# List of Sengunthars

This is a list of notable people of the Sengunthar or Kaikkolar . The Warriors and Textile merchants , Weavers found in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Pondicherry and in Sri Lanka.

## Historical Personalities and Chieftains

* Veerabaahu: commander-in-chief of Lord Murugan's army.
* Srikalahasti Gnana Prasunambika Devi: The deity of Srikalahasteeswara temple.
* Ottakoothar 12th century court poet and minister of Cholas under Vikrama Chola, Kulothunga Chola II, Raja Raja Chola II reign. He is known as Kavichakravarthy.
* Chandramathi Mudaliar: was a 17th-century Tamil chieftain and ruler of south Kongu Nadu (Erode region) who fought many battles against the Madurai Nayaks. Erode Fort was built by him.
* Kottaiyannan Mudaliar: was a 14th-century cheiftain who was ruling Kongu region and fought against Muslim invaders.
* Chinnan Mudaliyar: Chieftain of Rasipuram in 16th century. He renovated many temples. He constructed a mandapam in Tiruchengode Ardhanareeswarar temple. People call him as Rasipuram Chinna Mudaliyar.
* Veera Chola Muniyappa Mudaliar: Chieftain of Virinchipuram during Vijayanagar period.
* Chieftains During Medieval Chola Period: Following is the list of Sengunthar chieftains under Imperial Cholas which is taken from the poem Eetiezhubathu written by Chola emperor's court poet and minister Ottakoothar.
* Putridan Kondan: King of Kalattur. Pallikondan: Chieftain of Chidambaram. Pazhuvur Veeran and Pazhuvur Narayanan: Chieftains of Pazhuvur. Thaniyan: Chieftain of Kanchi. Otriyuran: Chieftain of Thiruvottriyur. Thanjai Vemban: Chieftain of Thiruvaiyaru and chief minister under Parantaka Chola I's reign. Kangeyan: ruled Tondaimandalam under Kulothunga Chola II. Kalanthaiyarasan Mudaliar: son of Ponvilaintha kalathur king Madhimaan. Puliyur Palli Kondaan: son of Chidambaram king Vidangan. Pinavan Mudaliar: son of Kadambur king Kadhamban. Kandiyuran; son of Thiru kandiyur king Vibulan. Suban Mudaliar: Chieftain of Thiruchendur and commander under Rajadhiraja Chola I. Padaimaruthan: Chieftain of Thiruvidai maruthur.

## Zamindars and Mirasdar

Ranganatha Mudaliyar: Zamindar in Thiruvannamalai who ruled around 16,000 acres and the first one to build a hospital at Thiruvannamalai.
Raya Savarimuthu Chola Mudaliyar: Zamindar in Dindugul. His ancestors served as commanders in Chola Empire.
Nagamanikam Mudaliyar: Last Zamindar of Nanjai Uthukuli, Erode district. 1,600 acre zamin estate.
A.R Chellappa Mudaliyar: Zamindar of Takkolam.
Maasillamani Mudaliyar: Mirasdar of Thirukandeeswaram, Cuddalore district, who hold 1,200 acre cultivatable land. NLC India Limited founder Rao Bahadur T. M. Jambulingam Mudaliar is son of Maasillamani Mudaliar.
S. Sivaraj Mudaliyar: Mirasdar from Tirukovilur whose family holds thousands of acre cultivatable land in that area. He won 4 times as MLA from Rishivandyam constituency.
P.S. Thuraiyappa Mudaliar: Last Mirasdar of Puthukaiputhur, Erode district. His family has hold 1300 acre cultivatable land in Gobi taluka.
A.G. Murugesa Mudaliar: Last Mirasdar of Variyankaval, Ariyalur district. His family has hold 450 acre cultivatable land in Andimadam taluk.

## Independence activists

* Tirupur Kumaran: Freedom fighter from Chennimalai who lost his life for saving Indian national flag. He founded Desa Bandhu Youth Association and led protests against the British. His birth name was OKSR. Kumaraswamy Mudaliar.
* Thillaiaadi Valliammai, was a South African Tamil woman who worked with Mahatma Gandhi in her early years when she developed her nonviolent methods in South Africa fighting its apartheid regime and sacrificed her life in prison.

## Business

* A. Kulandaivel Mudaliar, Founder of The Chennai Silks, Sri Kumaran Thanamaligai and SCM Group. Hailed from Pattaliyar Gothram.
* Kuppanna: Founder of Junior Kuppanna restaurant.
* S. Muthusamy Mudaliar: was a Textile merchant and businessman from Erode district. Along with his father he was the founder of the Nilgiris Supermarket in 1905. It is also one of the oldest supermarket chains in India with origins dating back to 1905.
* Ganapathy Mudaliar: Founder of Sri Ganapathy Silks.
* V.S. Gandigachalam: Founder of VSG textile and Nandu brand lungis.
* T.S. Natraja Mudaliar: Founder of Janson group, Janson institute of technology, Janson textiles, Hanson MRI scan, Hanson Granites and Janson Dhotis.
* R. Radha Mudaliyar: Founder of Ran India steels.

