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

File:Ayilyam thirunal.jpg

Sir Rama Varma, Maharajah Ayilyam Thirunal GCSI, CIE

File:Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, last ruling maharaja of Travancore.jpg

Maharaja Chithira Thirunal of Travancore, wearing the mantle of a Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire

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

Business and Commerce

Reji Abraham - Managing Director of ABAN Group of Companies
Kris Gopalakrishnan - Current CEO and Co-founder of Infosys Technologies.
S. D. Shibulal - Current COO and Co-founder of Infosys Technologies.
TPG Nambiar - Founder of British Physical Laboratories Group
Thakiyudeen Abdul Wahid - Owner of East West Airlines
K.M. Mammen Mappilai - Founder of MRF Tyres & Manorama publications.
Capt.C. P. Krishnan Nair - Founder of the Leela Group of Hotels.
PNC Menon - Founder of Sobha developers.
Ravi Puravankara - Chief of real estate giant Puravankara Builders.
Ravi Pillai - Managing Director of Nasser S Al-Hajri Corporation & Gulf Asia.
Rajan Pillai - Singapore based industrialist who founded Britannia.
Kochouseph Chittilappilly - Managing Director of V Guard Industries Ltd.
M.A. Yusuf Ali - Founder of EMKE Group, Lulu Hypermarkets and Supermarkets.
Reji Menon - Founder director of Asianet, First TV Channel from Kerala. He is a Russian Based Business man
Dr Rajendran V - Founder Chairman of Capstocks and Securities (India) Pvt Ltd

Government

Chiefs of Civil Services of India

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

Civil servants

Gopal Krishna Pillai - Current Home Secretary of India.
Shivshankar Menon - Current National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of India.
T. K. A. Nair - Current Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India.
Nirupama Rao - Current Foreign Secretary of India.
Letika Saran - Current Director General of Police of Tamil Nadu.
Shashi Tharoor - Former United Nations Under Secretary General and former Minister of State for External Affairs of India.
Gen. Satish Nambiar - Former Head of Mission of the United Nations Protection Force.
R.B. Sreekumar - Former Director General of Police of Gujarat.
K. P. S. Menon - Former Indian Ambassador to China and USSR.
John Mathai - First Railway Minister of the Republic of India.
P.C. Alexander - Former Governor of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu; former Indian civil servant.
Moorkoth Ramunni - First Fighter Pilot from Kerala. He gained IPS after retiring from Air Force.
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.
K P S Menon Jr. - Foreign Secretary.His father, KPS Menon was independent India's first Foreign Secy.
E. Sreedharan - MD Delhi Metro Corp, Former CMD Konkan Railways
P.V.Sathyan famous foot baller
Peter Varghese - Australian ambassador to India.

Politicians

KR Narayanan, Former (10th) President of India

A.K. Antony - Current Union Cabinet Minister for Defence of India.
Vayalar Ravi - Current Union Cabinet Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs of India and Minister of Civil Aviation.
K C Venugopal - Current Minister of State for Power.
Mahathir bin Mohamad - Former Prime Minister of Malaysia.^[1]
Devan Nair - Former President of Singapore.
K.R. Narayanan (1921–2005) - Former President of India.
V. K. Krishna Menon - First Union Cabinet Minister for Defence of Republic of India.
Joseph Mundassery (1903–77): Literary Critic and Social Reformer (First Education Minister of Kerala).
Sebastian Edathy - German Parliament Member and Politician
C.P.Mathen(1890–1960) Member of Parliament from Mavelikara Constituency to the first Lok Sabha(1952), ,Indian Ambassador to the Sudan -1957 .
Lakshmi N. Menon - First woman foreign minister of India (1957–1966).
E. Ahamed - Former Minister of state for External Affairs, Govt. of India, current minister of state for railways.
Mullappally Ramachandran - Minister of state for Home.
O. Rajagopal - First BJP leader from state to become a Union Minister. Minister of state for railways in Vajpayees ministry.
C. Achutha Menon-Former Kerala Chief Minister and noted Communist leader. He established the first public sector electronic corporate company, Keltron in India in 1974. Also, the world renowned Sri Chithira institute(Sri chithira heart valve is the product of this institute), Cochin university of science and technology, Kerala agriculture university etc. was Mr.Menons contributions. He established the first technopark of India in Thiruvananthapuram.
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. Member of Legislative Assembly during 1996 to 2001.
A.K. Gopalan (AKG) - Communist party leader. First opposition leader in Indian Parliament. Father of Indian Coffee Houses AKG.
K.Damodaran- One of the founders of communist movement in Kerala.
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.
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.
P. Krishna Pillai - founder of communist movement in Kerala.
Azhikodan Raghavan was Communist Party Leader 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.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.
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.
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.
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 Amma - Founder of JSS. Was a leading leftist and the first revenue minister of Kerala.
K.M. Mani - Leader of Kerala Congress (M) and former Minister.
P.K. Vasudevan Nair - Former Chief Minister of Kerala. Noted CPI leader.
Dr. George Thomas, Former MLA and publisher^[2]

