One app for all your study abroad needs
Kerala is located in the southern part of India and is known for its natural beauty, culture and heritage. It is also known as the “God’s own country”. There is one more thing which we should consider: the famous personalities of Kerala, beyond its beautiful scenery and culture. This state has produced a galaxy of extraordinary individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields. In this blog, we will discuss some of the famous personalities of Kerala. So let’s start to explore the same through this blog.
Table of Contents
Know about the Famous Personalities of Kerala
There are lots of famous personalities who we got from Kerala, and these personalities made Indians and its people proud in the whole world. Below, some of these personalities are mentioned.
K. R. Narayanan
K. R. Narayanan (Kocheril Raman Narayanan) was the 10th President of India and the first Dalit to hold the office, serving from 1997 to 2002. Born on October 27, 1920, in Uzhavoor, Kerala, he rose from humble beginnings to become a distinguished diplomat, scholar, and statesman. Before his presidency, he served as India’s ambassador to several countries and later held key positions including Vice President and Union Minister. Known for his intellect, integrity, and commitment to social justice, Narayanan played a crucial role in making the presidency more active and vocal in democratic matters.
| About KR Narayanan | |
| Name | Kocheril Raman Narayanan |
| Born | 27 October 1920 |
| Born in | Uzhavoor |
| Occupations | 10th President of India, diplomat, scholar, and statesman |
| Years active | 1997-2002 (As the 10th President of India) |
Achievements
Here are some landmark decisions made by KR Narayanan, the 10th President of India, using his stay at the Rashtrapati Bhavan:
- He dissolved the Lok Sabha in 1997 due to political instability, leading to new elections.
- He questioned some governor appointments, emphasizing the need for non-partisanship in these roles.
- He sent back government proposals, like President’s Rule in Bihar, forcing reconsideration.
- He consistently spoke out against caste discrimination and inequality in his public addresses.
- As Supreme Commander during the Kargil War in 1999, he supported the armed forces and national unity during the conflict.
- He set a precedent by being the first sitting President to vote in a general election, promoting civic engagement.
Dr. G. Madhavan Nair
Dr. G. Madhavan Nair is a renowned Indian space scientist and former Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Born on October 31, 1943, in Kerala, he played a key role in advancing India’s space capabilities. Under his leadership, ISRO successfully launched several important missions, including the PSLV and GSLV programs. He was instrumental in the development of India’s first moon mission, Chandrayaan-1, which laid the foundation for India’s deep space exploration. Dr. Nair is widely respected for his contributions to science and technology and for strengthening India’s position in the global space community.
| About Dr. G. Madhavan Nair | |
| Name | Dr. G. Madhavan Nair |
| Born | 31 October 1943 |
| Occupations | Chairman of ISRO |
| Years active | 1967-2009 |
Achievements
Here are some of the highlights of Nair’s career while he served humankind and the ISRO:
- He joined the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in the early stages of India’s space program and contributed to the SLV-3 project, India’s first satellite launch vehicle.
- He held several key positions in ISRO, including the leadership of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) program.
- He became the ISRO chairman between 2003-2009. During his tenure, India launched Chandrayaan-1, made major advancements in launch vehicle technology, and expanded the use of space-based applications.
Adoor Gopalakrishnan
Adoor Gopalakrishnan is a well-known personality in Kerala. He is also an Indian producer, filmmaker, and scriptwriter. Adoor Gopalakrishnan was born on July 3, 1941, in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala.
| About Adoor Gopalakrishnan | |
| Name | Adoor Gopalakrishnan Unnithan |
| Born | 3 July 1941 |
| Other names | Adoor |
| Occupations | Film director, screenwriter, film producer |
| Years active | 1965–present |
Achievements
Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s works have inspired countless filmmakers and Cinephiles, transforming the course of Indian cinema. Here are some of his major achievements-
- He got Padma Shri in 1984 for his contributions to Indian cinema.
- He got the Padma Vibhushan in 2006, one of India’s highest civilian honours.
- He became the Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters in 2003.
