Know Your Iyer Community
The Pride of Iyers:
R.K. Narayan, the famous Indian writer best known for Malgudi Days belonged to the Iyer community. He received the Padma Vibhushan.
Famous Iyer singers include Usha Uthup, Shankar Mahadevan, Mahalaxmi Iyer, Hamsika Iyer and Naresh Iyer.
Swami Chinmayananda, the modern day Hindu guru and founder of Chinmaya Mission belonged to the Brahmin community.
Soundarya, the Indian film actress who appeared in Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam, and Bollywood films in lead roles belonged to the community. She received the Filmfare Awards six times.
Suchitra Krishnamoorthi, the Indian actress, writer, painter and singer is an Iyer. She rose to fame with the hit Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa starring opposite Shah Rukh Khan.
T.V.Ramasubbaiyer (1908-1984), the Tamil journalist, Indian freedom fighter and philanthropist belonged to the Iyer community. He is the founder of Tamil newspaper Dina Malar.
Did you Know?
Tamil Brahmins form an estimated 3% of the state's total population and are distributed all over the state.
The term 'Iyer' is derived from the title Ayya which is often used by Tamils to designate respectable people.
In ancient times, Iyers mostly lived in exclusive Brahmin quarters of their village known as an Agraharam. Some still exist in many parts of the South.
Most of the Dewans of the princely state of Travancore during the 19th century were Tamil Brahmins (Iyers).
Iyers live all over South India, but an overwhelming majority of Iyers continue to thrive in Tamil Nadu.
