List of Tamil people
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. Entries on this list are demonstrably notable by having a linked current article or reliable sources as footnotes against the name to verify they are notable and define themselves as Tamil.
This list also includes emigrant Tamils and could be taken as a list of famous Tamils.
Tamil Dynasty
Administrators and heads of state
Presidents of other countries
- 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).
- Sellapan Ramanathan, President of Singapore (September 1, 2002 – August 31, 2011).
Administrators during British colonial rule
- N (Narayanaswamy). Sadasivam (d.1960), Auditor-General of Burma (-1942).
- Rao Sahib Adukkambarai Singaravel Veerasami Mudaliyar: Deputy Assistant Controller of Military Accounts, Burma. He was awarded the title of Rao Sahib by the then Viceroy Lord Wavell on 14 June 1945
Dewans of Princely States
International positions
Indian independence movement
- V.O. Chidambaram Pillai V. O. Chidambaram Pillai, (Tamil: வ. உ. சிதம்பரம் பிள்ளை) popularly known by his initials, V.O.C. (spelt Vaa. Oo.Ce in Tamil), was an Indian freedom fighter born on 5 September 1872 in Ottapidaram, Tuticorin district of Tamil Nadu State of India. He was a prominent lawyer, and a trade union leader. He gets credit for launching the first indigenous Indian shipping service between Tuticorin and Colombo with the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company, competing against British ships. He was an Indian National Congress (INC) member, later charged with sedition by the British government and sentenced to life imprisonment; his barrister license was stripped. He is also known as "Kappalottiya Tamilan"" (கப்பலோட்டிய தமிழன்), or The Tamil Helmsman in Tamil
- Muhammadh Yusuf Khan alias Marudhanayagam (Tamil: மருதநாயகம்) A born warrior, circa 1725 in the village of Panaiyur, in Rammnad 'country', present day Ramanathapuram. Yusuf Khan was held in very high esteem even after his death by the English and in their opinion he was one of the two great military geniuses India had ever produced; the other being Hyder Ali of Mysore. Though served the British army in the early days, confronted them over their powers on Tamil Nadu.
- Veerapandiya Kattabomman (Tamil: வீரபாண்டிய கட்டபொம்மன்) also known as Kattabommu fought against the British. He was an 18th century Indian polygar chieftain from Panchalankurichi of Tamil Nadu.Kattabomma Naicker was the first one to oppose British rule. He waged a war with the British six decades before Indian War of Independence which occurred in 1857 in Northern parts of India.
- Puli Thevar, Polygar chieftain who fought against first and win over British East India Company in the 1750s and 1767s
- Periyar E. V. Ramasamy, In 1919 Periyar Ramaswamy joined the Indian National Congress after quitting his business and resigning from public posts. He was the chairman of Erode Municipality and undertook constructive programs spreading the use of Khadi, picketing toddy shops, boycotting shops selling foreign cloth, and eradicating untouchability. In 1921, Periyar was imprisoned for picketing toddy shops in Erode. When his wife as well as his sister joined the agitation, it gained momentum, and the administration was forced to come to a compromise. He was again arrested during the Non-Cooperation movement and the Temperance movement.[5] In 1922, Periyar was elected the President of the Madras Presidency Congress Committee during the Tirupur session where he advocated strongly for reservation in government jobs and education.
- Rettamalai Srinivasan (1860–1945), Dalitactivist, politician and freedom fighter from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu
- Thalapathy Venni Kaladi, he was the general of Puli Thevar and a brave warrior who died while fighting the British(he belonged to the Devendra kula vellalar community).
- Maruthu Pandiyar brothers Periya Marudhu and Chinna Marudhu who fought the British in the First and Second Polygar Wars
- Dheeran Chinnamalai (1756–1805), Polygar chieftain and feudatory of Tipu Sultan who fought the British in the Second Polygar War
- Subramanya Bharathy (1882–1921), Indian freedom fighter, Tamil poet and social reformer. Often regarded as the national poet of Tamil Nadu
- Bharathidasan (1891–1964), Tamil poet and rationalist.
- V. Kalyanasundaram (1883–1953), Scholar and independence fighter
- Subramaniya Siva (1884–1925), Freedom fighter and prolific writer
- Jeevanandham (1907–1963), Social reformer, political leader, litterateur and one of the pioneers of the communist and socialist movements
- Champakaraman Pillai(1891–1934), independence fighter
- Tiruppur Kumaran (1904–1932), Indian Revolutionary freedom fighter
- Quid-E-Milath Mohamed Ismail, independence fighter, Member of Parliament and was the President of Indian Union Muslim League
- K. Kamaraj, Freedom Fighter, Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and All India Congress President
- Baktavachalam (1897–1987), Freedom Fighter, Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
- C. Subramaniam (1910–2000), Freedom Fighter and statesman and one of the men behind the Green Revolution
- Lakshmi Sehgal (1914-), Head of Rani Jhansi Brigade, women's wing of the Indian National Army and a close associate of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose. Presidential candidate in 2002 President's election.
Independence movements in other countries
- Thillaiaadi Valliammai (1899–1914), South African militant, who inspired Mahatma Gandhi to involve in the Freedom Movement.
- Periyapaiya Nattar (1885–1949), South Africanwho inspired by Mahatma Gandhi to involve in the Freedom Movement.
- V. T. Sambanthan, One of the three founding fathers of Malaysia.
- Shanti Naidoo, South African revolutionary & fought against the apartheid regime.
- Pandara Vannian, rebel Tamil chief from the Vanni region of Srilanka
- Nadesa padayachi, South Africa
- Velupillai Prabhakaran, Tamil Eelam
- Sharversvaran Pather, nom de guerre, Michael Pillay, South African[1]
Others-Significant contribution to Tamil people
- Nedumaran,President, ‘Tamils National Movement’
- Marshal Nesamony,Responsible for Kanyakumari district merger with Tamil Nadu.
- Varadarajan Mudaliar: Known as Vardha Bhai;Hero for Mumbai tamilians, Tamil movie Nayagan was based on his life story
Political leaders
India
Indian President
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.
- O. V. Alagesan, Formal Union Minister for petroleum, ambassador to Ethiopia.
- Mohan Kumaramangalam, Eminent Lawyer, Former Union Minister and Son of P. Subbarayan.
- Jana Krishnamurthi, (1928–2007), Former Union Law Minister and National President of BJP.
- 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.
- Satyavani Muthu Former Union Cabinet Minister, and the one of first non-congress and dravidian party members from Tamil Nadu along with Aravinda Bala Pajanor to be part of the Union government.
