List of people from Kerala

The following is a list of notable people from Kerala, India: Though many personalities in this list are/were multi-faceted, their names are classified according to their major area of work. Please ensure that brief Wikipedia articles on these personalities are linked.

Ancient rulers

• Saamoothiri (Zamorin, സാമൂതിരി) - Rulers of Malabar from 14th and 18th century AD.
• Ayilyam Thirunal - Ruler of Travancore from 1831 to 1880. Also known by his literary works.
• Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma - Last King of Travancore; Rajpramukh of Thiru-Kochi.
• Dharma Raja - Ruler of Travancore from 1733 to 1798. Known for his Principles of Justice.
• Marthanda Varma - Ruled in the 18th century. Generally referred to as "the maker of modern Travancore".
• Moolam Thirunal - Ruler of Travancore. Famous for his educational reforms.
• Raja Kesavadas - Diwan of Travancore during the reign of Dharma Raja.
• Sakthan Thampuran - Ruler of Kingdom of Cochin during 1751-1805.
• Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma - Erstwhile king of Travancore and a great musician.
• Cheraman Perumal - Cheraman Perumal was the last king of undivided Kerala in the 7th century. He ruled for 36 years, and then abdicated the throne, and converted to Islam.

Independence Activists

• V.K. Krishna Menon - Toiled for India's Independence while he was in England. Great diplomat, orator, and former Defence Minister of India.
• Vakkom Majeed - Freedom fighter, former Member of Travancore-Cochin State Assembly.
• Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair - President of the Indian National Congress (1897 -1898).
• T.M. Varghese - Leader of Abstebtion Movement. Founder member of the Travancore State Congress. Minister of Travancore-Cochin.
• C. Kesavan
• U. Gopala Menon - Indian National Congress leader.
• Sir C. Madhavan Nair - Administrator during British Rule.
• K. Kelappan - Known as "Kerala Gandhi". Leader of the Payyannur Salt Satyagraha and the Guruvayur Satyagraha. He was also the founding President of Nair Service Society.
• K.P. Kesava Menon - Freedom fighter, Founder-Editor of the Mathrubhumi newspaper.
• A.V. Kuttimalu Amma - Freedom fighter.
• N.P. Nayar - Freedom fighter and former Administrator, Azad Hind Dal.
• Kallat Krishnan - Freedom fighter.
• M. Kanaran - Freedom fighter.
• C.H. Kanaran - Freedom fighter.
• Ammu Swaminathan - Freedom fighter.
• Lakshmi Sehgal - As Captain Lakshmi, commanded the Jhansi Rani Regiment of the INA under Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
• Velu Thampi Dalava - Fought the East India Company at a time they were grabbing power in princely states.
• Pazhassi Raja - Fought the British half a century before the first war of independence fought by the rest of India.
• Panampilli Govinda Menon - One of the early freedom fighters of the princely state of Cochin. Later, became a cabinet minister under Mrs. Indira Gandhi.
• Ammu Swaminathan - Freedom fighter.

