Vadakalai
Encyclopedia
Vadakalai meaning Northern branch are a subsect of the Vaishnavite Iyengar
community of Hindu
Brahmins. In Sanskrit the Vadakalai are referred to as Uttara Kalārya . Vadakalais are followers of Ramanuja
and Vedanta Desika
.
people who once migrated from North India
. In a genetic study in Andhra Pradesh all individuals examined among Vadakalai Iyengars showed a high similarity of rhesus(d) gene frequency with the people of Faislabad in the Punjab province of Pakistan
. All the individuals examined among Vadakalai Iyengars showed Rhesus(D) positive with a high frequency of the D allele while the other castes from Andhra showed a low frequency of the D allele. Vadakalai Iyengars are ardent followers of the Vedas. Vedanta Desika
, the Vaishnavite Acharya and philosopher, founded the Vadakalai sampradaya based on the Sanskritic tradition.
It is widely accepted that the Vadakalais share the same origin with Vadama Brahmins. It is noteworthy that Ramanuja, the founder of Srivaishnavism, was born a Vadama. But some believe that the subsect originated in the 14th century AD following a split in the Iyengar community.
The Tilak(Urdhva Pundra) mark of the Vadakalai men is a symbolic representation of Lord Vishnu's
right foot. Since Vishnu's right foot is believed to be the actual origin of the river Ganges, the vadakalais contend that his right foot should be held in special veneration, and its sign impressed on the forehead. They also apply a central mark (Srichurnam) to symbolize goddess Lakshmi(Vishnu's wife), along with the thiruman(urdhva pundra). The Urdhva Pundra which is vertical and faces upwards denotes that it helps one in reaching Vaikunta
(the spiritual abode of Lord Vishnu), and is also considered to be a protection from evil. Vadakalai women apply a red central mark only, symbolizing goddess Lakshmi, on their foreheads.
Vedas
, always championed the cause of purity of the vedic tenets
. Traditionally, every day starts around 4 a.m as per Ushah Kāla Dharma. There are mantras to be recited on every occasion, invoking the grace of God at every stage – ablutions, etc. Performance of Sandhyavandanam
three times a day(morning twilight, evening twilight and noon), is of absolute necessity. The most important daily duty is the Aradhana or Ijya, either with a shaligrama or a small idol. After that, Vaiswadeva and Pancha -Maha Yajnas(including brahma yajna) are to be performed. Special charts, namely Vyajanakara and Chakrakara are used in regard to the oblations offered in Vaiswadeva Yajnas.
The Vadakalai Iyengars firmly believe in practising Karma yoga
, Jnana yoga
and Bhakti yoga
along with Prapatti
, as means to attain salvation. The Vadakalai Guru Shri Vedanta Desika emphasizes the practise of the three yogas in his work Rahasya Trayasarah, where he describes Karma and Jnana yogas to be pre-requisites of Bhakti yoga.
The sect rigorously follows the set of rules prescribed by the Manusmriti and other Dharma Shastras
.
, Parakala Mutt
, Srirangam Srimad Andavan Ashramam
and Poundarikapuram Andavan Ashramam. Among these, Parakala Mutt is more than 700 years old, and the oldest. The Ahobila Mutt is a 600+ year old monastic order, and the second oldest. Srirangam Srimad Andavan Ashramam is a 300+ year old organisation, which came into existence by the 18th century, while Poundarikapuram Andavan Ashramam is 100+ years old.
Traditionally, places of high importance with significant Vadakalai populations included Kanchipuram
, Kumbakonam
, Tiruvallur
, Mysore and Kurnool district
. However, today much of the people have moved to the big cities.
, was born a Vadakalai Iyengar, who was one of the Six Goswamis of Vrindavan in Chaitanya Vaishnavism/Hare Krishna, and a highly revered Guru in ISKCON. He was born in Srirangam, to Venkata Bhatta. Although belonging to the Ramanuja(Shrivaishnav) Sampradaya, he was one of the foremost disciples to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
. He is famous for establishing the Radha-Ramana Temple in Vrindavan
.