Academia

Scientists and Technocrats

Ancient Period

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

Modern Day

E. Sreedharan - Indian technocrat, M.D. of Delhi Metro, Chairman of Konkan Railway Project.
G. Balakrish Nair - Indian microbiologist. Presently, Director of National Institute of Cholera & Enteric Diseases (NICED, ICMR), Kolkata, India.
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. Two American scientists later won nobel price based on the theories formed by Sudarshan.
George Varghese - Professor of Computer Science at the University of California San Diego
G. Madhavan Nair - Former chairman of ISRO.
G. N. Ramachandran - Indian Biophysicist, known for Ramachandran plot.
Jai Menon - IBM scientist in the field of data storage
K. C. Sreedharan Pillai - Indian mathematician.
K. Mani Chandy - Simon Ramo Chair Professor and Professor of Computer Science, California Institute of Technology. Member of the United States National Academy of Engineering.
K. Radhakrishnan - Chairman of ISRO.
K.T.Jacob - Plant-Geneticist, Took over the work of Sir. Jagadish Chandra Bose.
Laurie Baker - Eco-friendly architect and engineer.
Manoj M. Prabhakaran - Computer Scientist working in the field of Cryptography at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Mathai Varghese - Professor of Mathematics at University of Adelaide.
M. G. K. Menon - Mambalikalathyl Govindan Kumar Menon, physicis who worked in the field of Cosmic Rays and as Director of Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. Later became Union Minister for Science and Technology.
P. K. Venugopalan Nambiar - Indian agricultural scientist credited with the development of the first hybrid variety of black pepper in the world.
P. N. Vinayachandran - Associate Professor of Oceanography at the Centre for Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. He was the recipient of the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award in 2008.
Sreelakshmi Suresh. She is the youngest award winning web designer and youngest CEO.
Pulickel Ajayan - Benjamin M. and Mary Greenwood Anderson Professor in Engineering at Rice University
Rajesh Gopakumar - String theorist at Harish-Chandra Research Institute, Allahabad. He was the recipient of the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award in 2009 and the ICTP Prize in 2006.
Remi Chandran - UN researcher renown for his work on Wildlife Enforcement Monitoring System Project.
Sarada G. Rajeev - Professor of Physics, University of Rochester.
S. Venkateswaran, Professor Emeritus of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science at UCLA.^[3]
Thanu Padmanabhan - Distinguished Professor at the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics
Thekkethil Kochandy Alex - Director ISRO Satellite Centre , Major contributions to Chandrayaan-1 mission.
Thomas Kailath - Hitachi America Professor of Engineering, Emeritus, at Stanford University.
Thomas Zacharia - Computer Scientist and Deputy Laboratory Director at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Vasundara Varadan - Billingsley Chair and Distinguished Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Arkansas.
V.Parameswaran Nair - Professor of Physics, City College of the CUNY.
T. Pradeep - Professor of Chemistry, Chennai.

