

• C. V. Raman for Science & Engineering 1954.
• C. Rajagopalachari for Public Affairs 1954.
• S. Radhakrishnan for Public Affairs 1954.
• K. Kamaraj for Public Affairs 1976 (Posthumous).
• M. G. Ramachandran for Public Affairs 1988 (Posthumous).
• A.P.J. Abdul Kalam for Science & Engineering 1997.
• C Subramaniam for Public Affairs 1998.
• M.S. Subbulakshmi for Arts & Music 1998.

[edit] Padma Vibhushan

Padma Vibhushan is India's second highest civilian honour.

This is NOT a complete list, please add/modify.

• Naryana Raghvan Pillai for Public Affairs 1960.
• H. Vardaraja Iyengar for Civil Service 1962.
• A. Lakshmanasamy Mudaliar for Medicine 1963.
• Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar for Science & Engineering 1968.
• K. V. Kalyana Sundaram for Public Affairs 1968.
• P. Prabhakar Kumaramangalam for Civil Service 1970.
• A. Ramasamy Mudaliar for Civil Service 1970.
• B. Sivaraman for Civil Service 1971.
• T. Swaminathan for Civil Service 1973.
• M.S. Subbulakshmi for Arts 1975.
• T. Balasaraswati for Arts 1977.
• M. S. Swaminathan for Science & Engineering 1989.
• A.P.J. Abdul Kalam for Science & Engineering 1990.
• Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer for Arts 1990.
• V. Arunachalam, for Literature & Education 1990.
• Lakshmi Sahgal for Public Affairs 1988.
• DK Pattammal for Arts 1999.
• R. Chidambaram for Science & Engineering 1999.
• R.K. Narayan for Literature & Education 2000.
• K. Kasturirangan for Science & Engineering 2000.
• R.K. Narayan, for Literature & Education 2000.
• C.V. Narasimhan for Civil Service 2001.
• C. Rangarajan for Literature & Education 2002.
• R.K. Laxman for Arts 2005.

[edit] Padma Bhushan

Padma Bhushan is India's third highest civilian honour.

The list is very big, a separate list is created.

List of Tamils conferred Padma Bhushan

[edit] Padma Shri

Padma Shri is India's fourth highest civilian honour.

The list is very big, a separate list is created.

List of Tamils conferred Padma Shri

[edit] Param Vir Chakra

Param Vir Chakra is India's highest military honor.

• Major Ramaswamy Parmeshwaran (1946 - 1987), Awarded in 1987 (Posthumous) for IPKF operations in Sri Lanka.

[edit] Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award

Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is India’s highest sporting honour.

• Vishwanathan Anand, for Chess (1991 - 1992).
• Dhanraj Pillay, for Hockey (1999 - 2000).

[edit] Arts, Music & Literature

• Akilan, Jnanpith Award, (1975).
• Jayakanthan, Jnanpith Award, (2002).
• Subbu Arumugam, Sangeet Natak Akademi award, (2005).
• L. Athira Krishna,Guinness World Record holders.
• R.K NARAYAN,[SAAHITHYA ACADEMY].

[edit] Arjuna Award

The Arjuna Award was instituted in 1961 by the Government of India to recognize outstanding achievement in National sports.

The list is very big, a separate list is created.

