List of people from Kerala

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The following is a list of notable people from Kerala, India: Though many personalities in this list are/were multi-faceted, their names are classified according to their major area of work.

1 Ancient rulers and kings
2 Politicians
- 2.1 Presidents, Vice Presidents and Prime Ministers of India
  - 2.1.1 Federal Cabinet Ministers
- 2.2 Governors of States
  - 2.2.1 Chief Ministers of Kerala
  - 2.2.2 Kerala State Ministers and others
3 Government and world organisations
4 Jurists
5 Academia
6 Social changers
- 6.1 Independence activists
- 6.2 Social reformers
7 Religion and Spirituality
8 Literature and writing
- 8.1 Writers
9 Journalists
10 Film and media
11 Artists, painters, sculptors
12 Sports
13 Business and commerce
14 Non-resident people of Kerala origin
15 Activists
16 Co-operators
17 Performing Artists
18 References

Ancient rulers and kings

Saamoothiri (Zamorin, സാമൂതിരി) - Rulers of Malabar from 14th and 18th century AD.
Ayilyam Thirunal - Ruler of Travancore from 1831 to 1880. Also known by his literary works.
Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma - Last King of Travancore; Rajpramukh of Thiru-Kochi.
Dharma Raja - Ruler of Travancore from 1733 to 1798. Known for his Principles of Justice.
Marthanda Varma - Ruled in the 18th century. Generally referred to as "the maker of modern Travancore".
Moolam Thirunal - Ruler of Travancore. Famous for his educational reforms.
Raja Kesavadas - Dewan of Travancore during the reign of Dharma Raja.
Sakthan Thampuran - Ruler of Kingdom of Cochin during 1751-1805.
Sir Sri Rama Varma - Ruler of Kingdom of Cochin and Father of Modern Cochin.
Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma - Erstwhile king of Travancore and a great musician.
Rama Varma Kulashekhara - The last king of Chera empire and undivided Kerala in the 12th century and ruled for 36 years.
Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja - He is known as the Lion of Kerala. He was a prince from the royal dynasty of Pazhassi Kottayam.

Politicians

Presidents, Vice Presidents and Prime Ministers of India

K.R. Narayanan - 10th President of India and 9th Vice-President of India.

Federal Cabinet Ministers

A.K. Antony - Current Union Cabinet Minister for Defence of India.
Vayalar Ravi - Current Union Cabinet Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs of India and Minister of Civil Aviation.
K C Venugopal - Current Minister of State for Power.
Mullappally Ramachandran - Current Minister of State for Home Affairs.
E. Ahamed - Current minister of state for railways.
Sashi Tharoor - Former Minister of State for External Affairs; former UN Under Secretary General.
John Mathai - First Railway Minister of the Republic of India.
V. K. Krishna Menon - First Union Cabinet Minister for Defence of Republic of India.
Panampilly Govinda Menon - Former Railway Minister of Republic of India.

Governors of States

K. Sankaranarayanan - Current 21st Governor of Maharashtra.
M. K. Narayanan - Current 24th Governor of West Bengal.
Vakkom Purushothaman - Current 11th Governor of Mizoram.
P.C. Alexander - Former 17th Governor of Maharashtra, 7th Governor of Goa and 9th Governor of Tamil Nadu.
Pattom Pillai - Former 4th Governor of Punjab and 4th Governor of Andhra Pradesh.
K.C. Abraham - Former 11th Governor of Andhra Pradesh.

Chief Ministers of Kerala

E.M.S. Namboodiripad - First Chief Minister of unified Kerala State. Headed the first elected communist government in the world.
Pattom A. Thanu Pillai
R. Sankar - First Congress Chief Minister of Kerala.
C. Achutha Menon
K. Karunakaran- became the Chief Minister of Kerala four times.
A.K. Antony- became the youngest Chief Minister of Kerala at the age of 37
C.H. Mohammed Koya- Shortest serving Chief Minister of Kerala
E.K. Nayanar- Longest serving Chief Minister of Kerala
P.K. Vasudevan Nair
V.S. Achuthanandan
Oommen Chandy - Current Chief Minister of the state.

Kerala State Ministers and others

Lakshmi N. Menon - Former First woman Minister of State for External Affairs of India (1957–1966).
O. Rajagopal - Former Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs in Vajpayees ministry.
C.P.Mathen - Member of Parliament; Former Indian Ambassador to Sudan.
M. G. Ramachandran - Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
Janaki Ramachandran - Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu..
Joseph Mundassery - First Education Minister of Kerala.
A.K. Gopalan (AKG) - Communist party leader and the father of Indian Coffee Houses.
K.Damodaran- One of the founders of communist movement in Kerala.
P. Krishna Pillai - Founder of communist movement in Kerala.
Azhikodan Raghavan was Communist Party Leader in Kerala.
C. Kesavan - Chief Minister of erstwhile state of Travancore-Cochin from 1951-52.
Joseph Mundassery - Education Minister in the first communist ministry of Kerala.
Mathai Manjooran - A freedom fighter, socialist revolutionary an a member of the Indian Parliament.
M.A. Baby - Leading leftist and former Education Minister.
M.P. Veerendrakumar - Writer and a noted politician.
Mathew T Thomas - Former minister of transport in LDF government 2006-2011.
Monce Joseph - The youngest minister in Kerala's present Left Democratic Front ministry.
Paloli Mohammed Kutty - Minister for Local Govt.
P. K. Kunhalikutty - Former State Industries Minister, Secretary of Kerala State Committee of IUML.
Pinarai Vijayan - CPI(M) Secretary, State Committee, Kerala and member of the Politburo.
Prakash Karat - General Secretary, CPI(M) National Committee.
P. J. Joseph - Cabinet Minister, Kerala Congress leader.
Sayeed Thangal - President of the Kerala state committee of the IUML.
Ramesh Chennithala - President, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee. Former Lok Sabha MP.
K. R. Gowri Amma - Founder of JSS. Was a leading leftist and the first revenue minister of Kerala.
K.M. Mani - Leader of Kerala Congress (M) and former Minister.
Dr. George Thomas, Former MLA and publisher^[1]
E. John Philipose - Cabinet Minister of erstwhile state of Travancore-Cochin.
E. John Jacob - Cabinet Minister, Co-Founder and leader of Kerala Congress.

