List of people from Chennai: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|None}}
{{more citations needed|date=July 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2019}}
{{more citations needed|date=July 2015}}
The following people were born or based their life in [[Tamil Nadu]], formerly known as [[Madras State]]:
== Arts and language ==
*[[R.K. Narayan]] (1906–2001), writer


The following people were born or based their life in the Indian city of [[Chennai]] (formerly known
as Madras), [[Tamil Nadu]] (formerly known as [[Madras State]]).
{{Dynamic list}}
== Business ==
== Business ==
*[[Aravind Srinivas]], ceo and co-founder of [[Perplexity AI]]
*[[Geeta Aiyer]], entrepreneur and business leader; founder and president of [[Boston Common Asset Management]]
*[[R. G. Chandramogan]], chairman of [[Hatsun Agro Product]]
*[[Natarajan Chandrasekaran]], chairman of the [[TATA Group]]
*[[Anil Kumar]] (born 1958), management consultant who pled guilty to insider trading
*[[Anil Kumar]] (born 1958), management consultant who pled guilty to insider trading
*[[Sundar Pichai]], CEO of [[Google]]
*[[K. M. Mammen Mappillai|Rahul Mammen Mappillai]], managing director of [[MRF Limited]]
*[[Indra Nooyi]], Chairperson & CEO of [[Pepsi]]Co
*[[Kalanithi Maran]], chairman and managing director of the [[Sun Group]]
*[[Dora Metcalf]], entrepreneur, mathematician and engineer
*[[Keshav R. Murugesh]], chief executive officer and director of [[WNS Global Services]]
*[[A. C. Muthiah]], former chairman of Southern Petrochemicals of India Corporation (SPIC)
*[[Shiv Nadar]], founder and chairman of [[HCL Technologies]]
*[[Shiv Nadar]], founder and chairman of [[HCL Technologies]]
*[[Venu Srinivasan]], chairman and managing director, [[TVS Motors]].
*[[Indra Nooyi]], chairperson and chief executive officer of [[PepsiCo]]
*[[C Vijayakumar]], CEO of [[HCL Technologies]]
*[[Sundar Pichai]], chief executive officer of [[Google]]
*[[Mallika Srinivasan]], chairman and managing director, [[Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited]]
*[[M. A. M. Ramaswamy]], chairman of the [[Chettinad Group of Companies]]; ex-pro chancellor of [[Annamalai University]], [[Chidambaram]]
*[[N. Srinivasan]], chairman and managing director, India Cements Ltd.
*[[Prathap C. Reddy]], chairman of [[Apollo Hospitals]]
*[[A. Vellayan]], chairman, Murugappa Group of Companies
*[[M. A. M. Ramaswamy]], Chettinad Cements Group of Companies and ex-Pro Chancellor, Annamalai University, Chidambaram.
*[[A. C. Muthiah]], former chairman, Southern Petrochemicals of India Corporation (SPIC) group of companies
*[[Prathap C. Reddy]], chairman, [[Apollo Hospitals]]
*[[Bhargav Sri Prakash]], founder & CEO of FriendsLearn, entrepreneur and hedge fund manager
*[[Naveen Selvadurai]], co-founder of [[Foursquare (company)|Foursquare]]
*[[Naveen Selvadurai]], co-founder of [[Foursquare (company)|Foursquare]]
*[[Natarajan Chandrasekaran]], chairperson and current chairman of [[TATA Group]]
*[[Mallika Srinivasan]], chairman and managing director of [[Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited]]  
*[[Keshav R Murugesh]], chief executive officer and director of [[WNS Global Services]]
*[[N. Srinivasan]], chairman and managing director of [[India Cements]]
*[[K. M. Mammen Mappillai|Rahul Mammen Mappillai]], managing director of [[MRF Limited]]
*[[Venu Srinivasan]], chairman and managing director of [[TVS Motors]]
*[[Kalanithi Maran]], chairman and managing director, [[Sun Group]]
*[[A. Vellayan]], chairman of the [[Murugappa Group]]
*[[R. G. Chandramogan]], chairman of [[Hatsun Agro Product]]
*[[Jay Vijayan]], founder of [[Tekion Corp]]
*[[C Vijayakumar]], chief executive officer of [[HCL Technologies]]


