List of people from Tamil Nadu 1

List of people from Tamil NaduThis is a list of notable people from Tamil Nadu, an Indian state.

Administrators and Heads of State

Heads 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).

International positions• Navanethem Pillay - High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN.• Radhika Coomaraswamy - Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, Special Representative for Children

and Armed Conflict• James Appathurai - Spokesperson for NATO.• Arcot Ramasamy Mudaliar - served as the first President of the United Nations Economic and Social

Council,Member of the Viceroy's Executive Council.

Presidents of the India• Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, 2nd President of India• Ramaswamy Venkataraman (born 1910), 8th President of India (July 25, 1987 – July 25, 1992)• A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (born 1931), 11th President of India (July 25, 2002 – 2007)

Dewans of princely states• Ramayyan Dalawa, Dewan of Travancore from 1737 to 1756• A. Seshayya Sastri (1828–1903), Indian administrator. Dewan of Travancore from 1872 to 1877 and Pudukkottai

from 1878 to 1894.• Ramiengar, Dewan of Travancore from 1881 to 1887• K. Seshadri Iyer, longest serving Dewan of Mysore state• Shungrasoobyer, Dewan of Travancore from 1892 to 1898• P. Kalifulla, (1888 - 1950) Khan Bhadur - Dewan of Pudukottai,Madras Legislative Assembly from

Tiruchirappalli in the 1937 elections.• P. Rajagopalachari, Dewan of Cochin from 1897 to 1901 and Travancore from 1904 or 1906 to 1914• V. T. Krishnamachari, Dewan of Baroda• R. K. Shanmukham Chetty, Dewan of Cochin from 1931 to 1945• C. P. Ramaswami Iyer (1879–1966), Advocate General of State of Madras in the 1920s, penultimate Dewan of

Travancore• Arcot Ramasamy Mudaliar, last Dewan of Mysore state

List of people from Tamil Nadu 2

Indian independence movement• Dheeran Chinnamalai (1756–1805), Polygar chieftain who fought the British in the Second Polygar War.• Kattabomman (1760–1799), polygar chief of Panchalakurichi who fought the British in the First Polygar War.• Maruthu Pandiyar, brothers Periya Marudhu and Chinna Marudhu, who fought the British in the First and Second

Polygar Wars.

Subramanya Bharathi -Tamil poet

• Puli Thevar, Polygar chieftain who fought the British East India Company in the1750s and 1760s. First general of Tamil origin to fight against the British.

• Rani Velu Nachiyar, a queen and freedom fighter• Chempakaraman Pillai, an Indian warrior who attacked the East India Company from

the Emden Submarine; formed International Cadet Corps ICC.• S. Subramania Iyer (1842–1925), lawyer, jurist and theosophist who co-founded the

Home Rule Movement• G. Subramania Iyer (1855–1916), Freedom fighter and founder of "The Hindu"

English newspaper.• V. O. Chidambaram Pillai (1872–1936), independence fighter, who launched the first

Indian ship on Indian waters under British Rule.• V. V. S Iyer (1881–1925) Tamil scholar and freedom fighter

• Ramalingam Pillai, Tamil freedom fighter and poet• Subramanya Bharathy (1882–1921), Indian freedom fighter, Tamil poet and social reformer. Often regarded as

the national poet of India.• V. Kalyanasundaram (1883–1953), scholar and independence fighter• Subramaniya Siva (1884–1925), freedom fighter and close associate of Bharathi and V. V. S. Iyer• Sathyamurthy (1887–1943), Indian freedom fighter and leader of the Indian National Congress in the erstwhile

Madras presidency• Vanchinathan (1886–1911), Indian Tamil independence activist who killed General Ash and committed suicide at

Maniyachi• Kalki Sadasivam (1902–1997), singer, journalist and film producer who was one of the founders of the Tamil

magazine Kalki;• U. Muthuramalingam Thevar, freedom fighter and aide to SC Bose.• Tiruppur Kumaran, independence fighter• Lakshmi Sehgal (1914–2012), head of Rani Jhansi brigade, women's wing of the Indian National Army• G. S. Lakshman Iyer, freedom fighter who also fought for the rights of Harijans

Political leaders

Chief Ministers of Madras province, state and Tamil Nadu• P. Subbarayan, Premier of Madras from 1926 to 1930• P. T. Rajan, Premier of Madras in 1936• C. Rajagopalachari, Premier of Madras (1937 to 1940) and Chief Minister of Madras state from 1952 to 1954• P. S. Kumaraswamy Raja, Premier of Madras 1949 to 1952• K. Kamaraj, Chief Minister of Madras state from 1954 to 1962• M. Bhaktavatsalam, Chief Minister of Madras state from 1962 to 1967• C. N. Annadurai, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu from 1967 to 1969• M. Karunanidhi, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu 1969-1977, 1988–1991, 1996–2001, 2006–2011• M. G. Ramachandran (1977–1987)