Government and world organisations

Members of the Indian Civil Service

K P S Menon Sr. - 1st Foreign Secretary of India and the 1st Ambassador of India to China.
V. P. Menon - Political Reforms Commissioner to the Viceroy of India Lord Louis Mountbatten.^[2]

Chiefs of Civil Services of India

N. R. Pillai - 1st Cabinet Secretary of India.
T.N.Seshan - 18th Cabinet Secretary of India.
K. M. Chandrasekhar - 29th Cabinet Secretary of India.

Members of the Civil Services of India

T. K. A. Nair - Current Advisor and Former Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India.^[3]
Christy L. Fernandez - Current Secretary to the President of India.
P.M. Nair - Former Secretary to the President of India.^[4]
Shivshankar Menon - 26th Foreign Secretary of India..
Nirupama Rao - 27th Foreign Secretary of India.
Ranjan Mathai - 28th Foreign Secretary of India.
Gopal Pillai - Former Home Secretary of India.
Kavalam Panikkar - Former Home Secretary of India.
R Gopalakrishnan - Current Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister of India.
Hormis Tharakan - Current Member of the National Security Council.
K Madhavan Nair - Current Member of the Central Board for Direct Taxes.
Letika Saran - Current Director General of Police of Tamil Nadu.
P. J. Thomas - 14th Central Vigilance Commissioner of India.
SSN Moorthy- Former Chairman of the Central Board for Direct Taxes.
N. Krishnan - Former Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations.
T.P. Sreenivasan - Former Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations.
R.B. Sreekumar - Former Director General of Police of Gujarat.
M Madhavan Nambiar - Former Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation; now a Honorary Fellow at the University of Cambridge.
K P S Menon Jr. - Former Ambassador of India to Japan.
K. T. Chacko - Current Director-General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).
Moorkoth Ramunni - 4th Administrator of Lakshadweep.

Members of the United Nations

Vijay K. Nambiar - Current Chef de Cabinet and Special Advisor to the Secretary General of the United Nations.^[5]^[6]
Chandran Nair - Former Director and Mediator of UNESCO in Paris.
Abraham Mathai - Chief Security Advisor of the UN High-Commission for Human Rights in Geneva. He is IES officer of 1982 and IPS officer of 1983 batch.
Ramu Damodaran - Chief of Partnerships and Public Engagement Branch of the Department of Public Information at UN Headquarters in New York. He is a IFS officer of 1978 batch.

Members of the Indian Armed Forces

Vice Admiral E.C. Kuruvilla - Former Flag Officer Comanding Western Fleet of the Indian Navy - legendary strategist of the 1971 Indo-Pak war which resulted in the liberation of Bangladesh from Pakistan.
General Sundararajan Padmanabhan - 22nd General of the Indian Army and Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army.
Lieutenant General G.M. Nair - Current Military Secretary of India.
Lieutenant General Thomas Mathew - Adjutant General, Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence.
Lieutenant General K.P. Candeth - Former Deputy Chief of Army Staff.
Lieutenant General Mathew Mammen - Former Engineer-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces.
Lieutenant General Satish Nambiar - Former Head of Mission of the United Nations Protection Force.
Lieutenant General S.K. Pillai - Former Director General of Infantry.
Lieutenant General S.P. Sreekumar - Former Signal Officer in Chief.
Vice Admiral M.P. Muralidharan - Current Chief of Personnel of the Indian Navy.
Vice Admiral Krishnan Nair Sushil - Current Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command of the Indian Navy.
Vice Admiral P.J. Jacob - Former Vice Chief of Naval Staff.
Air Vice-Marshal Narayan Menon - Former Air Vice-Marshal.

Jurists

Chief Justice of India

K. G. Balakrishnan - 37th Chief Justice of India.

Judges of the Supreme Court of India

P. Govinda Menon - Former Judge of the Supreme Court of India.
Kuttyil Kurien Mathew - Former Judge of the Supreme Court of India.
V. Balakrishna Eradi - Former Judge of the Supreme Court of India.
Dr. T.K. Thommen - Former Judge of the Supreme Court of India.
M. Fathima Beevi - Former Judge (1st woman Judge) of the Supreme Court of India.
K. S. Paripoornan - Former Judge of the Supreme Court of India.
V.R. Krishna Iyer - Former Judge of the Supreme Court of India.
K.T. Thomas - Former Judge of the Supreme Court of India.

Women Judges of the High Court of Kerala

Anna Chandy - Former Judge of the High Court of Kerala, first woman in India to be a judge of a High Court.
Janaki Amma - Former Judge of the High Court of Kerala, second woman in India to be a judge of a High Court.

Academia

Ancient Scientists

Jyeshtadeva - Mathematician; author of Yuktibhāṣā, a treatise on calculus.
Madhava of Sangamagrama - A 14th-century mathematician.

Faculty

George Sudarsan - Emeritus professor at University of Texas at Austin. He has been nominated for the Nobel prize multiple times for his contributions to diverse areas of theoretical physics ranging from Particle Physics to Quantum Optics.
Thomas Kailath - Hitachi America Professor of Engineering, Emeritus, at Stanford University.
George Varghese - Professor of Computer Science at the University of California San Diego.
Philip Varghese - Department Chair of Aerospace Engineering & Engineering Mechanics at University of Texas at Austin.
Varghese S. Jacob - Senior Associate Dean and Professor of Management Science and Information Systems at University of Texas at Dallas.
K. Mani Chandy - Simon Ramo Chair Professor and Professor of Computer Science at California Institute of Technology.
Tomy Varghese - Professor of Medical Physics at University of Washington School of Medicine.
Mathai Varghese - Professor of Mathematics at University of Adelaide.
Pulickel Ajayan - Benjamin M. and Mary Greenwood Anderson Professor in Engineering at Rice University
S. Venkateswaran, Professor Emeritus of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science at UCLA.^[7]
Thomas Zacharia - Computer Scientist and Deputy Laboratory Director at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Sarada G. Rajeev - Professor of Physics at University of Rochester.
V.Parameswaran Nair - Professor of Physics at City College of New York.
Vasundara Varadan - Billingsley Chair and Distinguished Professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering of University of Arkansas.
T. Pradeep - Professor of Chemistry at Indian Institute of Technology Madras.
Komattil Govind Menon - Professor of Physics at Troy University.
P. N. Vinayachandran - Associate Professor of Oceanography at Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.
Thanu Padmanabhan - Distinguished Professor at Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics.
G. Balakrish Nair - Director of National Institute of Cholera & Enteric Diseases.