Politicians

Arangil Sreedharan Former Cabinet Minister

• AK Sankara Menon Koyilandy - BJP Senior Leader, Freedom Fighter
• KP Sasikala teacher - Hindu aikya vedi State President
• Kummanam RajaSekharan - Viswa Hindu Parishath Leader
• T Suresh Marad - Hindu aikya vedi WState leader
• Krishna das - BJP present Kerala state president.
• O Rajagopal - Senior leader of BJP, Former Central Minister
• K.G.Marar - He was the president of B J P state committee.
• V.S. Achuthanandan - Current Chief Minister of Kerala. He was the secretary of CPI(M) state committee from 1980 to 1992 and Opposition leader of KLA from 1992 to 1996 and again from 2001 to 2006.
• K.R. Narayanan (1921 - 2005) - Former President of India.
• A.K. Antony - Chief Minister of Kerala during 1977-78, 1995-96, and 2001-2004. Leader of the Opposition in Kerala Legislative Assembly during 1996 to 2001. Current Defence Minister of India.
• A.K. Gopalan (AKG) - Communist party leader. First opposition leader in Indian Parliament. Father of Indian Coffee Houses AKG. One of the most popular among all the Left leaders in India. He died on March 21, 1977 at the age of 73.
• C.H. Mohammed Koya - Former Chief Minister of Kerala.
• K.C. Abraham - Former Governor of Andhra Pradesh, member of the first Kerala Legislative Assembly, and former Congress Working Committee Member.
• C. Kesavan - The Chief Minister of erstwhile state of Travancore-Cochin from 1951-52.
• Devan Nair - Former Head of the state of Singapore.
• Dr. P.C. Alexander - Former Governor of Tamil Nadu and Maharashra. Former High Commissioner to UK.
• E.K. Nayanar - Former Chief Minister of Kerala. Noted Communist leader.
• E.M.S. Namboodiripad - First Chief Minister of unified Kerala State. Headed the first elected communist government in the world. General Secretary of CPI(M) for many years.
• Joseph Mundassery - A prominent literary critic of Malayalam language. Education Minister in the first communist ministry of Kerala.
• K. Karunakaran - Former Kerala Chief Minister and Congress party leader.
• E. Ahmed - Minister of state for External Affairs, Govt. of India.
• Lakshmi N. Menon - First woman foreign minister of India (1957-1966).
• P. Krishna Pillai - founder of communist movement in Kerala.
• Mathai Manjooran (1912 - 1970) - A gallant freedom fighter, socialist revolutionary, member of the Indian Parliament, Labor Minister in the 2nd EMS communist ministry, and the staunchest advocate towards the formation of Kerala State.
• M.A. Baby - Leading leftist, present Education Minister.
• M.G. Ramachandran - Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
• Mohammed Abdurahiman Sahib - Freedom fighter and former KPCC President.
• M.P. Veerendrakumar - Writer, noted politician.
• Monce Joseph - The youngest minister in Kerala's present Left Democratic Front ministry.
• Oommen Chandy - Present Opposition leader of Kerala and former Chief Minister of the state.
• O. Rajagopal - First BJP leader from state to become a Union Minister.
• Paloli Mohammed Kutty - Minister for Local Govt.
• P.K. Kunhalikkutty - Former State Industries Minister, Secretary of Kerala State Committee of IUML.
• Pinarai Vijayan - CPI(M) Secretary, State Committee, Kerala and member of the Politburo.
• Prakash Karat - General Secretary, CPI(M) National Committee.
• P. J. Joseph - Kerala Congress (J) leader.
• R. Sankar - Former Chief Minister of Kerala.
• Sayeed Mohamedali Shihab Thangal - President of the Kerala state committee of the IUML.
• Vayalar Ravi - Kerala politician. Union cabinet minister.
• Ramesh Chennithala - President, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee. Former Lok Sabha MP.
• V.P. Menon - The right-hand man of Sardar Patel in the unification of princely states during the formation of the Indian Union.
• Cherian Philip - LDF leader and KTDC Chairman.
• V.N. Janaki - Served as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for a short duration following the death of her husband, M.G. Ramachandran.
• K.R Gowri - Founder of JSS. Was a leading leftist and the first revenue minister of Kerala.
• K.M. Mani - Leader of Kerala Congress (M) and former Law Minister.
• P.K. Vasudevan Nair - Former Chief Minister of Kerala. Noted CPI leader.
• Adoor Prakash Congress Leader in Pathanamthitta EX MInister MLA
• K Babu Congress Leader in Ernakulam MLA
• T K Ramakrishnan Well known Communist
• T K Divakaran Former RSP Leader
• R Shankar EX Chief Minister, EX SNDP General secretary
• K Pankajashan Former RSP General SEC
• Prof J Chandrachoodan RSP General SEC
• C Divakaran AITUC leader
• V K Rajan AITUC leader, MLA EX Minister
• V V Raghavan AITUC leader , MLA EX Minister, DEfeter K Karunakaran IN Parilament Election IN 1998
• Sarathchandra Prasad Congress Leader
• Vakkom Purushothaman Congress Leader
• Velliyam Bhargavan CPI Leader
• E Balandhan
• K R Gowri Amma
• C K Chandrappan
• C.V. Padmarajan
• E. Valsaraj Health Minister, Puducherry
• T.K.Madhavan