Academic people, thinkers and faculty

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.
K. R. Narayanan President of India and Vice-Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University
Father V.C. Samuel World renowned theologian, historian, author and multilinguist. First Keralite of highest academic pursuit (B.A. ph, M.A. ph, B.D. th, S.T.M. th, PhD - Yale University, Post Doctoral Research Scholar - University of Chicago, Rockefeller Fellow). First Keralite became principal of a foreign university (Haili Salasi U. Addis Ababa)

Medical Sciences

Dr Thomas Thomas - The first Indian Cardio-Thoracic surgeon.
M. Krishnan Nair - Leading oncologist
Mani Menon, Eminent Surgeon [Detroit, U.S.A.]
M. S. Valiathan, Cardiac surgeon, Former Vice Chancellor, Manipal University.
R. Kesavan Nair - Renowned surgeon
John A. Kalapurakal - Associate professor, Radiation Oncology and Neurosurgery, Northwestern University.
K.S.Nair - Professor of Medicine, Mayo Clinic.

Social Changers

Independence Activists

Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair KCIE, Former President of Indian National Congress

Mohammed Abdurahiman Sahib - Freedom fighter and former KPCC President.
V.K. Krishna Menon - Toiled for India's Independence while he was in England. 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, Thandaneth - 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.
K.P. Kuttikrishnan Nair - Popularly known as Kuttiettan - he was the prominent leader of the Trade Union Movement in India. Former KPCC Vice President, AICC Secretary, Home Minister of Madras Presidency and Member of Parliament.
A. K. Gopalan - Independence activist from North Malabar region and founder leader of the Communist Party of India.
A.V. Kuttimalu Amma - Freedom fighter.
N.P. Nayar - Freedom fighter and former Administrator, Azad Hind Dal.
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 - King of Kottayam Dynasty in North Malabar who fought the British half a century before the first war of independence fought by the rest of India.
Panampilly 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.
Nettur. P. Damodaran- Eminent freedom fighter, social worker, author and member of Parliament from Tellichery constituency,
Moidu Moulavi - Freedom Fighter and leader of Indian National Congress.

Social reformers

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

Religion and Spirituality

Spiritual leaders

File:Saint Alphonsa birth centenary commemorative coin.JPG

Saint Alphonsa Muttathupadathu, First Indian catholic human being and nun to be ever canonized saint by Pope Benedict XVI

File:Swami Sathyananda Saraswathi.jpg

Swami Sathyananda Saraswathi, Founder of Hindu Aikya Vedi

Chattampi Swamikal-Mystic Saint
Brahmasree Neelakanta Gurupadar (1898–1965)-Mystic Saint and recluse
Sree Narayana Gurudevan-One of the greatest saints and social reformers Kerala has seen. Was instrumental in uplifting the downtrodden masses of Kerala from social oppression and forced conversion by proselytizing religions.Founder of Sivagiri Mutt
Jagadguru Swami Sathyananda Saraswathi(1935–2006)-Disciple of Brahmasree Neelakanta Gurupadar and founder of Sree Rama Dasa Mission,Fouder Chairman of Hindu Aikya Vedi(Hindu Unity Forum with representation from every folds and schools of Hinduism reckoned by Hindus as the greatest karmayogi to uphold Sanatana Dharma since Swami Vivekananda.
Swami Tapovan Maharaj
Swami Abhedananda Bharati -Disciple of Chattampi Swamikal,Bhaktiyogi and founder of Abhedashramam Mahamanthralayam
Swami Ranganathananda
St. Gheevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala - Canonized Spiritual Leader of Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church.
St. Athanasius Paulose - A Christian Saint from Kerala, who was the former Malankara Metropolitan and entombed at Thrikkunnathu Seminar, Aluva, Kerala, and canonized by Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas.
St. Coorilos Paulose - Former Malankara Metropolitan of Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, canonized by Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas.
Archbishop Mar Ivanios
Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios
Catholicos Baselios Paulose II - Former Catholicos of the East of Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church in India and entombed at Malecuriz Dayaro in Ernakulam District, Kerala.
Sister Alphonsa - First female saint from India. On Sunday, 12 October 2008, Pope Benedict XVI announced her canonization at a ceremony at St Peter's Square.
H.H Baselios Marthoma Didymos I Catholicose of All the East and Malankara Metrolitan- Spiritual Leader of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Christians in Kerala.
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.
Fr.Varghese Palakkappillil (Payyappilly) - A Christian saint from Kerala. He was declared Servant of God on 6 September 2009. He founded the Congregation of the Sisters of the Destitute.
H.B Catholicos Dr. Baselios Thomas I, Catholicos of India - Spiritual Leader of Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church in India.
Amritanandamayi - Renowned spiritualist from Kerala whose charisma has won her followers from around the world.
Swami Chinamayananda - Founder, Chinmaya Mission
H.H Arch Bishop Philippose Mar Chrysostem - The Malankara Marthoma Metropolitan - Spiritual leader of Marthoma Syrian Christians in India and around the World.
Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha, Spiritual Leader and the Founder of Narayanashrama Tapovanam