AK Antony
Arackaparmbil Kurien Antony was born in 1940, on December 28. He was born in the district of Alappuzha, Kerala. AK Antony is a well-known politician and attorney. He was the 23rd Defence Minister and also a member of parliament. Ak Antony is known as the longest-serving defence minister, having served eight long years as a defence minister.
| About AK Antony | |
| Name | Arackaparambil Kurien Antony |
| Born | 28 December 1940 |
| Occupations | Politician, Lawyer, Social Worker |
| Education | Holy Family Boys High School (Lower primary), Government Boys High School (Upper primary), Cherthala and completed his Bachelor of Arts from Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam and Bachelor of Law from Government Law College, Ernakulam. |
Achievements:
During A.K. Antony’s political career, he contributed to both state and national governance. Throughout his career, he focused on areas such as defence modernisation, social welfare and maintaining a reputation for integrity in politics. Some of his achievements are-
- A.K. Antone got the Asian Mlayali of the Year Award in 2007.
- In 20022 he received the Lokmat Parliamentary Award for lifetime achievements.
- He received the E. Moidu Moulavi Sahib Award in 2012.
Know About – Who Holds the Most Degrees: Most Educated People on Planet
Anju Bobby George
Anju was born in Kerala in 1977 on 19 April and is a well-known athlete in India. She made history when she won the third position in the long jump at World Championship 2023. Her achievements led her to be known internationally and inspire several young athletes.
| About Anju Bobby George | |
| Birth name | Anju Markose |
| Born | 19 April 1977 |
| Age | 47 |
| Sports | Athletics- Long Jump, Triple Jump |
Achievements:
Anju Bobby George’s influence extends beyond her medals. She has been a role model for young athletes and for those who aspire to be an athlete. She is a legendary figure in Indian sports. Some of her major achievements are mentioned below-
- Anju Bobby gets the gold medal at the 2002 Asian Games.
- She also got the Arjuna Award in 2002.
- Anju received the Rajiv Gandhi and Khel Ratna awards in 2003 and 2004 respectively.
- Anju won the bronze medal in the long jump at the 2003 World Athletics Championships.
- In 2005 she won the IAAF World Athletics Final in 2005.
KJ Yesudas
KJ Yesudas is an Indian musician and playback singer. He is reverently referred to as Gaanagandharvan and was born on 10 January 1940. KJ Yesudas is well known for his extraordinary vocal range, emotional depth and impeccable techniques. With a career span of over six years, he has recorded many songs in different Indian languages.
| About KJ Yesudas | |
| Name | About KJ Yesudas |
| Born | 10 January 1940 |
| Age | 84 |
| Other names | Dasettan, Ganagandharvan |
| Occupations | Singer, composer, music producer |
| Years active | 1961–present |
Achievements:
K.J. Yesudas’s contribution to Indian music has further inspired countless musicians. He holds the record for the most National Film Awards for best male playback singer. Below some of his major accomplishments are mentioned-
- K.J Yesudas got the Padma Shri in 1975.
- He received the Padma Bhushan in 2002.
- He also got the Padma Vibhushan in 2017.
Know About – Top 7 Famous Personalities in Computer Science
P.T. Usha
P.T. Usha is a well-known Indian track and field athlete who dominated the sport for over two decades, born on June 27, 1964. She is also known as the “Payyoli Express”.Usha grew up facing various health issues and a challenging upbringing. When Usha’s talent was noticed by O.M. Nambiar in 1977, he started training her.
| About PT Usha | |
| Name | P. T. Usha |
| Birth name | Pilavullakandi Thekkeparambil Usha |
| Born | 27 June 1964 |
| Years active | 1976–2000 |
| Sport | Track and field -Sprints |
Achievements:
P.T. Usha is known as the “Queen of Indian track and field”. She is one of India’s greatest athletes and has achieved a lot in her life while making the whole nation proud. Here are some of her achievements-
- P.T. Usha received the Arjuna Award in 1984.
- She received Padma Shri in 1985.
- She was conferred honorary by Kannuur University, IIT Kanpur, University of Calicut and Central University of Kerala.
- She got an IAAF Veteran Pin in 2019.
FAQs
One of the legends or myths about Kerala’s origin is that it was created by Parasurama, a warrior sage. According to a Brahminical myth, Parasurama, an incarnation of Mahavishnu, threw his battle axe into the sea. This action caused the land of Kerala to rise and be reclaimed from the waters.
The heroes of Kerala are said to be K. Kelappan, T.K. Madhavan, A.K. Gopalan, C. Kesavan, K. Madhavan Nair, K. R. Gouri Amma, V.T. Bhattathiripad.
Kerala is famous for its enchanting backwaters, lush tea plantations, pristine beaches and its historical significance.
Related Reads
This was everything about the famous personalities of Kerala. If you want to know more about other Famous Personalities then visit our General Knowledge page!