List of people from Tamil Nadu 3

• V. R. Nedunchezhiyan, Intermin Chief minister of Tamil Nadu• O. Paneerselvam, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu May 14, 2001 and September 21, 2001• Jayalalithaa Jayaram, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu 16 May 2011 - Present

Ex-ministers in the Union government• C. Subramaniam (1910–2000), former Union Minister, Bharat Ratna awardee, father of Green Revolution• K. S. Ramaswamy Gounder, (1922–2004), former Minister for Home, Education and Social Welfare• R. K. Shanmukham Chetty (1892–1953), first Finance Minister of independent India• Rangarajan Kumaramangalam, lawyer, former Union Minister and son of Mohan Kumaramangalam• K. Santhanam (1895–1980), first Railway Minister of independent India• T. T. Krishnamachari (1899–1974), industrialist and Indian Finance Minister 1956–1958 and 1964–1966,

resigning from the position twice• Satyavani Muthu, first non-congress member from Tamil Nadu along with Aravind Pajanoor to be part of the

Union government• Murasoli Maran, former Minister of Industry India• Mani Shankar Aiyar (born 1941), former Minister of Panchayat Raj, Youth Affairs, Sports and North East Region

India• Anbumani Ramadoss, former Minister of Health and Family Welfare India• T. R. Baalu, former Minister of Shipping, Highways and Road Transport India• K. Venkatapathy, former Minister of State for Law and Justice, India• S. Regupathy, former Minister of State for Forests and Environment (Independent Charge), India• E. V. K. S. Elangovan, former Minister of State for Textiles of India• R. Velu, former Minister of State for Railways, India• V. Radhika Selvi, former Minister of State for Home Affairs, India• A. Raja, Former Minister of Communications and Information Technology India• M. Arunachalam, former Minister for Commerce and industries

Ministers to the Union of India• P. Chidambaram (born 1945), Minister of Home Affairs, India• G. K. Vasan, Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation(Independent Charge), India• M. K. Azhagiri Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers• S. S. Palanimanickam, Minister of State for Finance, India• Napoleon (actor), Minister of State for Social Justice And Empowerment• S. Jagathrakshakan, Indian Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting• V. Narayanasamy, Minister of State, Culture, Planning and Parliamentary Affairs• R. V. Swaminathan, Minister of state,Agriculture

Defence (India)• General Paramasiva Prabhakar Kumaramangalam (1913–2000), 7th Chief of Army Staff (June 7, 1966–June 7,

1969)• General Krishnaswamy Sundararajan (1930–1999), 14th Chief of Army Staff (February 1, 1986–April 30, 1988)• Air Chief Marshal Srinivasapuram Krishna Swamy (born 1943), 19th Chief of Air Staff (December 31, 2001 –

December 31, 2004).• Admiral Sushil Kumar, 18th Chief of the Naval Staff (December 30, 1998–December 29, 2001)• Admiral Laxminarayan Ramdas

List of people from Tamil Nadu 4

Award winners

Nobel Laureates

VenkatramanRamakrishnan

• Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, for Physics - 1930• Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, for Physics - 1983• Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, for Chemistry - 2009

Ramon Magsaysay Award

• M. S. Swaminathan, for Community Leadership - 1971• M. S. Subbulakshmi, for Public Service - 1974• R. K. Laxman, for Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts - 1984• Aruna Roy, for Community Leadership - 2000• V Shanta, for Public Service - 2005

Bharat RatnaThe Bharat Ratna is India's highest civilian honour.• C. V. Raman for Science & Engineering 1954• C. Rajagopalachari for Public Affairs 1954• K. Kamaraj for Public Affairs 1976 (posthumous)• A. P. J. Abdul Kalam for Science & Engineering 1997• C Subramaniam for Public Affairs 1998• M.S. Subbulakshmi for Arts & Music 1998• M.G. Ramachandran for his reformation activities and support from Tamil Nadu 1988.

