highest literary award, the Jnanpith. Vayalar Ramavarma - Malayalam poet and film lyricist Arattupuzha Velayudha Panicker - Social reformer in Kerala M. G. Sreekumar - musician, singer and music director Vayalar Sarath Chandra Varma - poet and lyricist M. K. Sanu – writer, critic and social activist, a permanent member of the International body for Human rights Irayimman Thampi - Carnatic musician as well as a music composer from Kerala Kavalam Narayana Panicker - Dramatist,theatre director,poet Rajeev Alunkal - lyricist, poet and orator S. D. Shibulal - chief executive officer and managing director of Infosys Navajyothi Sree Karunakara Guru - founder of Santhigiri Ashram P. S. Karthikeyan - former Secretary, S. N. Trust, former Director of SNDP Yogam, former Member of the Legislative Assembly (Aroor), Chief Editor of Dinamani daily Joy J. Kaimaparamban - English and Malayalam author Itty Achudan - the major contributor of ethno-medical information for the compilation of Hortus Malabaricus Eleanour Sinclair Rohde - British gardener and writer on horticulture V. P. Sivakumar - short story writer Justice C.T.Ravikumar - Supreme Court Judge. Kavalam Sreekumar - Classical musician,playback singer,composer Religion Karunakara Guru - founder of Santhigiri Ashramam Palackal Thoma Malpan - founder of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate Mgr. Joseph C. Panjikaran - founder of the Medical Sisters of St. Joseph Antony Theodore - Christian educator, poet, social worker Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara - Christian saint Politics A. K. Antony - three times Chief Minister of Kerala in UDF Ministry, former Indian Defence Minister V. S. Achuthanandan - former chief minister of Kerala and one of the most senior communist politicians of India Ramesh Chennithala - former Home Minister and Former Leader of the opposition of Kerala, current legislative assembly member of Haripad constituency. Suseela Gopalan- Former Kerala Industries Minister and Communist Leader K. R. Gowri - Revenue Minister in first Kerala LDF ministry, initiated the land reforms in Kerala, Agriculture minister in Kerala UDF Ministry Vayalar Ravi - former Home minister of Kerala in UDF Ministry, former Union Cabinet Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs C. K. Chandrappan - communist leader and former Member of Parliament S. Ramachandran Pillai - Politburo member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and General Secretary of All India Kisan Sabha (Peasants Union) G. Sudhakaran - member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and former PWD minister of Kerala P. Parameswaran - Director of Bharatheeya