Famous Personalities from Madurai

1. Bala – Film Director : Bala is a famous Tamil film Director from Madurai, who has given three different hits continuously from the start of his career itself. His first film “Sethu” was a great hit and the film was remade in Telugu, Hindi and Kannada. This brought the hard working devoted hero Mr. Vikram on top. He directed his second film “Nandha” with actor Suriya. This film made up a good career for the actor who was struggling at that moment. His third film “Pithamagan” brought both the actors together on screen which again was a hit and Vikram received the National award for his acting in this film.

2. Bharathi Raja – Film director : Bharathiraja was born in an ordinary family in a small village near Madurai. He had an unlimited passion towards acting and was gifted with story telling skills. He was a good platform speaker and worked for social awareness among the uncultured villagers in his earlier stage, later he entered into the cine field and set himself as one of the most popular and creative director in the field after lot of struggles. He has received national awards thrice for his films. He has directed in Malayalam, Hindi and Telugu as well.

3. Illayaraaja – Music director : Ilayaraaja, famous music Director was born in a small village near Madurai in the year 1943. He has composed music for more than 840 Indian films in various languages in his 30 years of musical career. He has received National Film Awards several times for his excellent music. He is famous for his melodies and fusion of Tamil folk music and popular Tamil film music. He has written lyrics for both Tamil and Hindi films. He is the first asian to compose a full symphony for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO). He is termed as Isaignani. He has received the Kalaimamani Award, an annual award for excellence in the field of arts.

4. Indira Soundarajan – Writer : Indira Soundarajan is a famous writer from Madurai. This Tamil author is famous for short stories and novels. He also has written screenplays and dialogues for serials. He is one behind the introduction of "Sithars" to common man. Some of his famous works include Marmadesam and RuthraVeenai.

5. Jana Krishnamurthy – Former president of BJP: Mr. K. Jana Krishnamurthy, ex - president of BJP, was born in the year 1928 in Madurai. He completed his degree at Chennai Law College and entered into politics after practicing as a lawyer for few years. He took over his position initially as General Secretary and has held position of the Union Law Minister in the cabinet. He is known for his simplicity and organizational skills. He was the first Tamil politician to head a national party in India after Kamaraj.