- N. V. N. Somu, former Minister for state Defence, died in air crash.
- Aravinda Bala Pajanor, (born 1935) Senior Advocate, Former Union Minister for Petroleum, Natural Gas, Chemicals & Fertilizers, and one of the first non-congress and dravidian party members from Tamil Nadu along with Satyavani Muthu to be part of the Union government.
- R. V. Swaminathan (1909–1984), Freedom Fighter and union Minister of State for Agriculture.he was three term M.L.A. from(1952,1962,1967)three term MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT (1971,1977,1980) three term TNCC PRESIDENT from 1967, 1971,1977. he was closely associated with Mahatma gandhiji. when mahatma gandhiji toured Tamil Nadu.in 1933-34 he stayed twice in his house in paganeri village.he was instrumental in bring a private bill along with K.T.kosalram which facilitated in removal of DEVAR COMMUNITY from DENOTIFIED list.he was popularly known as R.V.S.
Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu
Central Ministers
- P. Chidambaram (born 1945), Home Minister of India.
- A. Raja,Ex. Communications and Information Technology Minister of India.
- Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan, Ex.Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment of India.
- S. S. Palanimanickam, Minister of State for Finance of India.
- K. Venkatapathy, Ex. Minister of State for Law and Justice of India.
- S. Regupathy, Minister of State for Forests and Environment of
- G.K. Vasan, Minister of Shipping.
- Jayanthi Natarajan, Minister of Forests and Environment.
- Dayanidhi Maran, Ex.Textiles Minister of india
- Anbumani Ramadoss,Ex.Minister of Health and Family Welfare(2004–2009).
- M.K. Azhagiri,Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers.
- D.Napoleon,Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment.
- Dr.S.Jagathrakshakan,Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting.
- S.Gandhiselvan,Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare
Governors
Other countries
- S Jayakumar (born 1939), Deputy Prime Minister, Singapore.
- Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Singapore; and Chairman of the International Monetary and Financial Committee at the IMF (Sri Lankan Tamil ancestry).
- Vivian Balakrishnan (born 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, (1926–2008) ex-opposition leader and MP, Singapore (Sri Lankan Tamil ancestry).
- P. P. Devaraj, Former Cabinet Minister of Srilanka.
- Radhakrishnan,Current Deputy Minister for Industry Affairs of Srilanka.
- Samy Vellu, Ex-Works Minister (Lost in 2008 election) and Leader of Malaysian Indian Congress, Malaysia.
- K.R. Somasundram (born 1930), Politician and member of Malaysian Indian Congress, Malaysia.
- Radhakrishna Padayachi (born 1950), Deputy Minister for Communication, Republic of South Africa.
- Rathika Sitsabaiesan (born 1981), Member of the Canadian Parliament
- 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. Chelvanayakam, Popularly known as "Thanthai Chelva", Leader and Father figure of Sri Lankan Tamils.
- 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.
- Veerasingham Anandasangaree, Member of Parliament for 26 years, Sri Lanka.
- C. Rajadurai, Minister 1977–1994 & Member of Parliament for 26 years, Sri Lanka.
- Murugesu Sivasithamparam, Member of Parliament for 26 years & Chief opposition whip for 3years, Sri Lanka.
- Rajavarothiam Sampanthan, Member of Parliament for 21 years & Chief opposition whip for 9 months, Sri Lanka.
- Dr. Neelan Tiruchelvam, Constitutional Expert & Member of Parliament, Sri Lanka.
- Appapillai Amirthalingam, Leader of the opposition, Parliament of Sri Lanka.
- Douglas Devananda, 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.
- Thamizhavel G. Sarangapani, Tamil journalist, writer, publisher, social activitist, a champion of the Tamil language in Singapore, contributing to make Tamil one of the four official languages of Singapore, 1900s Singapore
Major political parties for Tamil people
Political Families
Tamil Nadu
The Karunanidhi Family
The P. T. Rajan family
- P. T. Rajan, Chief Minister of Madras Presidency in 1936.
The Kumaramangalam Family
The Rajagopalachari family
- C. Rajagopalachari, Chief Minister of Madras Presidency (1937–40), Madras state (1952–54), Governor of West Bengal (1946–48), Governor-General of India (1948–50). Union Minister (1950–52)
The C. P. Ramaswami Iyer family
The Bhaktavatsalam family
The Moopanar family
Sri Lanka
- Arumugampillai Coomaraswamy (1783–1836), Gate Mudaliyar, Member of Legislative Council
- Sir Muthu Coomaraswamy CCS FRGS (1833–1879), Member of Legislative Council + Elizabeth Clay Beeby
- Sellachchi Coomaraswamy + Arunachalam Ponnambalam (1814–1887), Mudaliyar of the Governor's Gate
- Ponnambalam Coomaraswamy (1849–1905), Member of Legislative Council
- Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan KCMG QC (1851–1930), Solicitor General of British Ceylon, Member of Legislative Council + Leelawathy Ramanathan (1870–1953)
- Sivagamasundari + Subaiya Nadesan, Member of Parliament, Member of State Council, Senator
- Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam KCMG CCS (1853–1924), Member of Executive Council, Member of Legislative Council + Swarnambal Namasivayam
- Arunachalam Padmanabha
- Sir Arunachalam Mahadeva KCMG (1888–1969), Government Minister, Member of Legislative Council, Member of State Council, High Commissioner to India
- Balakumar (Baku) Mahadeva
- Arunachalam Ramanathan
- Pathmavathy Arunachalam + Sir Sangarapillai Pararajasingham, Senator
- Pararajasingham Nadesan
- Lalithambikai (-2005) + M. Swaminathan
Corea
- Mudliyar Corea-Vikramasinha, Mudaliyar of Peliyagoda, 1630
- Vikramasinha-Corea - son of the Mudaliyar, Dissawa of Puttalam
- Christoffel Corea-Vikramasinha, Mohandiram of Hapitigam Korale
- Louis Corea-Vikramasinha, Padicara Mohindaram
- Abraham Corea, Mohandiram of the Chilaw District
- Gate Mudaliyar James Edward Corea - appointed Mudaliyar in 1899, Inspector of Coaches and Inquirer of Crimes of the Chilaw District, in charge of the rural police in Pitigal Korale North