List of Tamils conferred Arjuna Award

[edit] Industrialists & CEO's

[edit] India

• Shiv Nadar, Chairman & CEO of HCL & Forbes List of Billionaires.
• Raja Annamalai Chettiar, Industrialist & Philanthropist, who established Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu.
• RM.Alagappa Chettiar (1909-1957), Industrialist & Philanthropist, who established Alagappa University, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu.
• M A Chidambaram, Industrialist.
• S. Ramadorai, CEO of Tata Consultancy Services
• N.Mahalingam, Chairman, Sakthi Group of Companies, Coimbatore.
• Kalanidhi Maran, Media Baron.
• Karumuttu Thiagarajan Chettiar, Industrialist.
• MAM Ramasamy, Industrialist and Pro-Chancellor of Annamalai University.
• Namakkal P.G.Periasamy, Founder and CEO PGP Groups.
• B. Muthuraman, Managing Director, Tata Steel.
• Dharmaveera K Govindaswamy Naidu, Industrialist & Philanthropist
• Venu Srinivasan, Chairman of TVS Suzuki and Sundaram-Clayton.
• Mallika Srinivasan, CEO of Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited
• M. V. Subbiah, CEO of the Murugappa Group.
• R. Seshasayee, Managing Director, Ashok Leyland.
• T T Narasimhan, Managing Director, TTK Group.

[edit] Other Countries

• Indra Nooyi, CEO of PepsiCo U.S.
• Lakshmi Narayanan, CEO & President of Cognizant Technology Solutions U.S.
• V. S. Rajendran, CEO & President of Numeric Technologies Limited U.S
• Robert Chandran, Founder and CEO of Chemoil Corporation, U.S..
• K. B. Chandrashekar, Founder and CEO of e4e Inc & Jamcracker, Inc, U.S.
• Shoba Purushothaman, Co-Founder and CEO of The NewsMarket Inc, U.S..
• Bala S. Manian (b. 1944), Silicon Valley Entrepreneur , U.S.
• S Dhanabalan, Chairman, DBS Bank (Singapore).
• J.Y.Pillay, Chairman, Singapore Exchange (stock market).
• Marimutu Sinivasan, Founder and Chairman of Texmaco Group, Indonesia, a giant textile, machinery and aotomotive manufacturer.
• Ananda Krishnan, CEO of Maxis Communications and MEASAT Broadcast Network Systems, Malaysia.

[edit] Eminent Scholars

[edit] Academicians

• Sir. A. Ramaswami Mudaliar, Mayor of Madras(1928-30), Vice Chancellor of University of Kerala(1951-61),Travancore.

• Dr. A. Lakshmanaswami Mudaliar, First Indian principal of the Madras Medical College, Vice Chancellor,University of Madras.

• V.L Ethiraj Mudaliar, Founder of Ethiraj College for Women

• Malcolm Adiseshiah (1910 - 1994), Economist, ex-deputy director general of Unesco & founder MIDS (Madras Institute of Development Studies).

• V C Kulandaiswamy, An eminent Educationist and Technologist. Formerly Vice Chancellor of Anna University, IGNOU & Tamil Virtual University.

• Mu.Varadharasan, Outstanding Tamil Scholar, Winner of Sahithya Academy award and Ex-Vice Chancellor of Madurai Kamaraj University.

• Sivaraj Ramaseshan (1923 - 2003), Distinguished Scientist & ex-Director of the IISc.

• M. Anandakrishnan, Chairman, Madras Institute of Development Studies & Formerly Vice Chancellor of Anna University.

• Arjun Appadurai, Contemporary Social theorist, Educationist & Founder of the School of International Relations, JNU, New Delhi.

• M Lakshmanan An eminent Microbiologist, Former Vice Chacellor of Madurai Kamaraj University & Ex-President of Association of Microbiologists of India.

• Dr. V.C.Balasubramaniam - Director, Institute of Pathology, MMC,

• Dr.M Murugesh Mudaliar, Principal, BMS College of Engineering, Bangalore.

• Dr.T Kuthalingam An eminent Scientist and Technologist, Former Vice Chacellor of Madurai Kamaraj University.

[edit] Agriculture

• M. S. Swaminathan, A great Agricultural Scientist and is the Scientific Father of Green Revolution in India.

[edit] Botanists

• Ganapathi Thanikaimoni (1938-1986), often referred as Thani was widely known for his manifold contributions to the science of Palynology.

[edit] Computer Science

• Madhu Sudan (b. 1966), Computer scientist, professor of computer science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a member of MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory.

