Iyengar

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Iyengar
Total population
about 600,000 (0.7% of Tamil population[citation needed]
Regions with significant populations
Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Delhi, USA
Languages
Tamil
Religions
Vishishtadvaita Hinduism
Related ethnic groups
Madhva, Iyer

Iyengar or Ayyangar (Tamil:அய்யங்கார்), (Kannada:ಐಯಂಗಾರ್) is the name given to Hindu Brahmins of Tamil origin who follow the Visishtadvaita philosophy propounded by Sri Ramanujacharya. They are found mostly in Tamil Nadu as they are generally native to the Tamil country. But they are also found in significant numbers in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

Iyengars are Pancha Dravida Brahmins. Their mother tongue is Tamil.^{[citation needed]}

The Iyengars have been thriving as a single community since the time of Ramanuja. However, in many cases, both Iyers and Iyengars are mistakenly referred to as "Ayyar" as they are indistinguishable from Iyers in their adherence of the Brahmanaical tradition. However, devout Iyengars sport a namam as a caste-mark as opposed to Iyers who apply vibhuti^[1]

Contents 1 Origin 2 Demographics 3 Language 4 Subsects 5 Geographic Diversity 6 Philosophy 7 Religious Observances 7.1 Rituals 7.2 Weddings 8 Lifestyle and Culture 9 Politics 10 Iyengars and Iyers 11 Iyengars Today 12 Use of Iyengar as a Last Name 13 Famous Iyengars 13.1 Science and Technology 13.2 Mathematics 13.3 Music 13.4 Journalism 13.5 Industry 13.6 Diplomacy, Bureaucracy and Politics 13.7 Sports 13.8 Films and Entertainment 13.9 Army and Police 13.10 Miscellaneous 14 References 15 External links

[edit] Origin

There is enough evidence to suggest that Vaishnavite Brahmins have been living in South India since the Christian era.^{[citation needed]}However, the origin of Iyengars as a separate community dates from the 10th century AD when Ramanuja lived.^{[citation needed]}

The word "Iyengar" is a relatively new name and was not used in any medieval works or scriptures. The word "Sri Vaishnava" would therefore be the right word to describe them, though all of them could be called as Sri Vaishnava Brahmins. The word Iyengar itself, meaning one who is characterized by five attributes (Aindu angangal), is independent of the person's Varna or caste. Rather, it indicates the philosophical affiliation of the adherent. However, in current day practice, the term is taken to indicate brahminical roots as most people who affiliated themselves with the philosophy were from the Brahmin castes^[2].

The community started taking shape about 1000 years ago, and traces its philosophical origins to Nathamuni, a Sri Vaishnava Acharya, who lived around 900 CE. Nathamuni, who was exposed to the divine outpourings of Nammazhwar and other Azhwars (Sri Vaishnava Saints from Southern India) introduced the philosophy of Azhwars into temple worship^[3]. Nathamuni's efforts were formalized into a religious system of lifestyle, practice and worship by Ramanuja who propounded the philosophy of Visishtadvaita ^[4][5][6]. Ramanuja showed that the mystic insights of the Azhwars were the same truths enshrined in the vedas, and created a group of people whose identity as servants of Narayana focussed on the fact that all sentient beings were 'equal' being children of the same Supreme Being, and that outward bodily differences in terms of varna and caste were unimportant in terms of one's relationship to the Supreme. Ramanuja had Srivaishnava (Iyengar) disciples spanning the social gamut, including non-brahmin saints such as Pillai Uranga Villi Dasar^[7]and Tripura-devi, a lady disciple known for her unwavering devotion to Ramanuja.

It can be argued that Ramanuja's efforts in bringing in people of Non-Brahmnical Origins into the Iyengar fold may have upset a few and might have caused the community divided into two sects, called then-kalai (southern descention) and vada-kalai (northern descention). Vada Kalai Sect aligned more with Vedanta Desikan^[8]. Thenkalais held the philosophy of Azhwars on par with the vedas and gave the divine outpourings of the Azhwars in Tamizh a place of primacy in every day worship^[8]. The thenkalais, led by the philosophical commentary of Pillailokacharya and Azhagiya Manavalapperumal nayanar, subscribe to the idea that human liberation stems from the uninstigated grace of the Supreme^[8].

Two of the Iyer sects vadamas and chozhiars have joined the Iyengar movement in large numbers^{[citation needed]}. The former are more found among Vadakalais and the latter are found more among Tenkalais^{[citation needed]}.

[edit] Demographics

Iyengars are native to the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. According to estimates, they number 600,000 and form 0.7% of the Tamil population. Their numbers are evenly distributed all over Tamil Nadu with a majority of them, however, residing along the Cauvery Delta.

Fairly significant numbers are present in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. A large number of Iyengars migrated to Karnataka in the 11th century AD. Their descendants are called Hebbar Iyengars^[9]. There is also a sizeable community of Iyengars in the Purulia district of West Bengal who had migrated from Tamil Nadu by invitation of the King of Bengal around 1100 CE. Today Iyengars are widely spread all over the world.

[edit] Language

The mother tongue of most Iyengars is Tamil. However, they speak a unique Iyengar dialect often called Vaishnava Paribhaashai. This dialect is almost identical with the Iyer dialect known as Brahmin Tamil, the difference only being in the level of Sanskritization. Scholars have often refused to recognize it as a separate dialect regarding it only as a sub-dialect of Brahmin Tamil. However, Iyengars in Karnataka speak a dialect descended from medieval Tamil, which has a significant Kannada substrate^[9]. Iyengars in southern Andhra Pradesh speak both Tamil and Telugu.