, while the Thenkalai follow the doctrines of Manavalamamunigal and Ramanuja
. For philosophical differences between Vadakalai and Thenkalai traditions, please see Vadakalai and Thenkalai schools of thought, in Visishtadvaita. Vadakalai Iyengars sport the U naama, rather than the Thenkalai Y naamam. Compared to the Thenkalai
Iyengars who thrived in Srirangam, their tradition developed around Kanchi. The Vadakalai group follow the Sanskrit Vedas, unlike the Thenkalai who follow the Tamil prabhandams.
Iyengar
Iyengar or Ayyangar is a caste given to Hindu Brahmins of Tamil origin who follow the Visishtadvaita philosophy propounded by Sri Ramanujacharya. They are found mostly in Tamil Nadu as they are generally native to the Tamil Nadu state of the Republic of India...
community of Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
Brahmins. In Sanskrit the Vadakalai are referred to as Uttara Kalārya . Vadakalais are followers of Ramanuja
Ramanuja
Ramanuja ; traditionally 1017–1137, also known as Ramanujacharya, Ethirajar , Emperumannar, Lakshmana Muni, was a theologian, philosopher, and scriptural exegete...
and Vedanta Desika
Vedanta Desika
Vedanta Desika was a Sri Vaishnava Guru. He was a poet, devotee, philosopher and master-teacher...
.
Ethnicity and origin
The Vadakalai Iyengars are believed to be an Indo-AryanIndo-Aryans
Indo-Aryan is an ethno-linguistic term referring to the wide collection of peoples united as native speakers of the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-Iranian family of Indo-European languages...
people who once migrated from North India
North India
North India, known natively as Uttar Bhārat or Shumālī Hindustān , is a loosely defined region in the northern part of India. The exact meaning of the term varies by usage...
. In a genetic study in Andhra Pradesh all individuals examined among Vadakalai Iyengars showed a high similarity of rhesus(d) gene frequency with the people of Faislabad in the Punjab province of Pakistan
Punjab (Pakistan)
Punjab is the most populous province of Pakistan, with approximately 45% of the country's total population. Forming most of the Punjab region, the province is bordered by Kashmir to the north-east, the Indian states of Punjab and Rajasthan to the east, the Pakistani province of Sindh to the...
. All the individuals examined among Vadakalai Iyengars showed Rhesus(D) positive with a high frequency of the D allele while the other castes from Andhra showed a low frequency of the D allele. Vadakalai Iyengars are ardent followers of the Vedas. Vedanta Desika
Vedanta Desika
Vedanta Desika was a Sri Vaishnava Guru. He was a poet, devotee, philosopher and master-teacher...
, the Vaishnavite Acharya and philosopher, founded the Vadakalai sampradaya based on the Sanskritic tradition.
It is widely accepted that the Vadakalais share the same origin with Vadama Brahmins. It is noteworthy that Ramanuja, the founder of Srivaishnavism, was born a Vadama. But some believe that the subsect originated in the 14th century AD following a split in the Iyengar community.
Groups
The Vadakalai community consists of the following groups, based on the sampradaya followed- PancharatraPancharatraPancharātra is a Sanskrit drama written by Bhasa. The plot is based on the Hindu epic Mahabharata....
– Followers of Ahobila Mutt. Majority of Vadakalais belong to this group.
- MunitrayaMunitraya SampradayamMunitraya Sampradayam is a Vaishnava denomination. The word Munitraya is derived from the words "three sages". The followers of Munitraya Sampradayam are affiliated to mathas founded by Srinivasa, Ranganatha and Vedanta Ramanuja , the three foremost disciples of Vedanta Desika. The followers of the...
– Followers of Andavan Ashramams, and Swayamacharyas.
- Hebbar – They are mostly followers of Parakala Mutt, Mysore.
