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).
S.R. Nathan, President of Singapore (September 1, 2002 – August 31, 2011).

Dewans of Princely States

Ramayyan Dalawa, Dewan of Travancore from 1737 to 1756.
R. K. Shanmukham Chetty, Dewan of Cochin from 1931 to 1945, India's First Finance Minister
Arcot Ramasamy Mudaliar, last Dewan of Mysore state,Founding chairman ICICI Bank.

International positions

Navanethem Pillay – High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN. In 2009, Forbes ranked her as the 64th most powerful woman in the world.
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.

Indian independence movement

V.O. Chidambaram Pillai Indian revolutionary born
Muhammadh Yusuf Khan alias Marudhanayagam Military leader of the 18th century
Puli Thevar, Polygar chieftain who fought against and win over British East India Company in the 1750s and 1767s
Rettamalai Srinivasan (1860–1945), Dalitactivist, politician from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu
Dheeran Chinnamalai (1756–1805), Polygar chieftain and feudatory of Tipu Sultan who fought the British in the Second Polygar War
Subramanya Bharathi (1882–1921), 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), 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
Muhammad Ismail (1896–1972), "Quaid-E-Millat," Member of Parliament and was the President of Indian Union Muslim League
K. Kamaraj, Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and All India Congress President
M. Bhaktavatsalam (1897–1987), Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
C. Subramaniam (1910–2000), one of the men behind the Green Revolution
Lakshmi Sehgal (1914–2012), Head of Rani Jhansi Brigade, women's wing of the Indian National Army and a close associate of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Presidential candidate in 2002 President's election.
Chempakaraman Pillai,was an Indian revolutionary during the Anti-British Movements in India, who went abroad to organize an army to declare war against the British to establish self-rule in the Indian subcontinent.

Independence movements in other countries

Thillaiaadi Valliammai (1899–1914), South African militant, who inspired Mahatma Gandhi to involve in the Freedom Movement.
V. T. Sambanthan, One of the three founding fathers of Malaysia.
Pandara Vannian, rebel Tamil chief from the Vanni region of Sri Lanka
Velupillai Prabhakaran, Tamil Eelam
Sharversvaran Pather, nom de guerre, Michael Pillay, South African^[1]
Ponnambalam Ramanathan, activist for independence of Sri Lanka from Britain

Other significant contributions to Tamil people

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

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Former President of India from 1962 to 1967, Bharat Ratna Awardee

R. Venkataraman Former President of India July 25, 1987 – July 25, 1992. Before that he was the Vice President of India.

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam former President of India, Bharat Ratna Awardee, Missile Man of India.

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.
R. V. Swaminathan (1909–1984), Minister of State for Agriculture

Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu

P. Subbarayan, Chief Minister of Madras Presidency (1926–1930)
P.T. Rajan
M. Bhaktavatsalam
K. Kamaraj (born 1903), Bharat Ratna Awardee
C. N. Annadurai (born 1909)
M. Karunanidhi (born 1924)
V. R. Nedunchezhiyan
J. Jayalalithaa (born 1948)
O. Panneerselvam

Central Ministers

P. Chidambaram (born 1945), Finance 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.

Governors

C. Subramaniam, Ex Governor OF Maharashtra
C. Rangarajan, Ex Governor of RBI & Andhra Pradesh
T. V. Rajeswar, IPS Officer and Ex Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Sikkim & West Bengal.
E. S. L. Narasimhan, IPS office and Current Governor of Andhra Pradesh

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).
Ramasamy Palanisamy-Deputy CM of Penang state,Malaysia.
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 Sri Lanka.
Radhakrishnan, Current Deputy Minister for Industry Affairs of Sri Lanka.
Visvanathan Rudrakumaran – Prime Minister of the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam.
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.
Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam – Former Solicitor General and Perennial opposition politician of the Workers' Party of Singapore.
Radhakrishna Padayachi (born 1950), Deputy Minister for Communication, Republic of South Africa.
Rathika Sitsabaiesan (born 1981), Member of the Canadian Parliament
Gunasagaran Gounder, prominent politician and a member of Fiji Labour Party, Fiji.
Perumal Mupnar, 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, prominent Communist politician, Sri Lanka.
Joseph Pararajasingham (1934–2005), Member of Parliament, Sri Lanka.
Lakshman Kadirgamar (1932–2005), Ex-Foreign Minister, Sri Lanka.
Veerasingham Anandasangaree, 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.
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
Patrick Pillay,is a Seychellois politician. He has been the Minister of External Affairs of the Seychelles since February 12, 2005;[1] previously, he was Minister of Health.[2] In 2010, he was appointed resident High Commissioner to the United Kingdom
Jean-Paul Virapoullé(born March 15, 1944 in Bras-Panon, Réunion) is a member of the Senate of France, representing the island of Réunion
E. E. C. Thuraisingham, was the first local Member (Minister) for Education in the Communities Liaison Committee formed to build communal fraternity in British-ruled Malaya