Some often used Iyengar words include - Perumal - Srimannarayana/God, Dadyodanam- Yogurt Rice, SaatruAmudhu(Chatumadhu) - Rasam, kariamudhu - Vegetable Curry, Thirukkannamudu - payasam, Shree choornam - Vermillion, Aathu(Aagam/) - Home etc.

[edit] Subsects

Iyengars are divided into different sects based on their beliefs or region.Based upon their beliefs, Iyengars are classified into Thenkalai , or "Iyengars of the Southern Descencion", and Vadakalai, or "Iyengars of the Northern Descention", with subtly different philosophical and ritual interpretations of Ubhaya Vedanta^[8]. Scholarly opinion is mixed as to the origin of the two names. Some believe that the terms Southern and Northern refer to differing regional developments, the Southern or Thenkalai predominating in the south of the Tamil country and the Northern or Vadakalai predominating in the north. Others argue that they reflect the importance or primacy given to Tamil Scripture, Divya Prabandham, by the former and of the Sanskrit Vedanta by the latter^[10].The Vadakalais, who trace their philosophical origins to the insightful Vedanta Desika, asseverate primacy to Sanskrit and Vedas, and believe that human effort is a contributory factor to liberation, as is Divine grace. ^[8]. Despite these differences, however, both traditions uniformly revere the same teachers from the Alvars down to Ramanuja and largely agree in their core philosophies. The differences seen today stem primarily from social conflicts stemming from rivalries at large temples dating from the 18th century^{[citation needed]}. Thengalai Iyengars follow Ramanuja and Manavala Mamuni ^[8]. While Vadagalai Iyengars follow Ramanuja and Thuppul Vedanta Desika.

Iyengars are classified into different sects based on their region. Kannadiga Iyengars of Tamil origin are called Hebbar.

[edit] Geographic Diversity

Iyengars are usually identified on basis of their geographic origins. The Kaveri River basin streching from Talacauvery in Kodagu to Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu forms the core bedrock of Iyengar / Sri Vaishnava culture.^{[citation needed]}

During the past millennium, Iyengars migrated from Tamil Nadu along the Kaveri river into Karnataka in distinct phases.

Most visible of Karnataka Iyengars are Mandyam Iyengars from Mandya District. They differ from other Karnataka Iyengars in their dialect, which is more influenced by Tamil. As a general rule, all Mandyam Iyengars belong to the Thenkalai sect, while other Iyengars come from both.

Iyengars who migrated usually into Tumkur district of Karnataka are known as Hebbar Iyengars. Most hebbar iyengars have roots from Panchagrama (Sanskrit: Five Villages) in the Tumkur district.

Iyengars who settled in Hassan District of Karnataka are known as Hassan Iyengars.

A Small village in Mysore District called 'Hemmige', is the root for Hemmige Iyengars who came from Kanchipuram and established a Varadarajaperumal Temple in Hemmige.

Similarly, vast number of Iyengars hail from Andhra Pradesh who use Telugu as their mother tongue.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Philosophy

See Also:Vishishtadvaita and Sri Vaishnavism

Many Iyengars accept Narayana / Vishnu as the Supreme Being (Paramatma), and subscribe to a monotheistic philosophy of a Supreme Being who is the primal, substantive and supportive cause of the manifest and unmanifest universe. But it will appear strange for a Southerner to know that Vichitadvaitam as practised in South India is an unheard term among the Vaishnav Sects in the North India.

They also recognize all other gods such as Brahma, Indra, Shiva, Agni in the Hindu pantheon as subservient to Narayana and amongst the jeevatmas (sentient souls, chit) whose existence is dependent upon the will of the Supreme Being.

The Lord of Kanchi is believed to have manifested Himself to Saint Tirukachi Nambi and have revealed the following six principles which form the six precepts of Visishtadvaita^[11][12]:

1. Sriman Narayana is the supreme self; unparalleled and unsurpassed - Ahameva Param Tatvam.
2. The lord has all the insentient and sentient as his body, and He is the soul of everything - Darsanam Bhedam Eve Cha.
3. The way to get salvation is surrendering to the feet of the Lord - Upayeshu Prapatisyaat.
4. There is no need to adopt contemplation on the Lord during our final breath - Anthima Smruthi Varjanam.
5. After the soul departs from the material body, it gets salvation if he/she adopted the means of surrender (saranagathi) -Dehaavasaane Mukthisyaat.
6. One should approach a fully qualified Vaishnava acharya and get enlightened - (Poorna)achaaryam Samaasraya.

Sri Vaishnavam draws authority from the Prasthana Thraiyam, namely, Upanishads, Brahma Sutra, and Bhagavad Gita^[13].

In addition to the Prastana Thraiyam, Sri Vaishnavas consider the Tamil hymns of twelve saints called Alvars^[14] as equal in authority to that of the Vedas. These hymns are called the Divya Prabandha^[3][15]. The teachings found in Divya Prabhandham are completely consistent with the teachings of the Prasthana Thraiyam. Therefore, Sri Vaishnavas consider the Dhivya Prabhandhams to be equal in status to the Vedas. For this reason, Sri Vaishnavas are called Ubhaya Vedantis^[13].

