List of Iyers

Main article: Iyer

This is a list of Iyers (people from the Iyer caste of Tamil Brahmins)

Spiritual leaders

File:Paramacharya1.jpg

The Shankaracharya of Kanchi Mutt, Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Maha Swamigal also called the Paramacharya served as the supreme head of the Kanchi mutt for 87 long years from 1907 to 1994 and is regarded as one of the greatest spiritual leaders of the 20th century.

• Abirami Pattar (Subramania Iyer) Author of Abirami Anthathi and other religious works in Tamil.
• Bharati Krishna Theerthaji (1884-1960) was the Shankaracharya of Puri. He also introduced Vedic mathematics to the modern world.
• Sri Chandrasekhara Saraswathi (1894-1994), Paramacharya of Kanchi Mutt, called Nadamadum Deivam or the 'Walking God'.
• Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895-1986), spiritual leader, hailed as the "Maitreya Buddha" by the Theosophical Society . A protege of Annie Besant
• Muralidhar Guruji(1961-), a devotee of Shri Krishna
• Siva Sri Paskarakurukkal, Sri Lankan Tamil priest resident in Germany, responsible for the building of the second biggest Hindu temple of Europe, the Sri Kamadchi Ampal Temple.
• Ramana Maharishi (1879-1950), one of India's greatest Spiritual Teachers of the Twentieth Century. His millions of followers are spread across the world.
• Sri Sri Ravi Shankar(1956-), a mahayogi and founder of 'Art of Living'.
• Sheshadri Swamigal (1870-1929), was a Siddha or religious mendicant who lived in the forests of Arunachala.
• Swami Sivananda (1887-1963) was a yogi who lived in Rishikesh, in the foothills of Himalayas. He was the first to popularize Hatha Yoga in North America

Scientists and Academicians

File:CVRaman.jpg

Sir C.V.Raman is one of the greatest scientists India has ever produced and India's second Nobel laureate after Rabindranath Tagore.

• Krishnaswami Alladi, Chairman, Department of Mathematics, University of Florida. Best known for his papers and articles on Ramanujan and number theory.
• L. K. Ananthakrishna Iyer (1861-1937). Renowned Anthropologist.
• T. N. Ananthakrishnan, Former Director, Zoological Survey of India, Calcutta
• Arun K.Shanker Plant Physiologist of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, who has unraveled the mechanism of toxicity of chromium in plants and has done pioneering work in the area of heavy metal phytoremediation with trees
• Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman(1882-1950), Prominent physicist. Was awarded Nobel Prize for Physics in 1930 for his work on the dispersion of light.Discovered Raman Effect
• Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar (1910-1995), Awarded the 1983 Nobel Prize in Physics. Nephew of C.V.Raman
• Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvarayya (1861-1962), Eminent scientist, administrator, engineer and academician. Dewan of Mysore from 1912 to 1919. A Mulukanadu Brahmin
• G. N. Ramachandran(1922-2001), Biochemist who solved the three-dimensional x-ray diffraction structure of collagen, and whose "Ramachandran plot" describing the steric freedom available to amino acids in proteins is described in nearly every basic Biochemistry text book)
• Rappal Sangameswaraier Krishnan (1911-1999) Scientist Emeritus, Ex-Head of Physics. Dept. IISc, Ex-Vice Chancellor of Trivandrum University, a favorite protégé of Sir C.V.Raman & also has an effect to his name - Krishnan Effect
• Vilayanur Ramachandran (1951-) Neuro Scientist, University of San Diego
• M S Swaminathan(1925-) has been called the father of the Green Revolution in Indian agriculture in the 1960s. As a result of his efforts, India became a net exporter of food by the mid 1970s. Swaminathan however has been Director General, International Rice Research Institute (Manila), and has received the Magsaysay Award (1971).
• S.R. Ranganathan (1892-1972), Important figure in Library Science
• Raghavan Iyer (1930-1995), Indian-born political philosopher and Hindu scholar.
• Palamadai S. Lokanathan World Renowned Economist.
• Rajagopala Chidambaram Former Director of BARC, now Chief Scientific Advisor to the Prime Minister of India
• U.V.Swaminatha Iyer(1855-1942), Known as "Tamil thatha", he is universally credited with having published several old manuscripts that were believed to have been lost.