Political Families

Tamil Nadu

The Karunanidhi Family

M. Karunanidhi, Tamil Nadu Ex Chief Minister
- M.K. Stalin, Tamil Nadu Ex Deputy Chief Minister (Son of Karunanidhi)
- M K Azhagiri, Union Minister (Eldest son of Karunandihi)
- Kanimozhi, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha (Daughter of KarunanIDHI)

The P. T. Rajan family

P. T. Rajan, Chief Minister of Madras Presidency in 1936.
- P. T. R. Palanivel Rajan, Ex Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and Ex minister in the state cabinet.

The Kumaramangalam Family

P. Subbarayan, Chief Minister of Madras Presidency (1926–1930), Member of Lok Sabha for Tiruchengode
- Mohan Kumaramangalam, politician and trade union leader from the Communist Party of India.
  - Rangarajan Kumaramangalam, Indian politician. Member of Lok Sabha for Salem and later, Tiruchirapalli and Union Minister.
  - Lalitha Kumaramangalam, politician and member of the BJP's national executive.
- Parvathi Krishnan, Member of Lok Sabha for Coimbatore.

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)
- - Gopalkrishna Gandhi, Governor of West Bengal.
- C. R. Narasimhan, Member of Lok Sabha for Krishnagiri.

The C. P. Ramaswami Iyer family

Sir C. P. Ramaswami Iyer, Member of Madras Legislative Council and Diwan of Travancore.
- C. R. Pattabhiraman, Member of Lok Sabha for Kumbakonam.

The Bhaktavatsalam family

M. Bhaktavatsalam, Chief Minister of Madras state (1962–1967).
- - Jayanthi Natarajan, Environment minister-Govt of India, Member of Indian Parliament.

The Moopanar family

G. K. Moopanar, Indian politician and founder of the Tamil Maanila Congress.
- G. K. Vasan, State leader of the Indian National Congress.

Sri Lanka

Coomaraswamy^[2]

Arumugampillai Coomaraswamy (1783–1836), Gate Mudaliyar, Member of Legislative Council
- Sir Muthu Coomaraswamy CCS FRGS (1833–1879), Member of Legislative Council + Elizabeth Clay Beeby
  - Ananda Coomaraswamy (1877–1947)
- 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
    - Pathmavathy Arunachalam + Sir Sangarapillai Pararajasingham, Senator
      - Lalithambikai (−2005) + M. Swaminathan
        
        D. M. Swaminathan (1945–), Member of Parliament, Governor of Western Province

Corea

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

G. G. Ponnambalam KC (1901–1977), founder and leader of the All Ceylon Tamil Congress, Government Minister, Member of Parliament, Member of State Council
- Kumar Ponnambalam (1940–2000), leader of the All Ceylon Tamil Congress, presidential candidate (1982)
  - Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam (1974–), leader of the All Ceylon Tamil Congress, Member of Parliament

Sangarapillai^[3]

D. M. Swaminathan (1945–), Member of Parliament, Governor of Western Province

Thondaman

- Savumiamoorthy Thondaman (1913–1999), founder and leader of the Ceylon Workers' Congress, Government Minister, Member of Parliament + Kothai
  - Ramanathan Thondaman
    - Arumugam Thondaman (1964–), leader of the Ceylon Workers' Congress, Government Minister, Member of Parliament

Ulaganathar of Manipay^[4]

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
        
        D. M. Swaminathan (1945–), Member of Parliament, Governor of Western Province

Viswanather-Arumugam-Cathiravelu

Arumugam Canagaratnam, Member of Legislative Council
- - Arumugam Cathiravelu, Magistrate and District Judge
    - Cathiravelu Sittampalam CCS (1898–1964), Government Minister, Member of Parliament
    - Cathiravelu Ponnambalam, first mayor of Jaffna
- Viswanather Casipillai, Crown Proctor