• Arogyaswami Paulraj {b. 1944} Wireless Engineering, Professor of Electrical Engineering at Stanford University. A pioneer of wireless smart antenna technology and also credited to be the father of Indian military sonar technology during his earlier career in India.

• Swami Manohar, Professor of Computer Science at Indian Institute of Science and inventor of Simputer.

[edit] Finance & Economics

• C. Rangarajan, Economist & Ex-Governor, Reserve Bank of India (1992 - 1997).
• C.K. Prahalad, Management Expert & Professor at the University of Michigan Business School.
• Marti Subrahmanyam, Finance Expert & Professor at New York University (NYU) & Board of Directors of Infosys & ICICI.
• Bala V. Balachandran, Management Expert & Professor at the Kellogg School of Management.
• Ravi Jagannathan, Economist & Professor at the Kellogg School of Management.
• Lakshman Krishnamurthi, Marketing Expert & Professor at the Kellogg School of Management.
• H.V.R.Iyengar, Ex-Governor, Reserve Bank of India (1957 - 1962).
• S. Jagannathan, Ex-Governor, Reserve Bank of India (1970 - 1975) and Executive at the World Bank & IMF.
• M. Narasimham, Banker, Ex-Governor, Reserve Bank of India (1977) and Executive at the World Bank & IMF.
• S. Venkitaramanan, Ex-Governor, Reserve Bank of India (1990 - 1992).

[edit] Law

• Karthy Govender, Commissioner, South African Human Rights commission & Law Professor at the University of Natal.

[edit] Mathematics

• Srinivasa Aiyangar Ramanujan (1887 - 1920), Brilliant 20th century Mathematician.
• Subbayya Sivasankaranarayana Pillai (1901 - 1950), well known for his work in Number theory.
• Kollagunta Gopalaiyer Ramanathan (1920 - 1992), known for his well-recognized achievements in Number theory.
• Christie Jayaratnam Eliezer (1918 -2001) Mathematician & Tamil rights activist from Sri Lanka and a recipient of the Order of Australia.
• C. S. Seshadri, Director, Chennai Mathematical Institute and Trieste Awardee.
• Professor S.R. Srinivasa Varadhan - Mathematician & Fellow of the Royal Society
• Professor Mudumbai Narasimhan, Mathematician & Fellow of the Royal Society (1996)
• C. P. Ramanujam (1938 - 1974), worked on number theory and algebraic geometry.
• T.S.Vijayaraghavan (1902 - 1955), Worked on Pisot-Vijayaraghavan number.
• Ravindran Kannan, Professor of Computer Science and Mathematics at Yale University. Joint winner of the 1991 Fulkerson Prize in discrete mathematics for work on the volumes of convex bodies.

[edit] Medicine

• V.S. Ramachandran, Neuroscientist; Director Professor at UC San Diego.
• S.S. Ratnam, Pioneer in Singapore in-vitro fertilisation.
• Ganapathi Thanikaimoni, Palynologist, French Institute of Pondicherry, awarded the Fyson Prize in Natural Science.
• Sundaram Ramakrishnan, Cancer researcher and Professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School.
• Mohammed Rela, one of the World's top liver transplant surgeons at the King's College Hospital.
• R. Venkataswami, founder of the Department of Plastic Surgery at the Stanley Medical College.
• Venkataswami, founder of Aravind Eye Hospitals
• Ravi Iyengar, Professor and founder of the Iyengar Laboratory, Mount Sinai School of Medicine.
• Mayilvahanan Natarajan, Orthopaedician and pioneer of Limb Salvage surgery in bone tumours