Padma Vibhushan

M. S. Subbulakshmi

• Kariamanickam Srinivasa Krishnan Science- 1954[1]

• Naryana Raghvan Pillai for Public Affairs - 1960• Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar for Science & Engineering - 1968• Arcot Ramasamy Mudaliar for Civil Service - 1970• T. Swaminathan for Civil Service - 1973• M. S. Subbulakshmi for Arts - 1975• T. Balasaraswati for Arts - 1977• M. S. Swaminathan for Science & Engineering - 1989• A. P. J. Abdul Kalam for Science & Engineering - 1990• Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer for Arts - 1990

List of people from Tamil Nadu 5

Viswanathan Anand

• V. Arunachalam, for Literature & Education - 1990• Lakshmi Sahgal for Public Affairs - 1988• DK Pattammal for Arts - 1999• R. Chidambaram for Science & Engineering - 1999• R. K. Narayan for Literature & Education - 2000• K. Kasturirangan for Science & Engineering - 2000• C. Rangarajan for Literature & Education - 2002

• R. K. Laxman for Arts - 2005• Raja Jesudoss Chelliah, for Public Affairs - 2007• Balu Sankaran, for Medicine - 2007• V. Krishnamurthy, for Civil Service - 2007• Viswanathan Anand, for Sports - 2008

Padma Bhushan• S. S. Vasan - Film Producer and Media Baron, Founder of Gemini Studios and Ananda Vikatan• Sivaji Ganesan - Actor• Alagappa Chettiar - Founder of Alagappa University, Karaikudi.• A R Rahman, Indian Music Director.• Ilaiyaraaja - musician and Tamil music director• Rajinikanth - Actor• Arogyaswami Paulraj - Professor

Padma Shri• Sivaji Ganesan - Actor• Venu Srinivasan - Industrialist• G. Bakthavathsalam - for medicine• Kamal Hassan - Actor• A. R. Rahman - Musician and Tamil music director• Vivek (Actor) - Actor

Param Vir Chakra• Major Ramaswamy Parmeshwaran (1946–1987), awarded in 1987 (posthumous) for Indian Peace Keeping Force

operations in Sri LankaActor mr kamalahashan and actors ms manoramas is also winners in Padma Shri award

Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award• Viswanathan Anand, for chess (1991–1992)• Dhanraj Pillay, for Hockey (1999–2000)

List of people from Tamil Nadu 6

Art, music, literature• Akilan, Jnanpith Award (1975)• Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan, awarded by the National Order of the Legion of Honour of France• Jayakanthan, Jnanpith Award (2002)• R. K. Narayan, Sahitya Akademi

Industrialists and entrepreneurs• 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, Industrialist.• Karumuttu Thiagarajan Chettiar, Industrialist & Educationist, Founder of erstwhile bank Bank of Madurai &

institution Thiagarajar College of Engineering.• Chenniappan, Nilgiris founder.• 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• 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• 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• M. A. M Ramasamy Chettiar, Industrialist, Philanthropist and Pro-Chancellor of Annamalai University.• Sivasankaran Chairman, Sterling group.• B Muthuraman, Managing Director, Tata Steel.• Dharmaveera K Govindaswamy Naidu, Industrialist & Philanthropist• KG Baalakrishnan, Chairman and Managing Director KG Group of companies, Coimbatore• Mani Subramanian, CEO of the Keane India Private Limited.• Narayanan Vaghul, ex-Chairman of ICICI Bank

List of people from Tamil Nadu 7

Scholars

Academics• Arcot Ramasamy Mudaliar, mayor of Madras (1928–30), vice chancellor of University of Kerala (1951–61),

Travancore• A. Lakshmanaswami Mudaliar, first Indian principal of the Madras Medical College and longest-serving vice

chancellor of the University of Madras• V. L. Ethiraj Mudaliar, founder of Ethiraj College for Women• Malcolm Adiseshiah (1910–1994), economist, former deputy director general of UNESCO and founder of MIDS

(Madras Institute of Development Studies)• V. C. Kulandaiswamy, educator and technologist. Formerly vice-chancellor of Anna University, IGNOU and

Tamil Virtual University.• Mu. Varadarajan, Tamil scholar, winner of Sahitya Academy award and ex-vice-chancellor of Madurai Kamaraj

University• Arjun Appadurai, contemporary social theorist, educator and founder of the School of International Relations,

Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi• H. S. S. Lawrence, educator, former director of school education, Tamil Nadu and UNESCO expert to the

government of Afghanistan

Agriculture• M. S. Swaminathan, agricultural scientist, scientific father of Green Revolution in India.• Ganapathi Thanikaimoni (1938–1986), often referred to as Thani, known for his contributions to the science of

palynology.

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• Arogyaswami Paulraj (born 1944) wireless engineering, professor of electrical engineering at Stanford University.