Medical Sciences

Abraham Verghese - Professor of Medicine and Senior Associate Chair of Department of Internal Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine.
P. Jacob Varghese - Associate Director of cardiology division at George Washington University School of Medicine.
Mani Menon - Director of the Vattikuti Urology Institute at the Henry Ford Hospital.
K.S.Nair - Professor of Medicine at Mayo Clinic.
Dr Thomas Thomas - First Indian to become Cardio-Thoracic surgeon.
M. Krishnan Nair - Leading oncologist
M. S. Valiathan, Cardiac surgeon, Former Vice Chancellor, Manipal University.
R. Kesavan Nair - Renowned surgeon
John A. Kalapurakal - Associate professor of Radiation Oncology and Neurosurgery at Northwestern University.
Vaidyaratnam P. S. Warrier - Ayurvedic physician and founder of the Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala.

Scientists and technocrats

Jai Menon - Vice-President of Technical Strategy at IBM.
K. N. Raj - One of co-founder of the Delhi School of Economics; played a key role in India's first Five Year Plan.
K. Radhakrishnan - Current Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation.
G. Madhavan Nair [Padmavibhushan ] - Former Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation.
E. Sreedharan - Managing Director of Delhi Metro and Chairman of Konkan Railway Project.
Dr Eby Mathew - Director of Studies, Kingston International College, Australia.
G. N. Ramachandran - Indian Biophysicist, known for Ramachandran plot.
K. C. Sreedharan Pillai - Indian mathematician.
K.T.Jacob - Plant-Geneticist, Took over the work of Sir. Jagadish Chandra Bose.
Laurie Baker - Eco-friendly architect and engineer.
M. G. K. Menon - Mambalikalathyl Govindan Kumar Menon, physicist who worked in the field of Cosmic Rays and as Director of Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. Later became Union Minister for Science and Technology.
P. K. Venugopalan Nambiar - Indian agricultural scientist credited with the development of the first hybrid variety of black pepper in the world.
Rajesh Gopakumar - Theoretical Physicist at Harish-Chandra Research Institute, Allahabad.
Remi Chandran - UN researcher renowned for his work on Wildlife Enforcement Monitoring System Project.
Thekkethil Kochandy Alex -[ Padmashri] Director ISRO Satellite Centre, Major contributions to Chandrayaan-1 mission.
Sardar K.M. Panikkar - Eminent historian.
Father V.C. Samuel - World-renowned theologian, historian, author and multilinguist. He is a Post Doctoral Research Scholar at University of Chicago and a Rockefeller Fellow.
Abraham Jacob - Esteemed FMC Engineer. First Person to make a GSM to Wifi handover in the state of New York.

Social changers

Independence activists

Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair - President of the Indian National Congress (1897–1898).
Sir C. Madhavan Nair - Judge of the Privy Council in London.
Lakshmi Sehgal - As Captain Lakshmi, he commanded the Jhansi Rani Regiment of the INA under Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
N.P. Nayar - Freedom fighter and Administrator of Azad Hind Dal.
Ammu Swaminathan - Freedom fighter.
Mohammed Rahiman - Freedom fighter and former KPCC President.
Vakkom Majeed - Freedom fighter, former Member of Travancore-Cochin State Assembly.
T. M. Varghese, Thandaneth - Founder member of the Travancore State Congress. Minister of Travancore-Cochin.
C. Kesavan - Chief Minister of Travancore-Cochin.
K. Kelappan - Leader of the Payyannur Salt Satyagraha and the Guruvayur Satyagraha.
K.P. Kesava Menon - Freedom fighter, Founder-Editor of the Mathrubhumi newspaper.
K.P. Kuttikrishnan Nair - He was the prominent leader of the Trade Union Movement in India. Former KPCC Vice President, AICC Secretary, Home Minister of Madras Presidency and Member of Parliament.
A. K. Gopalan - Founder leader of the Communist Party of India.
A.V. Kuttimalu Amma - Freedom fighter.
Velu Thampi Dalava - Fought the East India Company at a time they were grabbing power in princely states.
Ammu Swaminathan - Freedom fighter.
Nettur. P. Damodaran- Eminent freedom fighter and social worker.
Moidu Moulavi - Freedom Fighter and leader of Indian National Congress.