Writers

• Akkitham Achuthan Namboodiri - A famous Malayalam poet who is honored by the epithet 'Mahaakavi'. He won the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award for Malayalam in 1973. His famous poems include 'Irupatam Nuttantinte Ithihasam. Akkitham is associated with Tapasya _ a cultural organization.
• Anita Nair - Writer.
• Arundhati Roy - Writer, awarded the Booker Prize in 1997 for 'The God of Small Things', which is set in Kerala. Born in Kerala.
• Balachandran Chullikkadu - Poet admired for his realistic approach and hummable and rhythmic poems.
• Balamani Amma - Poet; won the highest literary medal in India, the Saraswathi Samman.
• Changampuzha Krishna Pillai (1911-1948) - Poet, author of the pastoral elegy 'Ramanan' (1936) which sold over 100,000 copies, a record that still stands. Changampuzha took Malayalam poetry to the zenith of romanticism.
• Dr. Kumari Chandrika B
• Cherusseri Namboodiri - Mahakavi (great poet), part of the old Kavithrayam (triad of poets), with Ezhuthachan and Kunchan Nambiar. Author of 'Krishnagaadha (The Song of Krishna)'.
• D. Vinayachandran - Poet.
• Fr. Thomas Kuzhinapurath - Writer in Malayalam and English. Published short stories in Malyalam.
• Gayatri - Wrter,Painter, art and literary critic
• Hameed Chennamangaloor - writer, progressive Muslim intellectual, critic of religious fundamentalism.
• Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan- Noted Malayalam Poet.
• Kamala Das - English poet and feminist, also wrote in Malayalam under the pen-name Madhavikkutty. First Indian woman to openly write about woman's sexuality. Embraced Islam under the name Kamala Suraiyya in 1999. Asian Poetry Prize, 1964, Kent Award, 1965.
• Kesari Balakrishna Pillai - Social thinker, Literary critic who influenced a generation of writers and other intellectuals in Kerala during the first half of 20th Century. The name of one of his book "Navalokam" (New World) is symbolical representative of his intellectual contributions. Kesari read and wrote about various subjects. He gave advice and guidance most of the second generation Malayalam writers including, Thakazhi, Basheer, Pottekkadu. Kesari published a newspaper "Kesari" by which name he is known later. Kesari translated many literary works directly from French to show examples of world Literature to then Malayali writers.
• Kumaran Asan - Mahaakavi (great poet), part of the new Kavithrayam, with Ulloor and Vallathol. Kumaran Asan was the follower of Srinarayana Guru. He used poetry to influence the society.
• Kalakkaththu Kunchan Nambiar - Mahaakavi (great poet), part of the old Kavithrayam. Founder of the art form Ottan Thullal.
• Kunjunni- Malayalam Poet
• N.S. Madhavan - Writer and civil servant.
• M. Krishnan Nair - Literary critic, whose column Sahithyavaraphalam has long served as a window to contem–porary world literature.
• M. Mukundan - Novelist, author of 'Mayyazhippuzhayude Theerangalil (On the Banks of Mayyazhi)' and 'Deyvathinte Vikruthikal (Pranks of God)'.
• Moothiringode Bhavathrāthan Namboothiripad - Author of the famous Aphante Makal. He was social reformer especially of the Namboothiri society.
• Moyinkutty Vaidyar - Great poet (Mahakavi), author of many authentic Mappila songs.
• M. P. Parameswaran - Scientist turned social activist, involved with Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad.
• M. T. Vasudevan Nair - Writer and cinema personality. Jnanpith Award, 1995.
• Niranam Poets - Three Great Malayali poets Madhava Panikkar, Sankara Panikkar and Rama Panikkar of the Kannassa family. They lived between AD 1350 and 1450 in the Niranam village of Tiruvalla
• Nitya Chaitanya Yati - Scholar, monk.
• O. Chandumenon - Author of the Malayalam novel 'Indulekha'. Also wrote the incomplete novel "Sharada".
• O. V. Vijayan - Novelist, cartoonist. Author of 'Khasakkinte Ithihaasam (The Legends of Khasak)' and 'Dharmapuranam (The Saga of Dharmapuri).
• P. Parameswaran - Renowned thinker. Director of Bharatiya Vichara Kendram and former President of Vivekanand Kendra, Kanyakumari. Also known as Parameswarji.
• P. K. Gopi- Poet.
• Paul, M.P. - Literary critic.
• Paul Zacharia - Writer.
• Poomulli Neelakandan Namboothiripad - An expert in arts and literature, Ayurveda, Kalari, Yoga and other performing arts from the famous Poomulli family.
• Poonthanam - Poet belonging to the Bhakti school.
• Raji Chandrasekhar - Poet, Medical Astrologer and Teacher.
• Shashi Tharoor - Novelist, Commonwealth Writers Prize, 1991; Under-Secretary-General (Communication and Public Information) of the United Nations.
• S. K. Pottekkatt (1913 - 1982) - A well-renowned author whose work 'Oru Desattinte Katha' (The Story of a Land) fetched him the Jnanpith award of 1980.
• Sukumar Azhikode - Thinker, teacher, critic and orator.
• Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai - Novelist and short story writer whose work Chemmeen was awarded Jnanpith Award in 1984.
• Thunchaththu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan - Architect of modern Malayalam. Mahakavi (great poet), part of the old Kavithrayam. Penned the most popular Malayalam renditions of Ramayana and Mahabharata.
• Ulloor S Parameswara Iyer - Poet, part of the new Kavithrayam. Author of 'Umakeralam'.
• Vaikom Muhammad Basheer - Writer, philosopher.
• Vakkom Abdul Khader Moulavi - Publisher of the legendary publication Swadeshabhimani, social reformer, and a prominent leader of the progressive Islahi Movement in Kerala.
• Vallathol Narayana Menon - Mahaakavi, part of the new Kavithrayam. Author of 'Sahithyamanjari'. Founder of Kerala Kalamandalam, the state's flagship institution for the promotion of performing arts.
• Vayalar Ramavarma - Arguably the greatest lyricist in the history of Malayalam cinema.
• Vayalar Sarath Chandra varma - noted young Malayalam film lyricist.
• Vijayan, M. N - Thinker, writer, literary critic, social activist. Most of his works are compilation of speeches.
• Vyloppilli Sreedhara Menon (1911-1985)- Famous Malayalam poet.
• Yusuf Ali Kechery- Poet.
• Moncy Pothen - English Novelist
• Venu V Desom - Poet.

