This is a list of notable Tamils.

Ancient Kings and Rulers

Tamil dynasties

Other royal families

Governor-Generals, Presidents and Vice Presidents

  • C. Rajagopalachari (1878–1972), Governor-General of the Union of India (1948–1950)
  • R. Venkataraman (1910–2009), President of the Republic of India (1987–1992) and Vice President the Republic of India (1984–1987)
  • Veerasamy Ringadoo (1920–2000), Governor-General of the Union of Mauritius (1986–1992)
  • Veerasamy Ringadoo (1920–2000), President of the Republic of Mauritius (1992–1992)
  • A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (1931–2015), President of the Republic of India (2002–2007)
  • S. R. Nathan (1924–2016), President of the Republic of Singapore (1999–2011)
  • Angidi Veeriah Chettiar (1928–2010), Acting President of the Republic of Mauritius (2002–2002)
  • Ariranga Govindasamy Pillay (1945–), Acting President of the Republic of Mauritius (2002–2002)
  • Kamala Harris (1964–), Vice President of the United States of America (2021–present)
  • Tharman Shanmugaratnam (1957–), President of the Republic of Singapore (2023–present)

Prime Ministers

  • Moses Nagamootoo (1947–), Prime Minister of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana (2015–2020)

Multinational positions

Independence movement

Indian independence movement

Independence movements in other countries

Contributions to Tamil people

Governors of states

  • C. Rajagopalachari (1878–1972), Governor of West Bengal (1947–1948)
  • P. S. Kumaraswamy Raja (1898–1957), Governor of Odisha (1954–1956)
  • Jothi Venkatachalam (1917–unknown), Governor of Kerala (1977–1982)
  • P. Ramachandran (1921–2001), Governor of Kerala (1982–1988)
  • T. V. Rajeswar (1926–2018), Governor of Sikkim (1985–1989), West Bengal (1989–1990) and Uttar Pradesh (2004–2009)
  • C. Rangarajan (1932–), Governor of Andhra Pradesh (1997–2003)
  • Sasindran Muthuvel (1974–), Governor for West New Britain Province (2012–incumbent)
  • E. S. L. Narasimhan (1945–), Governor of Chhattisgarh (2007–2010), Andhra Pradesh (2007–2019) and Telangana (2014–2019)
  • P. Sathasivam (1949–), Governor of Kerala (2014–2019)
  • V. Shanmuganathan (1949–), Governor of Manipur (2015–2016), Meghalaya (2015–2017) and Arunachal Pradesh (Additional charge) (2016–2017)
  • Tamilisai Soundararajan (1961–), Governor of Telangana (2019–Incumbent)
  • La. Ganesan (1945–), Governor of Manipur (2021–2023), West Bengal (Additional charge) (2022) and Nagaland (2023–Incumbent)
  • C. P. Radhakrishnan (1957–), Governor of Jharkhand (2023–Incumbent)

Lieutenant Governors of union territories

Chief Ministers

  • C. V. Vigneswaran (1939–), Chief Minister of Northern province of Sri Lanka (2013–2018)
  • S. Chandrakanthan (1975–), Chief Minister of Eastern province of Sri Lanka (2008–2012)
  • P. Subbarayan (1889–1962), Chief Minister of Madras Presidency (1926–1930)
  • P. T. Rajan (1892–1974), Chief Minister of Madras Presidency (1936–1936)
  • C. Rajagopalachari (1878–1972), Chief Minister of Madras Presidency (1947–1949) and Tamil Nadu (1952–1954)
  • P. S. Kumaraswamy Raja (1898–1957), Chief Minister of Madras Presidency (1949–1950) and Tamil Nadu (1950–1952)
  • K. Kamaraj (1903–1975), Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (1954–1963)
  • M. Bhakthavatsalam (1897–1987), Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (1963–1967)
  • V. Venkatasubba Reddiar (1909–1982), Chief Minister of Puducherry (1964–1967; 1968–1968)
  • C. N. Annadurai (1909–1969), Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (1967–1969)
  • V. R. Nedunchezhiyan (1920–2000), Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (1969–1969; 1987–1988)
  • M. G. Ramachandran (1919 - 1989 ), Chief minister of Tamil Nadu (1977 - 1987 )
  • M. Karunanidhi (1924–2018), Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (1969–1976; 1989–1991; 1996–2001; 2006–2011)
  • S. Ramassamy (1939–2017), Chief Minister of Puducherry (1974–1974; 1977–1978)
  • V. N. Janaki Ramachandran (1924–1996), Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (1988–1988)
  • J. Jayalalithaa (1948–2016), Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (1991–1996; 2001–2001; 2002–2006; 2011–2014; 2015–2016)
  • V. Vaithilingam (1950–), Chief Minister of Puducherry (1991–1996; 2008–2011)
  • P. Shanmugam (1927–2013), Chief Minister of Puducherry (2000–2001)
  • O. Panneerselvam (1951–), Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (2001–2002; 2014–2015; 2016–2017)
  • N. Rangasamy (1950–), Chief Minister of Puducherry (2001–2008; 2011–2016; 2021–Incumbent)
  • V. Narayanasamy (1947–), Chief Minister of Puducherry (2016–2021)
  • Edappadi K. Palaniswami (1954–), Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (2017–2021)
  • M. K. Stalin (1953–), Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (2021–Incumbent)