Social reformers

Adi Sankara (788 - 820) - Saint, poet, philosopher and reviver of Hinduism in India. Propounded the doctrine of Advaita (non-duality), which identified the Supreme with the Self. He is revered as the Shankaracharya.
Mitavadi C. Krishnan - Kerala's Leading Social Reformer - 1913-1938 (See http://www.mitavadi-ckrishnan.org/)
Ayyankali- The leader of the backward casts in Kerala
Chattampi Swamikal (1853–1925) - was one of Kerala's famed social reform activists and learned men.
C. Kesavan - The Chief Minister of erstwhile state of Travancore-Cochin from 1951-52.
K. M. Moulavi - An active leader of the Khilafat movement and the first president of Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen (1950), which is responsible for fighting social evils like dowry, superstition, and promoting education and protecting rights of women among the Muslim population in Kerala.
Lalithambika Antharjanam - Social reformer and writer.
K. P. Kesava Menon - Well known patriot and active volunteer of the freedom fight against the British. Founder of Mathrubhumi daily.
Mathai Manjooran (1912–1970) - A gallant freedom fighter, socialist revolutionary, member of the Indian Parliament, Labor Minister in the 2nd EMS communist ministry, and above all the staunchest advocate towards the formation of Kerala State.
Mannathu Padmanabhan - Founder of Nair Service Society.
M. C. Joseph - Rationalist, founding editor of Yukthivadi.
Nawab Rajendran - Social activist who stirred the conscience of the society for three decades.
Sree Narayana Guru (1856–1928) - Social reformer, scholar, teacher, saint and Vedantin. One of India's greatest sons
Sahodaran Ayyappan - Social reformer, follower of Sri Narayana Guru. He proclaimed "Jati Venda, Matham Venda, Daivam Venda Manusyanu" (No caste, No religion and No God for Human being" as a rejoinder to the famous words of his philosopher-guide Narayana Guru who said: "One Caste, One Religion and One God for Human Being".
Nataraja Guru - Disciple of Narayana Guru. He is a great sage and social reformer of India. Nataraja Guru founded Narayana Gurukulam.
Vakkom Abdul Khadir Moulavi (1877–1933) - A visionary social reformer and educationist, a prolific writer and fearless journalist, a noted scholar and linguist and, above all, a patriot.
Muttathil Sivarama Menon (1900–1983) A Visionary social reformer, teacher, writer, Social activist. Simplified the social studies school text books for 6th-11th grade for Kerala schools.

Religion and Spirituality

Hinduism

Narayana Guru - Founder of Sivagiri Mutt and social reformer of India.
Chattampi Swamikal- Hindu sage and social reformer.
Brahmasree Neelakanta Gurupadar (1898–1965)- Mystic Saint and recluse.
Swami Sathyananda Saraswathi (1935–2006) - Founder Chairman of Hindu Aikya Vedi and known as the greatest karma yogi to uphold Sanatana Dharma since Swami Vivekananda.
Tapovan Maharaj - Teacher of Swami Chinmayananda and Swami Sundaranand.
Swami Ranganathananda - 13th president of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission.
Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha - Spiritual Leader and the Founder of Narayanashrama Tapovanam.
Karunakara Guru
Nitya Yati - World’s leading exponents of Advaita Vedanta.
Amritanandamayi - Spiritual leader and guru.
Swami Chinamayananda - Founder of Chinmaya Mission.

Islam

Panakkad Thangal - Former supremo of the E. K. faction Sunnis of Kerala.^[8]
Kanthapuram A. P. Musalyar - Supremo of the A. P. faction Sunnis.
E.K. Aboobacker Musliar - Former leader of the E. K. faction Sunnis.
TP Abdulla Koya Madani - Leader of A. P. faction of Mujahids in Kerala.
Hussain Madavoor, the leader of Madavoor faction of Mujahids in Kerala.
T. Arifali - Leader of the Kerala unit of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind.
Cherussery Musliyar - A prominent E. K. Sunni leader.
KT Manu Musliar, a prominent E. K. Sunni leader.
Kalambadi Muhammad Musliyar, a prominent E. K. Sunni leader.
Ullal Thangal, a prominent A. P. Sunni leader.
Hyderali Shihab Thangal - Current supremo of the E. K. faction Sunnis of Kerala.
Chekannur Maulavi - A progressive Islamic cleric.

Christianity

Baselius Mar Thoma Paulose II - Catholicose of All the East and Malankara Metropolitan.
Alphonsa Muttathupadathu - On 12 October 2008, Pope Benedict XVI canonized her a saint at a ceremony at Saint Peter's Square.
Kuriakose Chavara - On February 8, 1986 was beatified by Pope John Paul II.
Mar Aprem Mooken - Assyrian Church of the East Metropolitan of India and the United Arab Emirates.
Gheevarghese Gregorios - Canonized Spiritual Leader of Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church.
Athanasius Paulose - Canonized a saint by Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas.
Coorilos Paulose - Former Malankara Metropolitan of Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, canonized by Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas.
Mar Ivanios - Archbishop and founder of the Bethany Ashram.
Benedict Mar Gregorios - Archbishop of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church.
Baselios Paulose II - Former Catholicos of the East of Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church in India.
Baselios Marthoma Didymos I - Former Catholicose of All the East and Malankara Metropolitan.
Varghese Palakkappilly - Founder of founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Destitute and was declared Servant of God on 6 September 2009.
Baselios Thomas I, Catholicos of India - 3rd Maphrian of the Syriac Orthodox Church.
Philippose Chrysostem - Metropolitan Bishop of the Mar Thoma Church.
Ravi Zacharias - Evangelical Christian apologist.