Business and Commerce

• PNC Menon - Founder of Sobha developers and first malayalee in the Forbe's billionaires list
• Rajan Pillai - Singapore based malayalee industrialist who produced Britania biscuits. Died in a jail in New Delhi.

Journalists

• R Gopal Krishna (RGK)- Journalist and Columnist with The Times of India and The Illustrated Weekly of India
• Rohit Viswanath- CNN Young Journalist of the Year 2006 . Editorial Page writer with The Times of India.
• C Gauridasan Nair- Noted political analyst , media critic and Special Correspondent of The Hindu
• TN Gopakumar
• Sunnykutty Abraham- COO and Chief News Editor of [Jaihind TV ] and noted political analyst
• Johnny Lukose- COO of Manorama News
• B Murali
• Dr. Sebastian Paul- Media critic.
• John Brittas- Managing Director of Kairali TV and People TV.
• K. C. Mammen Mappillai- Founder of Malayala Manorama.
• K. C. Narayanan- Editor-in-Charge of Bhashaposhini.
• K. Jayachandran- Noted Journalist who highlighted the problems of Adivasis.
• K. M. Mathew- Chief Editor of Malayala Manorama.
• K. M. Roy- Noted Journalist.
• K. Raveendran Noted business journalist and Dubai-based columnist
• K. P. Mohanan- Managing Editor of Asianet.
• N. P. Chandrasekharan- Executive Editor of Kairali TV and People TV.
• Ashraf Padanna
• Prabhavarma- Director (News and Current Affairs) of Kairali TV and People TV.
• V. K. Madhavankutty- Noted Journalist.
• Victor George- A talented press Photographer who was buried alive by a landslide caused by the torrential rains in July 2002.
• R.Gopikrishnan-Noted Journalist.Deputy Editor and Unit head of Kerala Kaumudi at Kochi.Formerly worked with the Deepika and Mangalam.
• Dr. Krishna Kishore - USA based television anchor; host of Asianet's 'America Today' and noted television news correspondent

Arts & Film

• K. J. Yesudas - Great classical musician and play back singer.
• Jijo Punnose - Film Director - Navodaya Films - Maker of first 70mm film in malayalam "padayottam"/ 3D film in india " My dear Kuttichathan" - National / State Award Winner
• Appachan - Film Producer- Navodaya Films
• Mohanlal - Considered one of the Best actors in India and Winner of the national award for Best Actor in 1992 (Bharatham) and 2000 (Vaanaprastham).
• Mammootty - Considered one of the best actors in India. Three time winner of the national award for Best Actor.
• V. Dakshinamoorthy - Carnatic Music exponent and one of the greatest Malayalam Music Directors who produced some of the best melodies of all times with a classical touch .
• Raveendran - Famous music director.
• Alex Paul - Music Director
• Adoor Gopalakrishnan - Internationally acclaimed director. Movies include Elipathayam (The Mousetrap) and Mathilukal (Walls).
• G. Aravindan - Noted film director and cartoonist. Movies include Kanchana Seeta, Kummatty (Bogeyman) and Chidambaram. His cartoon strip series 'Valiya lokavum Cheriya manushyarum' was very popular.
• KP Kumaran - Film Maker
• G. Devarajan - Famous music director.
• P. Padmarajan (1945-1991)- popular film director, affectionately known a 'Pappan' whose films often blurred the line between artistic and commercial cinema.