Caste mark
Vishnu
Vishnu is the Supreme god in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. Smarta followers of Adi Shankara, among others, venerate Vishnu as one of the five primary forms of God....
right foot. Since Vishnu's right foot is believed to be the actual origin of the river Ganges, the vadakalais contend that his right foot should be held in special veneration, and its sign impressed on the forehead. They also apply a central mark (Srichurnam) to symbolize goddess Lakshmi(Vishnu's wife), along with the thiruman(urdhva pundra). The Urdhva Pundra which is vertical and faces upwards denotes that it helps one in reaching Vaikunta
Vaikunta
Vaikuntha , Param Padam , or Paramapadam is the abode of Lord Vishnu. It is believed, in the tradition of Vaishnavites, to be the place of eternal bliss, exclusive to the Lord, His eternal consort, the Goddess Lakshmi, and the three-folded Serpent Sesha Naga, upon whom the Lord, and His Shakti ,...
(the spiritual abode of Lord Vishnu), and is also considered to be a protection from evil. Vadakalai women apply a red central mark only, symbolizing goddess Lakshmi, on their foreheads.
Religious practices and tradition
The Vadakalais being staunch followers of the SanskritSanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
Vedas
Vedas
The Vedas are a large body of texts originating in ancient India. Composed in Vedic Sanskrit, the texts constitute the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and the oldest scriptures of Hinduism....
, always championed the cause of purity of the vedic tenets
Vedic science
Vedic science may refer to a number of disciplines: ancient and modern, scientific and unscientific, religious, metaphysical, Hindu, occultist, New Age, proto-scientific, or pseudoscientific found in or based on the Vedas.Vedic period...
. Traditionally, every day starts around 4 a.m as per Ushah Kāla Dharma. There are mantras to be recited on every occasion, invoking the grace of God at every stage – ablutions, etc. Performance of Sandhyavandanam
Sandhyavandanam
Sandhyavandanam is a religious practice performed by Hindu men initiated into the rite by the ceremony of Upanayanam, and instructed in its execution by a Guru . Sandhyavandanam consists of excerpts from the Great Vedas that are to be recited thrice daily...
three times a day(morning twilight, evening twilight and noon), is of absolute necessity. The most important daily duty is the Aradhana or Ijya, either with a shaligrama or a small idol. After that, Vaiswadeva and Pancha -Maha Yajnas(including brahma yajna) are to be performed. Special charts, namely Vyajanakara and Chakrakara are used in regard to the oblations offered in Vaiswadeva Yajnas.
The Vadakalai Iyengars firmly believe in practising Karma yoga
Karma Yoga
Karma yoga , or the "discipline of action" is a form of yoga based on the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred Sanskrit scripture of Hinduism. Of the four paths to realization, karma yoga is the science of achieving perfection in action...
, Jnana yoga
Jnana yoga
Jyâna yoga or "path of knowledge" is one of the types of yoga mentioned in Hindu philosophies...
and Bhakti yoga
Bhakti yoga
Bhakti yoga is one of the types of yoga mentioned in Hindu philosophies which denotes the spiritual practice of fostering loving devotion to a personal form of God....
along with Prapatti
Saranagati
Saranagati or Prapatti , in the devotional school of Hindu denominations known as Vaishnavism, is the process of total surrender to God...
, as means to attain salvation. The Vadakalai Guru Shri Vedanta Desika emphasizes the practise of the three yogas in his work Rahasya Trayasarah, where he describes Karma and Jnana yogas to be pre-requisites of Bhakti yoga.
The sect rigorously follows the set of rules prescribed by the Manusmriti and other Dharma Shastras
Dharmasastra
Dharmaśāstra is a genre of Sanskrit texts and refers to the śāstra, or Indic branch of learning, pertaining to Hindu dharma, religious and legal duty. The voluminous textual corpus of Dharmaśāstra is primarily a product of the Brahmanical tradition in India and represents the elaborate scholastic...
.