The Vaishnavite tradition began in the Puranic period.^{[citation needed]} Most Iyengars follow an unbroken lineage of Acharyas. After the period of the Tamil Saints called Azhvars, the Divya Prabandha was lost.^{[citation needed]} During the 9th century C.E., Sri Nathamuni retrieved them by the grace of Nammalvar and re-established Sri Vaishnavism. For this reason Sriman Nathamuni is considered the first Acharya of the modern era. In the line of Acharyas that followed, Ramanuja is considered the greatest. Among his many achievements the commentary he wrote for Brahma Sutra, called Sri Bhashyam is considered by many to be the best.^{[citation needed]}

Among the Acharyas after Sri Ramanuja, Sri Vedantha Desika and Sri Manavalamamuni are considered preeminent^{[16] [17] [18]} . After the time of these two great saints several Sri Vaishnava religious orders disciples of Swami Sri Desikan. Sri Ahobila Matam is the second oldest in this line^[19][20].

[edit] Religious Observances

[edit] Rituals

The rituals practised by Iyengars are very much the same as that of Iyers. This similarity, is mainly due to the common origin of Iyengars and Iyers. The rituals which form a part of the person's life are Jatakarma, Upanayanam^[21][22] and Tarpanam^[23].

[edit] Weddings

See Also: Iyer Weddings

A typical Iyengar wedding are made up of the following events^[24]:

1. Vethalaipakku
2. Pandalkal
3. Janwaasam
4. . Nischayathartham
5. Nandi or Vratham
6. Kashiyathrai
7. Oonjal
8. Piddishuttal
9. Kanyadaanam
10. Mangalaya Dharanam
11. Akshathai
12. Homam
13. Saptapadi
14. Nagoli Vasthra
15. Gruhapravesham
16. Sambandhi Virandhu
17. Reception

[edit] Lifestyle and Culture

See Also: Traditional Iyer Ethics,Traditional Attire

The first and foremost point of references for Iyengars with regard to their legal system is the Manusmriti. The Manusmriti prescribes a set of ethical vales to be pratcised. Iyengars of certain subsects of the Vadagalai sect, in particular, rigorously follow the set of values prescribed by the Manusmriti. However, of late, most of these injunctions have been discarded.

The traditional dress of Iyengars is the same as that of other South Indian Brahmins. Dring religious ceremonies, Iyengar men clothe themselves in a panchagacham and an angavastram. Just like Iyers, Iyengar women wear a nin-yard long saree known as the madisar.

[edit] Politics

Post-independence, Iyengars, along with Iyers, have been marginalized by the anti-Brahmin Movement in Tamil Nadu^[25][26]. Prior to independence, Iyengars along with Iyers, held a monopoly over education and had a firm control over the administrative machinery in Madras province^[27][28]. The Iyengar community can take just pride in having produced the first Congress Chief Minister of Madras province, the first Indian Governor-General of India and a leading luminary of the freedom movement, Chakravarthi Rajagopalachari^[29]. However, ironically, it was partially to Rajaji's policies, that Tamil Brahmins, owe their downfall. A couple of legislations brought into effect by the Rajaji Government that ruled from 1937 to 1939 decreed that all male members of a family should adopt the family profession and that Hindi should be made compulsory for government jobs^[30][31]. These legislations, more than anything else, were responsible for vitiating the communal atmosphere in the province resulting in the rapid growth of the Dravidian Movement. These were fueled by the jealousy of non-Brahmin upper castes and fears of Brahmin domination amongst the lower castes and Dalits.^{[citation needed]} Rajaji was elected for a second term in 1952 but with Rajaji's resignation as Chief Minister two years later and his replacement by Kamaraj, the downfall began. Iyers and Iyengars were gradually effaced out of the political scene by the rise of Dravidianism and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam which captured power in 1967. Today, Iyengars, along with Iyers, have almost disappeared from the political arena with the exception of a few individuals. However, despite the elimination of the "Brahmin factor" from Tamil Nadu politics, Brahmin individuals still continue to wield considerable authority as the example of Jayalalithaa Jayaram, AIADMK supremo, two-time Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and the current Leader of Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly would indicate.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Iyengars and Iyers

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Iyengars have much in common with Iyers with respect to their observance of Vedic rituals, lifestyle, traditions, heritage, history and culture. They descend from the same set of Gotras. However significant differences arise mainly with respect to their adherence to the Vishishtadvaita philosophy, monastic affiliation, marriage traditions and to a small extent vocabulary. Another notable difference is the way the traditional nine yards saree(madisaar) is draped by the Iyengar women.

[edit] Iyengars Today

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Iyengars today have diversified into a variety of fields—their strengths particularly evident in the fields of law, mass media, science, engineering, mathematics and computer science.^{[citation needed]} However even today, a few Iyengars choose to pursue the vocation of priesthood. Iyengars have been active in the cultural field too. Music has always been integral to the Iyengar community; Carnatic music has a great tradition within the community. Apart from vocal music, instruments such as mridangam, naadaswaram, veena, ghatam, violin, and more recently, the mandolin etc., Bharatanatyam were also patronized. Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam together enjoy a rich patronage in the cultural festivities in and around Chennai during the months of December and January.

[edit] Use of Iyengar as a Last Name

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Due to political persecution in Tamil Nadu and the resulting use of the Initial Prefix system, most Iyengars who grow up in the southern states of current generations have not used Iyengar as a last name. However the practice is still alive among Iyengars who grew up in Northern India, Mumbai or outside India. In recent times there has been a renewed interest in use of Iyengar as the new generation seeks an identity for itself.