• John Abraham Bollywood actor and model. His father is a Malayalee and mother a Parsi.
• Gopal Menon - Documentary filmmaker
• Bharathan- popular film maker
• Naveen Andrews - British Actor. Parents are Malayali.
• K. S. Chithra - Renowned playback singer and winner of several state and national awards.
• Unni Menon - Renowned Playback singer and multiple Tamil State Award winner.
• K. G. Markkose- Singer.
• Rajeev Kumar TK - Film Director / Writer - National Award Winner
• Kozhikode Abdul Kader - Abdul Kader made his debut as a playback singer in Malayalam films in 1951 in the film `Navalokam.' The 'Malabar Saigal' died on February 13, 1977.
• M. Night Shyamalan - Hollywood film director.
• Kavya Madhavan- Malayalm Film Actress.
• Meera Jasmine- Popular South Indian Film Actress.
• M. G. Sreekumar - Playback singer.
• M. T. Vasudevan Nair - Writer and cinema personality. Jnanpith Award, 1995.
• Nedumudi Venu - One of the greatest actors of Malayalam Cinema.
• Asin-Tamil and Bollywood actress
• Padma Kutty - Padma Kutty is a Carnatic Music teacher in Southern California; many people, under her guidance, performed their Arangetrams (the first performance given by a performer before an invited audience) with flying colors.
• Sreenivas - Play back Singer / Music Director - Kerala / Tamilnadu State Award Winner
• Tomin Thachenkary- Deovtional Christian music producer and IPS officer."
• Pradip Somasundaran- Playback singer who did Kerala Proud by winning "Lata Mangeshkar Trophy" in "Meri Awaz Suno" in 1996.
• Prem Naseer - The former evergreen hero of Malayalam cinema.
• Rimi Tomi- Playback singer, heart-throb of youth.
• Shaji N. Karun - Noted director, whose movies include Piravi (Birth), Swam and Vaanaprastham.
• Shobana - Actress and Bharatanatyam dancer. Two-time National award winner.
• Sujatha- Famous playback singer.
• Thilakan - One of the greatest actors of Malayalam Cinema.
• Vayalar Ramavarma - Arguably the greatest lyricist in the history of Malayalam cinema.
• Madhu - Actor
• Adithya - Actor
• Divya Palat--Theatre personality, actor
• Shweta Menon--Actor
• Shaji Kylas - Action film director
• Kannur Rajan - Music composer
• Thikkurussi Sukumaran Nair - Actor
• Kay Kay Menon--Actor
• K.K--K Krishnakumar Menon--One of the best Playback Singers of India today
• Navya Nair--Noted Actress
• Dileep -- Malayalam movie hero
• Vayalar Sarath Chandra Varma -- lyricist in Malayalam cinema, son of Vayalar Rama Varma
• Arya -- Tamil http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arya_(actor)]
• Shishir Kurup American TV actor
• Avanni --Malayalam Film & Serial Artist.
• Ranjini Haridas - Leading model & Television anchor
• MGR - M.G.Ramachandran Nair - Famous Tamil Actor. Parents are Malayali.
• GOPI (Bharath Gopi) - Famous Film, Drama Producer, Director and Actor.He died on on 29th January 2008.
• Krishna Kishore -- USA based television anchor and news presnter for Asianet
• Kaviyoor Ponnamma - one of the Best actoress in India
• K.P.A.S.C. Lalita - one of the Best actoress in India
• Madhu Balakrishnan - Famous south Indian Play back singer
• Franco - Playback singer