## Philanthropy

* Raja Sir Savalai Ramaswami Mudaliar, an INC leader, merchant, dubash, politician and philanthropist known for starting Choultry near Chennai Central and philanthropic activities in Cuddalore .
* Rao Bahadur M. Jambulingam Mudaliar, Philanthropist from cuddalore who was donator of 620 acres land to Neyveli lignite corporation.
* K. A. Shanmuga Mudaliar: ex MLA and Chairman of Tirupattur. Founder of Government Thirumagal Mill's College by donating his 47 acres land.

## Social workers

* Erode S. Meenakshi Sundara Mudaliar : an educationalist, politician and public servant. He served as president of Municipality of Erode. He worked for the education of women in Erode region and people call him affectionately as "Sir". Because of his efforts, Sengunthar caste which was originally classified as forward caste was listed as backward caste later.
* V.V.C.R. Murugesa Mudaliar: an educationalist, spiritualist and public servant. He rebuilt hundreds of temples and worked for the education of women. He established a maternity ward in Erode named Dhanalakshmi Maternity Ward and donated several acres of lands and lakhs of rupees for establishment of several colleges. The people of Erode fondly called him "Saiva Peruvallal" and "Kalvi Vallal".
* Nachimuthu Mudaliar, a philanthropist from Chennimalai. He was the founder of Chentex weavers co-operative society in which thousands of weavers benefited and he was a Padma Shree awardee. He was former president of Senguntha Mahajana Sangam.
* J. Sudhanandhen Mudaliyar: an Indian philanthropist, educationalist, and textile merchant. He founded Erode Sengunthar Engineering College and M.P.Nachimuthu M.Jaganathan Engineering College in Erode district of Tamil Nadu state.
* Padma Sri P. K. Gopal: is an Indian social worker and a co-founder of International Association for Integration, Dignity and Economic Advancement.

## Entrepreneurs

* Padma Sri Pappammal: was an organic farmer from Tamil Nadu, India. She was also elected as a councillor in the Karamadai Panchayat Union. She was a member of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). At the age of 105, she was said to be the oldest farmer still active in the field. The Government of India honoured her in 2021, with the fourth highest civilian award of Padma Shri for her role in organic farming.

## Literature

* Irattaipulavar (Mudhusooriyar, Ilam sooriyar) 14th century poetical-duo (one blind and one lame) who authored Ekambaranathar ula.
* Kangeyar, a 14th-century poet who wrote "Urichol Nigandu".
* Arunagirinathar was a Tamil Shaiva saint-poet lived during the 14th century in Tamil Nadu, India.
* Padikasu Pulavar Tamil poet of 17th century known for his work 'Thondaimandala Sadhakam'.
* Bharathidhasan (1891-1964) (born as Kanaga. Subburathinam Mudaliar) known as Paavendhar, Puratchi Kavignar, Tamil poet, politician, social activist and teacher. The Government of Puducherry union territory has adopted the song of Invocation to Mother Tamil, written by Bharathidhasan as the state song of Puducherry (Tamil Thai Valthu (Puducherry)).
* Tamilanban (b.1933): Tamil Poet and writer.

## Civil Service

* T. V. Rajeswar IPS: former Deputy Commisioner of Hyderabad state, Intelligence Bureau chief and a Governor of 4 states.
* Sujatha: former IFS officer, Indian Ambassador to Germany and Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs of India.

## Politics

* CP Subbiah Mudaliar: Former Vice President of Indian National Congress party from Coimbatore
* Conjeevaram Natarajan Annadurai Mudaliar: First Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and founder of the DMK party
* Pulavar K. Govindan: 4 times elected as MLA. Two times elected as speaker of Tamil Nadu legislative Assembly.
* P. A. Saminathan Mudaliar: Indian politician and former Member of Parliament elected from Tamil Nadu. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Gobichettipalayam constituency(now called as Tiruppur lok Sabha) as a DMK candidate in 1967, and 1971 elections.
* C. Gopal Mudaliyar: ADMK politician, Former Sholinghur MLA and a former Arakkonam MP. President of AMMK party.
* M. R. Kandasamy Mudaliar: is an Indian politician, Textile merchant and former Member of the Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu from Veerapandi constituency as an Indian National Congress candidate in 1957 election. He was born in Sengunthar Kaikola Mudaliyar family in Salem district.
* A. Mariappan Mudaliar: is an Indian politician, Philanthropist and was ex MLA of Salem - I constituency. Mariappa Mudaliar was president of the Ammapettai Handloom Weavers'Cooperative Society from 1952 to 1971. This cooperative society is oldest and biggest in Tamil Nadu. This cooperative Society improved the economy of thousands of weavers.
* Ekiri Sanjeevi Mudaliyar: Philanthropist and district board member,(zilla parisad member) of Chittoor district in 1937 and first president of Podaturpet town.
* E. S. Thyagarajan Mudaliar: Prominent leader of DMK and he was former MLA of Tiruttani constituency. Uncle of Dr. E.S.S. Raman.
* Dr. E.S.S. Raman: State Vice President Tamil Maanila Congress and was former MLA of Pallipattu constituency.
* B. Senguttuvan: Prominent lawyer from Vellore and former Member of Parliament.
* M. Sundaram, Former INC Politician and served as Rishivandhiyam MLA.
* S. Sivaraj, Former INC Politician and served as Rishivandhiyam MLA.
* S. Murugaiyan, Former DMK MP and MLA.
* Cheyyar Devaraj ex MLA for Cheyyar.
* V. Somasundaram Former ADMK Handloom Minister and former Uthiramerur MLA.
* V.Saminathan BJP leader of Puducherry state ex-MLA and current BJP state president of Puducherry.
* T. M. Anbarasan: Minister for Rural Industries, Cottage Industries, Small Industries, Slum clearance board in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu Government. He served as district DMK secretary of Kancheepuram. He had been elected to the Tamil Nadu assembly thrice.
* Sevvoor S. Ramachandran: Indian politician and a member of the 15th Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. He was elected from Arni constituency, Thiruvannamalai as a candidate of the AIADMK. He became the Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments in 2016.
* S. J. Ramaswamy Mudali: Former DMK MP.
* S. C. Sadayappa Mudaliar