Mutts (monasteries), and places of significance
The Vadakalais are generally followers of the Ahobila MuttAhobila Mutt
Ahobila Mutt is a Vadakalai Sri Vaishnava religious institution established 600 years ago at Ahobilam in India by Athivan Satakopa Svami...
, Parakala Mutt
Parakala Mutt
The Bramhatantra Parakala Mutt is an ancient Hindu Monastic order established in South India. It was the first monastery of the Sri Vaishnava sect of Brahmin Hindu society....
, Srirangam Srimad Andavan Ashramam
Srirangam Srimad Andavan Ashramam
Srirangam Srimadh Andavan Ashramam has been an institution for more than three centuries in nurturing and furthering Acharya Ramanuja'sand Swami Vedanta Desika's doctrine of Vishishtadvaita. The institution traces its roots to Swami Vedantha Desika through Saakshaath Swami and to Acharya Ramanuja...
and Poundarikapuram Andavan Ashramam. Among these, Parakala Mutt is more than 700 years old, and the oldest. The Ahobila Mutt is a 600+ year old monastic order, and the second oldest. Srirangam Srimad Andavan Ashramam is a 300+ year old organisation, which came into existence by the 18th century, while Poundarikapuram Andavan Ashramam is 100+ years old.
Traditionally, places of high importance with significant Vadakalai populations included Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram, or Kanchi, is a temple city and a municipality in Kanchipuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a temple town and the headquarters of Kanchipuram district...
, Kumbakonam
Kumbakonam
Kumbakonam , also spelt as Coombaconum in the records of British India , is a town and a special grade municipality in the Thanjavur district in the southeast Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Located 40 kilometres from Thanjavur and 272 kilometres from Chennai, it is the headquarters of the Kumbakonam...
, Tiruvallur
Tiruvallur
Tiruvallur is a temple town and Grade I municipality in Tiruvallur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located on the Cooum river about northwest of the city of Chennai , the capital city of Tamil Nadu. It is the administrative headquarters of Tiruvallur district...
, Mysore and Kurnool district
Kurnool district
Kurnool District is a district in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, located in the west-central part of the state on the southern banks of the Tungabhadra and Handri rivers. The town of Kurnool is currently the headquarters of the district...
. However, today much of the people have moved to the big cities.
Role and contributions in Northern India and other sampradayas
Gopala Bhatta GoswamiGopala Bhatta Goswami
Gopala Bhatta Goswami is one of the foremost disciples of the Vaishnava saint, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and a leading historical figure in the Gaudiya Vaishnava school of Hinduism...
, was born a Vadakalai Iyengar, who was one of the Six Goswamis of Vrindavan in Chaitanya Vaishnavism/Hare Krishna, and a highly revered Guru in ISKCON. He was born in Srirangam, to Venkata Bhatta. Although belonging to the Ramanuja(Shrivaishnav) Sampradaya, he was one of the foremost disciples to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was a Vaishnava saint and social reformer in eastern India in the 16th century, believed by followers of Gaudiya Vaishnavism to be the full incarnation of Lord Krishna...
. He is famous for establishing the Radha-Ramana Temple in Vrindavan
Vrindavan
Vrindavan also known as Vraj is a town in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, India...
.
Differences with Thenkalai Srivaishnavas
The Vadakalai follow the doctrines of Vedantadesika and RamanujaRamanuja
Ramanuja ; traditionally 1017–1137, also known as Ramanujacharya, Ethirajar , Emperumannar, Lakshmana Muni, was a theologian, philosopher, and scriptural exegete...
, while the Thenkalai follow the doctrines of Manavalamamunigal and Ramanuja
Ramanuja
Ramanuja ; traditionally 1017–1137, also known as Ramanujacharya, Ethirajar , Emperumannar, Lakshmana Muni, was a theologian, philosopher, and scriptural exegete...