== Education ==
== Education ==
*[[Munirathna Anandakrishnan]], former chairman, [[Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur]]; former vice-chancellor, [[Anna University]]
*[[Bala V. Balachandran]], founder, dean and chairman, [[Great Lakes Institute of Management]]
*[[Madhu Bhaskaran]], engineer and professor, [[RMIT University]]
*[[V. L. Ethiraj]], founder, [[Ethiraj College for Women]]
*[[V. L. Ethiraj]], founder, [[Ethiraj College for Women]]
*[[Jeppiaar]], founder, Jeppiaar Educational Trust; founder chancellor, [[Sathyabama University]]
*[[Ramayya Krishnan]], dean, [[Heinz College]]; H. John Heinz III, W. W. Cooper and Ruth F. Cooper Professor of Management Science and Information Systems, [[Carnegie Mellon University]]
*[[V. M. Muralidharan]], chairman, [[Ethiraj College for Women]]
*[[Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy]], founder, [[Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan]]
*[[Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy]], founder, [[Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan]]
*[[Munirathna Anandakrishnan]], former chairman, [[Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur]] & Former vice-chancellor, [[Anna University]]
*[[Vallam Sundar]], professor
*[[Bala V. Balachandran]], founder, dean and chairman, [[Great Lakes Institute of Management]]
*[[Subra Suresh]], president, [[Carnegie Mellon University]]; former dean, School of Engineering [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]]; former director, [[National Science Foundation]]<ref>{{Cite web|title = Leadership at Carnegie Mellon University|url = http://www.cmu.edu/leadership/president-suresh/bio/|website = cmu.edu|accessdate = 4 December 2015}}</ref>
*[[V. M. Muralidharan]], former chairman, [[Ethiraj College for Women]]
*[[Jeppiaar]], founder, Jeppiaar Educational Trust and founder chancellor, [[Sathyabama University]]
*[[Subra Suresh]], president of [[Carnegie Mellon University]], former dean of the School of Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, former director of the [[National Science Foundation]]<ref>{{Cite web|title = Leadership at Carnegie Mellon University|url = http://www.cmu.edu/leadership/president-suresh/bio/|website = cmu.edu|accessdate = 4 December 2015}}</ref>
*[[Ramayya Krishnan]], dean of Heinz College and H. John Heinz III, W. W. Cooper and Ruth F. Cooper Professor of Management science and Information systems at Carnegie Mellon University
*[[Madhu Bhaskaran]], engineer and professor at [[RMIT University]]


==Environment==
==Environment==
*[[Arun Krishnamurthy]], founder, [[Environmentalist Foundation of India]]
*[[Arun Krishnamurthy]], founder, [[Environmentalist Foundation of India]]