Artists, Painters, Sculptors

Painters

• Raja Raja Varma - painter.
• Raja Ravi Varma - World known painter.
• K.C.S Paniker - Painter, founder of Cholamandal Artists' Village.
• T. K. Padmini - Painter
• Madhavamenon - Painter
• A.Ramachandran - World known painter.
• C. N. Karunakaran - Painter, Chairman of Kerala Lalitakala Academi
• Akkitham Narayanan - Painter, settled in Paris. Brother of famous poet Akkitham Achuthan Namboodiri
• Balan Nair - Painter
• V. S. Valiathan - Artist, Raja Ravivarma award winner.
• B.D.Dathan - Painter
• Gayatri- Worldly known Painter ,Art critic.Conducted many solo shows all over the country,won many national and international awards.

Cartoonists

• Abu Abraham - Cartoonist, worked for The Guardian and The Observer.
• Cartoonist Shankar (1902 - 1989) -Renowned Indian Political Cartoonist
• K S Pillai ( 1919 - 1978 ) - Famous versatile political cartoonist ( Deshabandhu, Malayala Manorama, Sarasan, Narmada)
• O.V.Vijayan Cartoonist,Writer.
• Unni - Cartoonist,
• Cartoonist Thomas Cartoonist,Film producer.
• Kutty - Worked in many Indian journals including Hindustan Times
• P. K. Manthri- Artist, Cartoonist.
• Gopikrishnan- Cartoonist.
• Toms - The creator of the cartoon characters Boban and Molly.
• Yesudasan - Famous Kerala Cartoonist. Staff Cartoonist Malayala Manorama

Illustrators

• Baiju Paulose--Arist Illustrator Malayala Manorama
• A. S.-(A.Sivaraman nair)-Artist Illustrator.
• Namboodiri--Artist Illustrator.
• Madanan--Artist Illustrator.

