List of famous Keralites

The following is a list of notable people from Kerala, India:

* Abraham Kovoor - Well-known rationalist. He is better known as A.T. Kovoor.
* Abu Abraham - Cartoonist, worked for The Guardian and The Observer.
* Adi Sankara (788 - 820) - Saint, poet, philosopher and reviver of Hinduism in India. Propounded the doctrine of Advaita (non-duality), which identified the Supreme with the Self. He is revered as the Shankaracharya.
* Adoor Gopalakrishnan - Internationally acclaimed director. Movies include Elipathayam (The Mousetrap) and Mathilukal (Walls).
* Ajitha - Former Naxalite and women's rights activist.
* A.K. Antony - Chief Minister of Kerala during 1977-78, 1995-96, and 2001-2004. He was the Leader of the Opposition in Kerala Legislative Assembly during 1996 to 2001.
* A.K.G or A.K. Gopalan - Communist leader. First opposition leader in Indian Parliament. Undoubtedly AKG was the most popular among all the Left leaders in India. He died on March 21, 1977 at the age of 73.
* Akkitham Achuthan Namboodiri - A famous Malayalam poet who is honored by the epithet Mahaakavi. He won the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award for Malayalam in 1973. His famous poems include 'Irupatam Nuttantinte Ithihasam. Akkitham is associated with Tapasya _ a cultural organization.
* Amritanandamayi - Renowed Saint from Kerala known for her hugging which creates a spiritual current among her disciples
* Anita Nair - Writer.
* Anju George - The only Indian to win a medal at the World Athletics Championships.
* Arundhati Roy - Writer, awarded the Booker Prize in 1997 for The God of Small Things, which is set in Kerala. Born in Kerala.
* Ayyankali - Social activist who fought for dalit right.
* Balachandran Chullikkadu - Poet admired for his realistic approach and hummable and rhythmic poems.
* Changampuzha Krishna Pillai (1911-1948) - Poet, author of the pastoral elegy Ramanan (1936) which sold over 100,000 copies, a record that still stands. Changampuzha took Malayalam poetry to the zenith of romanticism.
* Chattampi Swamikal (1853 - 1925) - was one of Kerala's famed social reform activists and learned men.
*C.H. Mohammed Koya - Former Chief Minister of Kerala.
* Cherusseri Namboodiri - Mahakavi (great poet), part of the old Kavithrayam (triad of poets), with Ezhuthachan and Kunchan Nambiar. Author of Krishnagaadha (The Song of Krishna).
* Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar (1895-1974) - Legendary Carnatic vocalist and one of the most highly respected iconic figures of South India, specially in classical music.
* C. Kesavan - The Chief Minister of erstwhile state of Travancore-Cochin from 1951-52.
* C.K. Janu - Tribal leader.
* Devan Nair - Former Head of the state of Singapore.
* Dr. John Mathai _ London School of Economics and Oxford trained economist and the first Malayali Union Cabinet Minister. He was twice Finance Minister in the Union Cabinet of Jawaharlal Nehru.
* Dr. P. Palpu - Social reformer.
* Dr. K.K. Damodaran - Nuclear physicist and former Head of Training at BARC.
* Dr. P.C. Alexander - Former Governor of Tamil Nadu and Maharashra; former High Commissioner to UK
* ECG Sudharshan- Renowned theoretical physicist;Emeritus professor at University of Texas.Nominated for the Nobel prize a number of times.First to propose the V-A Theory with Robert Marshak in the 1950s.
* E.K. Nayanar - Former Chief Minister of Kerala. Noted Communist leader. Native of Kannur District of Kerala.
* E. M. S. Namboodiripad - First Chief Minister of unified Kerala State. Headed one of the first communist administrations which came to exist through ballot paper elections. General Secretary of CPI(M) for many years.
* E. Sreedharan A noted Indian Technocrat. Managing Director of Delhi Metro. CMD of Konkan Railway. Padmasree winner.
* Fr. Chavara Kuriakose - A Christian saint of Kerala. The yeoman service rendered by him led to the growth of the C.M.I. (Carmelites of Mary Immaculate) Congregation.
* G. Aravindan - Noted film director and cartoonist. Movies include Kanchana Seeta, Kummatty (Bogeyman) and Chidambaram. His cartoon strip series 'Valiya lokavum Cheriya manushyarum' was very popular.
* G. Devarajan - Famous music director.