Diplomats

Gopalapuram Parthasarathy, diplomat and author in India.
Yogendra Duraiswamy,was a Sri Lankan diplomat
Tamara Kunanayakam
Arunachalam Mahadeva
Anton Muttukumaru
Manicasothy Saravanamuttu
H. W. Thambiah
Krishnan Srinivasan
K. Raghunath

Journalists & broadcasters

J. S. Tissainayagam – Journalist and first winner of the Peter Mackler Award for Courageous and Ethical Journalism
George Alagiah – BBC reporter and journalist.
James Coomarasamy – BBC reporter and journalist.
Darshini David – BBC reporter and journalist.
Tim Kash – MTV and BBC reporter and journalist.
Taraki Sivaram, the well-known and controversial political analyst and a senior editor for Tamilnet.com

Defence (India)

Army

General Paramasiva Prabhakar Kumaramangalam (1913–2000), 7th Chief of Army Staff (June 7, 1966 – June 7, 1969).
General Krishnaswamy Sundararajan (1930–1999), 14th Chief of Army Staff (February 1, 1986 – April 30, 1988).
General Sundararajan Padmanabhan (born 1940), 20th Chief of Army Staff (September 30, 2000 – December 31, 2002).

Air Force

Air Chief Marshal Srinivasapuram Krishna Swamy (born 1943), 19th Chief of Air Staff (December 31, 2001 – December 31, 2004).

Award winners

Academy Award

A. R. Rahman, won the Academy Award for Best Original Score and Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2009

Nobel Prize Winners

C. V. Raman, Nobel Prize in Physics, 1930
Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, Nobel Prize in Physics, 1983
Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, Nobel Prize in Chemistry, 2009

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.

M.S. Subbulakshmi, for classical carnatic genre – 1974
Jockin Arputham, for Peace and International Understanding – 2000
Palagummi Sainath, eminent journalist – 2007
Kulandei Francis – 2012

Dadasaheb Phalke Award

is India's highest award in cinema given annually by the Government of India for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema. It was instituted in 1969,the birth centenary year of Dadasaheb Phalke, considered as the father of Indian cinema

Sivaji Ganesan- 1996
K.Balachander-2011

Bharat Ratna

The Bharat Ratna is India's highest civilian honour.

C. V. Raman-First Asian Nobel Laurete to win, Prize in the Science Field.
C. Rajagopalachari received first Bharat Ratna award for public affairs in January 26, 1955 .
Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan – 1954 (His birthday is celebrated in India as Teachers' Day on September 5.)
K. Kamaraj for Public Affairs 1976 (Posthumous).
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam for Science & Engineering 1997.
C Subramaniam for Public Affairs 1998.
Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi-She was the first musician ever to be awarded the Bharat Ratna. She is the first Indian musician to receive the Ramon Magsaysay award.

Padma Vibhushan

The Padma Vibhushan is India's second highest civilian honour.

Naryana Raghvan Pillai for Public Affairs 1960.
Arcot Lakshmanaswami Mudaliar for Medicine 1963.
Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar for Science & Engineering 1968.
K. V. Kalyana Sundaram for Public Affairs 1968.
Arcot Ramasamy Mudaliar for Civil Service 1970.
T. Swaminathan for Civil Service 1973.
T. Balasaraswati for Arts 1977.
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam for Science & Engineering 1990.
V. Arunachalam, for Literature & Education 1990.
Lakshmi Sahgal for Public Affairs 1988.
R. Chidambaram for Science & Engineering 1999.
C. Rangarajan for Literature & Education 2002.
Raja Jesudoss Chelliah, for Public Affairs 2007.
Balu Sankaran, for Medicine 2007.
V. Krishnamurthy, for Civil Service 2007.
Viswanathan Anand – World Chess Champion −2007

Padma Bhushan

Main article: List of Tamil recipients of the Padma Bhushan

The Padma Bhushan is India's third highest civilian honour.

Sivaji Ganesan- 1984
Ilaiyaraaja – Veteran musician and Tamil music director.
Viswanathan Anand – World Chess Champion −2000
A. R. Rahman – Oscar winning Tamil Musician.
Shiv Nadar- is an Indian industrialist and philanthropist
jayakanthan-very first time for Tamil Literature
Ranjan Roy Daniel (1923–2005) – Physicist at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research – 1992

Padma Shri

Main article: List of Tamil recipients of the Padma Shri

The Padma Shri is India's fourth highest civilian honour.