== Films and entertainment ==
== Film and other entertainment ==
*[[Shivaji Ganesan]], actor and the first International Award winner of India
*[[Ashok Amritraj]], Hollywood producer
*[[Rajini Kanth]], actor, producer, Screenwriter
*[[Priya Anand]], actress
*[[Kamal Haasan]], thespian, director, producer, Screenwriter
*[[Allu Arjun]], actor
*[[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]], thespian, actor, playbacksinger, IARA (International achievement recognition award winner)
*[[Mahesh Babu]], actor
*[[Ajith Kumar]], thespian and racer
*[[S.P. Balasubrahmanyam]], music composer, playback singer
*[[Vikram (actor)|Vikram]], thespian
*[[Suriya]], thespian
*[[Dhanush]], thespian and playback singer and producer
*[[A. R. Rahman]] (born 1966), [[music composer]], winner of multiple awards including two Academy Awards, two Grammys and a Golden Globe
*[[Anirudh Ravichander]], music composer
*[[Ilaiyaraja]], Indian music composer and Symphonic Maestro
*[[Yuvan Shankar Raja]], First Cypress-International-Award Winning Creative music Composer
*[[Santhanam (actor)|Santhanam]], actor
*[[Vijay Yesudas]] (born 1979), playback singer
*[[Pete Best]] (born 1941), early [[Beatles]] drummer
*[[Pete Best]] (born 1941), early [[Beatles]] drummer
*[[Dhanush]], thespian, playback singer, producer
*[[Shivaji Ganesan]], actor; first International Award winner of India
*[[Kamal Haasan]], thespian, director, producer, screenwriter
*[[Shruthi Hassan]], actress
*[[Lisa Haydon]], actress
*[[Mary Hignett]] (born 1916), actress
*[[Mary Hignett]] (born 1916), actress
*[[Engelbert Humperdinck (singer)|Engelbert Humperdinck]] (born 1936), pop singer
*[[Engelbert Humperdinck (singer)|Engelbert Humperdinck]] (born 1936), pop singer
*[[Ashok Amritraj]], Hollywood producer
*[[Ilaiyaraja]], music composer, symphonic maestro
*[[Padma Lakshmi]], cookbook author, actress, model and television host
*[[S. Janaki]], playback singer
*[[Vyjayanthimala]], actress
*[[Jayabharathi]], actress
*[[Jayasudha]], actress
*[[Kajol]], actress
*[[Rajini Kanth]], actor, producer, screenwriter
*[[Sundeep Kishan]], actor
*[[Vishal Krishna]] (born 1977), actor, film producer
*[[Ajith Kumar]], thespian, racer
*[[Padma Lakshmi]], cookbook writer, actress, model, television host
*[[K. V. Mahadevan]], music composer
*[[Hema Malini]], actress
*[[Hema Malini]], actress
*[[Lakshmi Manchu]], actress
*[[Lakshmi Narayan]], actress
*[[Siddharth Narayan]], actor
*[[Samantha Ruth Prabhu]], actress
*[[Olive Rae]], soprano, actress
*[[A. R. Rahman]] (born 1966), [[music composer]]; winner of multiple awards, including two Academy Awards, two Grammy Awards and a Golden Globe Award
*[[Yuvan Shankar Raja]], first [[Cypress International Award]]-winning creative music composer
*[[Puneeth Rajkumar]], Kannada actor
*[[Shiva Rajkumar]], Kannada actor
*[[Rochelle Rao]], Indian actress, [[Miss India International]] 2012
*[[Rekha]], actress
*[[Rekha]], actress
*[[Santhanam (actor)|Santhanam]], actor
*[[Vijay Sethupathi]], thespian
*[[Sivakarthikeyan]], thespian
*[[Sridevi]], actress
*[[Sridevi]], actress
*[[Sripriya]], actress
*[[Sripriya]], actress
*[[Srividya]], actress
*[[Srividya]], actress
*[[Jayasudha]], actress
*[[Jayabharathi]], actress
*[[Lisa Haydon]], actress
*[[S. Janaki]], playback singer
*[[M. S. Viswanathan]], music composer
*[[K. V. Mahadevan]], music composer
*[[S.P. Balasubrahmanyam]], music composer, playback singer
*[[Sumalatha]], actress
*[[Sumalatha]], actress
*[[Lakshmi Narayan]], actress
*[[Keerthy Suresh]], actress
*[[Mahesh Babu]], actor
*[[Suriya]], thespian
*[[Allu Arjun]], actor
*[[Arvind Swamy]], actor, businessman
*[[Ram Charan Teja]], actor
*[[Ram Charan Teja]], actor
*[[Lakshmi Manchu]], actress
*[[Sundeep Kishan]], actor
*[[Priya Anand]], actress
*[[Shruthi Hassan]], actress
*[[Samantha Ruth Prabhu]], actress
*[[Olive Rae]], soprano and actress
*[[Siddharth Narayan]], actor
*[[Trisha (actress)|Trisha]], actress
*[[Trisha (actress)|Trisha]], actress
*[[Arvind Swamy]], actor and businessman
*[[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]], thespian, actor, playback singer, IARA ([[International Achievement Recognition Award]] winner)
*[[Vijay Sethupathi]], thespian
*[[Vikram (actor)|Vikram]], thespian
*[[Sivakarthikeyan]], thespian
*[[M. S. Viswanathan]], music composer
*[[Shiva Rajkumar]], Kannada actor
*[[Vidya Vox]], YouTuber, musician
*[[Puneeth Rajkumar]], Kannada actor
*[[Vyjayanthimala]], actress
*[[Vidya Vox]], Indian YouTuber and musician
*[[Vijay Yesudas]] (born 1979), playback singer