[edit] Famous Iyengars

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This article or section may contain original research or unverified claims. Please improve the article by adding references. See the talk page for details. (November 2007)

Due to education and a progressive outlook, Iyengars have progressed in many fields and have made remarkable contributions, especially in science, bureaucracy (Indian civil services) and more recently industry.^{[citation needed]} Four of the 19 Indian RBI governors were Iyengars.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Science and Technology

• ^[32] (Late) Dr. M.O.P. Iyengar - Known as the Father of Algology in India, did pioneering research in fresh water, estuarine and marine algae, their systematics, life-histories, morphology and cytology.
• Sir K. S. Krishnan - Physicist, Fellow of the Royal Society, Director of National Physical Laboratory. He along with Sir C.V.Raman discovered the Raman Effect.
• C S Seshadri - Director, Chennai Mathematical Institute and Trieste Awardee.
• Dr.Raja Ramanna - Nuclear Scientist.
• Dr S Rajappa, Former Deputy Director, National Chemical Laboratories, Pune.
• Dr Rangaswamy Srinivasan - Former Scientist, IBM Research Labs, NY and inventor of LASIK laser surgery.
• * Dr. V.K. Aatre- Former Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister of India (replaced Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Oceanographic scientist, Fmr. Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister of India and Fmr. head of the DRDO.
• Dr Rangaswamy Narasimhan- Designer of India’s first general purpose digital computer. Also, Dr Rangaswamy Srinivasan's brother.
• Mandyam V Srinivasan - Robotics and Biology.
• P. K. Iyengar - Former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission.
• M. R. Srinivasan - Former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission.
• Dr.Rajan K. Sampath - FAO Consultant Head of Economics Dept, Colorado State University and Former Managing Director of ISARD.Author of several books and journals.
• Dr. S. Rangachari - physician.

• Dr. P.Vasudevan- Urologist in the US after whom the Dr Vasudevan Wellness Center at the University of Arkansas at Helena, Arkansas is named.
• Dr. Srinidhi Varadarajan - Computer Scientists, Director of Terrascale Computing Facility at Virginia Tech and leader of the team that built the world's cheapest and seventh fastest super computer.
• Dr Thirumalachari Ramasami- Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Govt of India, New Delhi.
• Ravi Iyengar- Indian neuroscientist, pioneer in G protein studies.
• Dr. Rangachar S. Keshavaprasad - American trained Interventional Cardiologist who has performed over 10,000 cardiac catheterizations completely free of charge in rural India.
• Prof. S.Ranganathan- Professor Emeritus ( Metallurgical sciences ),IISc and Bhatnagar award recipient
• Professor Dr Nallar Chakravarthy Vaijayanthi, Professor Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Banaglore University
• Late Prof. Sampath -Ertswhile Director IIT Kanpur and a distinguished academic
• Late Dr. M.D. Rajagopal - MBBS, PhD (Anatomy), Served as Professor of Anatomy at Medical Colleges of Mysore, Hubli & Gulbarga. Had been a visiting Professor of Anatomy at Temple University, Philadelphia, USA, pioneered research on comparative anatomy of Indian Elephants.
• Mr N.V.V.Char, Formerly Commissioner (Eastern Rivers) and Chairman, Brahmaputra Board of the Ministry of Water Resources, Govt. of India, is a civil engineer and has been involved in negotiations of the Mahakali Water Sharing Treaty with Nepal and the Farakka -Ganga Water Sharing -Treaty with Bangladesh and has played a significant role in resolving issues connected with the controversial Sardar Sarovar Multipurpose Project on the Naramada river. He is now a consultant in the field of Hydropower development in India.
• Dr. Krishnamachar Harish - Surgical Oncologist for 15 years and contributed towards pioneering research in Cancer surgery, is currently the Dean of the Oncology department at the M.S.R. Hospital, Bangalore
• V.L. Narasimhan - Associate Director at High Energy Materials Research Labs Pune and a 2 time AGNI award winner
• Mannargudi Rengarajan Rajesh - Prominent Home Theatre Professional from Chennai. Involved in widely publicising the concept of Home theatres and micro electronics in Chennai and Singapore.
• Dr. S.Sampath Iyengar, Geologist and Mineralogist of the Technology of Materials Laboratory, in California, who did original research work on the Mysterious Crop Circles. His work has been covered in shows in History Channel and also in a show called Unsolved Mysteries.
• Dr.G.Sundararajan-Bhatnagar award winner and Director ARCI, Hyderabad ( Metallurgist)
• Dr. Prof. Venkateshan Shakkottai - Professor of heat transfer at IIT, Chennai and author of the text book 'First Course in Heat Transfer'.
• Dr.Venkatavaradan-Astrophysicist and Erswhile Director, Nehru Planetarium, Mumbai
• Prof Kasturirangan- Prof of Marketing, Mcnair chair, Harvard
• BKS Iyengar - The Great Yogacharya
• Prof.G.Sridharan- leading Virologist in India successor to Dr.T.Jacob John

[edit] Mathematics

• Srinivasa Iyengar Ramanujan - Mathematician.
• Prof. A S Rangarajan, Professor of Mathematics,Retired as Additional Director of Collegiate Education, govt. of Karnataka
• K.R.Parthasarathy- Professor Emeritus at the Indian Statistical Institute of New Delhi
• S. R. Srinivasa Varadhan - Abel Prize awardee 2007.
• Professor Chidambaram Padmanabhan Ramanujam - Mathematician, TIFR.
• T.S.Vijayaraghavan - Eminent Mathematician.
• Professor Mudumbai Narasimhan - Mathematician & Fellow of the Royal Society (1996).
• Professor Madabusi Raghunathan - Mathematician & Fellow of the Royal Society (2000).
• Professor Conjeeveram Seshadri - Mathematician & Fellow of the Royal Society (1988).
• Professor Mandyam Srinivasan - Fellow of the Royal Society (2001).
• Professor Embar Sampathkumarachar - Eminent Mathematician & Expert on Graph Theory.