Deputy Chief Ministers

  • M. K. Stalin (1953–), Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (2009–2011)
  • O. Panneerselvam (1951–), Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (2017–2021)

Union Ministers

  • R. K. Shanmukham Chetty (1892–1953), Minister of Finance (1947–1948)
  • N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar (1882–1953), Minister of Defence (1952–1953)
  • K. Santhanam (1895–1980), Minister of State for Transport and Railways (1948–1952)
  • C. Rajagopalachari (1878–1972), Minister of Home Affairs (1950–1951)
  • P. Subbarayan (1889–1962), Minister of Transport and Communications (1959–1962)
  • C. Subramaniam (1910–2000), Minister of Defence (1979–1980)
  • Mohan Kumaramangalam (1916–1973), Minister of Steel and Mines (1971–1973)
  • Sathiavani Muthu (1923–1999), Minister of Social Welfare (1979–1979)
  • A. Bala Pajanor (1935–2013), Minister of Petroleum, Chemicals and Fertilizers (1979–1979)
  • P. Chidambaram (1945–), Minister of Finance (2012–2014)
  • Murasoli Maran (1934–2003), Minister of Commerce and Industry (1999–2002)
  • Subramanian Swamy (1939–), Minister of Commerce, Law and Justice (1990–1991)
  • M. Arunachalam (1944–2004), Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers (1997–1998)
  • T. R. Baalu (1941–), Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways (2004–2009)
  • P. R. Kumaramangalam (1952–2000), Minister of Power (1998–2000)
  • R. Muthiah (1945–), Minister of Surface Transport (1998–1998)
  • M. Thambidurai (1947–), Minister of Law, Justice, Company Affairs and Surface Transport (1998–1999)
  • R. K. Kumar (1942–1999), Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Finance (1998–1998)
  • Kadambur M. R. Janarthanan (1929–2020), Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions and Finance (1998–1999)
  • K. Ramamurthy (1940–2002), Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas (1998–1999)
  • Gingee N. Ramachandran (1944–), Minister of State for Textiles (2003–2003)
  • A. Raja (1963–), Minister of Communications and Information Technology (2009–2010)
  • Pon Radhakrishnan (1952–), Minister of State for Finance (2017–2019)
  • K. Jana Krishnamurthy (1928–2007), Minister of Law and Justice (2002–2003)
  • A. K. Moorthy (1964–), Minister of State for Railways (2002–2004)
  • M. K. Alagiri (1951–), Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers (2009–2013)
  • G. K. Vasan (1964–), Minister of Shipping (2009–2014)
  • Anbumani Ramadoss (1968–), Minister of Health and Family Welfare (2004–2009)
  • Mani Shankar Aiyar (1941–), Minister of Panchayati Raj (2004–2009)
  • S. S. Palanimanickam (1950–), Minister of State for Finance (2004–2013)
  • K. Venkatapathy (1947–), Minister of State for Law and Justice (2004–2009)
  • Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan (1947–), Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment (2004–2009)
  • R. Velu (1940–), Minister of State for Railways (2004–2009)
  • S. Regupathy (1950–), Minister of State for Environment and Forests (2007–2009)
  • Dayanidhi Maran (1966–), Minister of Textiles (2009–2011)
  • V. Radhika Selvi (1976–), Minister of State for Home Affairs (2007–2009)
  • D. Nepoleon (1963–), Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment (2009–2013)
  • S. Jagathrakshakan (1950–), Minister of State for Commerce and Industry (2012–2013)
  • V. Narayanasamy (1947–), Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (2010–2014)
  • Nirmala Sitharaman (1959–), Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs (2019–Incumbent)
  • S. Jaishankar (1955–), Minister of External Affairs (2019–Incumbent)
  • L. Murugan (1977–), Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, Dairying, Information and Broadcasting (2021–Incumbent)