Finance and economics• C. Rangarajan, economist and ex-Governor, Reserve Bank of India (1992–1997)• C.K. Prahalad, management expert and professor at the University of Michigan Business School• Marti Subrahmanyam, finance expert and professor at New York University (NYU) and Board of Directors of

Infosys and ICICI Bank• Bala V. Balachandran, management expert and professor at the Kellogg School of Management• Ravi Jagannathan, economist and professor at the Kellogg School of Management• S. Jagannathan, ex-Governor, Reserve Bank of India (1970–1975) and executive at the World Bank and

International Monetary Fund• M. Narasimham, banker, ex-Governor, Reserve Bank of India (1977) and executive at the World Bank and

International Monetary Fund• S. Venkitaramanan, ex-Governor, Reserve Bank of India (1990–1992)• T. N. Srinivasan (born 1933), economist and the Samuel C. Park, Jr. professor of economics at Yale University• Raghuram Rajan, ex-Chief Economist, International Monetary Fund

List of people from Tamil Nadu 8

Mathematics• Srinivasa Aiyangar Ramanujan (1887–1920), 20th-century mathematician• Subbayya Sivasankaranarayana Pillai (1901–1950), known for his work in number theory• Kollagunta Gopalaiyer Ramanathan (1920–1992), known for his achievements in number theory• C. S. Seshadri, director, Chennai Mathematical Institute and Trieste Awardee• S.R. Srinivasa Varadhan, mathematician and Fellow of the Royal Society• M. S. Narasimhan, mathematician and Fellow of the Royal Society (1996)• M. S. Raghunathan, mathematician and 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.

Medicine• 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• Ganapathi Thanikaimoni, palynologist, French Institute of Pondicherry, awarded the Fyson Prize in Natural

Science• 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, Mount Sinai School of Medicine

Scientists• G.D.Naidu, inventor and scientist, referred to as "the Edison of India"• Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, 1930 Nobel Prize winner in physics• Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, 1983 Nobel Prize winner in physics• K. Kasturirangan, former Chairman of ISRO and present director of National Institute of Advanced Studies

(NIAS)• Raja Ramanna, former Chairman of Department of Atomic Energy, presided over India's first nuclear test in 1974• P. K. Iyengar, former Chairman of Department of Atomic Energy• M.R.Srinivasan, Former Chairman of Department of Atomic Energy

M.Annadurai - AerospaceEngineer

• R. Chidambaram, Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister of India, ex-Chairman ofAtomic Energy Commission

• S.R. Ranganathan, librarian who devised the five laws of library science• A. Sivathanu Pillai [2], defence scientist and the CEO of the Indo-Russian Brahmos

company which developed and manufactures the world's only supersonic cruisemissile

• G. N. Ramachandran (1922–2001), Indian scientist who made major contributions tobiology and physics

• Ranjan Roy Daniel (1923–2005), physicist at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, ex-Chairman of theAdvisory Committee for Space Science at ISRO

•• VV Thanga Thirupathy an Inventor• Venkatraman Radhakrishnan (born 1929), space scientist and member of the Royal Swedish Academy of

Sciences

List of people from Tamil Nadu 9

• Mylswamy Annadurai (born 1958), project director of ISRO's Chandrayaan-1• R. V. Perumal, former director, Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre• P. S. Veeraraghavan, director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre.• W Selvamurthy, Chief Controller R&D (Life Sciences) and R&D (Human Resources), DRDO• V. S. Arunachalam, ex-defence scientist DRDO and 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• Subra Suresh, Dean of School of Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA

Zoologist• Mahadeva Subramania Mani, entomologist, famous for his studies in high-altitude entomology

Arts and Music

Illustrators•• Gaman Palem

Tamil music• Muthu Thandavar, one of the Tamil Trinity• Marimutthu Pillai, one of the Tamil Trinity• Arunachala Kavi, one of the Tamil Trinity• T M Soundararajan, playback singer

Carnatic music

Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan -classical music violinist

• Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar (1890–1967) Carnatic music vocalist; Sangeet NatakAkademi Fellowship (1954), Padma Bhushan (1958)

• D. K. Pattammal (1919 – 2009), singer of Carnatic music•• Dr. N. Ramani•• E. Gayathri• Ganesh and Kumaresh, violinists• Gopalakrishna Bharathi (1811–1896), Carnatic music composer• Karaikudi Sambasiva Iyer (d. 1958) , Veena player, Sangeet Natak Akademi

Fellowship (1952)

• Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan (March 2, 1935 - September 8, 2008), violinist•• L. Athira Krishna• Lalgudi Jayaraman (1930-), Carnatic music composer and violinist• M. S. Subbulakshmi (September 16, 1916 - December 11, 2004), singer of Carnatic music, Barath Ratna award

winner• Madurai Mani Iyer (1912–1968), singer of Carnatic music• Maharajapuram Santhanam (1922–1991), Carnatic music composer and violinist• Muthuswami Dikshitar (1775–1835), composer. Formed the "Great Trinity of Carnatic Music" along with

Thyagarajar and Shyama Shastri.•• Nisha Rajagopalan• Nithyashree Mahadevan (1973-), Carnatic music singer; granddaughter of singer D. K. Pattammal