[edit] Scientists

• Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, 1930 Nobel Prize Winner in Physics.
• Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, 1983 Nobel Prize Winner in Physics.
• Dr K. Kasturirangan, Former director of ISRO and present director of National institute of advanced studies (NIAS).
• R. Chidambaram, Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister of India & ex-Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission.
• S.R. Ranganathan, Eminent librarian who devised the five laws of library science.
• Dr.A. Sivathanu Pillai, Defence Scientist and the CEO of the Indo-Russian Brahmos company, which developed and manufactures the world's one and only supersonic cruise missile.
• G. N. Ramachandran (1922 - 2001), one of the most important Indian scientists of the 20th century made major contributions to Biology and Physics.
• Ranjan Roy Daniel (1923 - 2005), Physicist at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research & ex-Chairman of the Advisory Committee for Space Science at ISRO.
• Venkatraman Radhakrishnan (b. 1929) is an internationally renowned Space Scientist and member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
• Mylswamy Annadurai (b. 1958), Project Director of ISRO's Chandrayaan-1.
• R. V. Perumal, Associate Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre.
• Mr.G.D.Naidu - Former Chairman of UMS and Scientist
• A. E. Muthunayagam, Space Scientist & Chairman of Board of Governors, IIT Chennai.
• V.S. Arunachalam, ex-Defence Scientist DRDO & Professor at Carnegie Mellon University.
• Ramanuja Vijayaraghavan (b. 1931), Physicist at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.
• Poondi Kumaraswamy (1931- 1988), Hydrologist and inventor of Kumaraswamy distribution.

[edit] Zoologist

• T N Ananthakrishnan, A distinguished Entomologist and Zoologist. Former Head of the Department of Zoology and founder director of the Entomology Research Institute, Loyola College, Chennai.

• Mahadeva Subramania Mani, A distinguished Entomologist, famous for his studies on high altitude Entomology.

[edit] Arts & Music

[edit] Tamil Music

• Muthuthandavar, one of the Trinity of the Tamil Music.
• Marimuthu Pillai, one of the Trinity of the Tamil Music.
• Arunachala Kavirayar, one of the Trinity of the Tamil Music.
• Pushpavanam Kuppusamy & Anita Kuppusamy, Folk artists & Singers.
• Vijayalakshmi Navaneetha Krishnan & Navaneetha Krishnan, Tamil Professors, Folk artists & Singers.
• Paravai Muniamma, Folk artist & Singer.

[edit] Carnatic Music

• Veena Dhanammal.
• E Gayathri.
• M.S. Subbulakshmi.
• D. K. Pattammal.
• Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer.
• Dr. N. Ramani.
• L. Athira Krishna
• T. Brinda.
• T. Mukta.
• T. Viswanathan.
• G. N. Balasubramanian.
• K. V. Narayanaswamy.
• Umayalpuram Sivaraman.
• Vellore Ramabhadran.
• R. Vedavalli.
• Sanjay Subramanian.
• T. M. Krishna.
• Seetha Rajan.
• Sudha Raghunathan.
• Nithyashree Mahadevan.

[edit] Film Music

• K. V. Mahadevan, Musician, Composer & Winner, National Film Award for Best Music Direction (1968) & (1980).
• M. S. Viswanathan, Musician & Composer.
• V.S.Narasimhan, Musician , renowned violinist , composer.
• Ilayaraaja (b. June 2, 1943), Musician, Composer & Winner, National Film Award for Best Music Direction (1984), (1986) & (1989).
• A. R. Rahman (b. January 6, 1967), Musician, Composer & Winner, National Film Award for Best Music Direction (1993), (1997), (2002) & (2003).

[edit] Classical Dance

• T. Balasaraswati.
• Kamala Lakshminarayanan.
• Padma Subramanyam.
• Chithra Visweswaran.
• Sudharani Raghupathy.
• Srinidhi Chidambaram.
• Meenakshi Chittaranjan.
• Padmini Ramachandran.
• C. V. Chandrasekhar.
• Rukmini Devi Arundale.
• Dhananjayan.