*Lt. General K. P. Candeth -Former GOC-in-C Western Command 1971 Indo-Pakistani War Hero
* G. Madhavan Nair - Chairman of ISRO.
* George Sudarsan - Renowned particle physicist.
* GopiKrishnan - Staff cartoonist of Mathrubhoomi daily.
* Hameed Chennamangaloor - A prolific writer, a prominent progressive Muslim intellectual, and a widely acclaimed doyen of secularism in Kerala.
* I.M. Vijayan - A skilful soccer player who played for the national team and prominent Indian soccer clubs such as Mohan Bagan. He was a forward and scored many goals.
* Jayastadeva (1500 - 1575) - Mathematician.
* Jimmy George - Legendary volleyball player.
* John Abraham - Avant-garde film director.
* John Abraham - Indian model and actor.
* Joseph Mundassery - A prominent literary critic of Malayalam language and Education Minister in the first communist ministry of Kerala.
* Kamala Das - English poet and feminist, also wrote in Malayalam under the pen-name Madhavikkutty. First Indian woman to openly write about woman's sexuality. Embraced Islam under the name Kamala Suraiyya in 1999. Asian Poetry Prize, 1964, Kent Award, 1965.
* K.C. Sreedharan Pillai (1920-1985) - Mathematician
* K.C.S. Panikkar - Painter, founder of Cholamandalam, the community of artists.
* Keralavarma Pazhassi Raja - Feudal lord and ruler of Wynad who waged a heroic guerilla war against the British.
*General Sundararajan Padmanabhan 20th Indian Army Chief of Staff.
* Kerala Varma Valiya Koyithampuran - The author of 'Abhijnana Sakunthalam' (1898 AD), a translation of Kalidasa's 'Sakunthalam'.
* Kesari Balakrishna Pillai - Social thinker, Literary critic who influenced a generation of writers and other intellectuals in Kerala during the first half of 20th Century. The name of one of his book "Navalokam" (New World) is symbolical representative of his intellectual contributions.
* K.K. Mathew - Former Judge of the Supreme Court of India. He also served as the Tenth Law Commission Chairman and also as the Second Press Commission Chairman of India.
* [K.K.Usha]Former chief justice of kerala high court
* K. M. Moulavi - An active leader of the Khilafat movement and the first president of Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen (1950), which is responsible for fighting social evils like dowry, superstition, and promoting education and protecting rights of women among the Muslim population in Kerala.
* K. M. Panikkar - Eminent historian. India's first ambassador to China.
* K. N. Raj - Economist who played a key role in India's first Five Year Plan, one of the founding fathers of the Delhi School of Economics.
* K. S. Chithra - Renowned playback singer and winner of several state and national awards.
* K. Shankar Pillai (1902-1989) - The patron saint of Indian cartoonists. Founder of Shankar's Weekly and the International Dolls Museum, New Delhi.
* K. P. Kesava Menon - Well known patriot and active volunteer of the freedom fight against the British. Founder of Mathrubhumi daily.
* Kumaran Asan - Mahaakavi (great poet), part of the new Kavithrayam, with Ulloor and Vallathol. Kumaran Asan was the follower of Srinarayana Guru. He used poetry to influence the society.
* Kalakkaththu Kunchan Nambiar - Mahaakavi (great poet), part of the old Kavithrayam. Founder of the art form Ottan Thullal.
*Kozhikode Abdul Kader - Abdul Kader made his debut as a playback singer in Malayalam films in 1951 in the film `Navalokam.' The 'Malabar Saigal' died on February 13, 1977.
* K. J. Yesudas - Exponent of Carnatic music and disciple of the great Chembai . And Play back Singer
* K. Elakkara - Keralite entrepreneur and activist for equal rights for people everywhere whether common or prominent.
* K.P.S. Menon - Diplomat who served as Indian Ambassador to China and USSR. He was the head of India's mission in Moscow when Jawaharlal Nehru visited Soviet Union in early fifties, opening a long chapter of friendship between the two countries.
* K. R. Narayanan (1921 - 2005) - Former President of India
* Lakshmi N. Menon - First woman foreign minister of India (1957-1966).
* Laurie Baker - Eco-friendly architect and engineer.
* M. Night Shyamalan - Well known Hollywood film director.
* Madhava - A 14th century mathematician. He hailed from Sangamagrama, which is near the present day Kochi [1]
* Madhava (1350 - 1425) - Mathematician
* N.S. Madhavan - Writer and civil servant.