List of people from Tamil Nadu 10

• P. Unnikrishnan (born July 9, 1966), Carnatic vocalist and National Award-winning playback singer•• R. Vedavalli•• Sanjay Subrahmanyan• Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer (1907–2003), singer of Carnatic music• Shyama Shastri, composer. Formed the "Great Trinity of Carnatic Music" along with Muthuswami Dikshitar and

Thyagarajar.•• Sirkazhi G. Sivachidambaram• Sudha Raghunathan, singer of Carnatic music, Padma Sri award in the field of Carnatic vocal music (2004)•• T. Brinda•• T. M. Krishna•• T. Muktha•• T. Viswanathan• Thiagaraja (1767–1847), composer of Carnatic music. Formed the "Great Trinity of Carnatic Music" along with

Muthuswami Dikshitar and Shyama Shastri.• Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman (1935-), musician, mridangist• Vasundhara Devi, singer of carnatic music who acted in first colossal hit Tamil film Mangamma Sapatham.•• Veena Dhanammal

Film music

M S Viswanathan - musicdirector

• K. V. Mahadevan, musician, composer; winner of National Film Award for BestMusic Direction (1968 and 1980)

• M. S. Viswanathan, musician and composer• Ilayaraaja (born 1943), musician, composer, winner of National Film Award for Best

Music Direction (1984, 1986 and 1989)• A. R. Rahman (born 1966), musician, composer, winner of Academy Award for Best

Original Song (2008), National Film Award for Best Music Direction (1993, 1997,2002 and 2003). Oscar Award winner for Best Original Score and Best Song ("Jai Ho").

• Yuvan Shankar Raja, musician, composer, 'Best Musician' at Cyprus Film Festival in 2006• Harris Jayaraj (born 1975), film composer from Tamil cinema

A R Rahman - Oscarwinner (2009)

• Mani Sharma Yanamandra (born July 11, Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu), film composerfrom Tamil and Telugu cinema

• Karthik Raja, film composer from Tamil cinema• Musiri Subramania Iyer (1899-975), Carnatic music singer and film actor; acted in the

1938 Tamil movie Tukaram• Anuradha Sriram, Tamil playback singer. Her husband is also a musician.• S. P. Balasubrahmanyam (1946-), singer. Holds the Guinness Record for greatest

number of songs recorded as a playback singer.

• Hariharan (1955-), Hindi and Tamil playback singer• Krish, Tamil playback singer• Mahalaxmi Iyer, Hindi and Tamil playback singer• Naresh Iyer, male playback singer in Bollywood and Kollywood• Papanasam Sivan (1890–1973), Carnatic music composer and singer• Shankar Mahadevan, music director• Usha Uthup (b. 1947), pop singer and female playback singer in Bollywood• Vijay Iyer, jazz musician

List of people from Tamil Nadu 11

Western music• Harsha Iyer (b. 1991) rock musician, singer-songwriter from Chennai [3][4]

• Moksha, heavy metal band from Chennai

Classical dance•• Vyjayanthimala•• T. Balasaraswati•• Padma Subramanyam•• Rukmini Devi Arundale

Cinema

Actors• Aziz Ansari, actor, writer, stand-up comedian• Ajith kumar, actor• Gemini Ganesan, actor• Kamal Hassan, actor, producer, director, screenwriter, playback singer, choreographer, lyricist• Suriya Sivakumar, actor• Joseph Vijay, actor• Vikram, actor, national award winner for best actor 2002• Dhanush, actor ,playback singer, national award winner for best actor 2011

Directors•• A. P. Nagarajan•• A. Bhimsingh• Balu Mahendra (born 1946) director, cinematographer, winner of National Film Award for Best Cinematography

(1978 and 1983)• Bharathiraja (born 1941), winner of National Film Award for Best Screenplay (2001)• K. Balachander (born 1930), winner of Dada Saheb Phalke Award (2011)•• K. Bhagyaraj• Cheran, winner of National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues (2001)•• C. V. Sridhar•• J. Mahendran• Ameer Sultan, winner of Filmfare Best Director Award (Tamil) (2007)• Mani Ratnam (born 1956), winner of multiple National Film Awards•• A. R. Murugadoss• B. Lenin, winner of National Film Award for Best Direction (2002)• Agaththian, winner of National Film Award for Best Direction and National Film Award for Best Screenplay

(1997)• Bala, winner of National Film Award for Best Direction (2010)•• Dharani• Parthiban, winner of National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil (1989 and 1999)•• R. K. Selvamani• Selvaraghavan, winner of Filmfare Best Director Award (Tamil) (2003)• S. Shankar (born 1963), winner of Filmfare Best Director Award (2005)• S. P. Jananathan, winner of National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil (2003)