. For philosophical differences between Vadakalai and Thenkalai traditions, please see Vadakalai and Thenkalai schools of thought, in Visishtadvaita. Vadakalai Iyengars sport the U naama, rather than the Thenkalai Y naamam. Compared to the Thenkalai
Thenkalai
Thenkalai are a subsect of the Vaishnavite Iyengar community of Hindu Brahmins. Thenkalais are followers of Ramanuja, Pillai Lokacharya and Manavala Mamuni.-Differences with Vadakalai Srivaishnavas:...
Iyengars who thrived in Srirangam, their tradition developed around Kanchi. The Vadakalai group follow the Sanskrit Vedas, unlike the Thenkalai who follow the Tamil prabhandams.
In popular culture
- In the 1983 BollywoodBollywoodBollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing...
film CoolieCoolie (1983 film)Coolie is a 1983 Indian Bollywood film directed by Manmohan Desai. The film starsAmitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor, Rati Agnihotri, Kader Khan, Suresh Oberoi and Puneet Issar...
, the character Deepa Iyengar (Shoma AnandShoma AnandShoma Anand is an Indian television and film actress. Although she has played frequently supporting roles or made cameo appearances throughout the 1980s and 1990s, she had a few films in which she was the lead, such as Jagir and Coolie in the 80s...
) – the love interest of Sunny (Rishi KapoorRishi KapoorRishi Kapoor is an Indian Bollywood actor, film producer and director.-Early life:Born in Chembur Mumbai, Kapoor is the second son of film director and star Raj Kapoor. He did his schooling with his brothers at Campion School,Mumbai. His brothers are well-known actors: Randhir Kapoor and Rajiv...
), is shown as a Vadakalai Iyengar, as Deepa's father/Mr.Iyengar (MukriMukri"Mukri" was born as Muhammad Umar Mukri in 1922 in Alibagh. He started his film career from film "Pratima" along with notable Indian film actor Dilip Kumar in 1945....
) sports a Vadakalai Tilak.
- In the Hindi-Tamil bilingual film Hey RamHey RamHey Ram is a controversial Indian film released both in Tamil and Hindi in 2000 and written, directed, produced by and starring Kamal Haasan...
, the characters – Saket Ram (Kamal Haasan), Mythili Iyengar (Vasundhara Das), Uppili Iyengar (Girish Karnad), Ambujam Iyengar (Hema Malini)and a few others are shown as Vadakalai Iyengars, where Saket and Uppili Iyengar are seen sporting the Vadakalai Tilak.
- In the animated movie "Acharya Ramanuja", released by Mediateck in early 2006, the character Ramanuja is seen wearing the Vadakalai Tilak.
List of prominent Vadakalai Iyengars
- Gopala Bhatta GoswamiGopala Bhatta GoswamiGopala Bhatta Goswami is one of the foremost disciples of the Vaishnava saint, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and a leading historical figure in the Gaudiya Vaishnava school of Hinduism...
(1503–1578), born a Vadakalai Iyengar, one of the Six Goswamis of Vrindavan in Chaitanya Vaishnavism, and a highly revered Guru in ISKCON. - V. Bhashyam Aiyangar (1844–1908), Indian lawyer. First Indian Advocate-General of Madras PresidencyMadras PresidencyThe Madras Presidency , officially the Presidency of Fort St. George and also known as Madras Province, was an administrative subdivision of British India...
. - Chakravarti Rajagopalachari (1878–1972), Indian politician and activist of the Indian independence movementIndian independence movementThe term Indian independence movement encompasses a wide area of political organisations, philosophies, and movements which had the common aim of ending first British East India Company rule, and then British imperial authority, in parts of South Asia...
. Premier of Madras (1937–1939), Governor of Bengal (1946–1948), Governor-General of India (1948–1950), Union Home MinisterMinister for Home Affairs (India)The Home Minister, or more properly the Minister for Home Affairs, is a position in the Indian Cabinet, at both State and Union levels. The Home Ministry is one of the most important, powerful and high profile ministry after the Prime Minister...