Political leaders outside of India

Governors of the Reserve Bank of India

Political families

Tamil Nadu

C. Rajagopalachari family

C.P. Ramaswami Iyer family

D. Jayakumar family

  • D. Jayakumar (1960–), Former Speaker of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly
    • J. Jayavardhan (1987–), Former Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha); son of Jayakumar

E. V. K. Sampath family

  • E. V. K. Sampath (1926–1977), Former Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha)
    • E. V. K. S. Elangovan (1948–), Former Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Textiles; son of E. V. K. Sampath

G. K. Moopanar family

  • G. K. Moopanar (1931–2001), Former Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha)
    • G. K. Vasan (1964–), Former Union Minister of Shipping; son of Moopanar

H. Kumari Ananthan family

M. Bhakthavatsalam family

  • M. Bhakthavatsalam (1897–1987), Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
    • Jayanthi Natarajan (1954–), Former Union Minister of Environment and Forests; granddaughter of Bhakthavatsalam

M. Karunanidhi family

  • M. Karunanidhi (1924–2018), Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
    • M. K. Alagiri (1951–), Former Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers; son of Karunanidhi
    • M. K. Stalin (1953–), Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu; son of Karunanidhi
    • Kanimozhi Karunanidhi (1968–), Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha); daughter of Karunanidhi
    • Murasoli Maran (1934–2003), Former Union Minister of Commerce and Industry; nephew of Karunanidhi
      • Kalanithi Maran (1964–), Founder of the Sun Group; grand-nephew of Karunanidhi
      • Dayanidhi Maran (1966–), Former Union Minister of Communications and Information Technology; grand-nephew of Karunanidhi

An O. Panneerselvam family

  • O. Panneerselvam (1951–), Former Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
    • P. Ravindhranath (1980–), Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha); son of Panneerselvam

P. Subbarayan family

P. T. Rajan family

Sri Lanka

Arumugampillai Coomaraswamy family

Arunachalam Ponnambalam family

S. Pararajasingam family

V. P. Ganeshan family

  • V. P. Ganeshan, founder of the Democratic Workers' Congress, film producer and actor
    • Mano Ganesan (1959–), Member of Parliament, Provincial Councillor, son of V.P. Ganeshan
    • Praba Ganesan (1964–), Member of Parliament, Provincial Councillor, son of V.P. Ganeshan

Savumiamoorthy Thondaiman family

G. G. Ponnambalam family

Arumugam Canagaratnam family

Military leaders

Army

Air Force

Independence Movement

Award winners

Nobel Prize winners

Fields Medal

Bharat Ratna

The Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor

Padma Vibhushan

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

Padma Bhushan

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

Padma Shri

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

Ramon Magsaysay Award

The Ramon Magsaysay Award was established in 1957 in memory of Ramon Magsaysay, the late president of the Philippines. It is often considered to be Asia's Nobel Prize.

Dadasaheb Phalke Award

The 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.

Param Vir Chakra

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

Sahitya Akademi Award

Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award

The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is India's highest sporting honor.