• Tom J Vattakkuzhi--Artist Illustrator.
• Bhaskaran--Artist Illustrator.
• Baburajan--Artist Illustrator.

Others

• A.R.Raja Raja Varma - Linguist and grammarian known as the Kerala Panini.
• Latha Kurien Rajeev - Art Historian / Curator / Gallerist - www.gallery360india.com
• Robin Mathew - Painter, Poet, Writer, Philosopher, Entertainer, & Reformist within America
• Sekar Ayyanthole - Painter, art teacher, former president of Kerala Chithrakala Parishath
• Kanayi Kunhiraman - Sculptor.
• M. V. Devan- Artist, Writer.
• Yusuf Arakkal - Bangalore based painter.

Social reformers

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

Sports

• Anju George - The only Indian to win a medal at the World Athletics Championships.
• T. C. Yohannan - Longjump gold in the 1974 Asian Games.
• I. M. Vijayan - One of the leading Indian football players of modern times. Indian Player of the Year in 1992, 1997 and 1999.
• Jimmy George - Legendary volleyball player.
• Cyril Valloor - Legendary volleyball player and captain of the 1986 Indian team that won the bronze medal in Asian games.
• Joby Joseph - Indian volleyball player.
• Tom Joseph - Indian volleyball player.
• P. T. Usha - One of India's greatest athletes, who missed out on a bronze medal by 0.01 seconds in the 400 m hurdles event in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
• Tinu Yohannan - Former Indian cricket team player.
• Sreesanth - Indian cricket player.
• Shiny Wilson - One of the best middle-distance runners India has ever seen.
• Abey Kuruvilla - Indian cricket player.
• M. D. Valsamma - 400m hurdles gold medal in the 1982 Asian Games.

Spiritual leaders

• Adi Sankara (788 - 820) - Saint, poet, philosopher and reviver of Hinduism in India. Propounded the doctrine of Advaita (non-duality), which identified the Supreme with the Self. He is revered as the Shankaracharya.
• Archbishop Mar Ivanios
• Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios
• Sri Narayana Guru - One of the greatest saints and social reformers Kerala has seen. Was instrumental in uplifting the downtrodden masses of Kerala from spiritual and social oppression.
• Sister Alphonsa - First female saint from India will be canonised soon.
• Fr. Chavara Kuriakose - A Christian saint of Kerala. The yeoman service rendered by him led to the growth of the C.M.I. (Carmelites of Mary Immaculate) Congregation.
• K.V. Simon - Famous Christian preacher, poet & Christian Classical Music writer
• H.H Baselios Marthoma Didymos I Catholicose of All the East and Malankara Metrolitan- Spiritual Leader of Indian Orthodox Christians.
• M.E. Cherian - A famous Christian preacher, writer & Poet
• Amritanandamayi - Renowned spiritualist from Kerala whose charisma has won her followers from around the world.
• Swami Chinamayananda - Founder, Chinmaya Mission
• Karunakara Guru- Founder of Santhigiri Ashramam.
• Sadhu Kochu Kunju Upadesi Famous Christian preacher and poet.

Bureaucrats

• K. P. S. Menon - Diplomat who served as Indian Ambassador to China and USSR. He was the head of India's mission in Moscow when Jawaharlal Nehru visited Soviet Union in early fifties, opening a long chapter of friendship between the two countries.
• John Mathai - Economist who served as India's first Railway Minister and subsequently as India's Finance Minister, taking office shortly after the presentation of India's first Budget, in 1948.
• P.C. Alexander - Former governor of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu and a former Indian civil servant. He served as governor of Tamil Nadu from 1988 to 1990, and governor of Maharashtra from 1993 to 2002.
• N. R. Pillai - Secretary-General, Ministry of External Affairs, in Jawarhalal Nehru's cabinet.
• Kavalam Madhava Panikkar - Was Home Secretary when Sardar Patel was the Home Minister. Had a successful career as Ambassador to different countries, including China. Authored many books.
• T.N.Seshan