[edit] Music

• Ariyakudi T. Ramanuja Iyengar - Carnatic musician.
• Mysore Doraiswamy Iyengar - Veena Maestro.
• Varaha swamy - Gottuvadya Maestro
• Madurai T. N. Seshagopalan - Carnatic music maestro.
• Chitraveena Ravi Kiran - Chitraveena maestro & Child Prodigy.
• Guitar Prasanna - Carnatic Guitar pioneer and Jazz fusion composer.
• Annamacharya - Vaishnava Saint and Carnatic Music Composer.
• Tiger Varadachariar - Carnatic Music Exponent.
• T.K Ramaswamy - Carnatic Music Exponent who was the guru for Mani Krishnaswami at Kalakshetra.
• T.B.Narasimhachar - aka 'Saragrahi', Carnatic Music Critic and Sabha organiser.
• BS Raja Iyengar : Carnatic Vocal
• Chitte Krishna Iyengar : Carnatic Vocal

• Belakavadi Srinivasa Iyengar : Carniatic Vocal
• M J.sreenivasa Iyengar : Veena
• Veena Chokkama : Veena & Vocal - Carnatic Music
• Srirnagam Gopalaaratam : Vocal
• Neelamma Kadambi : Veena & Vocal - Carnatic Music
• Rajalakshmi Tirunarayanan : Veena
• Vasundara Das - Musician.
• Sudha Raghunathan - Carnatic Vocal.
• Mrs.Vedavalli - Carnatic Vocal
• NS Krishnaswamy Iyengar - Carnatic Vocal; Guru of DK Pattammal
• T M Krishna - Carnatic Vocal.
• Sangeetha Bhushana M A Narasimhachar- Carnatic Vocal Exponent
• Latha Rajnikanth Notable personality and singer wife of Rajnikanth Tamil Film Actor
• Prithvi Kumar Drummer/Percussionist
• Lakshmi Rangarajan Notable Carnatic Vocalist
• Harini - Film Singer
• Blazee - Rap Singer
• Vellore Dr.A.R.Srinivasan- Carnatic musician, percussionist, and author of kirthanas.
• Sharadha - Playback Singer
• Nallar Rajalakshmi - Veena exponent from Mysore, Karnataka.
• T S Tatachar- Famous Violinist

[edit] Journalism

• Sudha Sadanand, (Hebbar Iyengar) TV personality
• N. Ram - Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu.
• TCA Srinivasa-Raghavan - Columnist, Business Standard of India.
• Late A.G. Venkatachari- Former Editor of Dinamani
• Seshadri Chari - Editor, The Organiser, periodical of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
• Sreenivasan Jain - Of iyengar heritage and correspondent for NDTV.
• Madhan - Cartoonist.
• Keshav, V Pitchumani - Cartoonist The Hindu, Painter.
• Sandilyan - Tamil Novelist
• Deepam Naa.Parthasarathy - Author, Tamil Novelist, Founder of Deepam, a Tamil literary magazine.
• T. S. SreenivasaRaghavan - Correspondent, The Times of India.
• Seetha Parthasarathy - Journalist and Author of The Backroom Brigade: How a Few Intrepid Entrepreneurs Brought the World to India.
• Vai. Mu. Kodainayaki Ammal - First woman editor in Tamil, Jaganmohini, Tamil monthly, and novelist(1903-1960).
• V.K.Narasimhan - Ex-Editor-in-chief, Indian Express.
• S.Narasimhan - Ex-Asst. Editor, Indian Express, Bangalore.
• V.N.Narayan - Editor Bhavan's Journal of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.
• Indra Soundarrajan - Story Writer - Tamil
• Sriram Sridharan Sriperumbudur-Echambadi - Chennai's famous student blogger at Orangeman Burns - Sriram Sridharan's blog.
• R V Chari - Ex Editor of Economic Times
• N S Jagannathan - Former Editor-in-Chief, The Indian Express.
• K.Partha Sarathy - Senior Reporter ETV News
• Prema Nandakumar - Author and Free-lance journalist
• 'Sujatha'Rangarajan-writer and films script writer
• Veeraraghavachariar - owner of The Hindu newspaper in 1898
• Vengrai Parthasarathy - Ex-Senior Public Relations Manager, he is now an acclaimed writer on the internet and on several newspapers and magazines around the world.
• S. Kasturi Ranga Iyengar - legal advisor to The Hindu newspaper and later owner of The Hindu newspaper that has since been passed down to his family