Journalists and writers

• Professor K. V. Krishna Iyer, Highly respected professor and author of standard reference books on Kerala History
• Ramachandra Guha(1958-), Historian, Columnist and author of a popular treatise on Cricket
• Ulloor Parameswara Iyer (1877-1959), Famous Malayalam poet
• "Kalki" B. Krishnamurthy (1899-1954) Journalist and Novelist par excellence, founder of Tamil weekly "Kalki".
• V. S. Srinivasa Sastri (1869-1946), Rt. Honourable Srinivasa Sastri was a freedom fighter, great orator and teacher. Was called the "Silver Tongued Orator of the British Empire" by Winston Churchill
• Pico Iyer(1957-), noted author
• Mowni (real name S. Mani Iyer), short story writer
• R. K. Narayan (1906-2001), Famous Indian writer. Invented the fictitious village Malgudi.
• R. K. Laxman (1924-), Indian cartoonist and humorist. R. K. Laxman is the younger brother of R. K. Narayan
• T. P. Kailasam, noted Kannada writer and considered as the "Father of modern Kannada Theater"
• Malayattoor Ramakrishnan (1927-1997), Malayalam novelist
• V.D. Trivadi, Renowned humorist and journalist known for his middles in The Times of India. Was known as Art Buchwald or Russell Baker of India.
• Kothamangalam Subbu, Renowned playwright and director. He is famous his work ' Thillana Mohanambal' which was made into a movie starring Shivaji Ganesan and Padmini
• T. V. Ramasubbier, Founder of "Dinamalar" a leading Tamil newspaper.
• Devan(1913-1957): Tamil short-story writer, creator of fictitious character Thuppariyum Sambu

Advocates and social activists

• V. R. Krishna Iyer (1915-) (Judicial expert and Justice, Supreme Court of India,minister in first kerala ministry)
• Sir Alladi Krishnaswamy Ayyar (1883-1953) One of the Founding fathers of the Indian Constitution.
• Sir P. S. Sivaswami Iyer (1864-1946) - Advocate General of State of Madras from (1907 -1911).
• Sir S. Subrahmanya Aiyar - Second Indian Judge of the High Court of Madras and one of the founders of the Home Rule movement in South India.
• Rajah Iyer - Former Advocate General of State of Madras
• Patanjali Sastri, Former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India
• Govind Swaminathan (1909-2003), Eminent Lawyer and former Advocate General of Tamil Nadu
• G. Ramaswamy-Former Attorney General for India
• Alladi Kuppusami - Former Chief Justice Andhra Pradesh High Court
• M. Subbaraya Iyer (1885-1963), Lawyer and educationist
• V. Krishnaswamy Iyer, Lawyer who took on Arbuthnot & Co when the bank crashed in 1906. He later became one of the founders of Indian Bank and campaigned for Indian's freedom.

Freedom Fighters

Subramanya Bharathy, the national poet of Tamil Nadu, remains the most recognized and revered Iyer in Tamil Nadu

• Sathyamurthy (1887-1943), Indian freedom fighter and leader of the Congress party in the erstwhile Madras presidency.
• Subramanya Bharathy (1882-1921), Indian freedom fighter and noted Tamil poet and social reformer. Often regarded as the national poet of Tamil Nadu.
• Vanchinathan (1886-1911), Patriot who killed General Ash and committed suicide at Maniyachi.
• V. V. S Iyer (1881-1925) Tamil Scholar and Freedom Fighter.
• Lakshmi Sehgal (1914-), Head of Rani Jhansi Brigade, women's wing of the INA and a close associate of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose. Presidential Candidate in 2002 President's election.
• Subramaniya Siva (1884-1925), Freedom fighter and close associate of Bharathi and V.V.S.Iyer
• G. Subramania Iyer (1855-1916), Freedom Fighter and founder of "The Hindu" English newspaper.
• Kalki Sadasivam (1902-1997), Freedom fighter and husband of famous singer M.S. Subbulakshmi.

Sportspersons

• Professor K. V. Iyer(1900-1990), World famous bodybuilder.
• Nirupama Vaidyanathan(1977-), First Indian woman to play a round in Grand Slam.
• Ramanathan Krishnan(1937-) an Indian tennis player of the 1950's and 60's and arguably the greatest Indian singles player of all time
• Ramesh Krishnan(1961-) was one of India's foremost tennis players
• Vishwanathan Anand(1969-),grandmaster, World Chess Champion
• K. N. Ananthapadmanabhan, former Kerala Ranji Trophy cricketer

