Notables
- Padma Bhushan Dr. R. M. Alagappa Chettiar is known as "Vallal" meaning a great philanthropist. He established the primary educational and commercial institutions in Karaikudi.
- Muthaiah popularly known as Kavignar Kannadasan
- Mr. SP. Muthuraman - Film Director.
- Mr. Panju Arunachalam - Tamil Lyricist, Screenwriter, Producer, Film Director.
- Mr. AV. Meyyappan - Producer / Director. He made Bharatiyar songs copyright free and available to everyone.
- Mr. Rama Narayanan - Director with an entry in Guinness Book of World Records for directing 12 movies in 1984
- Raja Annamalai Chettiar - Industrialist, Philanthropist, Founder of Annamalai University
- Kundrakudi Vaithiyanathan - Violin Maestro
- Karaikkudi Mani - Mridagam Maestro
- Revered Kundrakudi Adikalar - Religious leader, Tamil scholar
- S.A.P. Annamalai - Founder of Kumudam, the largest selling Tamil weekly
- Tamil Vanan - writer / publisher
- P. Chidambaram - Politician, lawer, Hon. Union Minister for Home affairs
- Ariyakudi Ramanuja Aiyangar - Carnatic Maestro
- M.A. Chithamabaram (MA. CT) - Industrialist, Philanthropist, Past president of BCCI
- N.M. Family, First Donors of Thiru Avinankudi Temple, Palani
- M.A.M. Ramasamy (MAM) - Industrialist, Philanthropist, Pro-chancellor of Annamalai University
- Kamban Adipodi Sa Ganesan - Founder of Tamil Thai Kudil (A temple for mother Tamil), Kamban Hall and organiser of Kamban Vizha
- Karumuthu Thyagarajan Chettiar - Founder of Bank of Madura (now merged with ICICI), founder of Thyagaraja College of Engineering, Madurai
- AMM. Murugappa Chettiar (AMM) - Founder of AMM group of companies
- Moodharingar, Semmal, Munaivar V.SP.Manickam - Former Vicechancellor Madurai Kamaraj University.
- AR.A.RM. Chockalingam Chettiar - Freedom Fighter, First MLA of Karaikudi after India's freedom
- RM.VR. Ramasamy Chettiar - Philanthropist
- RM. Periyakaruppan Chettiar - Founder of Ramasamy Tamil College
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