[edit] Industry

• Partha Iyengar - Research Vice President, Gartner Inc.
• K. I. Srinivasa - Chief General Manager, Central Mine Planning & Design Institute Limited
• Ms. Shobana Ramachandran - Chairperson TVS Tyres Ltd
• M. R. Narasimha Iyengar - Founder, Mysore Lamps
• Shailesh Ayyangar - Managing Director, Aventis Pharma Ltd
• Dr. Krishna Bharat- Principal Scientist, Google Inc.
• Pulavanur Chakrapani Iyengar - ESSEE Industries Ltd
• Srikanth Nadhamuni - part of the team that first pioneered the Intel Pentium chip
• Narasimha Chari -Chief Architect, Tropos networks
• Uday Garudachar - Managing Director and Promoter of Garuda Group, the group which owns Garuda Mall in Bangalore
• G. R. Gopinath - CEO and Co-Founder of Air Deccan
• Sampath Iyengar -CEO, PSI Systems
• M. S. Venkataramanan - Additional Director , Steel Authority of India Ltd. (1984) Author of Integrated Steel Works and Transportation, Gold Medalist and winner of Mckenzie Memorial prize from Guindy Engineering College in Mechanical Engineering 1955
• Sridar Iyengar - Director of Infosys and President of TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs) in Silicon Valley
• Suresh Krishna - CEO, Sundaram Fasteners
• A Krishnan - Ex Managing Director, State Bank of Mysore, Author of a rendition of The Ramayana
• N Sampath Kumar - Executive Director, Finance, IndusInd Bank Ltd.
• Ravi Parthasarathy - Vice-Chairman & Managing Director, IL&FS Ltd.
• S V Parthasarathy- Executive Director- operations, IndusInd Bank Ltd.
• Kuppuswamy Vijay Raghavan - Ex-Chairman, Engineers India Limited, Chairman, premier explosives Limited and President, EID Parry Ltd.
• N S Raghavan - Co-Founder of Infosys.
• Arvind Raghunathan - Managing Director and Head of Global Arbitrage, Deutsche Bank
• Srinivasacharya Dy.Managing Director, Sundaram Finance Limited
• Prof T.K.S.Kumar - Founder and Chief Exeutive, Ananth's Group of Companies, Large Consumer Durable service providers
• P Ragunathan - Senior Vice-President, IndusInd Bank Ltd.
• Srini Rajam - Chairman and CEO, Ittiam Ltd
• Shyam Ramanna - CEO of Crest Communictions, a famous animation firm and son of Dr Raja Ramanna
• R. Seshasayee - President of Confederation of Indian Industry and CEO of Ashok Leyland, part of the Hinduja group
• Balaji Sreenivasan - Founder & CEO, Aurigo Construction Management Software
• Ramanujam Sridhar - Author and CEO of Brand-Comm, a prominent Brand consulting firm
• Raj Srikanth - Managing Director, Deutsche Bank Alex Brown Securities, New York
• Venu Srinivasan - MD, TVS Motor Company Ltd
• T. V. Sundram Iyengar - Founder of T.V.S. group (automobile and finance)
• TT Srinivasaraghavan - MD Sundaram Finance Ltd
• P.T. Sampathkumaran - Founder and Managing Partner Sampathkumaran and Company, Charter Accountants and Former Chairman of Madras Race Club
• S. Madhavan - MD i|Nautix Technologies India (P) Ltd.,
• N.S.Iyengar - Founder of Ultramarine & Pigments Ltd and Thirumalai Chemicals Ltd - two companies in the top 500 of BSE
• M.R.Srinivas Prasad - Vice President - IT, Fidelity Investments Ltd
• Ramesh Vangal - Ex Pepsi India Chief and serial entrepreneur
• T.K.Balaji - MD, Lucas TVS
• C.P. Raman - Erstwhile MD, Union Carbide and Ex President TVS Motors
• P.K.Madhav - CEO,Maytas Infra
• S.Narayanan - Managing Director, PPN Power
• Venkataramanacharya- Senior Vice President, Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited, Chennai
• T R.Gopalan, Regional Director, Indo German Chamber of Commerce, Chennai
• A.N.S.Raghavan, former Managing Director of Madras Motor General Insurance Co & Sundaram Finance Limited (TVS Group )
• Deepak Raghavan - Co-founder, Director and former Chief Technology Officer of Manhattan Associates Inc.
• Raghavan Rajaji - Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Infor Global Solutions
• Anirudh Chari Author, Cultural Theorist and Art Critic
• A Krishnan, Former Managing Director of State Bank of Mysore, Author
• Prabahar Srinivasan,Controller at BEA Systems
• Dr. S. R. Seshadri, Professor at Harvard, MIT and Wisconsin, Nuclear Physicist and Scientist in the US