Artists and Musicians

• Thiagaraja (1767-1847),Legendary Composer of Carnatic music.Formed the "Great Trinity of Carnatic Music" along with Muthuswami Dikshitar and Shyama Shastri.
• Muthuswami Dikshitar (1775-1835), Composer.Formed the "Great Trinity of Carnatic Music" along with Thyagarajar and Shyama Shastri.
• Shyama Shastri, Composer.Formed the "Great Trinity of Carnatic Music" along with Muthuswami Dikshitar and Thyagarajar.
• Madurai Pushpavanam Iyer,vocalist
• Chembai Vaidyanatha Iyer (1895-1973),Famous Carnatic music singer
• Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer (1907-2003), Famous singer of Carnatic music
• G. N. Balasubramaniam (1910-1965), Famous singer of Carnatic music
• D. K. Pattammal(1919-), Famous singer of Carnatic music.
• Madurai Mani Iyer (1912-1968), Famous singer of Carnatic music
• Palakkad Mani Iyer (1912-1981), Musician/Mridangist
• Palghat R. Raghu(1925-), Musician/mridangist
• Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman(1935-), Musician/mridangist
• Trichy Sankaran (b.1942-), mridangist
• Dr. N. Ramani(1934-), Flutist
• Papanasam Sivan (1890-1973),Famous Carnatic music composer and singer.
• L. Subramaniam(1947-),Violinist of International fame.
• Lalgudi Jayaraman(1930-) -- Carnatic Music composer and violinist.
• Ganesh and Kumaresh, Violinists of international fame.
• Maharajapuram Santhanam(1922-1991), Carnatic music composer and violinist.
• M. S. Gopalakrishnan(1931-) , violinist
• Sowmya(1977-), Famous Carnatic music singer
• Nithyashree Mahadevan(1973-), Famous carnatic music singer. Granddaughter of singer D.K.Pattammal.
• M. L. Vasanthakumari(1928-1990), singer
• M. D. Ramanathan(1923-1984),composer/vocalist
• S. P. Balasubrahmanyam(1946-) Prominent Singer.Holds the Guinness Record for maximum number of songs recorded as a playback singer. A Telugu Brahmin.
• Sundaram Balachander(1927-1990) Veena Vidhwan
• Hariharan(1955-) Prominent Hindi and Tamil playback singer.
• Mahalaxmi Iyer, Prominent Hindi and Tamil playback Singer
• Hamsika Iyer(1972-), Hindi, Marathi and Tamil playback singer
• Anuradha Sriram, Tamil playback Singer.Her husband is also a musician
• Naresh Iyer, Male Playback Singer in Bollywood and Kollywood
• Shankar Mahadevan, Music Director
• Vijay Iyer, Jazz musician
• Usha Uthup(1947-), Famous pop singer and female playback singer in Bollywood.
• Kavita Krishnamurthy, Prominent Hindi playback singer
• Balamuralikrishna (1930-), famous Carnatic classical singer.
• Rukmini Devi Arundale(1904-1986), danseuse and artist. Popularized the dying art of Bharatanatyam. Founder of Kalakshetra. Married G.S.Arundale.
• E.Krishna Iyer, freedom fighter who played an important role in the revival of Bharatanatyam.[1]
• Padma Subramanyam(1943-) -- Renowned Bharathanatyam dancer.

Politicians and Administrators

• Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1888-1975) First Vice President(1950-1962) and Second President(1962-1967) of the Indian Union. A Telugu Mulukanadu Iyer .
• R. Venkataraman(1910-), 8th President of India (1987-1992); Vice-President of India (1984-1987)
• P. Ramamurthi Veteran Communist leader and freedom fighter.
• K. Subrahmanyam Former Secretary (Defense Production), Home Secretary (Tamil Nadu) and Director (Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses).
• M.R. Sivaraman Former Revenue Secretary (1992-1996) (Government of India), Former Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (1996-1999)
• S. Bhoothalingam I.C.S, One of the important members of the civil service who influenced industrial policy under Prime Ministers Nehru and Indira Gandhi.
• Ramayyan Dalawa,Dewan of Travancore from 1737 to 1756. Strategic advisor to Maharaja Martanda Varma during the famous Battle of Colachel against the Dutch.
• Sir C.P. Ramaswami Iyer (1879-1966), Advocate General of State of Madras in the 1920's, penultimate Dewan of Travancore
• Subramanian Swamy(1939-), Lawyer, Academician, Economist, Politician, President of the Janata Party.
• L.Ganesan(1945-), President of Tamil Nadu state unit of Bharatiya Janata Party.
• Jana Krishnamurthi(1928-2007),Ex-President of the BJP & Former Union Law Minister.
• T. N. Seshan(1930-), 10th Chief Election Commissioner of India. A Palakkad Iyer
• Mani Shankar Aiyar(1941-), Indian politician.Member of Parliament(MP),14th Lok Sabha, from the Indian National Congress. Cabinet Minister in Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
• Sir K. Seshadri Iyer, b. 1845 Dewan of Mysore from February1883 to March 1901, the longest tenure for any Dewan of the princely state. Regarded as the "maker of modern Bangalore".
• Janaki Ramachandran (1923-1996), Wife of M.G.Ramachandran and the first woman Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. A Kerala Iyer