- Charles Edgar Corea - elected to the Legislative Council, President of the Ceylon National Congress (1924)
- Victor Corea - founder Member of the Ceylon National Congress, elected to the Legislative Council
- Sir Claude Corea - Minister of Labour 1946,High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in the UK, Ceylon's Ambassador in the USA, President of the United Nations Security Council
- Srikuradas Charles Shirley Corea, Speaker of the Parliament of Ceylon, Member of Parliament for Chilaw
- Dr. Gamani Corea, Ambassador, Secretary-General of UNCTAD, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations
- Ernest Corea, Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to Canada, Sri Lanka's Ambassador to the United States of America
- Harindra Corea, Deputy Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka, Member of Parliament for Chilaw
Ganesan
- V. P. Ganeshan, trade unionist, politician, film producer and actor
- Mano Ganesan (1959-), Member of Parliament, Provincial Councillor
- Praba Ganesan (1964-), Member of Parliament, Provincial Councillor
Ponnambalam
Sangarapillai[3]
- A. V. Sangarapillai,
- Sir Sangarapillai Pararajasingham, Senator + Pathmavathy Arunachalam
- Lalithambikai (-2005) + M. Swaminathan
(also related to Coomaraswamy, Ulaganathar of Manipay)
Thondaman
- V. E. K. R. Karuppaiah (Kumaravel) + Sithammai
- Ulaganathar of Manipay
- Ulaganathar Mathar (1650-)
- Mathar Kathirgamakanakkar (1670-)
- Kathirgamakanakkar Thillaiampalam
- Thillaiampalam Arunachalam, Mudaliyar
- Arunachalam Ponnambalam (1814–1887), Mudaliyar of the Governor's Gate + Sellachchi Coomaraswamy
- Ponnambalam Coomaraswamy (1849–1905), Member of Legislative Council
- Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan KCMG QC (1851–1930), Solicitor General of British Ceylon, Member of Legislative Council + Leelawathy Ramanathan (1870–1953)
- Sivagamasundari + Subaiya Nadesan, Member of Parliament, Member of State Council, Senator
- Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam KCMG CCS (1853–1924), Member of Executive Council, Member of Legislative Council + Swarnambal Namasivayam
- Arunachalam Padmanabha
- Sir Arunachalam Mahadeva KCMG (1888–1969), Government Minister, Member of Legislative Council, Member of State Council, High Commissioner to India
- Balakumar (Baku) Mahadeva
- Arunachalam Ramanathan
- Pathmavathy Arunachalam + Sir Sangarapillai Pararajasingham, Senator
- Pararajasingham Nadesan
- Lalithambikai (-2005) + M. Swaminathan
(also related to Coomaraswamy)
Viswanather-Arumugam-Cathiravelu
Defence (India)
Army
Air Force
\
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).
- Commander Joseph Peter(b.25-12-1954)
- Admiral Laksminarayan Ramdas
Award winners
Academy Award
Ramon Magsaysay Award
The Ramon Magsaysay Award was established in April 1957 in memory of Ramon Magsaysay, the late president of the Philippines. It is often considered to be Asia's Nobel Prize.
Bharat Ratna
The Bharat Ratna is India's highest civilian honour.
Padma Vibhushan
The Padma Vibhushan is India's second highest civilian honour.
This is NOT a complete list, please add/modify.
Padma Bhushan
The Padma Bhushan is India's third highest civilian honour.
- Nammakal Kavignar Ramalingam Pillai
- Ilaiyaraaja - Veteran musician and Tamil music director.
- A. R. Rahman - Oscar winning Tamil Musician.
- Shiv Nadar- is an Indian industrialist and philanthropist
Padma Shri
The Padma Shri is India's fourth highest civilian honour.
- Kamal Haasan - One of the leading method actors in India.
- Actor Vivek - One of the leading method comedian and actors in India.
- Sivanthi Adithan- is the owner of popular Tamil newspapers Dina Thanthi
- S.M. Ganapathy Stapathi - is the founder of Sri Sahkara Silpa Sala
- S.M. Muthiah Stapathi - is the Advisor Stapathi in HR & CE Dept. of Tamil Nadu, Founder of Swaranam Silpa Kalai Kudam
Param Vir Chakra
The Param Vir Chakra is India's highest military honor.
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award
The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is India's highest sporting honour.
Arts, music & literature
Arjuna Award
The Arjuna Award was instituted in 1961 by the Government of India to recognize outstanding achievement in national sports.
Social workers
Industrialists & CEOs
India
- A M M Murugappa Chettiar, Industrialist, Founder of Murugappa Group.
- Raja Sir Annamalai Chettiar, Industrialist, Philanthropist & Educator who established Annamalai University.
- Rajah Sir Muthiah Chettiar, Industrialist, Philanthropist and First Mayor of Madras.
- Alagappa Chettiar (1909–1957), Industrialist, Philanthropist & Educator who established Alagappa University.
- M. A. Chidambaram Chettiar, Industrialist.
- Karumuttu Thiagarajan Chettiar, Industrialist & Educationist, Founder of erstwhile bank Bank of Madurai & institution Thiagarajar College of Engineering.
- Kulandaivel Mudaliar, The Chennai Silks founder.
- Chenniappan, Nilgiris founder.
- M.Thiagarajan, Paramount airways
- K.P.Natarajan, KPN Travels
- Pothy Moopanar, founder of Pothys Textiles.
- HRH.Rajagopala Marthanda Tondaiman, Haileyburia Industries CEO
- Thyagarajan Mudaliar, Founder Thiru Arooran Sugars Ltd.
- Rm. K. Visvanatha Pillai, founder of RmKV.
- S. Ramadorai, former CEO of Tata Consultancy Services
- Ayya Nadar, founder of Ayyan Group of Companies
- Shanmuga Nadar, founder of Standard Fireworks and other firework industries in Sivakasi
- Selvarathinam, founder of Saravana Stores, Chennai
- Shiv Nadar, founder and CEO of HCL Technologies
- A. C. Muthiah, Chairman of Southern Petrochemical Industries Corporation SPIC
- V. G. Panneerdas, founder of VGP Group of Companies
- V S Thiruvengadasamy Mudaliar - Founder VST Motor Group[5]
- G.Munusamy, founder of Gold Winner
- R. G. Chandramogan, founder of Arun Icecreams
- P. Rajagopal, founder of Hotel Saravana Bhavan chain of restaurants.
- H. Vasanthakumar, founder of Vasanth & Co and Vasanth TV.
- V. R. Muthu, CEO and son of founder of Idhayam oil
- K. P. Kandasamy, founder of Dinakaran
- S. P. Adithanar, founder of Dina Thanthi
- N.Mahalingam Gounder, Educator, Industrialist and Philanthropist.
- Kalanidhi Maran, Media Baron.