Literature and Writing

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.
Kandathil Varughese Mappillai Writer and poet
Anita Nair - Writer.
Arundhati Roy - Writer, awarded the Booker Prize in 1997 for 'The God of Small Things', which is set in Kerala.//
Balachandran Chullikkadu - Poet admired for his realistic approach and hummable and rhythmic poems.
Balamani Amma - Poet; won the literary medal in India, the Saraswathi Samman.
Changampuzha Krishna Pillai (1911–1948) - Poet, author of the pastoral elegy 'Ramanan' (1936) which sold over 100,000 copies, a record that still stands. Changampuzha took Malayalam poetry to the zenith of romanticism.
Cherusseri Namboothiri - Mahakavi (great poet), part of the old Kavithrayam (triad of poets), with Ezhuthachan and Kunchan Nambiar. Author of 'Krishnagaadha (The Song of Krishna)'.
K.V.Dominic - Indian English poet, critic, editor and short story writer .
D. Vinayachandran - Poet.
Gayatri - Wrter, Painter, art and literary critic
Hameed Chennamangaloor - writer, progressive Muslim intellectual, critic of religious fundamentalism.
Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan- Noted Malayalam Poet.
Kamala Das - English poet and novalist, 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)'.
George Menachery - Historian, Editor of The St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India, Ed., The Indian Church History Classics (The Nazranies).
Moothiringode Bhavathrāthan Namboothiripad - Author of the famous Aphante Makal. He was social reformer especially of the Namboothiri society.
Moyinkutty Vaidyar - Great poet (Mahakavi), author of many authentic Mappila songs.
M. P. Parameswaran - Scientist turned social activist, involved with Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad.
M. G. Ramachandran - famously known as MGR chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
M. T. Vasudevan Nair - Writer and cinema personality. Jnanpith Award, 1995.
Niranam Poets - Three Great Malayali poets Madhava Panikkar, Sankara Panikkar and Rama Panikkar of the Kannassa family. They lived between AD 1350 and 1450 in the Niranam village of Tiruvalla
Nitya Chaitanya Yati - Scholar, monk.
O. Chandumenon - Author of the Malayalam novel 'Indulekha'. Also wrote the incomplete novel "Sharada".
O. V. Vijayan - Novelist, cartoonist. Author of 'Khasakkinte Ithihaasam (The Legends of Khasak)' and 'Dharmapuranam (The Saga of Dharmapuri).
O. N. V. Kurup
P. Parameswaran - Renowned thinker. Director of Bharatiya Vichara Kendram and former President of Vivekanand Kendra, Kanyakumari. Also known as Parameswarji.
P. K. Gopi- Poet.
Paul, M.P. - Literary critic.
Paul Zacharia - Writer.
Poonthanam - Poet belonging to the Bhakti school.
Sara Joseph - Writer, Novelist, Sahitya Academy winner.
Shashi Tharoor - Novelist, Commonwealth Writers Prize, 1991; previous Under-Secretary-General (Communication and Public Information) of the United Nations, Deputy Minister of External affairs.
S. K. Pottekkatt (1913–1982) - A well-renowned author whose work 'Oru Desattinte Katha' (The Story of a Land) fetched him the Jnanpith award of 1980.
Sukumar Azhikode - Thinker, teacher, critic and orator.
Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai - Novelist and short story writer whose work Chemmeen was awarded Jnanpith Award in 1984.
Thirunalloor Karunakaran- Renowned poet, scholar, teacher and leftist intellectual
Thunchaththu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan - Architect of modern Malayalam. Mahakavi (great poet), part of the old Kavithrayam. Penned the most popular Malayalam renditions of Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Ulloor S Parameswara Iyer - Poet, part of the new Kavithrayam. Author of 'Umakeralam'.
Uroob - Writer, Novelist, Sahitya Academy winner ,Written screen play for Neelakuyil which was the first malayalam movie with a social outlook & won president of India's silver medal.
G.S.UnnikrishnanNair-Science Writer,children's Writer,winner of national science communication award,Bhima Balasahithya Award and State Science Literature Award.Author of 'Ottakangal Paranja Katha'
Vaikom Muhammad Basheer - Writer, philosopher.
Vakkom Abdul Khader Moulavi - Publisher of the legendary publication Swadeshabhimani, social reformer, and a prominent leader of the progressive Islahi Movement in Kerala.
Vallathol Narayana Menon - Mahaakavi, part of the new Kavithrayam. Author of 'Sahithyamanjari'. Founder of Kerala Kalamandalam, the state's flagship institution for the promotion of performing arts.
Vayalar Ramavarma - Arguably the greatest lyricist in the history of Malayalam cinema.
Vayalar Sarath Chandra varma - noted young Malayalam film lyricist.
Vijayan, M. N - Thinker, writer, literary critic, social activist. Most of his works are compilation of speeches.
Vrindavanam Venugopalan - Writer, Journalist and Educationist,
Vyloppilli Sreedhara Menon (1911–1985)- Famous Malayalam poet.
Yusuf Ali Kechery- Poet.