Literature and writing

Writers

Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri - A famous Malayalam poet who is honored by the epithet 'Mahaakavi'. He won the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award for Malayalam in 1973. His famous poems include 'Irupatam Nuttantinte Ithihasam. Akkitham is associated with Tapasya _ a cultural organization.
Kandathil Varughese Mappillai Writer and poet
P.M. Taj - Writer
Anita Nair - Writer.
Arundhati Roy - Writer, awarded the Booker Prize in 1997 for 'The God of Small Things', which is set in Kerala.
Arun Kumar Pallathadka - Author of two blockbuster novellas - Life - A Whirlwind and Dark Clouds
Balachandran Chullikkadu - Poet admired for his realistic approach and hummable and rhythmic poems.
Balamani Amma - Poet; won the literary medal in India, the Saraswathi Samman.
Changampuzha Krishna Pillai (1911–1948) - Poet, author of the pastoral elegy 'Ramanan' (1936) which sold over 100,000 copies, a record that still stands. Changampuzha took Malayalam poetry to the zenith of romanticism.
Cherusseri Namboothiri - Mahakavi (great poet), part of the old Kavithrayam (triad of poets), with Ezhuthachan and Kunchan Nambiar. Author of 'Krishnagaadha (The Song of Krishna)'.
K.V.Dominic - Indian English poet, critic, editor and short story writer .
D. Vinayachandran - Poet.
Gayatri - Wrter, Painter, art and literary critic
Hameed Chennamangaloor - writer, progressive Muslim intellectual, critic of religious fundamentalism.
Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan- Noted Malayalam Poet.
Kamala Das - English poet and novelist, also wrote in Malayalam under the pen-name Madhavikkutty. First Indian woman to openly write about woman's sexuality. Embraced Islam under the name Kamala Suraiyya in 1999. Asian Poetry Prize, 1964, Kent Award, 1965.
Kesari Balakrishna Pillai - Social thinker, Literary critic
Kumaran Asan - Mahaakavi (great poet), part of the new Kavithrayam, with Ulloor and Vallathol. Kumaran Asan was the follower of Srinarayana Guru. He used poetry to influence the society.
Kalakkaththu Kunchan Nambiar - Mahaakavi (great poet), part of the old Kavithrayam. Founder of the art form Ottan Thullal.
Kunjunni- Malayalam Poet
A. R. Raja Raja Varma - Linguist and grammarian known as the Kerala Panini.
N.S. Madhavan - Writer and civil servant.
M. Krishnan Nair - Literary critic, whose column Sahithyavaraphalam has long served as a window to contem–porary world literature.
M. Mukundan - Novelist, author of 'Mayyazhippuzhayude Theerangalil (On the Banks of Mayyazhi)' and 'Deyvathinte Vikruthikal (Pranks of God)'.
George Menachery - Historian, Editor of The St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India, Ed., The Indian Church History Classics (The Nazranies).
Moothiringode Bhavathrāthan Namboothiripad - Author of the famous Aphante Makal. He was social reformer especially of the Namboothiri society.
Moyinkutty Vaidyar - Great poet (Mahakavi), author of many authentic Mappila songs.
M. P. Parameswaran - Scientist turned social activist, involved with Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad.
M. T. Vasudevan Nair - Writer and cinema personality. Jnanpith Award, 1995.
Niranam Poets - Three Great Malayali poets Madhava Panikkar, Sankara Panikkar and Rama Panikkar of the Kannassa family. They lived between AD 1350 and 1450 in the Niranam village of Tiruvalla
Nitya Chaitanya Yati - Scholar, monk.
O. Chandumenon - Author of the Malayalam novel 'Indulekha'. Also wrote the incomplete novel "Sharada".
O. V. Vijayan - Novelist, cartoonist. Author of 'Khasakkinte Ithihaasam (The Legends of Khasak)' and 'Dharmapuranam (The Saga of Dharmapuri).
O. N. V. Kurup
P. Parameswaran - Renowned thinker. Director of Bharatiya Vichara Kendram and former President of Vivekanand Kendra, Kanyakumari. Also known as Parameswarji.
P. K. Gopi- Poet.
Paul, M.P. - Literary critic.
Paul Zacharia - Writer.
Poonthanam - Poet belonging to the Bhakti school.
Sara Joseph - Writer, Novelist, Sahitya Academy winner.
Shashi Tharoor - Novelist, Commonwealth Writers Prize, 1991; previous Under-Secretary-General (Communication and Public Information) of the United Nations, Deputy Minister of External affairs.
S. K. Pottekkatt (1913–1982) - A well-renowned author whose work 'Oru Desattinte Katha' (The Story of a Land) fetched him the Jnanpith award of 1980.
Sukumar Azhikode - Thinker, teacher, critic and orator.
Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai - Novelist and short story writer whose work Chemmeen was awarded Jnanpith Award in 1984.
TJS George - Fearless critic and 2011 Padma Bhushan award winner.
Thirunalloor Karunakaran- Renowned poet, scholar, teacher and leftist intellectual
Thunchaththu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan - Architect of modern Malayalam. Mahakavi (great poet), part of the old Kavithrayam. Penned the most popular Malayalam renditions of Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Ulloor S Parameswara Iyer - Poet, part of the new Kavithrayam. Author of 'Umakeralam'.
Uroob - Writer, Novelist, Sahitya Academy winner, Written screen play for Neelakuyil which was the first Malayalam movie with a social outlook & won president of India's silver medal.
G.S.UnnikrishnanNair-Science Writer, children's Writer, winner of national science communication award, Bhima Balasahithya Award and State Science Literature Award. Author of 'Ottakangal Paranja Katha'
Vaikom Muhammad Basheer - Writer, philosopher.
Vakkom Abdul Khader Moulavi - Publisher of the legendary publication Swadeshabhimani, social reformer, and a prominent leader of the progressive Islahi Movement in Kerala.
Vallathol Narayana Menon - Mahaakavi, part of the new Kavithrayam. Author of 'Sahithyamanjari'. Founder of Kerala Kalamandalam, the state's flagship institution for the promotion of performing arts.
Vayalar Ramavarma - Arguably the greatest lyricist in the history of Malayalam cinema.
Vayalar Sarath Chandra varma - noted young Malayalam film lyricist.
Vijayan, M. N - Thinker, writer, literary critic, social activist. Most of his works are compilation of speeches.
Vrindavanam Venugopalan - Writer, Journalist and Educationist,
Vyloppilli Sreedhara Menon (1911–1985)- Famous Malayalam poet.
Yusuf Ali Kechery- Poet.

Journalists

Rohit Viswanath- CNN Young Journalist of the Year 2006.^[9] Editorial Page writer with The Times of India.
T. N. Gopakumar Editor-in-Chief, Asianet News
V. E. Krishna Kumar - Former Editor-in-Chief of TiE Global(www.tie.org), Mantram Magazine, CNN IBN West Coast Bureau Chief
Vinitha Nair - ABC newsreader.
Nisha Pillai -BBC newsreader
Sunnykutty Abraham- COO and Chief News Editor of Jaihind TV and noted political analyst
Dr. Sebastian Paul- Media critic.
John Brittas- Business Head of Asianet
K. C. Mammen Mappillai- Founder of Malayala Manorama.
K. M. Mathew- Chief Editor of Malayala Manorama.
K. M. Roy- Noted Journalist.
V. K. Madhavan Kutty - Former Editor of the Malayalam daily, Mathrubhumi, and a founder director of satellite channel Asianet
Binoy Job - Former Group Deputy Editor of NDTV- New Delhi Television, and a founder Editor of Development Channel, currently Director Media and Communication to Indian Prime Minister
O. Abdurahman-Editor-in-charge of Madhyamam
Kummanam Rajasekharan - Managing Director Malayalam Daily Janmabhumi, General Secretary Hindu Aikya Vedi
Dr. Krishna Kishore - Noted journalist based in New York, USA. Anchor of Asianet's US Weekly Round Up; US Correspondent for Asianet News and Columnist for Mathrubhumi.