- M. G. Muthu, founder of MGM Group of Companies and MGM Dizzee World
- A Sivasailam, Chairman Amalgamations Group
- M. A. M Ramasamy Chettiar, Industrialist, Philanthropist and Pro-Chancellor of Annamalai University.
- Sivasankaran Chairman, Sterling group.
- 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 Motor Company and Sundaram-Clayton.
- Mallika Srinivasan, CEO of Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited
- M. V. Subbiah, CEO of the Murugappa Group.
- KG Baalakrishnan, Chairman and Managing Director KG Group of companies, Coimbatore
- Mani Subramanian, CEO of the Keane India Private Limited.
- R V Perumal, CEO of Hotel New Vijaya, Bodi
- Narayanan Vaghul, ex-Chairman of [[ICICI Bank]
Other countries
- Indra Nooyi, Chairperson of PepsiCoWorld.
- B. S. Abdur Rahman, (also known as B. S. A. Rahman) Vice-Chairman of ETA Ascon Star Group Group UAE
- Syed M. Salahuddin, Managing Director of ETA Ascon Star Group Group UAE
- Sarv Saravanan, Senior Vice-President & Managing Director of EMC Corporation India Centre of Excellence (COE)
- KrishnaKumar Natarajan, CEO & Managing Director of MindTree
- R. Srinivasan, Independent Director, MindTree
- S. Janakiraman, President and Group CEO, Product Engineering Services MindTree
- Parthasarathy N.S, President, Independent Testing & IMTS MindTree
- Lakshmi Narayanan, CEO & President of Cognizant Technology Solutions, USA.
- Ram Shriram, One of the founding members of Google Inc.
- V. S. Rajendran, CEO & President of Numeric Technologies Limited, USA
- Robert Chandran, Founder and CEO of Chemoil Corporation, United States.
- K. B. Chandrashekar, Founder and CEO of e4e Inc & Jamcracker, Inc, USA.
- Shoba Purushothaman, Co-Founder and CEO of The NewsMarket Inc, United States.
- Raj Rajaratnam, Founder of Galleon Group, USA
- Ari Arjavalingam, Co-Founder of Galleon Group, USA
- Bala S. Manian (born 1944), Silicon Valley Entrepreneur, USA.
- S Dhanabalan, Chairman, DBS Bank (Singapore).
- J.Y.M.Pillay, Chairman, Singapore Exchange (stock market) (Sri Lankan Tamil ancestry).
- Marimutu Sinivasan, Founder and Chairman of Texmaco Group, Indonesia, a giant textile, machinery and aotomotive manufacturer.
- Ananda Krishnan, Founder & Owner of Maxis Communications and MEASAT Broadcast Network Systems, Malaysia.
- Janny Paul, Founder & CEO of Bitz n Bytez Limited, Malaysia. (company was later bought over by notable silicon valley investment group)
- J.M.Abdul Aziz His Respectful, (1905–1958), Director Generale of JM Abdul Aziz et Fils, Saigon Vietnam, recipient of Légion d'honneur of France, Nichan Iftikhar of Tunisia, Ordre du Nichan El-Anouar of French Somaliland, Royal Order of Sahametrei of Cambodia and Extreme Orient.
- Arvind Sanmugam of Canada, Chairman and CEO of Chez Leeloo Canada, Chairman of the World Police Academy, Chairman and President of Tan Theta, CEO of Canadian Peacemakers Corporation, Chairman of Sinecure Corp, CEO of Chez Leeloo Philippines, CEO of Baronair Canada. Individual with same name, claiming to be an international venture capitalist has recently been arrested in Toronto for +1.5 million dollars in fraud. REFERENCE: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2010/09/14/fraud-charges.html#socialcomments
- Maha sinnathamby of Australian Business man
Eminent scholars
Academicians
- Bala V. Balachandran, Founder & Dean, Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai, India and J.L. Kellogg Distinguished Professor of Accounting and Information Management at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University
- Arcot Ramaswamy 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 and Longest serving Vice Chancellor of the University of Madras.
- Dr. Chandran D.S.Devaneasan, First Indian Principal of Madras Christian College and First Vice Chancellor of North Eastern Hill University.
- V. L. Ethiraj, Founder of Ethiraj College for Women
- Padmabhushan N. Ramaswami Ayyar, Founder of Seethalakshmi Ramaswami College and Savithri Vidyasala Hindu Girls' Higher Secondary School, Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India
- Malcolm Adiseshiah (1910–1994), Economist, Former Deputy Director General of UNESCO & founder MIDS (Madras Institute of Development Studies).
- V C Kulandaiswamy, An eminent Educator and Technologist. Formerly Vice Chancellor of Anna University, IGNOU & Tamil Virtual University.
- M. Varadarasan, Outstanding Tamil Scholar, Winner of Sahithya Academy award and Ex-Vice Chancellor of Madurai Kamaraj University.
- Dr.G.John Samuel, An eminent Tamil Scholar and linguist, Founder-Director, Institute of Asian Studies, India.
- Sivaraj Ramaseshan (1923–2003), Distinguished Scientist & ex-Director of the IISc.
- Prof. S.Sandrasegaram, current Dean of Faculty of Education, University of Colombo[6]
- M. Anandakrishnan, Chairman, Madras Institute of Development Studies & Formerly Vice Chancellor of Anna University.
- Arjun Appadurai, Contemporary Social theorist, Educator & 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.
- E.A. George Moses - Founder SBOA School & Junior College
- Dr. T Kuthalingam, An eminent Scientist and Technologist, Former Vice Chacellor of Madurai Kamaraj University.
- Dr. H.S.S. Lawrence, An eminent Educator who was formerly Director of School Education, Tamil Nadu and UNESCO Expert to Government of Afghanistan. He is known as the Architect of Tamil Nadu Higher Secondary Education and Father of Vocational Education in Tamil Nadu
- C.K. Prahalad Distinguished University Professor of Corporate Strategy at the Ross School of Business of the University of Michigan.
- Prof B.P. Sanjay Vice-Chancellor of First Central University in Tamil Nadu at Tiruvaroor.
- Ian Kiran German Minister of Sri Lankan Origin and owner of world's largest container leasing companies
Agriculture
Botanists
Computer science
- Madhu Sudan (born 1966), Computer scientist, professor of computer science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a member of MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory.
- Hari Balakrishnan, Computer scientist, professor of EE and computer science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a member of MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. Also the most cited author of Indian origin, in the world.
- Arogyaswami Paulraj (born 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.
- Siva Kumar, Computer scientist, professor of computer science at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and chairman of IIT Computer Centre.