[edit] Cinema

[edit] Directors

• A.P. Nagarajan.
• A. Bhimsingh.
• C.V. Sridhar.
• Bharathiraja (b. July 17, 1941), Winner, National Film Award for Best Screenplay (2001).
• J. Mahendran.
• K. Balachander (b. 1930), Winner, National Film Award for Best Screenplay (1982).
• Balu Mahendra (b. 1946) Director, Cinematographer & Winner, National Film Award for Best Cinematography (1978) & (1983) .
• Mani Ratnam (b. June 2, 1956).
• Cheran.
• B. Lenin, Winner, National Film Award for Best Directing (2002).
• Agaththian, Winner, [National Film Award for Best Directing] & National Film Award for Best Screenplay (1997).
• M. Night Shyamalan, Hollywood Filmmaker (Half Tamilian: Father is Malayali and Mother is Tamilian).
• Bala.
• Dharani.
• Parthiban.
• Perarasu.
• R.K. Selvamani.
• Selvaraghavan.
• S. Shankar(b. 1963).
• Vasanth.
• Vikraman.
• S.J. Suryah (b. July 20, 1968).
• Kothamangalam Subbu , poet, lyricist, writer, actor and director

[edit] Actors

The list is very big, a separate list is created. List of Tamil Actors

[edit] In Hollywood

Jay_Chandrasekhar. Sendhil_Ramamurthy

[edit] Actress

The list is very big, a separate list is created. List of Tamil Actresses

[edit] Music Composers

A.R.Rahman[1] Illayaraja

[edit] Other Entertainers

• Aziz Ansari.

[edit] Sports & Games

[edit] Carrom

• A. Maria Irudayam, World Carrom Champion & Arjuna Award winner for Carrom (1996).
• R. Arokiaraj, Carrom Champion.
• K. Radhakrishnan, Carrom Champion.
• B. Radhakrishnan, Carrom Champion.
• E. Mahimairaj, Carrom Champion.
• M. Natraj, Carrom Champion.
• A. Ponnarasi, Carrom Champion.
• G. Revathi, Carrom Champion.

[edit] Volley Ball

• Palanisamy, First Arjuna Award winner for volley ball (1961).
• G E Sridharan, Arjuna Award winner.
• Kumaran, played for indian team.
• Sundaram, former setter for indian team.
• Mangala Jeyabalan, former setter for indian team.
• Muthuraj, played for indian team.
• Sayee Krishnan, played for indian junior team.
• Natarajan, playing currently for India.
• Sivabalan, played for india and currently playinf for IOB, Chennai.
• Selvaraj, libero for indian team.
• Raj Mohan, played for indian junior team.

[edit] Chess

• Viswanathan Anand, World Chess Champion and the first Indian to earn the title of Grandmaster.
• Manuel Aaron, The first Indian to earn the title of International Master.
• Murugan Thiruchelvam, Chess player from United Kingdom.
• Krishnan Sasikiran, Grandmaster & Arjuna Award winner for Chess (2002).
• S. Vijayalakshmi, Six time Women's national champion of India, the First Women Grandmaster from India & Arjuna Award winner for Chess (2000).
• S. Meenakshi, Women Grandmaster and sister of S. Vijayalakshmi.
• Aarthie Ramaswamy, Women Grandmaster and under-18 girls' World Chess champion.
• R. B. Ramesh, Grandmaster and National Champion of India.
• P. Mahesh Chandran , Grandmaster.
• Ramachandran Ramesh, Grandmaster & Winner of the 2002 British Chess Championship.
• Deepan Chakkravarthy, Grandmaster & Winner of the Asian Junior Championship at Colombo in 2002.
• G. B. Prakash, Grandmaster Elect.
• P. Konguvel, International Master.
• Lanka Ravi, International Master.
• S. Arun Prasad, International Master.
• S. Kidambi, International Master.
• K. Murugan, International Master.
• T. S. Ravi, International Master.
• V. Saravanan, International Master.
• T. N. Parameswaran, International Master.
• R. Balasubramanian, International Master.
• S. Poobesh Anand, International Master.
• M. R. Venkatesh, International Master.
• N. Sudhakar Babu, International Master.