Jnanpith Award

The Jnanpith Award is India's highest literary honor

Sangeet Natak Akademi Award

Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship

Guinness World Records

Arjuna Award

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

Oscar awards

Social workers

Criminals

  • Bentong Kali (1961–1993), was a Malaysian-Tamil criminal and mobster who gained a national attention in the 1990s. He was implicated in over 17 different murders, and terrorized the capital Kuala Lumpur through violence, extortion and heroin smuggling. He also made headlines when he challenged the police to arrest him. He was finally gunned down by Royal Malaysia Police's Special Actions Unit from Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur.
  • Douglas Devananda (1957-) is a paramilitary leader, politician and a proclaimed offender in India and is wanted on charges of murder, attempt to murder, child prostitution, rioting, unlawful assembly and kidnapping. Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (Tamil Tigers), tried unsuccessfully to assassinate him over 10 times.
  • Varadarajan Mudaliar (1926–1988), also known as Vardhabhai and Vardha, was an Indian-Tamil crime boss. He was one of the infamous trio of mafia gang leaders of Mumbai the other being Karim Lala and Haji Mastan. His origin is North Arcot district of Tamil Nadu, from where his father migrated to Tuticorin to work in shipping business. He was born in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu. From early 1960s to the 1980s; he was one of the most powerful mob bosses in Bombay, along with Haji Mastan and Karim Lala.
  • Auto Shankar (1954–1995), was a serial killer and a gangster from the state of Tamil Nadu active in Chennai throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

Business and administration

Tamil billionaires

Tamil executives and business people

Educators

Philanthropists

Diplomats

Journalists and broadcasters

Scientists

  • Mylswamy Annadurai, scientist with the Indian Space Research Organization; Director of ISRO Satellite Centre
  • Shiva Ayyadurai, as a high school student in 1979, he developed an electronic version of an interoffice mail system, which he called "EMAIL" and copyrighted in 1982
  • Kailasavadivoo Sivan, current chairperson of Indian Space Research Organization.

Social anthropologists

Academicians

Agriculture

Botanists

Computer science

Finance and economics

Law

Mathematics

Medicine

Engineering (scientists)

Zoologists

Music

Tamil music

Carnatic music

Film music

Western music

Other

Dance

Cinema

Directors

Actors

Actresses

Music composers

See: Film music

In Hollywood

Other entertainers

Sports and games

Athletics

Basketball

Boxing

  • Venkatesan Devarajan was the second Indian to win a medal at the Boxing World Cup after Pu Zoramthanga (boxer), from Mizoram. He is from Chennai, India. He was awarded the Arjuna Award in 1995. He competed in the men's bantamweight event at the 1992 Summer Olympics. V. Devarajan has been a fighter on and off the boxing ring. He broke new ground by becoming the first Indian to win a World Cup medal on foreign soil in 1994.
  • Kalaivani Srinivasan is a female boxer from Tamil Nadu who won a silver medal at the Indian Seniors National Boxing Championship in Vijayanagar in 2019. She was named the ‘Most Promising Boxer’ at the Indian National Boxing Championship in 2019. She later won a gold medal at the South Asian Games in Kathmandu, Nepal in 2019.

Carrom

Volleyball

Chess

Cricket

India

Other countries

Football

Hockey

Mountain climbing

Racing

Squash

Tennis

Entertainers

Religion and spirituality

Tamil literature

Classical literature

Religious literature

Shaivism

Vaishnavism

Islam

Jainism

Modern literature

India

Other countries

Others

Modern art

See also

References

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  2. "Spotlight on: Vanushi Walters | Office of Ethnic Communities". www.ethniccommunities.govt.nz.
  3. Rajasekharan Parameswaran, Rajasekharan Parameswaran. "Guinness World Records". guinness world records. GWR.
  4. Bose, Sushmita (December 12, 2008). "Living in Times of Terror, Reaching out in Cyberspace". Khaleej Times. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
  5. "The Solid Seven: India's most influential Gays & Lesbians". Pink-Pages. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
  6. "Leadership at Carnegie Mellon University". www.cmu.edu. Retrieved 2015-12-04.
  7. "9 Youngest in Their Fields". HowStuffWorks. September 18, 2007.
  8. Tomlinson, Brett (2018-06-04). "Q&A: Dr. Celine Gounder '97 on the Opioid Epidemic, Ebola, and More | Princeton Alumni Weekly". Paw.princeton.edu. Retrieved 2021-01-24.
  9. "London's R&B Sensation: Arjun". TamilCulture.com.
  10. Raheja, Dinesh (May 6, 2002). "Bollywood's Dancing Queen". Rediff. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
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