- VN Padmanabhan, Computer scientist at the Microsoft Research India
- Krithi Ramamritham, Computer scientist, professor of computer science and Dean of R & D at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay. Also the most cited Indian Academician in the world.
- Srinidhi Varadarajan, director of Virginia Tech's Terascale Computing Facility.
- P. Anandan, Prominent Computer Vision researcher who did pioneering work in optical flow, motion estimation, video mosaicking and 3-D scene analysis, Currently Managing Director of Microsoft Research India.
Finance & economics
- C. Rangarajan, economist & ex-Governor, Reserve Bank of India (1992–1997).
- 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 & International Monetary Fund (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).
- K. Ramachandran, Director, CFO, Barclays Wealth, India (2008-).
- T. N. Srinivasan (born 1933), economist and the Samuel C. Park, Jr. Professor of Economics at Yale University.
- Raghuram Rajan, ex-Chief Economist, IMF.
- V.G. Narayanan, management expert & professor at the Harvard Business School.
- Sendhil Mullainathan, co-founder of Ideas-42
Law
Mathematics
- Srinivasa Aiyangar Ramanujan (1887–1920), 20th century mathematician known for his contributions to mathematical analysis, number theory, infinite series and continued fractions
- 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.
- S.R. Srinivasa Varadhan - Mathematician & Fellow of the Royal Society
- Mudumbai Seshachalu Narasimhan, Mathematician & Fellow of the Royal Society (1996)
- Professor Madabusi S Raghunathan, Mathematician & Fellow of the Royal Society
- 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.
- Jayaram Sethuraman, Professor emeritus at Florida State University. Came up with the stick breaking construction of the Dirichlet process.
- Muttiah Derivashan, Professor of Mathemathics at University of Bern. Famous for his theories of derivation, and currently working with his 5th PhD and a new formula to simplify derivation.
Medicine
- Professor Sir Sabaratnam Arulkumaran Knighted as Knight Bachelor in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in June 2009 in recognition of Services to Medicine. Ex-President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and President-Elect of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics.
- Rangaswamy Srinivasan ultraviolet excimer laser / LASIK. inventor at IBM Research.
- V.S. Ramachandran, Neuroscientist; Director Professor at UC San Diego.
- S.S. Ratnam, Pioneer in Singapore in-vitro fertilisation. (Sri Lankan Tamil ancestry)
- 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.
- Govindappa Venkataswamy, Founder of Aravind Eye Hospital
- Ravi Iyengar, Professor and founder of the Iyengar Laboratory, Mount Sinai School of Medicine.
- Mayilvahanan Natarajan, Orthopedic Surgeon and pioneer of limb salvage surgery in bone tumours.
- R.P.Shanmugam, Founder, Dept of Surgical Gastroenterology, Stanley Medical College, Cehnnai and the First to perform a Liver transplant in a Government Hospital in India.
- Thiruvengadam Dorairajan & MS Ramakrishnan - The duo who founded South east Asia's first training program in the specialty of pediatric surgery.
- Laligam Sekhar,eminent neurosurgeon and pioneer of base of skull surgery.Currently professor of neurosurgry at University of Washington and Harborview medical centre
- Arcot Lakshmanasamy Mudaliar - Obtetricians and Vice-chancellor of the UNiversity of Madras for nearly 25 years
- Raja Rajan Gopaldas - First Tamilian and Youngest Heart Surgeon Board Certified under Dr. Cooley; Record Johnstone Medalist and Asst. Professor at University of Missouri
Scientists
- Dr. Sukumar Devotta, Chemical Engineer by profession and Director of The National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which shared Nobel Peace Prize for 2007 with Al Gore. for their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change, and to lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change.
- Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, 1930 Nobel Prize Winner in Physics.
- Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, 1983 Nobel Prize Winner in Physics.
- A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
- Dr K. Kasturirangan, Former Chairman of ISRO and present director of National institute of advanced studies (NIAS).
- Raja Ramanna, Former Chairman of Dept. of Atomic Energy and presided over India's first nuclear test in 1974.
- Dr.P. K. Iyengar, Former Chairman of Dept. of Atomic Energy.
- M.R.Srinivasan, Former Chairman of Dept. of Atomic Energy.
- 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 (born 1929) is an internationally renowned Space Scientist and member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
- Dr.Mylswamy Annadurai (born 1958), Project Director of ISRO's Chandrayaan-1.
- R. V. Perumal, Former Director, Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre.
- Vedhachalam, Former Director, Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre.
- P. S. Veeraraghavan, Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre.
- Dr Krishnan, Associate Director, ISRO Inertial Systems Unit.
- S Ramakrishnan, Director, Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre.
- Annamalai Pillai, Former Director, Satish Dhawan Space Centre
- M Natarajan, Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister, DGR&D and Secretary, DRDO
- Dr. Krishnamurthy Sekhar, Defence Scientist & Chief Controller R&D (Missile Systems), DRDO[2]
- Dr W Selvamurthy, Chief Controller R&D (Life Sciences) & R&D (Human Resources), DRDO
- G Elangovan, Chief Controller R & D (R&M), DRDO
- Gopalswamy Doraiswamy Naidu - Former Chairman of UMS and Scientist
- A. E. Muthunayagam, Former Director, Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre& Chairman of Board of Governors, IIT Chennai.
- V.S. Arunachalam, ex-Defence Scientist DRDO & Professor at Carnegie Mellon University.
- Ramanuja Vijayaraghavan (born 1931), Physicist at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.
- Poondi Kumaraswamy (1931–1988), Hydrologist and inventor of Kumaraswamy distribution.
- A. P. Balachandran Indian theoretical physicist
- Dr. Dhandapany S. Perundurai - Noted scholar and cardiovascular geneticist
- Krishnapillai Sivasithamparam Winthrop Professor (Australia) - Plant Pathology
Zoologist
Arts & music
Tamil music
Carnatic music
Film music
- K. V. Mahadevan, Composer Winner, National Film Award for Best Music Direction (1968 & 1980)
- M.S.Viswanathan
- V. S. Narasimhan, Composer, Violinist
- Ilaiyaraaja (born 1943), Composer, Winner, National Film Award for Best Music Direction (1984, 1986 & 1989)
- A. R. Rahman (born 1967), Musician, Composer & Winner, Academy Award for Best Original Song (2008), National Film Award for Best Music Direction (1993), (1997), (2002) & (2003).
- Yuvan Shankar Raja (born 1979), Composer, Winner, Cyprus International Film Festival Award in 2006 for Raam.