Sivaji Ganesan-1966
Viswanathan Anand – World Chess Champion −1987
Kamal Haasan – 1990 actor.
Vairamuthu- 2003
Actor Vivek – comedian and actor.
Sivanthi Adithan- is the owner of Tamil newspapers Dina Thanthi

Param Vir Chakra

The Param Vir Chakra is India's highest military honor.

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

Sahitya Akademi Award

Main article: List of Sahitya Akademi Award winners for Tamil

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

Viswanathan Anand, for chess (1991–92) First Recipient of the award.

Dhanraj Pillay, for Hockey (1999–2000).

Arts, music & literature

Akilan, Jnanpith Award, (1975).
Vyjayanthimala, Sangeet Natak Akademi winner, (1982)
Jayakanthan, Jnanpith Award, (2002).
L. Athira Krishna, Guinness World Record holders.

Arjuna Award

Main article: List of Tamil recipients of the Arjuna Award

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

Kutraleeswaran,the youngest Arjuna Award winner .

Social workers

M.B.Nirmal – Founder and chairman of Exnora International
Narayanan Krishnan – from madurai, serving mentally disabled. He has been selected as one of the top10 in CNN Heroes 2010
Krishnammal Jagannathan – Works for upliftment of farmers and poor people. Has won the Right Livelihood Award in 2008.
Naraina Pillai- a social entrepreneur & social worker, who spent most of his life in Singapore during the colonial period. Of Tamil origins, he greatly contributed to the Tamil community in Singapore, 1800s Singapore
Harish Iyer- Mumbai based famous Blogger^[5] and LGBT rights activist^[6]

Business & Administration Peoples

Main article: Tamil Business & Executives Peoples

India

Ananda Krishnan,is a Malaysian Tamil businessman and philanthropist. Nicknamed A K, currently he is estimated to have a net worth of US$11.7 billion[1] according to Forbes latest annual list of wealthiest people, making him the second wealthiest in Southeast Asia behind Robert Kuok, and number 82 in the world.
B.S. Abdur Rahman, Industrialist, Philanthropist, Educator and Founder of ETA Group, East coast constructions, B.S. Abdur Rahman University
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.
Ashok Amritraj: Chairman Hyde Park Entertainment-Hollywood.
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
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.
Mani Subramanian, CEO of the Keane India Private Limited.
Palani G. Periasamy, Chairman PGP Group of Companies.
S. Ramadorai, former CEO of Tata Consultancy Services
P. Rajagopal, founder of Hotel Saravana Bhavan chain of restaurants.
B Muthuraman, managing director, Tata Steel.
Venu Srinivasan, Chairman of TVS Motor Company and Sundaram-Clayton.
Mallika Srinivasan, CEO of Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited
Narayanan Vaghul, ex-Chairman of ICICI Bank
N. Srinivasan, Chairman India Cements.
Sundar Pichai,senior vice president at Google Inc.
T. V. Sundaram Iyengar was an industrialist, the founder of T V Sundram Iyengar and Sons Limited
Shoba Purushothaman,from Malaysia, is an entrepreneur who co-founded The NewsMarket,
Maha Sinnathamby,an entrepreneur with a vision to build an entire city.founded Greater Springfield
JY Pillay,He is one of the pioneers who helped build the Singapore economy after its separation from Malaysia in 1965.
Indra Nooyi,CEO of PepsiCo Incorporated
Ram Shriram,is a board member of Google and one of the first investors in Google.
Kumar Mahadeva,founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Cognizant Technology Solutions.
C.K.Ranganathan, CavinKare Group is an Indian conglomerate headquartered in Chennai, India.
Natarajan Chandrasekaran,is the chairman of the National Association of Software & Service Companies (NASSCOM).
Other countries

Ramani Ayer,the former the CEO and chairman of The Hartford.