List of people from Tamil Nadu 12

• Vasanthabalan, winner of National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil•• Vasanth•• Vikraman•• Kamal Hassan• Gautham Menon, winner of National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil (2008)• Kothamangalam Subbu, poet, lyricist, writer, actor and director

Music composers• A. R. Rahman[5]

•• Ilaiyaraaja•• Yuvan Shankar Raja•• Harris Jayaraj•• M. S. Viswanathan•• Deva

Sports and Games

Carrom• A. Maria Irudayam, World Carrom Champion and Arjuna Award winner for Carrom (1996)•• R. Arokiaraj•• B. Radhakrishnan

Volleyball• A. Palanisamy, first Arjuna Award winner for volleyball (1961)• G E Sridharan, Arjuna Award winner• Kumaran, played for Indian team; currently playing for Indian Overseas Bank, Chennai• Muthuraj, played for Indian team; currently playing for Indian Bank, Chennai• Pradeep John, represented India in Asian Games 2006 as part of Beach Volleyball• Sivaraman, played for Indian team; considered the best back row attacker during his playing time• Sivabalan, played for India; currently playing for IOB, Chennai• Kamaraj, represented Indian youth team which finished 2nd in the world championships

Chess• Viswanathan Anand, World Chess Champion and the first Indian to earn the title of Grandmaster• Manuel Aaron, first Indian to earn the title of International Master• Murugan Thiruchelvam, chess player from United Kingdom• Krishnan Sasikiran, Grandmaster• S. Vijayalakshmi, six-time Women's national champion of India; first female Grandmaster from India• Aarthie Ramaswamy, female Grandmaster and under-18 girls' World Chess champion• R. B. Ramesh, Grandmaster and National Champion of India• Ramachandran Ramesh, Grandmaster, winner of the 2002 British Chess Championship• V. Saravanan, International Master

List of people from Tamil Nadu 13

Cricket• Buchi Babu Naidu (died 1908), father of cricket in Chennai• Cota Ramaswami (born 1896, presumed dead), represented India in international cricket and tennis• M. J. Gopalan (1909–2003), represented India in international hockey and cricket• C. D. Gopinath (born 1930), batsman, Indian cricket team• S. Venkataraghavan (born 1945), ex-Captain of Indian cricket team and Test and ODI umpire• K. Srikkanth (born 1959), ex-Captain of Indian cricket team and current Chairman of selectors.• T.A. Sekhar (born 1956), pace bowler, 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• Lakshmipathy Balaji (born 1981), pace bowler, Indian cricket team• Dinesh Karthik (born 1985), wicketkeeper, Indian cricket team• Ravichandran Ashwin (born 17 September 1986,Madras, India), right arm off-break bowler Indian cricket team• Woorkeri Raman (born 1965), batsman, Indian cricket team

Football• Peter Velappan (born 1935), General Secretary of Asian Football Confederation and member of FIFA Strategic

Studies Committee and Organising Committee for the FIFA World Cup• Peter Thangaraj, Olympian and goalkeeper of the Indian football team that won the Gold Medal at the 1962

Jakarta Asian Games• Vikash Dhorasoo, French professional football midfielder, represented his country at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Hockey• Vasudevan Baskaran, captain of the Indian hockey team that won the Gold Medal at the 1980 Moscow Olympics;

Arjuna Award winner (1979–1980)• Dhanraj Pillay (born 1968), ex-Indian hockey captain, Arjuna Award winner (1995), winner of Rajiv Gandhi Khel

Ratna Award (1999–2000)• Adam Sinclair, member of the Indian hockey team at the 2004 Athens Olympics• Raja, member of the Indian hockey team

Racing• Narain Karthikeyan, Coimbatore, India's first Formula 1 driver• S. Karivardhan, Coimbatore, car constructor and National Champion• N. Leelakrishnan, Coimbatore, 7-time National Rally Champion• Naren Kumar, Coimbatore, 4-time National Rally Champion• J. Anand, Coimbatore, 3-time National F3 Grand Prix winner

List of people from Tamil Nadu 14

Tennis•• Vijay Amritraj•• Anand Amritraj•• Ashok Amritraj•• Ramanathan Krishnan•• Ramesh Krishnan•• Nirupama Vaidyanathan

Cultural icons• Thirumuruga Kirupananda Variyar, scholarly saint• Vyjayanthimala, Bharatanatyam dancer & she introduce semi-classical dance in Bollywood.[6]