[edit] Cricket

[edit] India

• M.J. Gopalan (1909 - 2003), represented India in both International Hockey & Cricket.
• C. R. Rangachari (1916 - 1993), Pace Bowler, Indian Cricket Team.
• C. D. Gopinath (b.1930), Batsman, Indian Cricket Team.
• S. Venkataraghavan (b. 1945), ex-Captain of Indian Cricket Team and Test & ODI umpire.
• K. Srikkanth (b. 1959), ex-Captain of Indian Cricket Team.
• T.A. Sekhar (b. 1956), Pace Bowler, Indian Cricket Team.
• T. E. Srinivasan, Batsman, Indian Cricket Team.
• L. Sivaramakrishnan (b. 1965), Spin Bowler, Indian Cricket Team.
• V. B. Chandrasekhar, Batsman, Indian Cricket Team.
• Bharat Arun (b.1962), Pace Bowler, Indian Cricket Team.
• Murali Kartik (b.1976), Spin Bowler, Indian Cricket Team.
• Sadagoppan Ramesh (b.1975), Batsman, Indian Cricket Team.
• Lakshmipathy Balaji (b.1981), Pace Bowler, Indian Cricket Team.
• Dinesh Karthik (b.1985), Wicketkeeper, Indian Cricket Team.

[edit] Other Countries

• Muttiah Muralitharan (b.1972), Highest Wicket taker in the Sri Lankan Cricket Team.
• Vinodhan John, Pace Bowler, First Sri Lankan Tamil Test cricketer 1982.
• Kandiah Thirugnansampandapillai Francis, International Test & ODI umpire from Sri Lanka.
• A Varadarajan, Batsman, Canadian Cricket Team.
• Sanjayan Thuraisingam (b.1969), Pace Bowler, Canadian Cricket Team.
• Easwaran Sinnathamby (b.1973), Pace Bowler, Canadian Cricket Team.
• Kantharatnam Shanthikumar (b.1954), Pace Bowler, Canadian Cricket Team.
• Jevaraj Eebert, Captain, Switzerland Criket team 1988 - 1994.
• Mahendra Nagamootoo, West Indies Cricket Team.

[edit] Football

• Peter Velappan (b. 1935), General Secretary of Asian Football Confederation and Member of FIFA Strategic Studies Committee & Organising Committee for the FIFA World Cup.
• Peter Thangaraj, Olympion and the Goalkeeper of Indian football team that won the Gold Medal at the 1962 Jakarta Asian Games.
• Komaleeswaran Sankar, Only Indian FIFA Assistant Referee for the Football World Cup and have won the Asia’s 'Best Assistant Referee' award in 1999.

FIFA Committees: member of FIFA Strategic Studies Committee, Organising Committee for the FIFA World Cup™, Football Committee Awards: FIFA Centennial

[edit] Hockey

• Vasudevan Baskaran, Captain of the Indian Hockey team that won Olympic Gold in 1980 Moscow Olympics and Arjuna Award winner (1979 - 1980).
• Dhanraj Pillay (b. 1968), ex-Indian Hockey Captain, Arjuna Award winner (1995) and also winner of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award (1999 - 2000).
• Kuhan Shanmuganathan, Captain, Malaysian Hockey Team.
• Mohamad Riaz, Olympion and Arjuna Award (1998).
• Adam Sinclair, Member of the Indian Hockey team at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
• Raja, Member of the Indian Hockey team.

[edit] Kabaddi

• Subbiah Rajarathinam, Captain of the Indian Kabaddi team that won the Gold in 1994 Hiroshima Asian Games.

[edit] Racing

• Narain Karthikeyan, Coimbatore, India's first Formula 1 driver.
• S. Karivardhan, Coimbatore, Car Constructor and National Champion.
• N. Leelakrishnan, Coimbatore , 7 Times National Rally Champion.