## Arts and Cinema

* T. R. Sundaram Mudaliyar Yesteryears Film producer and Founder of Modern Theatres Ltd.The studio produced over more than 150 films until 1982 in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, Sinhalese and even English of which Tamil were the majority.
* P.A. Perumal Mudaliar, Producer, director and founder of National Pictures Limited which distributed more than 200 films . He introduced Sivaji Ganesan and M. R. Radha to the cinema world.
* A. Jagannathan, Yesteryears Tamil film director
* P. S. Veerappa, Yesteryears Tamil film producer and actor.
* Thyagarajan: is an Indian actor, director and producer in Tamil cinema. Beside Tamil, he has also acted in several Malayalam and Kannada films and a few Telugu films.He is the father of Tamil actor Prashanth and the maternal uncle of Tamil actor Vikram and son in law of Peketi Sivaram
* Rajagopala Kulashekharan: was an Indian music composer who worked mainly for Malayalam movies. He composed music for 52 films (23 in Malayalam with 127 songs), and was the music conductor for more than 100 films. He is the father of music composers and singers A. R. Rahman and A. R. Reihana.
* R.K. Selvamani, President, Film Employees Federation of South India (FEFSI) and film director who directed more than 15 films.
* Na. Muthukumar: Late Tamil poet, movie script writer and lyricist.
* Anandaraj: Tamil film actor. He has acted in villain roles in several Tamil films and has appeared in over a two hundred films in different languages including Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi.
* Pandiarajan: Tamil film actor who has played leading roles in many humorous Tamil films.
* Prashanth: known for his works predominantly in Tamil cinema. Besides Tamil films, he has also appeared in few Telugu, Hindi and Malayalam films. At the peak of his career in the late 1990s, Prashanth was one of the popular actors in South India. He has won a Kalaimamani Award from the Government of Tamil Nadu.
* Pa. Vijay: Tamil poet, film actor and lyricist. He won the National Film Award for Best Lyrics in India for his song Ovvoru Pookalume in Cheran's Autograph (2004).
* Vikranth: is an Indian actor who has appeared in Tamil language films. He is the cousin of popular Tamil actor Vijay and nephew of Shoba and S. A. Chandrasekhar.
* G. V. Prakash Kumar: is an Indian music composer, playback singer, actor, and film producer known for his work in Tamil cinema. He has won one National Award, three Filmfare Awards and three SIIMA Awards in his film career.
* Lokesh Kanagaraj: Tamil film director. He created the Lokesh Cinematic Universe franchise.

## Science

* Mylsamy Annadurai, former ISRO scientist and former director, ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC), Bengaluru and programme director of Chandrayaan-1 and Mangalyaan mission.
* M. Annamalai, Space scientist and former director of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota and Senior Advisor for Space Transportations Systems at ISRO.

## Spiritual

* Dandi Adigal Nayanar: is the 31st Nayanar saint. Traditional hagiographies like Periya Puranam (13th century CE) and Thiruthondar Thogai (10th century CE) describe him as a great devotee of the Hindu god Shiva.
* Kanampulla Nayanar: is the 46th Nayanar saint. Traditional hagiographies such as the Periya Puranam (13th century CE) and Thiruthondar Thogai (10th century CE) describe him as a great devotee of the Hindu god Shiva.
* Kirupanandha Variyar: was a Shaivite spiritual teacher from India. He was an ardent Murugan devotee who helped rebuild and complete the works on many of the temples across the state. People believes him as 64th Nayanar saint.
* Vethathiri Maharishi: is an Indian yoga guru, philosopher and Hindu spiritual leader. He founded the World Community Service Centre (WCSC) in Chennai and established the Temple of Consciousness (Arivu Thirukkoil) at Aliyar near Coimbatore.

## Sports

* Elavenil Valarivan: She is an Indian sport shooter from Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu.