List of Sengunthars
Sengunthars had their contribution of Saivism to Tamil literature since 11th Century and in Medieval Chola period, both Saivism and Tamil were considered as the two sides of the same coin. In Modern period, the community had given many leaders and poets to the nation.
Below is the list of eminent personalities from the Sengunthar caste
Nayanmars[1]
- Narasingha Munayaraya, a petty chieftain of Thirumunaipadi
- Kaari Desigar, a native of Thirukadavur and a Tamil scholar
- Chiruththondar nayanar alias Paranjothy who was the commander of Pallava King during the war of Vatapi
- Perumizhalai kurumba, an ardent devotee of Lord Siva and follower of Sundaramurthi Nayanar
- Eripatha Nayanar, an ardent devotee of Lord Siva from Karuvur of Chola Kingdom
- Dandiyadikal, a pious devotee of Lord Siva from Tiruvarur of Chola kingdom
- Kanam pullar, a wealthy merchant from Irukkuvelur(now called as Belur in the District of Salem). He used to cut grass, sell it and purchase ghee with the money and burn the lamps. As he cut grass(Kanampul), he was known as Kanampulla Nayanar
Poets[2]
- Ottakoothar, kavichakravarthy born as Ambala koothan in early part of 12th century and was a court poet of cholas
- Kuganeriyappa Navalar, disciple of Kachiappa Sivachariyar;wrote Upadesa kandam (7th part) of history of Lord Muruga
- Kangeyar, a poet from Thondaimandalam; authored urichol nigandu (14th century work), a lexicon for world Tamils
- Poiyamozhi,a poet from Uraiyur of Thondaimondalam[3]
- Irattaipulavar[4],[Mathu suriyar and Ilang suriyar], poetical-duo(one deaf and one lame) who authored Ekambaranathar ula
- Padikaasu pulavar[5], a poet from Ponvilaintha kalathur Thondaimondalam;authored Thondaimandala sadagam[6]
- Pirasai Arunachala swamigal, a scholar skilled in lecturing Vedantas
- Pagazhi koothar,a poet from Sanyasi village,Ramnad who authored Thiruchendur Murugan pillai Thamizh.[7][8]
- Distinguished Sengunthars from 19th Century
Freedom Fighters
- Tiruppur Kumaran,freedom fighter who sacrificed his life holding national flag of India
- Thillaiaadi Valliammai,daughter of Munuswami Mudaliar of South Africa who sacrificed her life in prison
- S. P. Ayyaswamy Mudaliar
Activists
- Sri Sabaratnam, former leader of TELO
- Lieutenant Sellakili (Sathasivam Selvanayakam), former LTTE commander[9]
Tamil Literature
- Bharatidasan, puratchi kavinar;poet and rationalist
- Vellai vaaranaar, Tamil scholar from Tiruvarur[10]
- Tamilanban, noted poet
- Solomon Pappaiah, Tamil debate judge and Scholar
Politics
- CN Annadurai[11] : Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu & Founder DMK.
- CP Subbiah Mudaliar[12]: Former INC Leader
- Pulavar K. Govindan: DMK Politician and Former speaker of Tamil Nadu Assembly
- T. M. Anbarasan : Former Labour Minister Of Tamil Nadu
- Sathasivam Kanagaratnam: Sri Lankan Tamil politician of Tamil National Alliance party
- S. V. Natesa Mudaliar: Former INC MLA
- M. Alalasundaram, late Sri Lankan Tamil politician and Member of Parliament.
- M. Vaithianathan : Members of Legislative Assembly of All India N.R. Congress party. Also playing the role of Chief Minister's parliament Secretary.
- V. C. Chandhirakumar, MLA of Erode East constituency from DMDK
- Adhi Sankar, MP Kallakurichi representing DMK
Philanthropists
- Vallal T.K.S Sabapathy Mudaliar: : Philanthropist from Tiruvarur
- Padma Shri M.P. Nachimuthu Mudaliar, founder of Chentex, Chennimalai
Science and education
- Mylswamy Annadurai :Indian scientist and Chandrayaan-1 project director
Civil Service and judiciary
- P.V.Nataraja Mudaliar, former high court judge
- Justice T.N. Singaravelu ,former high court judge
- M. Elumalai, former Advocate, Madurai [13]
- D.A.S.Prakasam: IAS Officer and Founder, Socio Economic Service Society[14]
- Justice S. T. Ramalingam, former Judge, Madras High Court; father of Justice R. Sudhakar, Judge, Madras High Court
Arts
- T. R. Sundaram,Yesteryears Film producer and Founder of Modern Theatres
- P. A. Perumal Mudaliar, Yesteryears Film producer, National Pictures[15]
- Anand Raj: Tamil film actor
- RK Selvamani[16]: Tamil film Director
- Pa. Vijay : Tamil Lyricist and actor
- Na. Muthukumar : Tamil Lyricist
Spiritual
- Chidambara swamigal, religious scholar from Thirupporur Mutt of Thondaimandalam[17]
- Vethathiri Maharishi: Founder of the The World Community Service Center, an organization promoting World peace.[18]
- Kirupanandha Variyar: Saivite saint [19]
- Balan Thevaraya Swamigal: Author of Kanda Shasti Kavasam[20]
Sports
- Thirunavukkarasu Kumaran: Cricket Player
Business
- Kulandaivel Mudaliar: Founder of The Chennai Silks
- Chenniappan: Founder, Nilgiris Supermarket
Miscellaneous
- Varadarajan Mudaliar: Known as Vardha Bhai; Tamil movie Nayagan was based on his life story.
References
- ^ Thirukkai Vazhakkam by Puhalendi
- ^ Senguntha silaakiyar maalai by Kanchi Veerabadhra Desigar
- ^ Tamilheritage.com
- ^ Tamil literature , Volume 10 by Kamil Václav Zvelebil
- ^ Tamil literature by M. S. Purnalingam Pillai
- ^ Tamilvu.org
- ^ Tiruchendurmurugan.com
- ^ Tiruchendurmurugantemple.com
- ^ Thesundayleader.lk
- ^ Tamilheritage.org
- ^ Ethnicity and populist mobilization: political parties, citizens, and democracy in South India
- ^ Tamil revivalism in the 1930s by Eugene F. Irschick
- ^ http://www.hindu.com/mp/2007/01/27/stories/2007012700360300.htm
- ^ http://sess-online.org/aboutus.asp
- ^ http://www.hindu.com/cp/2011/04/24/stories/2011042450301600.htm
- ^ http://www.hindu.com/2005/09/16/stories/2005091610150300.htm
- ^ Pathway to sahaja nistai: Avirodha unthiyar of Sri Santhalinga Swami
- ^ Vehathiri.org
- ^ Variyarswamigal
- ^ http://murugan.org/research/sivagami.htm
Sources
Tamil revivalism in the 1930s by Eugene F. Irschick