[edit] Tennis

• Vijay Amritraj, International Tennis Champion & Actor
• Anand Amritraj, International Tennis player.
• Ashok Amritraj, International Tennis player.
• Prakash Amritraj, International Tennis player.
• Mahesh Bhupathi, International Tennis player.
• Ramanathan Krishnan, International Tennis player.
• Ramesh Krishnan, International Tennis player.
• Nirupama Vaidyanathan, International Tennis player from Coimbatore.
• Jeevan Nedunchezhian- Tennis player, World number 17th under 18

[edit] Cultural Icons

• Thirumuruga Kirupananda Variyar, Scholarly Saint.
• Rukmini Devi Arundale, Bharatanatyam dancer & fonder of Kalakshetra.
• Balasaraswati, Bharatanatyam dancer.
• Padma Subramanyam, Bharatanatyam dancer.
• Medha Hari, Bharatanatyam dancer.
• K. B. Sundarambal, Actress/Singer.
• Sirkali Govindarajan, Carnatic Music exponent.

[edit] Tamil Language Icons

• Arumuka Navalar (1822 - 1879), Pioneer of Tamil Prose & Champion of Hinduism from Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
• Maraimalai Adigal, Tamil scholar & Activist.
• Rev.Father Xavier Thaninayagam Adigalar (1913 - 1980), from Jaffna, Sri Lanka, founder member of the International Association for Tamil Research.
• Mahavidwan R. Raghava Iyengar, Tamil scholar & Researcher & Poet.

[edit] Spiritual Icons

• Nayanmars, There are 63 Nayanmars, who are devotees of Lord Siva and exponents of Saivism.
• Alwars, There are 12 Alwars, who are devotees of Lord Vishnu and exponents of Vaishnavism.
• Ramalinga Swamigal (1823 - 1873), Popularly known as Vallalar.
• Ramanuja (1017 - 1137), Philosopher and one of the most important saint of Vaishnavism.
• Appayya Dikshidar (1520 - 1593), Philosopher, followed Advaita School of Indian Philosophy.
• Ramana Maharshi (1879 - 1950).
• Yogaswami (1872 - 1964), A Great Spiritual Leader from Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
• Sivananda Saraswati (1887 - 1963), A well known proponent of Yoga and Vedanta.
• Duraisamy Simon Lourdusamy (b. 1924), Cardinal Priest of S Maria delle Grazie alle Fornaci fuori Porta Cavalleggeri, Vatican City.
• Dayananda Saraswati, Founder of the Arsha Vidya Gurukulam.
• Yogiraj Shri Vethathiri Maharishi, Founder of the The World Community Service Center, an organisation striving for World peace from 1911 and propagator of the famous blessing phrase of "Vaazgha Vaiyagam Vaazgha Valamudan" (வாழ்க வையகம் வாழ்க வளமுடன்) roughly translated as 'Be Blessed by the Divine'.
• Sri Nithyananda (b. 1978), Founder of the Nithyananda Foundation.
• Bala Prajapathi Adikalar, the present Pattathu Ayya of Swamithope pathi and leader of Ayyavazhi religion.
• D.G.S Dinakaran, one of the prominent Christian Evangelist and founder of Jesus Calls Ministries.

[edit] Classical Literature

• Thiruvalluvar, Saint Poet & Author of Thirukural.
• Tholkaapiyar, Author of Tholkaapiam, one of the first Tamil Grammer Book.
• Illango Adigal, Saint Poet & Author of Silappathikaram.
• Srivilliputhurar, Author of Tamil Mahabharatham.
• Seethalai Saathanar, Author of Manimegalai.
• Kambar, Author of Kamba Ramayanam.
• Auvaiyar, Women Saint & Author of Aathichoodi.
• Tirutakakatevar, Author of Jivaka Chintamani.
• Eelattu Poothanthevanar, Classical Sri Lankan Poet of Sangam period.