* Mammootty - Winner of the national award for Best Actor 3 times.
* M. P. Veerendrakumar - writer,noted politician.
* Marthanda Varma - An 18th century Maharaja described as "the maker of modern Travancore".
* Mathai Manjooran (1912 - 1970) - A gallant freedom fighter, socialist revolutionary, member of the Indian Parliament, Labor Minister in the 2nd EMS communist ministry, and above all the staunchest advocate towards the formation of Kerala State.
* Mannathu padmanabhan - Founder of Nair Service Society.
* M.A.baby-Education minister of kerala
* M. C. Joseph - Rationalist, founding editor of Yukthivadi.
* M.G.K. Menon - Renowned scientist.
* M.G. Ramachandran - Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
* M. Krishnan Nair - Literary critic, whose column Sahithyavaraphalam has long served as a window to contemâ€"porary world literature.
* M. Mukundan - Novelist, author of Mayyazhippuzhayude Theerangalil (On the Banks of Mayyazhi) and Deyvathinte Vikruthikal (Pranks of God).
* Mohanlal - Winner of the national award for Best Actor in 1992 (Bharatham) and 2000 (Vaanaprastham).
* Mohammed Abdurahiman Sahib - Freedom fighter and former KPCC President.
* Moyinkutty Vaidyar - Great poet (Mahakavi), author of many authentic Mappila songs.
* M. P. Parameswaran - Scientist turned social activist, involved with Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad.
* Mrinalini Sarabhai - Famous danseuse, born Mrinalini Swaminathan. She is the wife of late Indian physicist, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, mother of Mallika Sarabhai, and sister of Captain Lakshmi.
* M. T. Vasudevan Nair - Writer and cinema personality. Jnanpith Award, 1995.
* Nawab Rajendran - Social activist who stirred the conscience of the society for three decades.
* Nilakanta Somayaji (1444-1544) - Mathematician
* Nitya Chaitanya Yati - Scholar, monk.
* O. Chandumenon - Author of the Malayalam novel Indulekha. Also wrote the incomplete novel "Sharada".
* O. V. Vijayan - Novelist, cartoonist. Author of Khasakkinte Ithihaasam (The Legends of Khasak) and Dharmapuranam (The Saga of Dharmapuri).
* [Oommen chandi]-former kerala chiefminister
* Pastor Mohan C. Thomas - A Social worker in Chattisgarh
* Panakkad Sayeed Mohammedali Shihab Thangal - Muslim League state president and spiritual guide to a large section of North Kerala Muslims.
* P. C. Sanalkumar I.A.S - Satirist.
* P. Krishna Pillai - One of the founders of Communist Party in Kerala. He was the President of Kerala Congress Committee.
* P. Padmarajan (1945-1991) - Popular film director, affectionately known as 'Pappan', whose films often blurred the line between artistic and commercial cinema.
*P. Parameswaran - Renowned thinker. Director of Bharatiya Vichara Kendram and former President of Vivekanand Kendra, Kanyakumari. Also known as Parameswarji.
* Paul, M.P. - Literary critic.
* Paul Zacharia - Writer.
* Pinarai Vijayan - CPI(M) Secretary, State Committee, Kerala and member of the Politburo.
* Professor D M Vasudevan - Noted physician, researcher and educationist.
* Poonthanam - Poet belonging to the Bhakti school.
* Prakash Karat - Communist leader.
* Prem Naseer - The former evergreen hero of Malayalam cinema.
* P. T. Usha - One of India's greatest athletes, who missed out on a bronze medal by 0.01 seconds in the 400 m hurdles event in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
* Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906) - World renowned painter whose works were exhibited in Vienna and Chicago. First Indian painter to use the oil medium.
* Raja Raja Varma - Linguist and grammarian known as the Kerala Panini.
* Rama Varma Sakthan Thampuran - Noted King of Cochin who was very brave and innovative in late 18th century.
* Gopalasamudram Narayana Iyer Ramachandran — crystallographer.
* Sahodaran Ayyappan - Social reformer, follower of Sri Narayana Guru. He proclaimed "Jati Venda, Matham Venda, Daivam Venda Manusyanu" (No caste, No religion and No God for Human being" as a rejoinder to the famous words of his philosopher-guide Narayana Guru who said: "One Caste, One Religion and One God for Human Being".
* Sehghal, Lakshmi, Captain,Dr. - The head of women's wing of Indian National Army founded by Netaji.