Educationalist

L. S. Kandasamy, teacher at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
T. R. Pachamuthu

Scientists

Academicians

Arumugam Vijiaratnam is the only Singaporean who has represented Singapore in four sports — hockey, cricket, football and rugby — doing so from 1946 to 1956. He also holds the distinction of being the first Singaporean engineer. He became the first Pro-Chancellor of Nanyang Technological University in 1992 and served until 2005.
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.
V. L. Ethiraj, Founder of Ethiraj College for Women
Malcolm Adiseshiah (1910–1994), Economist, Former Deputy Director General of UNESCO & founder MIDS (Madras Institute of Development Studies).
V C Kulandaiswamy, 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.
Prof Philip Jeyaretnam – Professor of Law and Member, Public Service Commission.
Prof Sittampalam Shanmugaratnam – Prominent former Head, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at the National University of Singapore.
Arjun Appadurai, Contemporary Social theorist, Educator & Founder of the School of International Relations, JNU, New Delhi.
Dr. H.S.S. Lawrence, 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 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.
M. S. Ananth,is an Indian tamil academician who was appointed as Director, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras in December 2001.[1]
Xavier Thaninayagam, was a Tamil scholar known for setting up the International Association for Tamil Research (IATR) and organising the first World Tamil Conference. He is praised as the "Roving Ambassador for Tamil".
Christie Jayaratnam Eliezer,he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia.
Sanjay Subrahmanyam,2012 – Infosys Prize in the field of Humanities (History).
Indira Samarasekera, is the 12th and current president and vice-chancellor of the University of Alberta

Agriculture

M. S. Swaminathan - agricultural scientist

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.
Srinidhi Varadarajan, director of Virginia Tech's Terascale Computing Facility.
Shiva Ayyadurai, American scientist and entrepreneur, Ayyadurai holds the copyright to the "email" name for a computer program.
Ravindran Kannan, is currently a Principal Researcher at Microsoft Research India,
T. V. Raman,is a computer scientist who specializes in accessibility research.

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.
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, -Chief Economist, Government of India
Sendhil Mullainathan, co-founder of Ideas-42
Jomo Kwame Sundaram,known as Jomo, is a prominent Malaysian economist
Ramon Navaratnam,is a prominent Malaysian economist.He is of Sri Lankan Tamil descent.
Raj Chetty,In 2008, The Economist listed Chetty as one of the top eight young economists in the world.

Law

P. Sathasivam, Chief Justice designate
Rajesh Sreenivasan, Who's Who Legal describes him as "one of the area's most respected figures."
Karthy Govender, Commissioner, South African Human Rights Commission & Law Professor at the University of Natal.
Kamala Harris,Current US Attorney
K. S. Rajah – Former Supreme Court Judge – Singapore
V. L. Ethiraj – First Indian to be appointed as Crown Prosecutor by the British Raj. Famous for N.S Krishnan trial and got him released.
Ponnambalam Ramanathan – Former Solicitor-General and Tamil political leader in Sri Lanka.
A. R. Lakshmanan, Former Madras High Court Judge
Navanethem Pillay,is the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. A South African of Indian origin and Tamil descent, she was the first non-white woman on the High Court of South Africa,[1] and she has also served as a judge of the International Criminal Court and President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.
P. R. Sundaram Iyer,Indian tamil lawyer and founder of Madras Law Journal. Grandfather of cinematographer P. C. Sreeram.
A. Vaidyanatha Iyer(1890–1955), tamil Indian activist. Participated in the Indian independence movement and organized the temple entry movement in the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai. President of the Tamil Nadu Harijan Seva Sangh.

Mathematics

Srinivasa Ramanujan (1887–1920) known for his contributions to mathematical analysis, number theory, infinite series and continued fractions
Ramachandran Balasubramanian, Indian Number Theorist and is currently the Director of the Institute of Mathematical Sciences in Chennai, India. He is known for his work in number theory, which includes settling the final g(4) case of Waring's problem in 1986.
Subbayya Sivasankaranarayana Pillai (1901–1950), known for his work in Number theory.
Kollagunta Gopalaiyer Ramanathan (1920–1992), known work 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

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.
V. S. Varadarajan, Professor of Mathematics, UCLA. Current work (2012) centers around supersymmetry and representations of super Lie groups and super homogeneous spaces.
Kannan Soundararajan
Conjeeveram Seshadri
Ramaiyengar Sridharan
Chidambaram Padmanabhan Ramanujam
Srinivasacharya Raghavan
Madabusi Santanam Raghunathan
A. A. Krishnaswami Ayyangar Exponent of Vedic Mathematics.
Mudumbai Seshachalu Narasimhan, Mathematician & Fellow of the Royal Society (1996).
K.R.Parthasarathy,Professor Emeritus at the Indian Statistical Institute of New Delhi
Ramaiyengar Sridharan,is a mathematician at Chennai Mathematical InstituteSridharan was awarded the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology (SSB prize) in Mathematical Science
M. S. Narasimhan
Raman Parimala,is an Indian tamil mathematician known for her contributions to algebra
K. S. Chandrasekharan,(born November 21, 1920)[1] is a professor emeritus at Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich.[2] and a founding faculty member of School of Mathematics, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR).