• Rukmini Devi Arundale, Bharatanatyam dancer, founder of Kalakshetra• Balasaraswati, Bharatanatyam dancer• Alarmel Valli, Bharatanatyam dancer• Chitra Visweswaran, Bharatanatyam dancer• Padma Subramanyam, Bharatanatyam dancer• Pithukuli Murugadas, musician known for his songs on Lord Murugan• K. B. Sundarambal, actress, singer

Tamil language icons• Annamalai Reddiyar, a Telugu but a great exponent of Tamil poetry• Arumuka Navalar (1822–1879), pioneer of Tamil prose, champion of Hinduism from Jaffna, Sri Lanka• Maraimalai Adigal, Tamil scholar and activist• Xavier Thaninayagam (1913–1980), from Jaffna, Sri Lanka, founder member of the International Association for

Tamil Research• Thiruvalluvar, ever famous Tamil poet and philosopher;Author of Thriukkural• Mahavidwan R. Raghava Iyengar, Tamil scholar, researcher and poet• U. V. Swaminatha Iyer (1855–1942), pioneer of Tamil, popularly known as 'Tamil Thaatha'• Thanthai Periyar, businessman, politician, Indian independence and social activist who started the Self-Respect

Movement

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 Shiva and exponents of Saivism• Ramalinga Swamigal (1823–1873), popularly known as Vallalar• Ramanuja (1017–1137), philosopher and one of the most important saints of Vaishnavism•• Vedanta Desika• Yamunacharya (Alavandar), Srivaishnava Acharya and most important teacher in Achara Lineage next to

Ramanuja• Appayya Dikshidar (1520–1593), philosopher, followed Advaita School of Indian philosophy• Raghavendra Swami (1595–1671), advocated Vaishnavism (worship of Vishnu as the supreme God) and Sri

Madhvacharya's Dvaita philosophy• Ramana Maharshi (1879–1950)• Yogaswami (1872–1964), spiritual leader from Jaffna, Sri Lanka• Sivananda Saraswati (1887–1963), proponent of Yoga and Vedanta

List of people from Tamil Nadu 15

• Duraisamy Simon Lourdusamy (born 1924), Cardinal Priest of S Maria delle Grazie alle Fornaci fuori PortaCavalleggeri, Vatican City

• Dayananda Saraswati, founder of the Arsha Vidya Gurukulam• Vethathiri Maharishi, founder of the World Community Service Center• Bala Prajapathi Adikalar, the present Pattathu Ayya of Swamithope pathi and leader of Ayyavazhi religion• Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, spiritual and humanitarian leader• Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, founder of Isha yoga• Laxmisena, of the Mel Sithamur Jain Math, is the primary religious head of the Tamil Jain community.[7]

• Dhavalakeerthi, of the Arahanthgiri Jain Math, spiritual guide of the Tamil Jains[8]

Literature

Classical literature• Thiruvalluvar, poet and author of Thirukural• Tholkaapiyar, author of Tholkappiyam, one of the first Tamil grammar books• Illango Adigal, poet and author of Silappathikaram• Kambar, author of Kamba Ramayanam• Sekkizhar, author of Periya Puranam• Auvaiyar, female saint and author of Aathichoodi• Tirutakakatevar, author of Jivaka Chintamani• Eelattu Poothanthevanar, Classical Sri Lankan poet of the Sangam period• Ottakoothar, author of Saraswathi Anthathi

Spiritual literature• Nammalvar, author of Tiruvaymozhi and one of the alwars• Ramanuja, author of Sanskrit manuscripts• Thirumular, author of Thirumandhiram• Tiruvalluvar, author of Thirukkural• Arunagirinathar, author of Thiruppugazh• Sekkizhar, author of Periapuranam• Manikkavasagar, author of Thiruvasagam and one of the Nayanmars• Thirumazhisai Alvar, author of Tiruchanda-virutham and one of the alwars• Andal, author of Tiruppaavai and Nacchiyar Tirumozhi and one of the alwars• Kambar, Tamil scholar, poet and author of Kambaramayanam, the Tamil version of Ramayana• Avvaiyar, Tamil poet and author of Aathichoodi and Konraiventhan• Abirami Pattar (original name Subramaniya Iyer; late 18th century – early 19th century), poet and author of

Abhirami Anthadhi• V. Akilesapillai, Tamil scholar, poet and author of Thirukonasala Vaipavam from Sri Lanka• Vedanta Desika, composer in Tamil, Sanskrit and Manipravala (combination of both).• Manavala Mamunigal, author of Upadesarattinamalai, Arti Prabhandam and multiple commentaries• Illango Adigal, Saint poet & author of Silappathikaram• Umaru Pulavar (1605–1703), author of Sirappuranam, Islamic spiritual work on the life of Muhammad• Mohammad Ibrahim, author of Muhaidin Puranam, Islamic spiritual literature• George Uglow Pope, translated Tamil literature to English• Tirutakakatevar, author of Jivaka Chintamani• Mandalapuruder, author of Vira Mandalaver is Sudamani Nigandhu