Journalists

Rohit Viswanath- CNN Young Journalist of the Year 2006.^[4] Editorial Page writer with The Times of India.
T. N. Gopakumar
Vinitha Nair - ABC newsreader.
Nisha Pillai -BBC newsreader
Sunnykutty Abraham- COO and Chief News Editor of Jaihind TV and noted political analyst
Dr. Sebastian Paul- Media critic.
John Brittas- Managing Director of Kairali TV and People TV.
K. C. Mammen Mappillai- Founder of Malayala Manorama.
K. M. Mathew- Chief Editor of Malayala Manorama.
K. M. Roy- Noted Journalist.
V. K. Madhavan Kutty - Former Editor of the Malayalam daily, Mathrubhumi, and a founder director of satellite channel Asianet
Binoy Job - Former Group Deputy Editor of NDTV- New Delhi Television, and a founder Editor of Development Channel, currently Director Media and Communication to Indian Prime Minister
O. Abdurahman-Editor-in-charge of Madhyamam
K. Raveendran Noted business journalist and Dubai-based columnist

Film and Media

Actress

Priyanka Chopra- popular bollywood actress, mother is malayalee
Vidya Balan- popular bollywood actress, father is malayalee
Malaika Arora Khan-former VJ,actress; her mother is malayalee
Amrita Arora- sister of malaika, actress, former VJ
Ravi Menon- Tamil director
Oviya- Tamil actress
Amala Paul/Anaka(credited in Tamil)- Tamil and Malayalam Actress/model
Madhu - Actor
Urvashi - Famous Actress.
Meera Jasmine - Popular South Indian Film Actress.
Monisha Unni - Famous Actress.
Manju Warrier - Malayalam Film Actress.
Kavya Madhavan- Famous Malayalm Film Actress.
Priyamani- Popular South Indian Film Actress.
Asin-Malayalam, Tamil and Bollywood actress
Shweta Menon--Popular South Indian Film Actress.
Navya Nair--Noted Actress
Kaviyoor Ponnamma - Famous actress.
K. P. A. C. Lalitha - Famous actress.
nayantara -popular actress in Tamil, and Telugu.
Sudha chandran- actress in malayalam and Hindi fims more recently into Hindi serials.
Kaveri (actress) - famous actress of Malayalam; known as Kalyani in Tamil,Telugu and Kannada
Ananya -Tamil and Malayalam actress of "Nadodigal" fame.
Abhinaya (actress) - Model/Tamil actress.