* Sree Narayana Guru (1856-1928) - Social reformer, scholar, teacher, saint and Vedantin and founder of SNDP, an organisation created to bring equality in the society.
* R. Sankar - Former Chief Minister of Kerala.
* Rev Dr Abby Thomas - Department of Oriental Philosophy, Wonkwang University, Iksan, South Korea.[2]
* S.Jithesh-Cartoonist,cartoon critic,Illustrator.Editor in chief of Chiricheppu cartoon monthly
* Shashi Tharoor - Novelist, Commonwealth Writers Prize, 1991; Under-Secretary-General (Communication and Public Information) of the United Nations.
*Brigadier Thomas Theograj India war hero, led the successful defense of Punjab at The Battle of Asal Uttar in 1965.
* Sir C. Sankaran Nair - President of Indian National Congress in 1897. The only Keralite to hold the post.
*Lt General Satish Nambiar Senior Army Officer, led United Nations Operations in Bosnia.
* Shaji N. Karun - Noted director, whose movies include Piravi (Birth), Swam and Vaanaprastham.
* Shobana - Actress and Bharatanatyam dancer. Two-time National award winner.
* S. K. Pottakkat (1913 - 1982) - A well-renowned author whose work Oru Desattinte Katha (The Story of a Land) fetched him the Jnanpith award of 1980.
* Sr. Alphonsa - A Christian saint from Bharananganam, kerala.
* Sukumar Azhikode - Thinker, teacher, critic and orator.
* Sukumar - Cartoonist.
* Swami Chinmayananda - Founder of the Chinmaya Mission. He was not only a guru but also a great visionary, whose work touched not only India but the whole world.
* Swathi Thirunal - Erstwhile king of Travancore and a great musician.
* Dr Thomas Thomas - The first Indian Cardio-Thoracic surgeon.
* Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai - Novelist and short story writer whose work Chemmeen was awarded Jnanpith Award in 1984.
* Thunchaththu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan - Architect of modern Malayalam. Mahakavi (great poet), part of the old Kavithrayam. Penned the most popular Malayalam renditions of Ramayana and Mahabharata.
* T. N. Seshan - Tenth Chief Election Commissioner of India, recipient of Magsaysay Award.
* Toms - The creator of the cartoon characters Boban and Molly.
* Ulloor - Mahaakavi, part of the new Kavithrayam. Author of Umakeralam.
* Unni - Cartoonist, writer.
* Vaikom Muhammad Basheer - Writer, philosopher.
* Vakkom Abdul Khader Moulavi - Publisher of the legendary publication Swadeshabhimani, social reformer, and a prominent leader of the progressive Islahi Movement in Kerala.
* Vallathol Narayana Menon - Mahaakavi, part of the new Kavithrayam. Author of Sahithyamanjari. Founder of Kerala Kalamandalam, the state's flagship institution for the promotion of performing arts.
* Vataseri Parameswaran Namboothiri (1370 -1460) - Mathematician
* Vayalar Ramavarma - Arguably the greatest lyricist in the history of Malayalam cinema.
* Vayalar Ravi - Kerala politician. Union cabinet minister.
* Verghese Kurien - Architect of the Indian version of White Revolution, centred around Amul in Gujarat.
* Vijayan, M. N - Thinker, writer, literary critic, social activist. Most of his works are compilation of speeches.
* V. P. Menon - The right-hand man of Sardar Patel in the unification of princely states during the formation of the Indian Union.
* V. R. Krishna Iyer - Legislator and jurist, human rights activist. Krishna Iyer along with P.N. Bhagavathi as the justices of Indian Supreme Court radically interpreted the role of judiciary in ensuring the rights of citizens. This period is marked in the history of Indian Judiciary in Golden Letters as "Krishna Iyer-Bhagavathi Era".
* V. K. Krishna Menon - Former Defence Minister of India and renowned statesman. Delivered an eight-hour-long speech on Kashmir dispute at a U.N. Security Council meeting in 1957. Krishna Menon was the close associate of Pandit Nehru, the then Prime Minister.
* Valsa nair-newly appointed Disrict Collector of Mumbai .
* V.S. Achuthanandan - Current Chief Minister of Kerala. He was the secretary of CPI(M) state committee from 1980 to 1992 and Opposition leader of KLA from 1992 to 1996 and from 2001 to 2006.
* [Yesudasan]-kerala based cartoonist.
* Yusuf Arakkal - Bangalore based painter.