==Directors==
===Directors===
*[[K.Balachander]], Tamil film director
*[[K. Balachander]], Tamil film director
*[[Lokesh Kanagaraj]], Tamil film director
*[[Atlee Kumar]], Tamil and Hindi film director
*[[Nalan Kumarasamy]], Tamil film director
*[[A. R. Murugadoss]], Tamil film director
*[[Mani Ratnam]], Tamil film director
*[[Mani Ratnam]], Tamil film director
*[[S. Shankar]], Tamil film director
*[[S. Shankar]], Tamil film director
*[[A. R. Murugadoss]], Tamil film director
*[[Selvaraghavan]], Tamil film director
*[[Selvaraghavan]], Tamil film director
*[[Nalan Kumarasamy]], Tamil film director
*[[Karthik Subburaj]], Tamil film director
*[[Karthik Subburaj]], Tamil film director
*[[Vetrimaran]], Tamil film director
*[[Vetrimaran]], Tamil film director
*[[Pa. Ranjith|Pa.Ranjith]], Tamil film director
== Literature and visual arts==
*[[R.K. Narayan]] (1906–2001), writer
*[[Achuthanand Tanjore Ravi]] (born 1991), photographer
* [[V. D. Trivadi]], humorist
==Politics==
* [[S. Iswaran|Subramaniam Iswaran]] (born 1962), known as S. Iswaran, Singaporean politician
* [[Pramila Jayapal]], [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. representative]] for [[Washington (state)|Washington]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=JAYAPAL, Pramila |url=https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/J000298 |access-date=October 5, 2025 |website=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress}}</ref>


== Religion ==
== Religion ==
* [[Jesu Pudumai Doss]] (b. 1967), Catholic priest, Professor and Dean, Faculty of Canon Law, [[Salesian Pontifical University]], Rome
* [[Jesu Pudumai Doss]] (born 1967), Catholic priest; professor and dean, Faculty of Canon Law, [[Salesian Pontifical University]], Rome
* [[Sri Sabhapati Swami]] (b. 1840), 19th-century yogi and author
* [[Sri Sabhapati Swami]] (born 1840), yogi, writer
* [[Paruthiyur K. Santhanaraman]], author of numerous books on religious topics


== Scientists ==
== Scientists ==
*[[Shyamala Gopalan]], breast cancer researcher and mother of Vice President of the United States [[Kamala Harris]]
*[[Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar]], recipient, [[Nobel Prize in Physics]]
*[[A. P. J. Abdul Kalam]], physics, president of India
*[[Alan Garnett Davenport]], engineer
*[[C.V. Raman]], Nobel Prize, physics
*[[Shyamala Gopalan]], breast-cancer researcher; mother of former [[vice president of the United States]] [[Kamala Harris]]
*[[Kariamanickam Srinivasa Krishnan]], physics (co-discoverer of Raman scattering)
*[[A. P. J. Abdul Kalam]], physicist; former [[president of India]]
*[[Subra Suresh]] (see above)
*[[Kariamanickam Srinivasa Krishnan]], physicist (co-discoverer of [[Raman scattering]])
*[[C. V. Raman]], recipient, [[Nobel Prize in Physics]]
*[[Srinivasa Ramanujan]], mathematician; [[Fellow of the Royal Society]]
*[[Kannan Soundararajan]], mathematician
*[[Kannan Soundararajan]], mathematician
*[[Subra Suresh]], engineer, [[materials scientist]], academic
*[[M. S. Swaminathan]], [[geneticist]], [[plant breeder]], administrator and [[humanitarian]]
*[[John Henry Constantine Whitehead]] (1904–1960), British mathematician
*[[John Henry Constantine Whitehead]] (1904–1960), British mathematician
*[[Alan Garnett Davenport]], engineer
*[[Srinivasa Ramanujan]], mathematician, Fellow of the Royal Society
*[[Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar]], Nobel Prize, physics
*[[M. S. Swaminathan]], Agriculture Scientist of India