- Harris Jayaraj (born 1975), Composer
- Karthik Raja, Composer
- Bharathwaj, Composer
- Shankar Mahadevan, Singer, Composer
- Deva (music director), Composer
- Sankar Ganesh, Composer
- Gangai Amaran, Composer
- T. K. Ramamoorthy, Composer
- G. V. Prakash Kumar, Composer
- Dr K. Vageesh,Singer,Composer,Director of All India Radio
Western music
- M.I.A., (Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam) British musician.
- Xavier Naidoo, German singer/songwriter and founder of Söhne Mannheims.
- KRISHAN (Rap Artist) (Krishan Maheson) Sri Lankan Tamil musician.
- BONEKILLA (Rap Artist/Producer) (Suren Puthirasigamoney) Sri Lankan musician.
- Yogi B (Yogeswaran Veerasingam), Malaysian hiphop artist, founder of Poetic Ammo
- Dr. Burn (Ruban Manoharan), Malaysian Tamil rapper.
- Landslyde, (Chandrakumar Balakrishnan) Lead singer of Dragon Red, a Malaysian Rap Metal band and former member of Poetic Ammo.
- Kamahl (Kandiah Kamalesvaran), Australian cabaret/easy listening singer.
- Tharini Mudaliar, Australian singer and violinist.
- Clarence Jey, Californian producer/song-writer for Emmy winning TV animation Growing Up Creepie.
- Jacintha Abisheganaden, Singaporean singer.
- Moksha, Heavy metal band from Chennai.
- Rudra, Singaporean Death metal band.
- Shruti Haasan, western singer, daughter of Tamil actor Kamal Haasan
- Feroze Alam, a US singer songwriter and frontman for the pop band the August Story.
- Tamil Too, US rock band.
- Lankstyle (San-G,Vinieman), Tamil Rap/Hiphop groep from The Netherlands.
- Blaaze,a rap artist and a popular playback singer in Indian films. An Indian by birth, born in Chennai, he grew up in Zambia and later did his education in England and in the US.
Classical dance
Cinema
--176.16.63.96 (talk) 16:05, 4 January 2012 (UTC)=== Directors ===
- A. P. Nagarajan
- A. Bhimsingh
- Balu Mahendra (born 1946) Director, Cinematographer & Winner, National Film Award for Best Cinematography (1978) & (1983)
- Bharathiraja (born 1941), Winner, National Film Award for Best Screenplay (2001)
- Bhagyaraj
- Cheran
- C. V. Sridhar
- J. Mahendran
- K. Balachander (born 1930), Winner, National Film Award for Best Screenplay (1982)
- Mani Ratnam (born 1956) Multi National Film Award winner.
- Manoj Nelliyatu Shyamalan (also known as M. Night Shyamalan) (born 1970), two-time academy award nominated filmmaker and screenwriter
- 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)
- Bala directorNational Film Award for Best Directing (2009)
- Ameer Sultan, director & National Film Awards for Best Film - Paruthiveeran (2007)
- Dharani
- Thangar bachan Director, cinematographer,navolist
- Va.Gawthaman, director
- Parthiban
- Kamal Hassan
- R. K. Selvamani
- Selvaraghavan
- S. Shankar (born 1963)
- Vasanth
- A. R. Murugadoss
- Vikraman
- Mysskin
- Suseenthiran
- Pandiarajan
- Sebastian Seeman
- K.S.Ravikumar
- S. J. Suryah (born 1968)
- Kothamangalam Subbu, poet, lyricist, writer, actor and director
- Hari
Rajinikanth, Kamal Hassan, Ajith Kumar,Vijay, Surya, Vikram, and many others.
Actresses
Music composers
- See: Film Music
In Bollywood
In Hollywood
- M. Night Shyamalan, Hollywood filmmaker.
- Jay Chandrasekhar, Hollywood actor, comedian, writer, and film director.
- Sendhil Ramamurthy, actor in NBC drama Heroes.
- Ashok Amritraj, Hollywood filmmaker, producer
- Sunkrish Bala, actor in ABC show Notes from the Underbelly.
- Mindy Kaling, actor in NBC sitcom The Office.
- Jack A Rajasekar, Fusion Edge Media film maker & producer
- Linga Moonasamy southafrican actor worked in film Invitus as patrick
Other entertainers
Sports & games
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.
- G.Raja, Carrom Champion.
- ilavazhagi, world carrom champion (2008).
- Kevin Ruban, 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Gold Medalist, Team Niger
Volleyball
- A. Palanisamy, First Arjuna Award winner for volley ball (1961).
- G E Sridharan, Arjuna Award winner.
- Kumaran, played for Indian team and currently playing for IOB,Chennai.
- Sundaram, former setter for Indian team and Indian Overseas Bank, Chennai.
- Mangala Jeyabalan, former setter for Indian team. At present playing T.N.E.B, previously played for Hindustan photo films -ooty
- Muthuraj, played for Indian team and currently playing for Indian Bank, Chennai.
- Sayee Krishnan, played for Indian team and currently playing for Indian Bank, Chennai.
- Pradeep John, represented India in Asian Games 2006 as part of Beach Volleyball.
- Mohan Poothanathan, represented India in Asian Games 2006 as part of Beach Volleyball.
- Sivaraman, played for Indian team and considered the best back row attacker during his playing time.
- Natarajan J, playing currently for India and IOB, Chennai. Also the captain of the Tamil Nadu volleyball team.
- Sivabalan, played for India and currently playing for IOB, Chennai.
- Selvarasu, played for Indian junior team and currently playing for ICF, Chennai.
- Raj Mohan, played for Indian junior team and currently playing for ICF, Chennai.
- Kamaraj, represented Indian youth team which finished 2nd in the world championships.
- J.Ramesh, Played for Indian team and played for Hindustan Photo Films
- G.Chandra Mohan, former setter for Indian Team from Hindustan Photo Films, Ooty
- Ukkra pandian, current indian setter from Indian Bank
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 & Winner of the 2002 British Chess Championship.
- P. Mahesh Chandran, Grandmaster.
- Deepan Chakkravarthy, Grandmaster & Winner of the Asian Junior Championship at Colombo in 2002.
- S. Arun Prasad, International Grandmaster, Winner of Asian Junior Championship at Bikaner in 2004, Winner of Scottish Chess Championship in 2009, Winner of Paris Open 2011
- G. B. Prakash, Grandmaster Elect.
- P. Konguvel, International Master.[8][9]
- Lanka Ravi, 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.
Cricket
India
- Cota Ramaswami (born 1896, presumed dead), represented India in both International Cricket & Tennis.
- 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 (born 1930), Batsman, Indian Cricket Team.
- Ravichandran Ashwin, All Rounder, Indian Cricket Team.