List of people from Tamil Nadu 16

Modern literature• Bharathidasan (1891–1964), Tamil poet and rationalist• Pudhumaipithan (1906–1948), Tamil fiction writer known for his progressive thinking• Karmegha Konar (1889–1957), Tamil poet• Akilan, novelist• Thi. Janakiraman, novelist• Kalki Krishnamurthy (1899–1954), novelist and journalist• Jayakanthan (born 1934), writer and novelist• Prapanchan, author of Vanam Vasappadum• Kannadasan (1927–1981), popularly called 'Kavi Arasu', poet, film lyricist, winner of National Film Award for

Best Lyrics (1969)• Vairamuthu (born 1953), poet, film lyricist, winner of National Film Award for Best Lyrics (1986, 1993, 1995,

2000 and 2003)• Indira Soundarajan, novelist and short story writer• Ashoka Mitran (born 1931), novelist and short story writer• R. K. Narayan (1906–2001), English novelist and essayist• Sandilyan, novelist• Pa. Vijay, film lyricist, winner of National Film Award for Best Lyrics (2005)• Vaali, film lyricist• Sujatha Rangarajan (May 3, 1935 - February 27, 2008), contemporary Tamil screenplay writer• Kaavya Viswanathan (born 1987), novelist• S. Ramakrishnan (born 1966), Novelist, short story writer

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

References[1][1] www.mha.nic.in/pdfs/PadmaAwards1954-2007.pdf[2] http:/ / www. drdo. com/ cc/ pillai. shtml[5] Times Review of Rahman's Music (http:/ / www. time. com/ time/ columnist/ corliss/ article/ 0,9565,1013198,00. html)

Article Sources and Contributors 17

Article Sources and ContributorsList of people from Tamil Nadu  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=567248987  Contributors: Aayush18, Amog, Anandprithvi, Aravindjk, Argento Surfer, AroundTheGlobe,Arpingstone, AtticusX, Auntof6, Ben Ben, Bgwhite, Bharathprime, C21K, CarTick, ChrisGualtieri, CommonsDelinker, Courcelles, Cst17, Darwinacitizen, Dialectric, Divy1996, Ekabhishek,Europe22, Finemann, General, GoingBatty, Grafen, Ground Zero, Hekerui, Hibayathullah, Hmains, J04n, Jaramarku, Jayabharat, Jevansen, Jojalozzo, Keyan20, Kgashok, Khazar2, Kjramesh,Klaksha, Kumarvm, L Kensington, Lightmouse, LilHelpa, LindsayH, Logicwiki, Lokesh8008, Magioladitis, Malcolmxl5, Malinaccier, Manokarthikeyank, Mugunth Kumar, Newcentre,Niceguyedc, Nick Number, Nonresidentindian, Pgowtham, Pravinraj, R'n'B, RHaworth, Ravichandar84, Robina Fox, Rsrikanth05, Salih, Sam Emmanuel Mallar, SchreiberBike, Scopecreep,Senthilath, Shreevatsa, Shyamsunder, Sinsen, Srithern, Sureshmaran, Tassedethe, Thomasrathnamfans, Titodutta, Toccata quarta, Topbanana, Trakesht, Traveler100, UnitedStatesian, VasuVR,Vijaykumarindia, Vivvt, Vprashanth87, Wayne Slam, Welsh, Widr, Wikiality123, Woohookitty, Δ, 252 anonymous edits

Image Sources, Licenses and ContributorsFile:Subramanya Bharathi.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Subramanya_Bharathi.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Jayarathina, Kalki, Roland zhFile:Nobel Prize 2009-Press Conference KVA-08.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Nobel_Prize_2009-Press_Conference_KVA-08.jpg  License: Creative CommonsAttribution-Sharealike 3.0  Contributors: Prolineserver (talk)File:Ms subbulakshmi.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Ms_subbulakshmi.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Chandraprabha CinetoneFile:Viswanathan Anand 08 14 2005.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Viswanathan_Anand_08_14_2005.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: -jha-,BanyanTree, Conscious, Fred J, Nard the Bard, Stepshep, YgrekFile:Mylswamy Annadurai.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Mylswamy_Annadurai.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Ram 121File:Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Kunnakudi_Vaidyanathan.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: HarikwFile:Msv224.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Msv224.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Kumarrajendran at en.wikipediaFile:AR Rahman.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:AR_Rahman.jpg  License: unknown  Contributors: IndiaFm/Bollywood Hungama

LicenseCreative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported//creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/