(1950–1952) and Chief Minister of Madras state (1952–1954). Founder of Swatantra partySwatantra PartyThe Swatantra Party was a classical liberal political party in India founded by Chakravarti Rajagopalachari and N. G. Ranga in August 1959. The party opposed the Nehruvian socialist outlook of the Congress Party by advocating free enterprise and free trade, and opposing the licence-permit Raj...
. - C. V. RungacharluC. V. RungacharluCettipanyam Viravalli Rungacharlu CIE , also spelt as Rangacharlu, was an Indian civil servant and administrator who served as the Diwan of Mysore kingdom from 1881 to 1883.- Early life :...
(1831–1883), Diwan of Mysore kingdom from 1881 to 1883. - P. Anandacharlu (1843–1908), leader of the Indian National CongressIndian National CongressThe Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian...
. - T. S. S. RajanT. S. S. RajanTiruvengimalai Sesha Sundara Rajan was an Indian doctor, politician and freedom-fighter who served the Minister of Public Health and Religious Endowments in the Madras Presidency from 1937 to 1939....
(1880–1953), Indian politician and freedom-fighter. Member of the Imperial Legislative Council (1934–1936), Minister of Public Health and Religious Endowments (Madras Presidency) (1937–1939), Minister of Food and Public Health (Madras Presidency) (1946–1951). - Madabhushi Ananthasayanam AyyangarMadabhushi Ananthasayanam AyyangarMadabhushi Ananthasayanam Ayyangar was the first Deputy Speaker and then Speaker of Lok Sabha in the Indian Parliament. He was Governor of Bihar also....
(1891–1978), first Deputy SpeakerDeputy Speaker of Lok SabhaThe Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha is the vice-presiding officer of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament of India. He acts as the presiding officer in case of leave or absence caused by death or illness of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. The current deputy speaker of the Lok Sabha is Karia...
of the Lok SabhaLok SabhaThe Lok Sabha or House of the People is the lower house of the Parliament of India. Members of the Lok Sabha are elected by direct election under universal adult suffrage. As of 2009, there have been fifteen Lok Sabhas elected by the people of India...
, and later the Speaker of the Lok Sabha from 1956 to 1962. He served as Governor of Bihar from 1962 to 1967. - Tirumalai Krishnamacharya (1888–1989), an influential YogaAsanaAsana is a body position, typically associated with the practice of Yoga, originally identified as a mastery of sitting still, with the spine as a conduit of biodynamic union...
teacher, healer and scholar. - T. K. V. DesikacharT. K. V. DesikacharT.K.V. Desikachar is the son and one of the primary students of Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, a prominent yogi credited with being a driving force behind the resurgence of Hatha yoga in recent decades.TKV Desikachar started his career as a civil engineer...
, son and primary student of Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, and a prominent yogi. - Agnihotram Ramanuja TatachariarAgnihotram Ramanuja TatachariarAgnihotram Ramanuja Tatachariar was a renowned Vedic scholar of Vaishnava sect of Hinduism. He was a descendant of Nathamuni hailing from Kumbakonam...
(1907–2008), renowned vedic scholar, and recipient of two national awards for his contribution to Vedic studies and Sanskrit literature. - Jairam RameshJairam RameshJairam Ramesh born April 9, 1954, is an Indian economist and an influential politician of the Congress Party in the United Progressive Alliance ruling coalition of center-left political parties heading the Government of India. He is a Member of Parliament representing Andhra Pradesh state in the...
(b. 1954), a Vadakalai(Hebbar) Iyengar, Indian politician of Indian National Congress who is MP of Andhra Pradesh in the Rajya SabhaRajya SabhaThe Rajya Sabha or Council of States is the upper house of the Parliament of India. Rajya means "state," and Sabha means "assembly hall" in Sanskrit. Membership is limited to 250 members, 12 of whom are chosen by the President of India for their expertise in specific fields of art, literature,...
since June 2004. He has been the Indian Minister of State(Independent Charge) for Environment and Forests from May 2009 to July 2011. - E. S. L. NarasimhanE. S. L. NarasimhanEkkadu Srinivasan Lakshmi Narasimhan is an Indian political figure who has been the Governor of Andhra Pradesh since December 2009...