- S. Venkataraghavan (born 1945), ex-Captain of Indian Cricket Team and Test & ODI umpire.
- K. Srikkanth (born 1959), ex-Captain and current Chief Selector of Indian Cricket Team.
- T.A. Sekhar (born 1956), Pace Bowler, Indian Cricket Team.
- Thiru Kumaran (born 1975), Pace Bowler, Indian Cricket Team.
- T. E. Srinivasan, Batsman, Indian Cricket Team.
- L. Sivaramakrishnan (born 1965), Spin Bowler, Indian Cricket Team.
- V. B. Chandrasekhar, Batsman, Indian Cricket Team.
- Bharat Arun (born 1962), Pace Bowler, Indian Cricket Team.
- Murali Kartik (born 1976), Spin Bowler, Indian Cricket Team.
- Sadagoppan Ramesh (born 1975), Batsman, Indian Cricket Team.
- Subramaniam Badrinath (born 1980), Batsman, Indian Cricket Team.
- W.V.Raman (born 1965), Batsman, Indian Cricket Team.
- Murali Vijay (born 1984), Batsman, Indian Cricket Team.
- Lakshmipathy Balaji (born 1981), Pace Bowler, Indian Cricket Team.
- Dinesh Karthik (born 1985), Wicketkeeper, Indian Cricket Team.
Other countries
- Muttiah Muralitharan (born 1972), Highest Wicket taker in test and ODI cricket from Sri Lanka.
- Angelo Mathews- Sri Lankan all rounder and vice captain.
- Russel Arnold - Cricketer of the Sri Lankan team
- Vinodhan John, Pace Bowler, First Sri Lankan Tamil Test cricketer 1982.
- Kandiah Thirugnansampandapillai Francis, International Test & ODI umpire from Sri Lanka.
- Nasser Hussain (born 28 March 1968, Madras, India) a former Essex and England cricketer, Test captain.
- A Varadarajan, Batsman, Canadian Cricket Team.
- Sanjayan Thuraisingam (born 1969), Pace Bowler, Canadian Cricket Team.
- Easwaran Sinnathamby (born 1973), Pace Bowler, Canadian Cricket Team.
- Kantharatnam Shanthikumar (born 1954), Pace Bowler, Canadian Cricket Team.
- Mahendra Nagamootoo, West Indies Cricket Team.
- Ruban Sivanadian (Rubananthasivam Sivanadian) (born 1965), ICC Umpire from Canada (born Sri Lanka)[10]
- Arul Suppiah (Malaysia born English cricketer)
- samsuddin khan ( Nepal cricket player )
- Peter Velappan (born 1935), General Secretary of Asian Football Confederation and Member of FIFA Strategic Studies Committee & Organising Committee for the FIFA World Cup.
- Peter Thangaraj (1938–2008), 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.
- Vikash Dhorasoo is a French professional football midfielder, who is currently without a club after being sacked from French Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain. He has scored one goal in eighteen matches for the French national team, and he represented his country at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.
- D.Sekar Represented Indian football team in the early 80's. He also played cum coched Hindustan Photo Films-Ooty.
- Syed Sabir Pasha Represented Indian football team in the early 90's. He also played cum coched Indian Bank-chennai
FIFA Committees: member of FIFA Strategic Studies Committee, Organising Committee for the FIFA World Cup, Football Committee Awards: FIFA Centennial
Hockey
Kabaddi
- perumal ganesan, of the Indian Kabaddi team that won the Gold in 1994 Hiroshima Asian Games.
Racing
- Narain Karthikeyan, Coimbatore, India's first Formula 1 driver.
- Karun Chandhok, Formula 1 driver.
- S. Karivardhan, Coimbatore, Car Constructor and National Champion.
- N. Leelakrishnan, Coimbatore, 7 times National Rally Champion.
- Naren Kumar, Coimbatore, 4 times National Rally Champion.
- J. Anand, Coimbatore, 3 times National F3 Grand Prix winner.
- R. Gopinath, Coimbatore, F3 National Champion and Founder of SpitFire Motorsports.
- B. Vijay Kumar, Coimbatore, Fiat Champion and LG sports founder.
- G. R. Karthikeyan, Coimbatore, 7 times South India Rally winner and father of Narain Karthikeyan.
- Akbar Ebrahim, Chennai, 3 Times National F3 Grand Prix winner.
Tennis
Cultural icons
- Thirumuruga Kirupananda Variyar, Scholarly Saint.
- Vyjayanthimala, Bharatanatyam dancer & she introduce semi-classical dance in Bollywood.[11]
- Rukmini Devi Arundale, Bharatanatyam dancer & fonder of Kalakshetra.
- Balasaraswati, Bharatanatyam dancer.
- Alarmel Valli, Bharatanatyam dancer.
- Chitra Visweswaran, Bharatanatyam dancer.
- Padma Subramanyam, Bharatanatyam dancer.
- Medha Hari, Bharatanatyam dancer.
- Pithukuli Murugadas, Divine Musician who is known for his songs on Lord Murugan.
- K. B. Sundarambal, Actress/Singer.
- Sirkazhi Govindarajan, Vocalist and Carnatic Music exponent.
- Vethathiri Maharishi, Founder of the The World Community Service Center
- Dr. Sirkazhi G. Sivachidambaram, Vocalist and Carnatic Music exponent.
Tamil Literature
- Thiruvalluvar who wrote the 1330 Thirukkural called as THE WORLD GENERAL VEDHA. it is the only thing which has been translated into all languages in the world next to the Bible.
- 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.
- U. V. Swaminatha Iyer (1855–1942), pioneer of Tamil popularly known as Tamil Thaatha.
- Subramanya Bharathi,Great Tamil Poet.
- Paventhar Bharathidasan Tamil poet also known as "Puratchi Kavignar"
- Kalyanasundara Mudaliar Tamil writer,Thiru Vi Ka
- Varadarasanar Tamil novelist, Mu.Va
- Erode Tamilanban, noted poet
- Solomon Pappaiah, Tamil scholar and debate judge
- Pudhumaipithan, revolutionery writer from Tirunelveli Saiva Pillai community
- Jayakanthan, A Tamil writer
- Kavimani Desigavinayagam Pillai, Eminent Tamil poet
- Namakkal Kavignar Ramalingam Pillai,Famous Poet, freedom fighter
- Manonmaniam Sundaram Pillai, eminent writer in Tamil literature
Spiritual icons
- Alwars, There are 12 Alwars, who are devotees of Lord Vishnu and exponents of Vaishnavism.