Medicine

Balamurali Ambati
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.
Mohammed Rela, 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.
Gunamudian David Boaz,was an indian tamil psychologist

Engineering (Scientists)

Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman,a tamil 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 tamil 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), a tamillianone of the most important Indian Scientists of the 20th century made major contributions to Biology and Physics.
Vellaippan Velayudam Thanga Thirupathy, inventor
Venkatraman Radhakrishnan (born 1929), 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.
P. S. Veeraraghavan, Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre.
Ramanuja Vijayaraghavan (born 1931), Physicist at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.

A. P. Balachandran indian tamil theoretical physicist
R. S. Krishnan,was one of the greatest tamil scientists
Elagu V. Elaguppillai,Sri Lankan tamil ,a businessman, nuclear scientist, university professor, medical researcher, municipal politician and a community services volunteer for over 35 years.
Veerasingham Dhuruvasangary was a scientist and inventor
Vallampadugai Srinivasa Raghavan Arunachalam is an Indian tamil scientist
Poondi Kumaraswamy a he was the only one to have received both the Homi Bhabha Fellowship 1967–69[4] (he spent his time at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bombay, and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts doing research in Groundwater modeling) and the Jawaharlal Nehru Fellowship 1975–77, two of the country's top research awards.hydrologist
S. Somasegar ,he was presented the Asian American Engineer of the Year Award.[12]
S.Vanajah,a Malay Tamil she was named the only woman among four finalists who outlasted 11,000 other Malaysians who applied for the astronaut selection process in 2003
B. C. Shekhar,modernised Malaysia's natural rubber industry
Raman Sundrum, His most famous contribution to the field is a class of models called the Randall-Sundrum models

Zoologist

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

Arts & music

Western music

M.I.A., (Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam) British musician.
Yogi B (Yogeswaran Veerasingam), Malaysian hiphop artist, founder of Poetic Ammo
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.^{[citation needed]}
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
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.
Lord Kossity

Classical dance

Cinema

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^{[citation needed]}
B. Lenin, Winner, National Film Award for Best Direction (2002)
Agaththian, Winner, National Film Award for Best Direction & National Film Award for Best Screenplay (1997)
Bala directorNational Film Award for Best Direction (2009)
Ameer Sultan, director & National Film Awards for Best Film – Paruthiveeran (2007)
Dharani
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

Actors

Sivaji Ganesan,Nadigar Thilagam,Sevaliyar
Kamal Hassan,Ulaga Nayagan,Padmashree
Vijay,Ilaiya Thalapathy
Suriya,
Vikram,Chiyan
Silambarasan,Str
Dhanush,Indian Bruce Lee
Karthi,

Vishal,Puratchi Thalapathy
Jayam Ravi,Ilam Puyal
Sarath Kumar,Supreme Star
Madhavan,
Prasanth,Top Star
Karthik,Navarasa Nayagan
Prabhu Ganesan,Ilaiya Thilagam

Ajith

Actresses

Music composers

See: Film Music

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.
Aziz Ansari, actor in Hollywood.

Other entertainers

Sports & games

Guinness record holders

V. S. Kumar Anandan,His one of many records include Swimming the Palk Strait, from Sri Lanka to India and back [1] in 51 hours, in the year 1971.
Kutraleeswaran,He swam across English Channel in 1994 when he was just 13 years old. That very same calendar year, he swam across 6 channels to break Mihir Sen's record of swimming across 5 channels in a calendar year. Kutral's name was included in Guinness Book of World Records for this feat.

Athletics

Mani Jegathesan,In his hey day, he was regarded as the fastest man in Asia.

Carrom

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

Volleyball

A. Palanisamy, First Arjuna Award winner for volleyball (1961).
G E Sridharan, Arjuna Award winner.
Kumaran, played for Indian team and currently playing for IOB,Chennai.
Sivabalan, played for India and currently playing for IOB, Chennai.

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).
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.

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, Kolkata Knight Riders, Pune Warriors.
Sadagoppan Ramesh (born 1975), Batsman, Indian Cricket Team.
Subramaniam Badrinath (born 1980), Batsman, Indian Cricket Team, Chennai Super Kings.
Murali Vijay (born 1984), Batsman, Indian Cricket Team, Chennai Super Kings.
Lakshmipathy Balaji (born 1981), Pace Bowler, Indian Cricket Team, Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders.
Dinesh Karthik (born 1985), Wicketkeeper, Indian Cricket Team, Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians.