Film and media

Actresses

Shobana - Famous Actress, Padma Shri recipient. Two time National award winner.
Urvashi - Famous Actress.
Manju Warrier - Malayalam Film Actress.
Monisha Unni - Famous Actress. National award winner
Kavya Madhavan- Famous Malayalm Film Actress.
Meera Jasmine - Popular South Indian Film Actress. National award winner.
Asin-Malayalam, Tamil and Bollywood actress
Shweta Menon - Popular South Indian Film Actress.
Navya Nair- Noted Actress
Kaviyoor Ponnamma - Famous actress.
K. P. A. C. Lalitha - Famous actress. National award winner
Nayantara - Popular actress
Vidya Balan- Popular Bollywood actress.
Priyamani - Popular South Indian Film Actress. National award winner.

Actors

Prithviraj Sukumaran - Famous south indian actor. kerala state award winner 2006. He act in Malayalam,Tamil,Telungu,Hindi films. Urumi, Veettilekkulla Vazhi, Raavanan, Indian Rupee, Vaasthavam, Mozhi, Manikyakallu, Classmates, Chocolate, Swapnakoodu, Thirakkatha, Puthiya Mukham, Kerala Cafe, Pokkiri Raja, Anwar, City of God, Kana Kandaen, Nandanam..etc. is his most popular films. He is one of the Superstar In south indian films. Now he act in Bollywood film.

Prem Nazir - Popular actor of Malayalam cinema, Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri recipient. Nazir holds four Guinness records; for playing the lead role in nearly 720 films,[1] for playing opposite the same heroine in 107 films (with Sheela),[2] for acting in lead roles in all thirty nine films which were released in a single year (1979),[3] and for acting opposite eighty heroines.
Sathyan - One of the greatest pure actors in Indian cinema and is remembered for his versatile and natural acting.
Mammootty - Famous actor, Padma Shri recipient. Three time winner of the national award for Best Actor and Five time state award winner & ten time filmfare award winner for best actor category. Bestowed honorary doctorates by University of Kerala and University of Calicut respectively.
Mohanlal - Famous actor, Padma Shri recipient. Four times winner of the National Film Award, Nine times state award winner and nine times Filmfare award winner. Bestowed honorary Lieutenant Colonel by the Indian Territorial Army and honorary doctorate by SSUS.
Bharath Gopi - veteran actor, Padma Shri recipient and winner of the national award for Best Actor in 1977 (Kodiyettam).
Premji - World-renowned Indian stage and film actor.
M. G. Ramachandran - Famous Tamil Actor.
Suresh Gopi - Famous actor and winner of the national award for Best Actor in 1998 (Kaliyattam).
Jayaram - Famous Actor, Padma Shri recipient.
Murali - Famous actor and winner of the national award for Best Actor in 2002 (Neythukaran).
Jagathy Sreekumar - Famous actor and comedian.
Thilakan - Famous actor, Padma Shri recipient and winner of the national award for Best Supporting Actor in 1988(Hrithubhedam).
Salim Kumar - Actor, comedian and winner of the national award for Best Actor in 2010 (Adaminte Makan Abu).
Nedumudi Venu - Famous actor.
Thikkurussi Sukumaran Nair - poet, playwright, script writer, lyricist, orator, film director and actor, Padma Bhushan recipient and winner of the national award for Best Supporting Actor in 1959.
Madhu - Veteran actor
Krishnakumar Kunnath - also known as KK, a prominent singer in Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Tamil films
Benny Dayal - is a prominent singer in Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Tamil film
Ajith Kumar - popular Tamil film actor and married to Malayalee actress Shalini
Kay-Kay-Menon (Krishna Kumar Menon) - Bollywood actor originally from Kerala.
Naveen Andrews - Actor. He is best known for playing Sayid Jarrah on the American television series Lost.
Shishir Kurup- Hollywood actor.
Suresh Menon - Bollywood comedian/actor.