== Social entrepreneurs ==
== Social entrepreneurs ==
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== Sports ==
== Sports ==
*[[Buchi Babu Naidu]]- Father of South Indian Cricket.
*[[Cotah Ramaswami]]- Represented India in both International Cricket & Tennis.
*[[M.Baliah Naidu]]- Cricketer
*[[Aditya Patel]] (born 1988), Indian professional racing driver
*[[Viswanathan Anand]] (born 1969), [[Grandmaster (chess)|chess grandmaster]] and the undisputed world chess champion from 2007 until 2013
*[[Nasser Hussain]] (born 1968), former English [[cricketer]]
*[[Dinesh Karthik]] (born 1985), Indian cricketer
*[[Sharath Kamal]] (born 1982), [[India]] table tennis player
*[[Hemang Badani]], former Indian cricketer
*[[Subramaniam Badrinath]], former Indian cricketer
*[[Krishnamachari Srikkanth]] (born 1959), former Indian cricketer
*[[Lakshmipathy Balaji]], Indian cricketer
*[[Murali Vijay]] (born 1984), current Indian cricketer
*[[Sadagoppan Ramesh]], former Indian cricketer
*[[Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan]], former Indian cricketer
*[[Thirush Kamini]], Indian woman cricketer
*[[W. V. Raman]], former Indian cricketer
*[[Washington Sundar]], Indian cricketer
*[[Vijay Amritraj]] (born 1953), tennis player, [[Sports Commentator]] and actor
*[[Anand Amritraj]] (born 1952), tennis player, businessman
*[[Anand Amritraj]] (born 1952), tennis player, businessman
*[[Vijay Amritraj]] (born 1953), tennis player, [[sports commentator]], actor
*[[Viswanathan Anand]] (born 1969), [[Grandmaster (chess)|chess grandmaster]]; undisputed world chess champion from 2007 until 2013
*[[PK Arumugam]], [[speedcuber]]
*[[Ravichandran Ashwin]], cricketer
*[[Naresh Babu]], professorial motorcycle road racer
*[[Hemang Badani]], former cricketer
*[[Subramaniam Badrinath]], former cricketer
*[[Lakshmipathy Balaji]], cricketer
*[[Karun Chandhok]] (born 1984), racing driver, [[Formula One]], [[sports commentator]]
*[[Joshna Chinappa]] (born 1986), squash player, [[British Squash Championship]]
*[[Gukesh Dommaraju]] (born 2006), [[chess grandmaster]]; undisputed [[World Chess Championship 2024|world chess champion since 2024]]
*[[Akbar Ebrahim]] (born 1963), racing driver, cricketer
*[[Edward Foord]] (1825–1899), cricketer
*[[George Gowan]] (1818–1890), cricketer
*[[Nasser Hussain]] (born 1968), former [[cricketer]]
*[[Sharath Kamal]] (born 1982), table-tennis player
*[[Thirush Kamini]], cricketer
*[[Dinesh Karthik]] (born 1985), cricketer
*[[Rajini Krishnan]], motorcycle racer
*[[Ramanathan Krishnan]], tennis player
*[[Ramanathan Krishnan]], tennis player
*[[Ramesh Krishnan]], tennis player and coach
*[[Ramesh Krishnan]], tennis player and coach
*[[Dipika Pallikal]] (born 1991), squash player, WISPA titles and first Indian woman to break into the top 10 in the [[WSA rankings]]
*[[Buchi Babu Naidu]], father of South Indian cricket
*[[Joshna Chinappa]] (born 1986), squash player, British Squash Championship
*[[M. Baliah Naidu]], cricketer
*[[Karun Chandhok]] (born 1984), racing driver, [[Formula One]] and [[sports commentator]]
*[[Dipika Pallikal]] (born 1991), squash player, WISPA titles; first Indian woman to break into the top ten in the [[WSA rankings]]
*[[Rajini Krishnan]], Indian Motorcycle racer
*[[Aditya Patel]] (born 1988), professional racing driver
*[[R Praggnanandhaa|Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa]] (born 2005), [[chess grandmaster]]
*[[Jack Pritchard (cricketer)|Jack Pritchard]] (1895–1936), cricketer
*[[Mahaveer Raghunathan]] (born 1998), racing driver
*[[Mahaveer Raghunathan]] (born 1998), racing driver
*[[Edward Foord]] (1825–1899), cricketer
*[[W. V. Raman]], former cricketer
*[[George Gowan]] (1818–1890), cricketer
*[[Ramkumar Ramanathan]], tennis player
*[[Ravichandran Ashwin]] , cricketer
*[[Cotah Ramaswami]], cricketer, tennis player
*[[Jack Pritchard (cricketer)|Jack Pritchard]] (1895–1936), cricketer
*[[Sadagoppan Ramesh]], former cricketer
*[[Roopa Unnikrishnan]], former Indian sports-rifle shooter; Commonwealth Games gold medalist
* [[Ravivarman Sharmila]], [[carrom]] champion
*[[Krishnamachari Srikkanth]] (born 1959), former  cricketer
*[[Washington Sundar]], cricketer
*[[Roopa Unnikrishnan]], former sports-rifle shooter; [[Commonwealth Games]] gold medalist
*[[Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan]], former  cricketer
*[[Murali Vijay]] (born 1984), cricketer