- Nayanmars, There are 63 Nayanmars, who are devotees of Lord Siva and exponents of Saivism.
- Bodhidharma (5th/6th century) a Buddhist monk and 28th patriarch of Buddhism. He was traditionally credited as the leading patriarch and transmitter of Zen to China.
- Ayya Vaikundar (1809–1851) {{{(real name Muthukutty)}}}, founder and preceptor of the Ayyavazhi sect. Considered to be an avatar of the Hindu god Narayana.
- 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 (born 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 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'.
- Bala Prajapathi Adikalar, the present Pattathu Ayya of Swamithope pathi and leader of Ayyavazhi religion.
- D. G. S. Dhinakaran, prominent Christian Evangelist and founder of Jesus Calls Ministries.
- Sri Sri Ravi Shankar,is a spiritual and humanitarian leader.
Literature
Classical literature
- Thiruvalluvar, Saint poet & author of Thirukural.
- Thirumoolar, Saint poet & author of Thirumandhiram.
- Tholkaapiyar, author of Tholkappiyam, one of the first Tamil grammar books.
- 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.
Spiritual literature
Hindu
Christian
Islam
- Umaru Pulavar (1605–1703), author of Sirappuranam, Islamic spiritual work on the life of Muhammad.
- Mohammad Ibrahim, author of Muhaidin Puranam, Islamic spiritual literature.
- "Sheiku Tharjuma" Moulana M. Abdul Wahhab M.A.B.Th (1920–2002) author of Thithikum Thirumarai, Nammanigal Naalvar and many short stories and articles in Tamil magazines under various Pseudonyms; Translated Holy Quran in Tamil; edited many Islamic Books; was conferred the title "Nadamaadum Palkalai Kazhagam"; Vice President of Authors Guild of India; member of Tamil Nadu Wakf Board; Partner in Threeyem Printers and Publishers; editor of Monthly Magazine "Pirai"
Modern literature
India
- Ramachandra Guha, known social and political writer,
- 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.
- Kalyanasundara Mudaliar, Tamil writer.
- Akilan, novelist.
- Ramalingam Pillai (Namakkal Kavignar)
- Thi.Janakiraman, novelist.
- Mahavidwan Vasudeva Mudaliar: Tamil scholar
- Laa. Sa. Ramamirutham, novelist.
- Kalki Krishnamurthy (1899–1954), freedom fighter, novelist and journalist.
- Jayakanthan (born 1934), writer & novelist.
- Kannadasan (1927–1981), popularly called as Kavi Arasu poet, film lyricist & winner, National Film Award for Best Lyrics (1969).
- Vairamuthu (born 1953), poet, film lyricist & winner, National Film Award for Best Lyrics (1986), (1993), (1995), (2000) & (2003).
- Indira Soundarajan, novelist & short story writer.
- Ashoka Mitran (born 1931), novelist & short story writer.
- R. K. Narayan (1906–2001), English novelist & essayist.
- Makaral Karthikeya Mudaliar: Tamil scholar
- Pa. Subramania Mudaliar: Tamil scholar
- Varadarasanar: Tamil novelist
- Vellai vaaranaar, Tamil scholar from Tiruvarur
- Erode Tamilanban, noted poet
- Koththamangalam Subbu, poet.
- Sandilyan, novelist.
- Pa. Vijay, film lyricist & winner, National Film Award for Best Lyrics (2005).
- Vaali, film lyricist.
- Sujatha Rangarajan (born 1935), contemporary Tamil & film screenplay writer.
- Krishna Srinivas (born 1913), poet.
- T.K. Doraiswamy (Nakulan), (1921–2007), poet, novelist, translator, professor of English Singapore writer (also, President of Singapore Law Society). (Sri Lankan Tamil father, European mother)
- Gopal Baratham (1935–2002), Singaporean writer and leading neurosurgeon
- Edwin Thumboo (born 1933), Singaporean writer (Tamil father, Teochew Chinese mother)
- S.Ponnudurai, novelist from Sri Lanka
- Shyam Selvadurai, Sri Lankan-Canadian novelist (Sri Lankan Tamil father, Sri Lankan Sinhalese mother)
Other countries
- Sharversvaran Pather, nom de guerre, Michael Pillay (born 1971), South Africa author, former liberation fighter, retired civil servant[13][14]
Modern art
Other countries
See also
References
- ^ Laganparsad, Monica. "Recollections". Sunday Times. http://www.timeslive.co.za/sundaytimes/article294529.ece/Recollections.
- ^ "Family #5013 Coomaraswamy". Sri Lankan Tamil Family Genealogy. rootsweb. http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~lkawgw/gen5013.html.
- ^ "Family #5026 Sangarapillai". Sri Lankan Tamil Family Genealogy. rootsweb. http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~lkawgw/gen5026.html.
- ^ "Family #5006 Ulaganathar of Manipay". Sri Lankan Tamil Family Genealogy. rootsweb. http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~lkawgw/gen5006.html.
- ^ http://www.vstmotorsgroup.com/index_home.aspx
- ^ [1] University of Colombo website]
- ^ Krishnamachari, Suganthy (16 December 2005). "Musical Waves with Water". The Hindu. http://www.hindu.com/fr/2005/12/16/stories/2005121603160300.htm. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
- ^ GOKHALE, RAGHUNANDAN (2003). Konguvel's title drought ends. The Hindu. http://www.hinduonnet.com/tss/tss2634/stories/20030823006007800.htm. "National champion and International Master P. Konguvel"
- ^ Rao, Rakesh (2001). Konguvel gains maiden GM norm. The Hindu. http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/06/09/stories/07090201.htm. "As a result, Konguvel, who became an International Master on winning the National title in 1995, made the norm he sought since then"
- ^ http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/300092.html
- ^ Dinesh Raheja (2002-05-06). "Bollywood's Dancing Queen". Rediff. http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/may/06dinesh.htm. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ^ Naidoo, Teneshia. "Nesan is booked for success". Sunday Times. http://www.timeslive.co.za/sundaytimes/article1066544.ece/Nesan-is-booked-for-success.
- ^ a b "Launch of 1994 by Nesan Pather and The Stars are my Guide by Michael Pillay". http://book.co.za/blog/2011/05/17/launch-of-1994-by-nesan-pather-and-the-stars-are-my-guide-by-michael-pillay-at-adams-books/.
- ^ Laganparsad, Monica. "Recollections". Sunday Times. http://www.timeslive.co.za/sundaytimes/article294529.ece/Recollections.
- ^ Mariah, Jolene. "Scribbling his way to Art". Post Natal. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-211158966.html.