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
Roy Dias – Former Sri Lankan test cricketer/vice captain – A Tamil of Negombo Chetty
Sridharan Jeganathan – Former NCC and Sri Lankan test cricketer/off spin bowler (died on May 14, 1996). First Sri Lankan test cricketer to die
Vinodhan John, Pace Bowler, First Sri Lankan Tamil Test cricketer 1982.
Pradeep Jayaprakashdaran- Sri Lankan One Day International(ODI)cricket player
S. Illangaratnam -late Sri Lankan cricketer, stalwart of Moratuwa and Bloomfield cricket clubs prior to the Test era
Mahadevan Sathasivam – One of the best cricket batsmen produced by Ceylon
Kandiah Thirugnansampandapillai Francis, International Test & ODI umpire from Sri Lanka.
Nasser Hussain (born March 28, 1968, Madras, India) a former Essex and England cricketer, Test captain.
Sanjayan Thuraisingam (born 1969), Pace Bowler, Canadian Cricket Team.
Alvin Kallicharan- former West Indies Guyana cricket captain whose mother is a Madrasi
Mahendra Nagamootoo-Former West Indies and Guyana criketer, nephew of Alvin Kallicharan

Football

Peter Velappan (born 1935), General Secretary of Asian Football Confederation and Member of FIFA Strategic Studies Committee & Organising Committee for the FIFA World Cup.^{[citation needed]}
Peter Thangaraj (1938–2008), Olympion and the Goalkeeper of Indian football team that won the Gold Medal at the 1962 Jakarta Asian Games.
Syed Sabir Pasha Represented Indian football team in the early 1990s. He also played for and coached Indian Bank-chennai

Hockey

Vasudevan Baskaran, Captain of the Indian hockey team that won Olympic Gold in 1980 Moscow Olympics and Arjuna Award winner (1979–1980).
Dhanraj Pillay (born 1968), ex-Indian hockey team Captain, Arjuna Award winner (1995) and also 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 team.

Mountain climbing

M. Magendran, conquered the highest peak in the world, Mount Everest

Racing

Narain Karthikeyan, Coimbatore, India's first Formula 1 driver.
Ajith Kumar, Formula 2 driver and actor -totally 22 times racing champion
Karun Chandhok, Formula 1 driver.
S. Karivardhan, Coimbatore, Car Constructor and National Champion.
Naren Kumar, Coimbatore, 4 times National Rally Champion.
J. Anand, Coimbatore, 3 times National F3 Grand Prix winner.

Tennis

Vijay Amritraj, international tennis champion & actor
Anand Amritraj, international tennis player.
Ashok Amritraj, international tennis player.
Prakash Amritraj, international tennis player.
Ramanathan Krishnan, international tennis player.
Ramesh Krishnan, international tennis player.
Nirupama Vaidyanathan, international tennis from Coimbatore.

Entertainers

Thirumuruga Kirupananda Variyar,
Vyjayanthimala, Bharatanatyam dancer & she introduce semi-classical dance in Bollywood.^[7]
Rukmini Devi Arundale, Bharatanatyam dancer & fonder of Kalakshetra.
Balasaraswati, Bharatanatyam dancer.
Alarmel Valli, Bharatanatyam dancer.
Chitra Visweswaran, Bharatanatyam dancer.
Padma Subramanyam, 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 VEDHA.
Avvaiyar S
Arumuka Navalar (1822–1879), pioneer of Tamil prose & champion of Hinduism from Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
Siva prakasar, Saiva Siddantha, Tamil scholar, Wrote 32 books in Tamil. (Nanneri, Thiruchendur ula..)
Maraimalai Adigal, Tamil scholar and activist
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, revolutionary writer from Tirunelveli Saiva Pillai community
Jayakanthan, Tamil writer
Kavimani Desigavinayagam Pillai, poet
Manonmaniam Sundaram Pillai, writer
Perumal Rasu, Tamil writer, poet, painter
Ramanuja Kavirayar,was a Tamil savant and poet