[edit] Diplomacy, Bureaucracy and Politics

• candadai ravi- he was u s diplomat posted in Madras US embassy recentl pl chk on this
• J. Jayalalitha - Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
• E. S. L. Narasimhan - Governor of Chattisgarh and former director of the Intelligence Bureau
• Dr. S. Rangachar - World Bank, Senior Economist handling operations in Yemen.
• N Gopalaswamy - Present Chief Election Commissioner
• Shamaiya Iyengar - minister of post and police under Tipu Sultan
• C V Rangacharlu - Diwan of Mysore
• A. R. Badrinarayan (late) - Former Minister for Education, Govt. of Karnataka, Former Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), Former President, Hebbar Srivaishnava Sabha.
• C. V. Narasimhan - former Under secretary General, United Nations
• (Late) T.Rangachariar (Diwan Bahadur) Renowned lawyer, Legislator, Deputy President of Indian Legislative Assembly. Represented India at the Inauguration of Canberra as Capital of Australia.
• (Late) V.N.Venkata Varadachariar, Senior Advocate, well-known for conducting Vaishnava Temple 'sampradaya' cases.
• C.Vijayaraghvachariyar- President, Indian National Congress (1920), All India Hindu Maha Sabha (1931), Member Imperial Legislative Council.
• Sir T.Vijayaraghavachariyar- Dewan of Udayapur.
• Sir V.T.Krishnamachari - Dewan of Baroda.
• N.Gopalaswamy Iyengar - Nehru's Minister for Kashmir Affairs
• C. S. Venkatachar - Dewan of Udayapur
• C. S. Srinivasachar - Secretary to Sir M. Visvesvaryya and founder of Malleswaram Co-operative Bank, Malleswaram, Bangalore
• C. S. Kuppammal - Educationist and one of the founder members of Malleswaram Ladies Association Group of Institutions in Malleswaram, Bangalore.
• Rajaji - Freedom fighter, national leader, the first Indian Governor General of Independent India and also the Chief Minister of State of Madras.
• C V Ranganathan - Former Indian Ambassador to China.
• TCA Srinivasavardan - Former Home Secretary, Government of India.
• Justice K.S. Paripoornan - Former justice Supreme Court of India.
• Dr.K.Sreenivasan - Former DGP & IGP of Karnataka State.
• L N Rangarajan - Indian Ambassador to Norway, Professor at Manchester University, UK and author of an English translation of Arthasastra.
• H V R Iyengar - (Late) ICS, Home Secretary, RBI Governor, Secretary to the Constituent Assembly etc among various positions in the administrative services in both pre and post independence India.
• Vijay Rangarajan - Acting British Ambassador to Mexico.
• N Gopalaswami - Election Commissioner, Government of India.
• G. Parthasarathy - Former Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Cyprus and Australia.
• S. Ramaswamy - Former Director General of Technical Development, Ministry of Industries, Govt.of India.
• Venkat Chary - Former Chairman Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission and Addnl Chief Secretary Govt of Maharashtra, currently Chairman MCX, Multi Commodity Exchange of India.
• N. Rangachary - Director, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA), India.
• C.V. Narasimhan - Under Secretary General of the UN.
• C. Rangarajan - Former Governor of Reserve Bank of India and governor of Andhra Pradesh, India.
• M Ananthasayanam Ayyangar - First speaker of the Indian Parliament.
• K. Santhanam- An attorney, Gandhian, 1st Railway Minister in Free India, Governor of Vindhya Pradesh, Chairman of Santhanam Committee on Corruption, authored several books), including a critical edition on the Jallianwallah Bagh massacre.
• K Parasaran - Attorney General of India for Indira Gandhi.
• Mohan Parasaran - Eminent Lawyer - SC
• Ashok Parthasarathi - Scientific Adviser to Indira Gandhi.
• Sir Bhashyam Iyengar-Eminent Lawyer and one of the first Indian Judges of the Madras High Court.
• T.T. Krishnamachari - Industrialist, Minister of Finance for Jawaharlal Nehru.
• K N Govindacharya - RSS Idealogue.
• R K Raghavan - Director of Central Bureau of Investigation.
• T Narasimha Iyengar - Criminal Vakil who was a member of the jury investigating the Arbuthnot Crash and grandfather of Rangaswamy Srinivasan and P Ragunathan.
• Sr. Advocate Embar Varadha Iyengar- Criminal lawyer.
• N Kannan - Head, Civil Affairs, U.N Mission in Cyprus.
• Justice .M. Srinivasan-Judge, Supreme Court.
• Justice S. Ranganathan (retired judge Supreme Court and the Delhi high Court)
• Sr. Advocate Late Heragu Singaiyengar - lawyer
• Late Venkatachari Srinivasan, (V.Srinivasan) - Eminent Lawyer, Secretary, Madras Bar Association
• TT Vasu - Eminent Personality
• Jairam Ramesh - Member of Parliament
• Late M.Narayanan - Served as Divisional Traffic Superintendent, Souther n Railways, Mysore & President 0f Southern Railway Association, and Vice President of All India level, and a member of ZRVCC.
• Jagannathan - Former RBI Governor
• Basudevacharya, Member of Parliament-representing Purulia District West Bengal)
• H S S Iyengar- Former Chief Engineer, PWD, Government of Karnataka.

[edit] Sports

• M J Gopalan - Cricket & Hockey Player.
• S. Venkataraghavan - Cricketer.
• Krishnamachari Srikanth - Cricketer.
• Sadagopan Ramesh - Former Opening Batsman, Indian Cricket Team.
• W V Raman - Opening Batsman, Indian Cricket Team.
• M. Chinnaswamy^{[citation needed]} - Cricket administrator.
• M.R. Srinivas Prasad - Former Cricket player, Karnataka.
• Sundararajan Kidambi - International Chess Master.
• Krishnan Sasikiran - Chess Grandmaster.
• TE Srinivasan- Former Test Cricketer
• CR Rangachari - Test cricketer
• Sridharan Sriram^{[citation needed]} ( India cricket International- Played for India in a couple of ODI s)