==Miscellaneous==
==Miscellaneous==
*General [[Paramasiva Prabhakar Kumaramangalam]], DSO, MBE 6th chief of Indian army (1913–2000)
*Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah Faizabadi Madrasi or [[Ahmadullah Shah]] (1787–1858), Indian freedom fighter
* [[Pramila Jayapal]], [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Representative]]
*General [[Paramasiva Prabhakar Kumaramangalam]], DSO, MBE (1913–2000), 6th chief of Indian army  
* [[Ravivarman Sharmila]], carrom champion
*[[Georgiana Fanny Shipley Daniell]], philanthropist
* [[Nugent Grant]], lawyer  
* [[Nugent Grant]], lawyer  
* [[Praveena Solomon]], crematorium manager
* [[Praveena Solomon]], crematorium manager
* [[V. D. Trivadi]], humorist
* [[Abhinandan Varthaman]], wing commander in the [[Indian Air Force]]
* [[Abhinandan Varthaman]], wing commander in the [[Indian Air Force]]


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[[Category:People from Chennai| ]]
[[Category:People from Chennai| ]]
[[Category:Lists of people by city in India|Chennai]]
[[Category:Lists of Indian people by populated place|Chennai]]
[[Category:Chennai-related lists|People]]
[[Category:Chennai-related lists|People]]
[[Category:Lists of people from Tamil Nadu|Chennai]]
[[Category:Lists of people from Tamil Nadu|Chennai]]

Latest revision as of 19:28, 4 January 2026



The following people were born or based their life in the Indian city of Chennai (formerly known as Madras), Tamil Nadu (formerly known as Madras State).

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

Business[edit | edit source]

Education[edit | edit source]

Environment[edit | edit source]

Film and other entertainment[edit | edit source]

Directors[edit | edit source]

Literature and visual arts[edit | edit source]

Politics[edit | edit source]

Religion[edit | edit source]

Scientists[edit | edit source]

Social entrepreneurs[edit | edit source]

Sports[edit | edit source]

Miscellaneous[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Leadership at Carnegie Mellon University". cmu.edu. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  2. ↑ "JAYAPAL, Pramila". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
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