Religious figures

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.he spread shaolin kung fu in china
Ayya Vaikundar (1809–1851), founder and preceptor of the Ayyavazhi sect.
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), Great Spiritual Leader from Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
Sivananda Saraswati (1887–1963), 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.
Bishop Vedanayagam Samuel Azariah (1874–1945), was a pioneer of Christian ecumenism in India. He was the first Indian bishop in the churches of the Anglican communion, being consecrated as the first bishop of the diocese of Dornakal in December 1912.
D. G. S. Dhinakaran, Christian Evangelist and founder of Jesus Calls Ministries.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, a spiritual and humanitarian leader.
Perumal Rasu, spiritual leader, philosopher and painter
Laxmisena, of the Mel Sithamur Jain Math, is the primary religious head of the Tamil Jain community.^[8]
Dhavalakeerthi, of the Arahanthgiri Jain Math, spiritual guide of the Tamil Jains^[9]
Sadhu Kuppuswami was a Fiji tamil who inspired South Indians in Fiji to have pride in their culture and language and was instrumental in the establishment of the Sangam organisation in Fiji.
Ananda Coomaraswamy(Tamil: ஆனந்த குமாரசுவாமி, Ānanda Kentiś Kūmaraswāmī) (August 22, 1877, Colombo, Ceylon − September 9, 1947, Needham, Massachusetts) was a Ceylonese philosopher and metaphysician, as well as a pioneering historian and philosopher of Indian art, particularly art history and symbolism, and an early interpreter of Indian culture to the West.
Swami Vipulananda,was a Sri Lankan Tamil Hindu social reformer, literary critic, author, poet, teacher and ascetic from the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka.

Literature

Classical literature

Thiruvalluvar, Saint poet & author of Thirukural.
Thirumoolar, Saint poet & author of Thirumandhiram.
Kambar, author of Kamba Ramayanam.
Auvaiyar, Women Saint & author of Aathichoodi.
Eelattu Poothanthevanar, classical Sri Lankan poet of Sangam period.

Spiritual literature

Johnson Gnanabaranam in the year 1995.

Hindu

Nakkeerar author of Tirumurukāṟṟuppaṭai.
Thirumular, author of Thirumandhiram.
Arunagirinathar, author of Thiruppugazh.
Sekkizhar, author of Periapuranam.
Manikkavasagar, author of Thiruvasagam & one of the Nayanmars.
Siva prakasar, author of Nanneri. Written more than 32 books.
Nammalvar, author of Tiruvaymoli & one of the Alwars.
Thirumazhisai Alvar, author of Tiruchanda-virutham & one of the Alwars.
Andal, Author of Tiruppaavai & One of the Alwars.
V. Akilesapillai, Tamil scholar, poet & author of Thirukonasala Vaipavam from Sri Lanka.

Christian

Johnson Gnanabaranam

Islam

Umaru Pulavar (1605–1703), author of Sirappuranam, Islamic spiritual work on the life of Muhammad, which is the Tamil Quran.

Jain

Illango Adigal, Saint poet & author of Silappathikaram
Tirutakakatevar, author of Jivaka Chintamani
Mandalapuruder, author of Vira Mandalaver is Sudamani Nigandhu
Svarupananda Desikar

Modern literature

India

Author and liberation fighter Michael Pillay

Ramachandra Guha, social and political writer,
Subramanya Bharathy (1882–1921), nationalist Tamil poet.
Bharathidasan (1891–1964), Tamil poet & rationalist.
Pudhumaipithan (1906–1948), Tamil fiction writer.
Prof. Karmegha Konar (1889–1957), Tamil poet.
Samuel Vedanayagam Pillai, first Tamil novelist.
Kalyanasundara Mudaliar, Tamil writer.
Akilan, novelist.
Ramalingam Pillai (Namakkal Kavignar)
Thi.Janakiraman, novelist.
Mahavidwan Vasudeva Mudaliar: Tamil scholar
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
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.
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)
Shyam Selvadurai, Sri Lankan-Canadian novelist (Sri Lankan Tamil father, Sri Lankan Sinhalese mother)
R. Raghava Iyengar, was known for critical scholarship and creative interpretation of literature.
K. S. Maniam
Rani Manicka,won the Commonwealth Writers' Prize in 2003 for South East Asia and South Pacific region

Other countries

Ronnie Govender,won the 1997 Commonwealth Writers' Prize
Kessie Govender, a playwright, actor and theatre director, who founded the Stable Theatre

Modern art

K.K. Raghava,is a contemporary artist his talk on TED went viral on YouTube
S. Chandrasekaran,is a contemporary modern artist[1] who has showcased his works of art around the world, and was nominated for the APBF Signature Art Prize 2008 as one of the top ten.

Wednesday 31 July 2013