Actor

File:John Abraham 2007 - still 18374 crop.jpg

John Abraham, Bollywood Actor

File:Mohanlal 2007.jpg

Mohanlal

John Abraham - Bollywood Actor (Father is from Kerala).
Kay-Kay-Menon-(Krishna Kumar Menon)- Bollywood Actor Originally from Kerala.
M. G. Ramachandran - Famous Tamil Actor.
Naveen Andrews - Actor. He is best known for playing Sayid Jarrah on the American television series Lost (TV series).
Shishir Kurup- Hollywood actor.
Mohanlal - Famous actor. Four time Winner of the National Award(including two time best actor award)& and Nine time state award winner & Ten time filmfare award winner for best actor category- The most by any keralite along with Mammootty.Mohanlal's movie Guru was chosen as India's official entry to the Oscar.He won IIFA award for winner of best Supporting Actor in the film "Company". He was chosen as the most popular Keralite by CNN-IBN.
Mammootty - Famous actor.`Three time winner of the national award for Best Actor and Five time state award winner & nine time filmfare award winner for best actor category- The most by any keralite along with Mohanlal. He was chosen as the popular malayali by asiavision.He was Male Sex Symbol of Kerala survey by vanitha 2004.
Prem Naseer - Popular actor of Malayalam cinema.
Murali - Famous actor and winner of the national award for Best Actor in 2002 (Neythukaran).
Suresh Gopi - Famous actor
Jagathy Sreekumar - Famous Actor.
Manoj K Jayan - Actor.
Nedumudi Venu - Famous actor.
Thilakan - Famous actor.
Thikkurussi Sukumaran Nair - Actor
arya- popular Tamil actor
Suresh Menon - Bollywood comedian/actor.
Ajith Kumar -popular Tamil film actor and married to Malayalee actress Shalini

Film Producer and Directors

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

Singers

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

Artists, painters, sculptors

Painters

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

Sculptor

Kanayi Kunhiraman - Sculptor.

Cartoonists

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

Others

A. R. Raja Raja Varma - Linguist and grammarian known as the Kerala Panini.
Sekar Ayyanthole - Painter, art teacher, former president of Kerala Chithrakala Parishath
M. V. Devan- Artist, Writer.
Yusuf Arakkal - Bangalore based painter.
Kavitha Balakrishnan - Kavitha balakrishnan is a contemporary artist and art historian from thrissur.

poet,

Sports

Rajiv Ouseph - English badminton player of Kerala origin, current England number 1 and World ranked 21
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.
Sahil Pisharody - Youngest male certified scuba diver of India [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]
Shiny Wilson - One of the best middle-distance runners India has ever seen.
Abey Kuruvilla - Indian cricket player.
V. Sivaraman - former National Champion, National Team Captain and National Coach of table tennis
M. D. Valsamma - 400m hurdles gold medal in the 1982 Asian Games.
Mahesh Bhupathi - popular tennis player. mother is a malayalee.

Activists

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

Co-operators

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

K. G. Balakrishnan - Former (37th) Chief Justice of India.
V.R. Krishna Iyer - Former Judge Supreme Court of India, politician, 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.

Performing Artists

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

References

^ John Victor Morais (translated by Abdul Razak bin Haji Abdul Rahman) (1982). Mahathir: Riwayat Gagah Berani. Arenabuku. pp. 1–Kuasa Yang Merjudikan Seorang Budak Itu Bewasa, Bab 1.
^ "Who's Who of Members From Ist to 11th Kerala Legislative Assembly" (PDF). Retrieved 2009-07-02.
^ http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/senate/inmemoriam/venkateswaransekharipuram.htm
^ "Awarding Talent". The Hindu. December 23, 2006.

[1] John Victor Morais (translated by Abdul Razak bin Haji Abdul Rahman) (1982). Mahathir: Riwayat Gagah Berani. Arenabuku. pp. 1–Kuasa Yang Merjudikan Seorang Budak Itu Bewasa, Bab 1.

[nso-2] "Who's Who of Members From Ist to 11th Kerala Legislative Assembly" (PDF). Retrieved 2009-07-02.

[3] ttp://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/senate/inmemoriam/venkateswaransekharipuram.htm

[rohit-4] "Awarding Talent". The Hindu. December 23, 2006.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]