Co-operators

• Advocate T. K. Krishnan- Cofounder of Indian Coffee Houses in Kerala. Founder President of ICH Societeies in Thrissur and Palakkad. Communist Leader, prominent advocate and Former M.L.A.
• Nadakkal Parameswaran Pillai or Coffee House Pillai- Cofounder of Indian Coffee Houses in Kerala. Founder Secretary of ICH Societeies in Thrissur and Palakkad. Chairman of the All India Federation of Coffee Board Workers Co-operative Societies. Author of Coffee Housinte Katha, the history of ICH Movement.

Jurists

• V.R. Krishna Iyer - Former Judge Supreme Court of India, politican, and social worker.
• K.K. Mathew - Former Judge of the Supreme Court of India, Tenth Law Commission Chairman, and later Chairman of the Second Press Commission.
• K. G. Balakrishnan - 37th Chief Justice of India. The only Malayali to head the Supreme Court of India.

Performing Artists

• Padma Shri Mani Madhava Chakyar (1989 - 1991) -World renowned Koodiyattam and Chakyar Koothu artist, Natya Shastra scholar and authority of Acting.
• Gopinath Muthukad - Noted magician.
• Kalamandalam Hyderali - Kathakali singer.
• Kalamandalam Gopi- Renowned Kathakali Artist.
• Keeleri Kunhikkannan, the great circus acharya of Kerala established the first circus institute in Kerala (1901).
• Kottakkal Sivaraman- Renowned Kathakali Artist.
• Mrinalini Sarabhai - Famous danseuse. She is the wife of late Indian physicist, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, mother of Mallika Sarabhai, and sister of Captain Lakshmi.
• Kim Thayil famous guitarist of 90's vanguard grunge band Soundgarden.

Science, Technology

• Laurie Baker - Eco-friendly architect and engineer.
• K. Mani Chandy, Ph.D. - Simon Ramo Chair Professor and Professor of Computer Science, California Institute of Technology. Member of the United States National Academy of Engineering. Dr. Chandy's family has its roots in Mepral, Pathanamthitta District.
• Jyeshtadeva - Mathematician; author of Yuktibasa, the world's first treatise on calculus
• Santhosh George Kulangara could soon become the country’s first space tourist by Global space tour operator Virgin Galactic, a venture of Sir Richard Branson of Virgin Atlantic
• Madhava of Sangamagrama - A 14th century mathematician, founder of mathematical analysis.
• M. G. K. Menon - Renowned cosmic ray physicist; Was Director of Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. Later became Union Minister for Science and Technology.
• George Sudarsan - Renowned theoretical physicist; Emeritus professor at University of Texas. Nominated for the Nobel prize a number of times. First to propose the V-A Theory with Robert Marshak in the 1950s.
• C.V.Sundaram - Renowned metallurgist; Made extensive original contributions in the field of process metallurgy; Was Director, Indira Gandhi Center for Atomic Research (IGCAR).
• Aasis Vinayak - Program language designer, Researcher
• G. Madhavan Nair - Chairman of ISRO. He is from Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu State.

Medicine

• Dr Thomas Thomas - The first Indian Cardio-Thoracic surgeon.

Law enforcement

• Jayaram Padikkal - Director General of Police (DGP) Retd.
• B. Sandhya- Police Officer.

Academic persons

• Sardar K.M. Panikkar - Eminent historian. India's first ambassador to China.
• K. N. Raj - Economist who played a key role in India's first Five Year Plan, one of the founding fathers of the Delhi School of Economics.

Activists

• C. K. Janu - Tribal leader.
• Nawab Rajendran - Social activist who stirred the conscience of the society for three decades.