(b. 1946), Governor of Andhra PradeshAndhra PradeshAndhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
since December 2009. - T.T. Krishnamachari (1899–1974), Indian Finance Minister from 1956–1958 and from 1964–1966, Industrialist.
- Narasimhan Ram (b. 1945), also known as N.Ram, Indian journalist and Editor in Chief of The HinduThe HinduThe Hindu is an Indian English-language daily newspaper founded and continuously published in Chennai since 1878. According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, it has a circulation of 1.46 million copies as of December 2009. The enterprise employed over 1,600 workers and gross income reached $40...
. - T. V. Sundram Iyengar (1877–1955), Founder of TVS GroupTVS groupTVS Group is an Indian diversified industrial conglomerate with its principal headquarters located in Chennai and Madurai. Almost all holdings of the group are private...
(automobile and finance). - T P Sundara RajanT P Sundara RajanTrivandrum Padmanabha Iyengar Sundara Rajan was a former IPS Officer and Supreme Court lawyer. He was a bachelor and preferred to be known as "a humble supplicant of the great Lord Sri Padmanabha". He had indepth knowledge of Hindu scriptures...
(1941–2011), I.P.S OfficerIndian Police ServiceThe Indian Police Service , simply known as Indian Police or IPS, is one of the three All India Services of the Government of India...
and Supreme CourtSupreme Court of IndiaThe Supreme Court of India is the highest judicial forum and final court of appeal as established by Part V, Chapter IV of the Constitution of India...
lawyer. - R. MadhavanR. MadhavanR. Madhavan is an Indian actor, writer, film producer and television host. Madhavan has received a Filmfare Award, an award from the Tamil Nadu State Film Awards alongside recognition and nominations from other organisations...
(b. 1970), Indian filmCinema of IndiaThe cinema of India consists of films produced across India, which includes the cinematic culture of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. Indian films came to be followed throughout South Asia and...
actor. - Krishnamachari SrikkanthKrishnamachari SrikkanthKrishnamachari Srikkanth is a former captain of the Indian cricket team and the current chairman of the selection committee...
(b. 1959), former captain of the Indian cricket team and the current chairman of the BCCI selection committeeBoard of Control for Cricket in IndiaThe Board of Control for Cricket in India , headquartered at Mumbai, is the national governing body for all cricket in India. It's not the apex governing body in India. The board was formed in December 1928 as BCCI replaced Calcutta Cricket Club. BCCI is a society, registered under the Tamil Nadu...
. - Vasundhara DasVasundhara DasVasundhara Das born 1977, is an Indian singer and actress. She has acted in Hindi, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam films. She is the co-founder of world music band Arya. As a playback singer, she is best remembered for singing "Shakalaka Baby" from the Tamil film Mudhalvan, which was also her debut...
(b. 1977), a Vadakalai(Hebbar) Iyengar, Indian singer and actress. - Gen. Krishnaswamy Sundarji(1930–1999), Former Chief of the Indian ArmyChief of Army Staff of the Indian ArmyThe Chief of the Army Staff is the commander and usually the highest-ranking officer of the Indian Army. The position is abbreviated as COAS in Indian Army cables and communication....
. - T. N. Seshagopalan (b. 1948), renowned CarnaticCarnatic musicCarnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu...
musician and composer. - T. M. KrishnaT. M. KrishnaT.M. Krishna is a Carnatic music vocalist. Hailing from a family of music connoisseurs, he was exposed to the south Indian classical music at an early age. His first concert was at the Spirit of Youth series organized by the Music Academy, Chennai . Since then, he has travelled widely in India and...
(b. 1976), noted Carnatic musician, grand-nephew of T.T. Krishnamachari.