Entertainers

• Arvind Swamy(1967-) Actor cum entrepreneur.
• G V Iyer(1916-2003), Internationally renowned Director-Producer of Sanskrit movies like Adi Shankaracharya,Ramanujacharya and Bhagawad Gita.
• Gemini Ganesan(1920-2005), Famous Tamil Actor.
• Rekha Ganesan(1954-), Bollywood actress, daughter of Gemini Ganesan.
• Jaishankar(1940-2000), Actor in the Tamil film industry.
• K. Balachander(1930-) Famous cinema director.
• S.S.Vasan(1903-1969), Prominent Tamil and Hindi film director. Known as Cecil DeMille of India.
• Kalpana Iyer(b.1955-), Former Miss India and Bollywood actress.
• "Cho" Ramaswamy - Actor, Stage Director, Lawyer, Journalist, Political Analyst
• T.R.Mahalingam(1923-) - Famous actor, singer,director in the 1950s-1960s.
• Mani Ratnam(1956-) Famous Movie Director, full name: Subramanian Gopalaratnam Iyer.
• Y. V. Rao(1903-1973) Famous actor and director, who directed the first Kannada talkie, Sati Sulochana.
• Lakshmi(b.1951) Kollywood and Bollywood actress and TV anchor.
• Moulee, Famous Playwright and comedy actor in Tamil cinema.
• S. Ve. Shekher Famous Comedian and AIADMK MLA from Mylapore constituency
• Ajith Kumar(1970-), Famous Kollywood actor. A Palakkad Iyer.
• Trisha Krishnan(1983-), Kollywood actress. A Palakkad Iyer.
• P.C. Sreeram, Ace Cinematographer of "Nayakan" and "Agni Natchathiram" among several other famous films. Also director.
• Ramya Krishnan(1964-), Tamil Actress, TV Hostess
• Padma Lakshmi(1970-), Supermodel,hostess and ex-wife of Salman Rushdie
• Vidya Balan(1978-), Bollywood Actress.
• Siddharth Narayan(1979-),Upcoming Actor in the Telugu, Tamil and Hindi film industry, a Tanjore Iyer
• Bhanupriya, Bharatanatyam dancer and Kollywood actress.
• Priyamani(1984-), Tamil Actress
• Radha Bharadwaj - USA based Director of:'Closet Land' starring Madeleine Stowe and Alan Rickman and 'Basil" starring Christian Slater
• Swarnamalya - Bharatanatyam dancer and Kollywood actress
• Suchitra Krishnamurthy, Bollywood actress and former wife of Shekhar Kapur

Business-persons, Professionals, Miscellaneous

• S. N. N. Sankaralinga Iyer (1901-), Founder, India Cements (now part of Sanmar Group), Chennai.
• V. Seshasayee: Founder of Seshasayee Group which included Mettur Chemicals, Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore, Aluminium Industries, Travancore-Cochin Chemicals, Seshasayee Industries, Seshasayee Wire Ropes, and Seshasayee Paper and Board.
• Indra Nooyi, CEO of Pepsico.
• S. Gurumurthy, Economist and Convenor of the Swadeshi Jagaran Manch.
• Ramesh Kallidai Secretary General, Hindu Forum of Britain, an Iyer from Kallidaikurichi in Tamilnadu who is leading the largest and the most influential Hindu organisation in the UK
• Subrah Iyar, CEO of WebEx
• W. Guhan Iyer, CEO, Permicity LLC
• N. Vaghul{, Chairman of ICICI Bank

Iyers in Popular Culture

• Malini Iyer: Lead character in a TV-series of the same name. The series ran from 2004 to 2005 and was played by popular Kollywood and Bollywood actress Sridevi
• Meenakshi Iyer: The character played by Konkona Sen Sharma in Bollywood movie Mr and Mrs Iyer
• Sethurama Iyer: a fictional CBI officer and lead character in Malayalam movie series 'Sethurama Iyer CBI'. The character is played by Malayalam actor Mammootty.
• Ven Iyer: fictional character in the novel The Holder of the World by Bharati Mukherjee.
• Thuppariyum Sambu: a fictitious South Indian detective, who was the main character in a crime series of the same name by Devan which appeared in the Ananda Vikatan during the early 1940s.
• The characters played by Arshad Warsi (Balu) and Priya Gill (Paro) in the film Tere Mere Sapne.

External links

• A website on Professor K V Iyer
• A website on life and teachings of Swami Sivananda
• A website dedicated to the teachings of Ramana Maharishi
• Brief biography on Nobel Laureate C. V. Raman
• A well-written biography on the legendry Iyer Saint and Scholar Appayya Dikshitar
• Some information on Ramanujacharya, who was born in an Vadama Iyer family and founded a rival or new community - Iyengars