WKanagasabai Subburathnam popularly called Bharathidasan, was a 20th-century Tamil poet and writer rationalist whose literary works handled mostly socio-political issues. He was deeply influenced by the Tamil poet Subramania Bharati and named himself as Bharathidasan. His writings served as a catalyst for the growth of the Dravidian movement in Tamil Nadu. In addition to poetry, his views found expression in other forms such as plays, film scripts, short stories and essays. The Government of Puducherry union territory has adopted the song of Invocation to Mother Tamil, written by Bharathidasan as the state song of Puducherry.(Tamil Thai Valthu )
WThiruvarur Viruttachala Kalyanasundaram, better known by his Tamil initials Thiru. Vi. Ka, was a Tamil scholar, essayist and activist. He is esteemed for the strong humanism of his essays, the analytical depth of his commentaries on classical Tamil literature and philosophy, and the clear, fluid style of his prose. His works, along with those of V. O. Chidambaram Pillai, Maraimalai Adigal, and Arumuga Navalar, are considered to have defined the style of modern Tamil prose.
WMuthuvel Karunanidhi was an Indian writer and politician who served as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for almost two decades over five terms between 1969 and 2011. He had the longest tenure as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu with 6,863 days in office. He was also a long-standing leader of the Dravidian movement and ten-time president of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam political party. Before entering politics, he worked in the Tamil film industry as a screenwriter. He also made contributions to Tamil literature, having written stories, plays, novels, and a multiple-volume memoir. He was popularly referred to as "Kalaignar" (Artist) and "Mutthamizharignar" for his contributions to Tamil literature.
WV. R. Nedunchezhiyan was thrice the acting Chief Minister of the state of Tamil Nadu, India, serving between 4 February 1969 – 9 February 1969, 16 November 1984 – 9 February 1985 and 25 December 1987 – 6 January 1988. He was also finance minister under the governments of C. N. Annadurai, M. Karunanidhi, M. G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa.
WSolomon Pappaiah, also known as Solomon Pappiah and Salomon Pappayah is an Indian scholar and a television icon in Tamil Nadu, India. He is best known for moderating Tamil language debate talk shows, known as 'patti mandrams', which have been airing on Sun TV for quite a long time. He is credited for taking social themes to the masses and has so far moderated over 12,000 debates programmes across the globe. He is carrying Tamil literature service for almost 60 years and is considered as one of the greatest Tamil scholars. His modest approach in speaking and life has earned him a large reputation among Tamil-speaking people throughout the world.
WDevaneya Pavanar was a prominent Indian Tamil author who wrote over 35 books. Additionally, he was a staunch proponent of the "Pure Tamil movement" and initiated the Etymological Dictionary Project primarily to bring out the roots of Tamil words and their connections and ramifications.
WVallinayagan Ulaganathan Chidambaram , popularly known by his initials, V.O.C., also known as Kappalottiya Tamizhan "The Tamil Helmsman", was an Indian freedom fighter and leader of Indian National Congress. Founder of Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company in 1906 to compete against the monopoly of the British India Steam Navigation Company (BISNC). He launched the first indigenous Indian shipping service between Tuticorin and Colombo with the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company, competing against British ships. Tuticorin Port Trust, one of India's thirteen major ports, is named after him. At one time a member of the Indian National Congress, he was later charged with sedition by the British government and sentenced to life imprisonment, and his barrister license was revoked.
WVenkatarama Ramalingam, or V. Ramalingam Pillai, was a Tamil poet from Tamil Nadu, India and independence fighter. He is well known for his poems about independence.