Film Producer and Directors

Adoor Gopalakrishnan - Internationally acclaimed director. Movies include Elipathayam (The Mousetrap) and Mathilukal (Walls).
M. T. Vasudevan Nair - Writer and cinema personality. Jnanpith Award, 1995.
I.V. Sasi- Famous Film Director.
Priyadarshan- Famous Film Director.
Joshiy-Famous Film Director.
Shaji N. Karun - Noted Film Director, whose movies include Piravi (Birth), Swam and Vaanaprastham.
Bharathan- Popular Film Maker.
Siddique- Very successful Film Maker.
Santosh Sivan - Famous Director and Cinematogrpher.
Resul Pookutty - Sound Engineer, first Oscar winning Indian.
Shobana - Actress and Bharatanatyam dancer. Two-time National award winner.
Lohithadas - Film Director / Writer.
G. Aravindan - Noted film director and cartoonist. Movies include Kanchana Seeta, Kummatty (Bogeyman) and Chidambaram. His cartoon strip series 'Valiya lokavum Cheriya manushyarum' was very popular.
P. Padmarajan (1945–1991)- popular film director, affectionately known a 'Pappan' whose films often blurred the line between artistic and commercial cinema.
Berny-Ignatius - Music Director duo
Rosshan Andrrews - Famous director.
Jayaraj - Famous director.
Gireesh Puthenchery - Lyricist / Writer.
Jijo Punnose - Film Director - Navodaya Films - Maker of first 70 mm film in Malayalam "padayottam"/ 3D film in India " My dear Kuttichathan" - National / State Award Winner
Appachan - Film Producer- Navodaya Films
P. Jayachandran: Ever Green Singer, in Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Hindi
Raveendran - Famous music director.
Ranjith - Film Director / Writer.
Alex Paul - Music Director
K P Kumaran - Film Maker
G. Devarajan - Famous music director.
P.T.Kunju Muhammed - Film Director / Writer.
Remesh Narayan - Music director.
Bobby & Sanjay - Popular script writers.
Pattanam Rasheed - Makeup Artist.
Alberrt Antoni - Film Director
Blessy - Popular Film Maker.
Madhu Muttam - Popular script writer.
Unni Menon - Renowned Playback singer and multiple Tamil State Award winner.
Fazil - Film Director / Writer.
Shaji Kylas - Action film director
Kannur Rajan - Music composer
Ouseppachan - Music director.
Sibi Malayil -- Malayalam Film Director.
Vayalar Sarath Chandra Varma -- lyricist in Malayalam cinema, son of Vayalar Rama Varma
Johnson - Music director.
Bharath Gopi - Famous Film, Drama Producer, Director and Actor.
Sathyan Anthikkad - Malayalam Film Director.
Suresh Kumar - First Indian to win the 'Best Photography' Award in the San Francisco Short Film Festival in 2008.
Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri - Lyricist.
Shankar Mahadevan - Bollywood's one of the finest Music Directors and a noted singer.
Sabu Cyril-famous art director
Sangeeth Sivan- popular director
Ravi K. Chandran -famous film cinematographer
John Matthew Matthan- Hindi film director (Sarfarosh, 'Shikhar')
Anthony -popular editor in Tamil films
Santhosh Thundiyil - Bollywood cinematographer
Suryakiran - Popular Telugu director and husband of actress Kaveri(actress).
Benny Mathews - Hollywood director
Vipin Vijay - Film Director
Gowtham Menon - Tamil film director
Ravi Menon - Tamil director

Singers

K. J. Yesudas - Classical singer and musician. 7 time national award winner (more than any Indian singer). More than 40 state film awards.
K. S. Chithra - Renowned playback singer and winner of several state and national awards.
Hariharan - playback singer in Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Telugu.
Vayalar Ramavarma - Arguably the greatest lyricist in the history of Malayalam cinema.
V. Dakshinamoorthy - Carnatic Music exponent and one of the greatest Malayalam Music Directors.
Sabrina Setlur -German rapper/singer.
Kozhikode Abdul Kader - Abdul Kader made his debut as a playback singer in Malayalam films in 1951 in the film 'Navalokam.' The 'Malabar Saigal' died on February 13, 1977.
M. G. Sreekumar - Famous playback singer/ Music Director. 2 time national award winner
Srinivas - Play back Singer / Music Director - Kerala / Tamil Nadu State Award Winner
Pradip Somasundaran- Playback singer who won "Lata Mangeshkar Trophy" in "Meri Awaz Suno" in 1996.
Sujatha Mohan- Famous playback singer winner of three Tamil Nadu state awards and three Kerala state awards.nominated twice for national award
Madhu Balakrishnan - Famous Play back singer
KK-(Krishnakumar Kunnath)- Bollywood singer from Thrissur.

Artists, painters, sculptors

Painters

Raja Ravi Varma - World-renowned painter.
K. C. S. Paniker - Painter, founder of Cholamandal Artists' Village.
T. K. Padmini - Painter
A. Ramachandran - World-renowned painter.
C. N. Karunakaran - Painter, Chairman of Kerala Lalitakala Academi
Akkitham Narayanan - Painter, settled in Paris
Balan Nair - Painter
Sekar Ayyanthole - Painter, art teacher, former president of Kerala Chithrakala Parishath
M. V. Devan- Artist, Writer.
Bose Krishnamachari- Internationally acclaimed Painter
Paris Viswanathan
Yusuf Arakkal - Bangalore based painter.
Kavitha Balakrishnan - Kavitha balakrishnan is a contemporary artist and art historian from thrissur.
V. S. Valiathan - Artist, Raja Ravivarma award winner.
Gayatri- Worldly known Painter, Art critic. Conducted many solo shows all over the country, won many national and international awards.

Sculptors

Kanayi Kunhiraman - Sculptor ,Former Chairman of Kerala Lalitakala Academy

Cartoonists

Abu Abraham - Cartoonist, worked for The Guardian and The Observer.
Cartoonist Shankar (1902–1989) -Renowned Indian Political Cartoonist
K. S. Pillai (1919–1978) - Famous versatile political cartoonist (Deshabandhu, Malayala Manorama, Sarasan, Narmada)
O. V. Vijayan Cartoonist, writer.
Unni - Cartoonist,
P. K. Manthri- Artist, Cartoonist.
Gopikrishnan- Staff Cartoonist of Mathrubhumi daily.
S. Jithesh – World’s Fastest Performing Cartoonist
Toms - The creator of the cartoon characters Boban and Molly.
Yesudasan - Famous Kerala Cartoonist, Former Chairman of Kerala Lalitakala Academy

Sports

Sreesanth - Indian Test Cricket player.
V. P. Sathyan - Former Captain of the India national football team.
Anju George - The only Indian to win a medal at the World Athletics Championships.
T. C. Yohannan - Longjump gold in the 1974 Asian Games.
I. M. Vijayan - One of the leading Indian football players of modern times. Indian Player of the Year in 1992, 1997 and 1999.
Jimmy George - Volleyball player.
Cyril Valloor - Volleyball player and captain of the 1986 Indian team that won the bronze medal in Asian games.
P. T. Usha - One of India's greatest athletes, who missed out on a bronze medal by 0.01 seconds in the 400 m hurdles event in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
Tinu Yohannan - Former Indian cricket team player.
Shiny Wilson - One of the best middle-distance runners India has ever seen.
Abey Kuruvilla - Indian cricket player.
M. D. Valsamma - 400m hurdles gold medal in the 1982 Asian Games.
Preeja Sreedharan - Indian Athlete.
T. L. Johny - Bharatsree 1976 (Mr.India, Body Building 1976).