[edit] Spiritual Literature

[edit] Hindu

• Nakkeerar Author of Thirumurugattupadai .
• Thirumular, Author of Thirumandhiram.
• Arunagirinathar, Author of Thiruppugazh.
• Sekkizhar, Author of Periapuranam.
• Mannikkavasagar, Author of Thiruvasagam & One of the Nayanmars.
• Nammalvar, Author of Tiruvaymozhi & One of the Alwars.
• Thirumazhisai Alvar, Author of Tiruchanda-virutham & One of the Alwars.
• Andal, Author of Tiruppaavai & One of the Alwars.
• V. Akilesapillai, Tamil scholar Poet & Author of Thirukonasala Vaipavam from Sri Lanka.

[edit] Christian

• Henry A. Krishna Pillai

[edit] Islam

• Umaruppulavar (1605 - 1703), Author of Sirappuranam, Islamic spiritual work on the life of Prophet Muhammad.
• Mohammad Ibrahim, Author of Muhaidin Puranam, Islamic spiritual literature.

[edit] Modern Literatures

[edit] India

• Subramanya Bharathy (1882 - 1921), Nationalist Tamil Poet.
• Bharathidasan (1891 - 1964), Tamil Poet & Rationalist.
• Pudhumaipithan (1906 - 1948), Tamil Fiction Writer known for his Modern outlook and Progressive thinking.
• Prof. Karmegha Konar (1889 - 1957), Tamil Poet.
• Akilan, Novelist.
• Thi.Janakiraman, Novelist.
• Laa.Sa. Ramamirutham, Novelist.
• Kalki Krishnamurthy (1899 - 1954), Freedom fighter, Novelist & Journalist.
• Jayakanthan (b. 1934), Writer & Novelist.
• Kannadasan (1927 - 1981), Popularly called as Kavi Arasu Poet, Film lyricist & Winner, National Film Award for Best Lyrics (1969).
• Vairamuthu (b. 1953), Poet, Film lyricist & Winner, National Film Award for Best Lyrics (1986), (1993), (1995), (2000) & (2003).
• Indira Soundarajan, Novelist & Short story Writer.
• Ashoka Mitran (b. 1931), Novelist & Short story Writer.
• R. K. Narayan (1906 - 2001 ), English novelist & Essayist.
• Koththamangalam Subbu, Poet.
• Sandilyan, Novelist.
• Pa. Vijay, Film lyricist & Winner, National Film Award for Best Lyrics (2005).
• Vaali, Film lyricist.
• Sujatha (b. 1935), contemporary Tamil & Film screen play writer.
• Krishna Srinivas (b. 1913), World Poet.

[edit] Other Countries

• Philip Jeyaratnam, Singapore Writer (also, President of Singapore Law Society).
• Gopal Baratham (1935 – 2002), Singapore Writer & leading Neurosurgeon.
• Edwin Thumboo (b. 1933), Singapore Writer (Tamil father, Teochew Chinese mother).
• S.Ponnudurai, Novelist from Sri Lanka.

[edit] Crime

• Veerappan, Sandalwood smuggler and forest brigand.
• Auto Shankar

[edit] Others

People who are not natives of Tamil Nadu, but lived/live in Tamil Nadu

• M. G. Ramachandran,Malayali,ex-CM of TN; yesteryears actor
• Thanthai Periyar, Kannadiga, Popularly known for his rationalism
• Rajnikanth,Marathi One of the most popular Tamil Actors; born in Bangalore
• Annamalai Reddiyar, a Telugu but a great exponent of Tamil poetry.
• Constanzio Beschi (1680 - 1747), Italian Catholic priest popularly known as Viramamunivar, wrote the classic Tembavani, a Chiristian literature on the life of Jesus Christ.
• Cota Ramaswami (1896 - Presumed dead), represented India in both International Hockey & Tennis.

[edit] See also

• List of people by India state
• Tamil people
• List of prominent Sri Lanka Tamils