6. M.S. Subbulakhsmi – Carnatic Singer: M.S.Subbulakhsmi, a renowned carnatic vocalist was born in a veteran musical family, Madurai - the temple city. She started her learning at early childhood days and at the young age of 10 she released her first record. She was trained by Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer in Carnatic classical music and in Hindustani classical she had the guidance of Pandit Narayan Rao Vyas. She was popularized on big screen wherein she sang in many Indian languages. To add tribute to her achievements, she was awarded the Bharat Ratna award which is considered the India's highest civilian honor. Being a first person in the musical field to receive this accolade, M.S.S continued her public performance till the death of her husband in the year 1997. 7. Madurai Mani Iyer – Carnatic Singer: Madurai Mani Iyer, popularly called as Music Palghat was a Great Mridangam Vidwan. He was born in 1912 in a musical family and was trained at a very young age by Chathapuram Subbier, a well known mridangam vidwan who was later honored by the Music Academy. He had a passion for music which brought him to renowned heights. He has imparted his expertise to several disciples all over India and abroad, who are popular now. He received the President’s Award for Carnatic Instrumental Music in the year 1956 and had served as the President of the Music Academy. <><> 8.T.N. Seshagopalan - Carnatic Singer : T. N. Seshagopalan, famous Carnatic Singer was born in Nagapattinam in the year 1948. He completed his degree in music in Madurai university and served as a professor in the university. He had staged his performance at countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Bahrain, Sri Lanka and United States of America. He is called as musical genius and is noted for his own elegant ,devotional Bhajans, Namavalis, Thillana compositions and Abhangs. He received his Padmapushan in 2004 and Sangeetha Kalanidhi award from the Musical Academy in 2006. 9. N. M. R. Subbaraman –“Madurai Gandhi”: Subbaraman, who is popularly called as Madurai Gandhi was born in the year 1905 in Madurai. He was a passionate follower of Mahatma Gandhi and he sacrificed his studies abroad and joined freedom struggle. He participated in all the Satyagraha Movements and was imprisoned for five years. He has held the position of Chairman of the Madurai Municipality and was elected member for Loksabha. He has worked towards uplifting the lives of Harijans. He took a great part in establishing the first Gandhi Museum in the country at Madurai. 10. Madurai N. Krishnan – Vocalist : Madurai N. Krishnan is one among the famous personalities born in a family with good musical background. He was trained in Classical music vocal under Sangita Kalanidhi Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar for seventeen long years. He is an excellent bharatanatyam performer and composer who have improved bharatanatyam with his Varnas, Padas, Jatiswarams and Javalis. He was honored by the Eyal Isai Nataka Mandram of Tamil Nadu in the year 1982 and was awarded the Sangita Nataka Academy Award for the year 1988. 11. Rukmini Devi Arudale – Bharathanatyam Dancer : Rukmini Devi was born in an orthodox Brahmin family with a recognizable proclivity for classical music and refined improvement in lifestyle. Her father was involved in the Theosophical Society which was helpful for Rukmini Devi to grow under the influence of Annie Besant. She was an excellent dancer and was later the founder of Kalashetra. She also worked as a cultural ambassador and educationist visiting all over the world. She was called the visionary architect of Indian culture. 12. Solomon Papaiah –Debate specialist: Solomon Papaiah, one of the famous debate specialists is from Madurai. Young pappiah was passionated by the famous poet Subramania Bharati, and took efforts to join in pattimandrams. He was much interested in Tamil literature, which led him and made him popular in the field. He is there in this field for 44 years and after years of hard work, he has become the Master moderator for pattimandrams. He has strong oratorical skills which inspires youngsters. His topics include social related issues and would discuss on finding solutions. His work is remarkable in imbibing criticism in pattimandrams in a constructive way. 13. Madurai R Sundar – Carnatic Singer: Madurai R.Sundar was born in a family where carnatic music is the part of every day life. Both, his father and mother are veterans in carnatic music. R.Sundar had his aunt Smt. Ananthalakshmi Sadagopan as his first guru. Right from his early childhood, Smt. Ananthalakshmi, the reputed concert musician taught him the initial musical lessons and some Keerthanas. After being trained by her, his musical knowledge increased under the tutelage of famous musician Sri T.N.Seshagopalan. That was the turning point in his life and after that on attending several competitions he became a confident and professional vocalist in carnatic music. His distinct resonant voice has attracted fans and listeners all over the world. For his rich voice, Madurai R.Sundar has secured several awards and prizes. R.Sundar is also an A- graded artiste of The All-India Radio. Along with his wife Smt. Padma, he runs a Music School in the name ‘The Trinity Academy of Fine Arts’ in Detroit, Michigan, USA. 14. Augustus De Morgan – Mathematician: Augustus De Morgan was born in Madurai and emerged as a British Mathematician and logician. He formulated DeMorgan’s laws. He was born in Madurai, but as a small baby, while he was 7 months old his family moved to England. Young Augustus was much interested in Mathematics and in his initial stages, he served as a professor in London University. He was the first president of London Mathematical Society. He was fond of writing and had a collection which would form a small library. He discovered relational algebra. Adding to his laurels, the student society of the Mathematics Department of University College London is called the August De Morgan Society. 15. T. M. Soundarajan - Carnatic Singer : T.M. Soundarajan, famous and leading singers’ in the sixties, is from the temple city of Madurai. He started his career in the cine field with his first film “Thooku Thooki”. He has been the most fitting background singer for the two great heroes M.G.R. and Sivaji Ganesan. He has served as their court singer for generations and is capable of singing in distinct styles to suit the voices of the heroes. His voice is royal, resonant and crystal clear even at high pitches. He has received laurels for his voice including Padmashri award. 16. T. V. Sundaram Iyengar - Auto Industrialist : T.V. Sundaram Iyengar is the founder of TVS group of companies. Now a popular motorcycle manufacturers and distributors world-wide, the great man started his career with bus service providers in Madurai district during 1912. He was a pioneer in constructing a motor transport industry in South India. As a result of his hard work, in the year 1923 he founded T.V. Sundaram Iyengar and Sons Limited. The company is now operating Lorries and Buses under Southern Roadways Limited, besides many other service stations and depots. This parent company of the TVS Group, a leading automobile distribution company in India also established a rubber re-treading factory, along with two more companies, the Madras Auto Service Limited and the Sundaram Motors Limited. Now the turnover of the TVS Group has crossed billions. Sundaram Iyengar who ploughed hard to create such a vast empire passed away at the age of 78. 17. Vadivelu – Film comedian : Vadivelu who is now staging as a famous comedy actor was born in a simple family in the southern city of Madurai. He initially started his career with add on roles in films and slowly came up in the field and created himself a separate place for comedy acting in the field. He has also raised himself with heroistic role in his latest film which has hit excellently. He also sings songs in the movies wherein he is presenting comedy roles, which has also earned him a good place in the field. 18. Vairamuthu – Tamil poet : Vairamuthu, one of the famous Tamil poet and lyricist was born in the year 1953. He is famous for presenting and meeting the requirements of all categories of people. He retains the traditional elements along with a flavor of classical language. He has received the National Film Award for his best lyrics five times. He has also been honored with Kalaimamani award and Tamil Nadu State Government award for his contribution towards Tamil literature. 19. Vijayakanth – Film Actor : Vijayakanth, famous Tamil actor com politician was born in the year 1952. His movies are said to exhibit corruption in the various governmental operations and departments. He is also famous for playing diversified roles. He takes well and is capable of giving hits by playing village roles as well as roles for patriotic movies. 20. Maniratnam - Leading Filmmaker : Maniratnam, who was born in 1956 in Madurai, is one of the leading filmmaker in the industry. He is known for his commercial movies that portray social problems. His movies are watched widely by people of all groups irrespective of age or generation gap and is recognized as one of the best filmmakers all over the world. He received Padmashri award in 2002 and a retrospective of his Tamil films was shown at the Toronto International Film Festival(TIFF) in the year 1994. He has also directed in other languages like Telugu, Kannada, Hindi and Malayalam. 21. Madurai Kavignar Era Ravi – Poet : Kavignar Era Ravi is one of the famous poets from Madurai. He has published books containing a collection of his poetry and launched a website www.kavimalar.com few years ago. He collects the news clippings of President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, published in small Tamil magazines and sends the clippings regularly. He has received awards and certificates in the world level poetry competition held by the London Tamil Ilakkiya Mandram. He has received various awards like Kaviyaruvi, Kavichingam, Kavichooriyan and Hykkoo Thilagam.