Business and commerce

Reji Abraham - Managing Director of ABAN Group of Companies.
Kris Gopalakrishnan - Co-Chairman and former CEO of Infosys Technologies.
S. D. Shibulal - CEO and former COO of Infosys Technologies.
T K Kurien - CEO of Wipro.
R Gopalakrishnan - Executive Director of Tata Sons.
Padmasree Warrior - CTO of Cisco Systems.
K. P. P. Nambiar - Former Chairman of Keltron.
C.G. Krishnadas Nair - Former Chairman of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
George Alexander Muthoot - Managing Director of Muthoot Finance and Muthoot Group
TPG Nambiar - Founder of British Physical Laboratories Group
Verghese Kurien - Founder Chairman of Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd.
Thakiyudeen Wahid - Owner of East West Airlines
K.M. Mammen Mappilai - Founder of MRF Tyres & Manorama publications.
C. P. Krishnan Nair - Founder of the Leela Group of Hotels.
Rajmohan Pillai - Chairman of Beta Group.
Kochouseph Chittilappilly - Managing Director of V Guard Industries Ltd.
Reji Menon - Founder director of Asianet.
Dr Rajendran V - Founder Chairman of Capstocks and Securities (India) Pvt Ltd.
Dr. Biju John - Founder President of ISEEC (International Society for Science, Education, Engineering, Electronics and Computing)
Dr. Issac Mathai - Founder and Medical director of Soukya(International Holistic center) - International Holistic doctor.
Raveendran Pillai - Director of Nasser S. Al Hajri Corporation, Saudi Arabia.
PNC Menon - Founder of Sobha developers in Oman and UAE.
M. A. Yousuf Ali - Founder of EMKE Group, Lulu Hypermarkets and Supermarkets in United Arab Emirates.
C.C.Niyaz Ali - Managing Director and Co-Founder of Dulog Group of Companies, Part of the AW Rostamani Group in United Arab Emirates.
Sunny Varkey - Founder and Chairman of GEMS Education.

Non-resident people of Kerala origin

Mahathir bin Mohamad - 4th Prime Minister of Malaysia.
Devan Nair - 3rd President of Singapore.
Sundaresh Menon - Current Attorney-General of Singapore.
Ravi Menon - Current Managing Director of Monetary Authority of Singapore.^[10]
Vanu Menon - Former Permanent Representative of Singapore to the United Nations.
Peter Varghese - Current High Commissioner of Australia to India.
Sebastian Edathy - Member of Deutscher Bundestag; Current Chairman of the South Asian Parliamentary Group.
Josef Winkler - Member of Deutscher Bundestag. (His mother is a Keralite who married a German national).

Activists

K. V. Rabiya - Icon of literacy campaign, physically handicapped national award winning social worker.

Co-operators

Advocate T. K. Krishnan- Cofounder of Indian Coffee Houses in Kerala. Founder President of ICH Societeies in Thrissur and Palakkad. Communist Leader, prominent advocate and Former M.L.A.
Nadakkal Parameswaran Pillai or "Coffee House Pillai"- Cofounder of Indian Coffee Houses in Kerala.

Performing Artists

G. S. Pradeep Universal Genius, "Prince Of Knowledge", "Man Who Know Infinity", "Walking Encyclopaedia", Limca Book Of Records Holder, 'Father Of Reverse Quiz'
Guru Gopinath (1908–1987) - World renownd Indian Classical Dancer, Master and Author
Guru Chandrasekharan (1916–1998 )- Renowned Indian dancer and Choreographer.
Padma Shri Mani Madhava Chakyar (1989–1991) -World-renowned Koodiyattam and Chakyar Koothu artist, Natya Shastra scholar and authority of Acting.
Gopinath Muthukad - Noted magician.
KalamandalamTirur Nambissan-Kathakali singer
Kalamandalam Hyderali - Kathakali singer.
Kalamandalam Gopi- Renowned Kathakali Artist.
Keeleri Kunhikkannan, the great circus acharya of Kerala established the first circus institute in Kerala (1901).
Kottakkal Sivaraman- Renowned Kathakali Artist.
Mrinalini Sarabhai - Famous danseuse. She is the wife of late Indian physicist, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, mother of Mallika Sarabhai, and sister of Captain Lakshmi.
Athira -Internationally Acclaimed Violin Prodigy /Guinness World Record Holder.
Kim Thayil famous guitarist of 90's vanguard grunge band Soundgarden.
Paul Varghese -American standup comedian.
Dan Nainan - American standup comedian of Indo-Japanese origin. Father is a Malayalee and mother a Japanese.

References

^ "Who's Who of Members From Ist to 11th Kerala Legislative Assembly". http://niyamasabha.org/codes/legislatorsupto2006.pdf. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
^ "V P Menon - The Forgotten Architect of Modern India". Forgotten Raj. 13 April 2011. http://www.forgotten-raj.org/doc/vp6.pdf. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
^ "TKA Nair appointed adviser to PM". Daily News and Analysis. 28 July 2011. http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_tka-nair-appointed-adviser-to-pm_1570370. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
^ "P.M. NAIR appointed as Secretary to the President of India". Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievance & Pension, Government of India. 24 July 2002. http://www.un.org/News/ossg/sg/stories/nambia_bio.asp. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
^ "Official Biography of Vijay Nambiar". The United Nations. 13 April 2011. http://www.un.org/News/ossg/sg/stories/nambia_bio.asp. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
^ "Kerala Center Honors Seven At Banquet Gala". Lokvani.com. 27 November 2006. http://www.lokvani.com/lokvani/article.php?article_id=3700. Retrieved 7 April 2010.
^ http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/senate/inmemoriam/venkateswaransekharipuram.htm
^ [1]
^ "Awarding Talent". The Hindu. December 23, 2006 R Radhakrishnan Nair, Executive Editor, CNN IBN. http://www.hindu.com/mp/2006/12/23/stories/2006122300530300.htm.
^ "Indian to take charge of Singapore's central bank". Indian Express. 31 March 2011. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/indian-to-take-charge-of-singapores-central/769674/. Retrieved 13 April 2011.