[edit] Films and Entertainment

• R. Madhavan -- Tamil actor
• Vyjayantimala Bali - Tamil/Hindi Actress.
• Hema Malini - Hindi Actress.
• Kavignar Vali - Tamil Lyricist.
• Madhoo: Kollywood and Bollywood actress. Heroine in multilingual blockbuster Roja.
• Dr.P.B.Srinivas - Playback singer.
• Y. G. Mahendran -- Dramatist, film actor and comedian.
• B.S.Ranga - Veteran producer and director of Kannada, Telugu and Tamil films with more than 70 movies to his credit, winner of 2 President's Awards, Rajotsava Awardee.
• Kamal Haasan - Actor.
• Crazy Mohan - Scriptwriter and dramatist.
• Maadhu Balaji - dramatist
• M.S.Sathyu - Kannada and Hindi Film Director.
• Sandeep Prasad^{[citation needed]}- Actor.
• Aathreya - Telugu lyricist.
• Sadagopan Venkatesh - Vice President Cambridge worldwide Inc. Former DJ of New Jersey FM, actor and stage performer.
• Yashoda Ranganathan - Indo-Canadian Actress.
• Sabrina Setlur - German rapper Of Iyengar heritage (Father Iyengar).
• Chithralaya Gopu - Tamil Playwright and Film Director.
• Vasundara Das - Actor (Kannada, Tamil And Hindi Movies).
• Y G Mahendran - Famous Drama / Cinema Actor
• Raman Vijay - Famous local comedian of champagne / aspiring Cinema Actor
• Suhashini Manirathinam - Film Actress W/o Manirathinam Famous Director in Tamil, Hindi
• Geetha^{[citation needed]} - Tamil Film and TV Actress
• Srikanth - Upcoming Tamil Film Star
• Late "Major" Sundarrajan - Yesteryears Film Personality
• "LIC" Narasimhan - Film and TV Actor
• Charu Hassan - Tamil Actor - Brother of Kamal Haasan and father-in-law of Manirathinam
• Anu Hassan - Tamil Actress - D/o Chandra Hassan
• Shruti Hassan - Tamil Actress/Singer - D/o Kamal Haasan
• Jayalalitha- Tamil Actress Ex- Chief Minister of Tamil nadu
• Vedham K Kannan - Director, Scriptwriter and dramatist
• Air Vice Marshal Rama Iyengar Krishnan-, (Retired) IAF, DRDO

[edit] Army and Police

• Aprameya Sreenivas Malurkar - Former (17th) DG & IG of Police Karnataka State.
• H. R. Kasturirangan - Former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Karnataka and is highly noted for curbing underworld crime in Bangalore
• Gen. K. Sundarji - Former Chief of the Indian Army.
• General Sundararajan Padmanabhan - Former chief of the Indian Army.
• Dr.K.Sreenivasan - Former DGP & IGP of Karnataka State.
• S. Parthasarathi Ayyangar - Former Commissioner of Police in Madras Presidency.
• Lt Gen C R Sampath Kumar - Military Secretary to Shankar Dayal Sharma, President of India.
• Lt. Gen.S.S.R.Iyengar - Former commandant of School of Artillery
• Air Marshal(Retd.) Sriperampudur Raghavan - Former AO-in-C(Logistics), HQMC
• B. N. Garudachar - Director-General and Inspector-General of Police Karnataka.
• K. R. Srinivasan - Director-General of Police Karnataka.
• Dr.P. S. Ramanujan - Director-General of Police Karnataka & a Sanskrit scholar
• K.Seetharam- Black cat to Rajiv Gandhi and Aide-De-Camp(ADC) to Governor of Karnataka
• Maj. Gen. (Retd.) C. Thiruvengada Chari- Army Corps of Engineers
• H.N.B.Vasan - Border Road Organisation, Executive Engineer.
• Lt. General N.S.Narahari
• Lt.General Raghunath
• Air Chief Marshall Srinivasapuram Krishnaswamy - Former Chief of the Indian Air Force
• Major K.P.Vinay(Late)- Awarded Kirti Chakra in 2008 for his courage in killing two terrorists in J&K.
• Wg. Cdr. Mandayam Anandalwar Srirangarajan (MAS Rajan)
• Commander Raghu Parthasarthy Iyengar, Indian Navy

[edit] Miscellaneous

• Belur Yogish Apurva Iyengar (born in 1986)- Limca Record Holder (2003) -India's Youngest Poetess. Creative writing - Lyricist, poet, short story writer, also writes articles and essays.
• Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya - Father of modern Yoga, great Yogi and healer who taught B.K.S. Iyengar, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and Indra Devi.
• B.K.S. Iyengar - Yogi and founder of Iyengar Yoga.
• Srinivasa (Hal)Iyengar - Chief Structural Engineer of the Sears Tower, John Hancock Tower and Spain's Guggenheim Museum.
• Dr. K.R. Srinivasa Iyengar - Former Vice Chancellor of Andhra University, who pioneered Indian writing in English
• V. Krishnaswamy Sharma - Founder LIFCO Books
• S.K.Venkataranga Iyengar - alias Writ Iyengar - Supreme court advocate.
• S.G.Vasudev - Artist
• Vimala Rangachar - Social activist , Chairperson Karnataka Craft Council, Karnataka Rajyotsava winner
• V V Chari - Noted Economist
• Dr. Sampathkumaracharya - Scholar in Hisory and Music - Has authored several authoritative books on Musicology, Musicians, History of Music, and an encylopaedic work on Karnataka Sangitada Paribhashika Shabdakosha. He is the recipient of several state awards
• Dr.Setlur B.N.Prakash former District and Sessions judge. now working as the Professor of law at National Law school india university. Has authored the work Mental health and law, Karnataka High court reference citation. popularly called S.B.N.Prakash.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Sri Vaishnavam Today
• Website of the Iyengar Community
• Mandayam (a.k.a. Mandyam) Iyengar Community: Mandayams in India, Mandayams in the U.S. & other countries
• Website of Vadagalai Iyengars
• Website of Hebbar Iyengars
• Vedics Foundation - Organization devoted to the philosophy of Ramanuja
• Sri Vaishnava Sampradayam - Information about Sri Vaishnava Acharyas
• Nathamuni-Alavandar.org - Dedicated to Shriman Nathamungal and Shri Alavandar
• NAMA Inc.- An Association of SriVaishnavas
• Sri Parakalamath, Mysore
• Sri Vaishnava Home Page
• Srirangam Srimad Andavan Periyaashramam
• Ahobila Matam Home Page
• Sri Sri Sri Tridandi Srimannarayana Ramanuja Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji's Home page
• Sri Vishnu Temples - 108 Divya desams