Tamil Americans

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Tamil Americans are Americans of Tamil ancestry. The Tamil people, originally from the Indian subcontinent, primarily from the southeastern state of Tamil Nadu and the northeastern part of Sri Lanka, have a long history of migration. They have established significant communities in various countries around the world, including the United States. Tamil Americans are a vibrant part of the South Asian American community, contributing to the cultural, economic, and social fabric of the nation.

History

The migration of Tamils to the United States can be traced back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. However, the significant influx of Tamil immigrants began in the 1960s and 1970s, following the relaxation of U.S. immigration laws. Many came as professionals, including doctors, engineers, and academics, seeking better opportunities and a higher standard of living. The civil conflict in Sri Lanka during the late 20th century also prompted many Sri Lankan Tamils to seek refuge in the United States.

Demographics

As of the latest U.S. Census data, the number of Tamil Americans is estimated to be in the tens of thousands, with large communities in states such as California, New Jersey, and Texas. These communities are characterized by their efforts to preserve Tamil culture, language, and traditions through various cultural organizations, schools, and events.

Culture and Community

Tamil Americans maintain a strong sense of cultural identity. This is evident in the celebration of traditional festivals such as Pongal, the Tamil New Year, and Diwali, as well as in the popularity of Tamil cuisine, music, dance, and cinema within the community. There are numerous Tamil associations and organizations across the United States that play a crucial role in cultural preservation and community support. These organizations often host cultural events, language classes, and social gatherings to foster a sense of community among Tamil Americans.

Education and Profession

Tamil Americans are known for their high educational attainment and professional success. Many are employed in various sectors, including technology, medicine, engineering, academia, and business. Their contributions to these fields are significant, with numerous Tamil Americans holding leadership positions in corporations, universities, and research institutions.

Challenges

Like many immigrant communities, Tamil Americans face challenges related to integration, identity, and discrimination. Balancing the preservation of their cultural heritage with assimilation into American society is a common challenge. Additionally, the Tamil American community continues to raise awareness about issues affecting Tamils globally, including human rights concerns in Sri Lanka.

Notable Tamil Americans

The community boasts several notable individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields. These include academics, entrepreneurs, artists, and professionals who have achieved recognition both within the United States and internationally.

Academia

Several Tamil Americans have made significant contributions to various academic fields:

• Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar – Esteemed astrophysicist and Nobel laureate recognized for his profound contributions to the study of stellar evolution and black holes.
• Raj Chetty – Prominent economist and professor at Harvard University, known for his influential research on income inequality and opportunity dynamics in the United States.
• G. V. Loganathan – Esteemed professor and tragically a victim of the Virginia Tech massacre, remembered for his contributions to civil and environmental engineering.
• C. Mohan – Distinguished IBM Fellow and a leading figure in the field of computer science, especially in database systems and transaction management.
• Sendhil Mullainathan – Noted economist with a focus on behavioral economics, currently serving as a professor at Harvard University.
• Sethuraman Panchanathan – Executive Vice President at Arizona State University, overseeing Knowledge Enterprise Development and serving as Chief Research Innovation Officer.
• Arogyaswami Paulraj – Pioneer in wireless communications, celebrated for his work in developing MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) technology, and recipient of the Marconi Prize.
• V. S. Ramachandran – Physician and neuroscientist, widely recognized for his work in behavioral neurology and as director of the Center for Brain and Cognition at the University of California, San Diego.
• Venkatraman Ramakrishnan – Structural biologist and Nobel laureate renowned for his work on the structure of the ribosome.
• Maya Shankar – Cognitive scientist known for her research on decision-making and behavioral change.
• Siva Sivananthan – Professor and director of the Microphysics Laboratory at the University of Illinois at Chicago, also a successful entrepreneur in the field of night-vision technology.
• Subra Suresh – Former President of Carnegie Mellon University and an accomplished researcher in materials science and engineering.
• Stanley Jeyaraja Tambiah – Esteemed social anthropologist, recognized for his research on culture and religion in South Asia.
• S. R. Srinivasa Varadhan – Mathematician and recipient of the Abel Prize, noted for his fundamental contributions to probability theory.
• Sudhir Venkatesh – Sociologist and urban ethnographer at Columbia University, known for his in-depth studies of urban poverty and economic sociology.

Arts & Entertainment

Tamil Americans have also made their mark in the arts and entertainment industries:

• Ashok Amritraj – Noted film producer with a prolific career in Hollywood.
• Aziz Ansari – Actor and stand-up comedian, widely known for his role on the television show "Parks and Recreation" and his Netflix series "Master of None."
• Sunkrish Bala – Actor known for his roles in television series such as "Castle" and "The Walking Dead."
• Maitreyi Ramakrishnan - Breakout actress known for her lead role in the Netflix series "Never Have I Ever."
• Jay Chandrasekhar – Actor and director, best known as a member of the comedy troupe Broken Lizard and for directing and starring in films like "Super Troopers."
• Vijay Iyer – Renowned jazz pianist and composer, noted for his eclectic musical style that blends elements of jazz, classical, and Indian music.
• Poorna Jagannathan – Actress and producer, best known for her roles in "The Night Of" and "Big Little Lies."
• Clarence Jey – Record producer and songwriter known for his work on the viral hit "Friday" and various other music projects.
• Mindy Kaling – Actress, writer, and producer, renowned for her work on "The Office" and her own show, "The Mindy Project."
• Padma Lakshmi - Author, actress, model, and television host, known for hosting "Top Chef."
• Mary Anne Mohanraj – Writer and editor, known for her contributions to speculative fiction and for founding the speculative fiction magazine Strange Horizons.
• Sendhil Ramamurthy - Actor known for his roles in the TV series "Heroes" and "Covert Affairs."
• M. Night Shyamalan – Film director, producer, and screenwriter, best known for directing "The Sixth Sense" and "Unbreakable."
• S. J. Sindu – Writer recognized for her novel "Marriage of a Thousand Lies," which deals with themes of identity and cultural conflict.
• M.I.A. (rapper) - Grammy-nominated rapper, record producer, and singer, known for her eclectic music style that blends elements of hip-hop, electronic music, and world sounds.
• Rajan Somasundaram – Music composer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, known for his work in world music and film scoring.
• Prashanth Venkataramanujam – Television writer and producer, known for his work as head writer and producer of the show "Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj."
• Divya Victor – Poet and academic, noted for her work in experimental and postcolonial poetry.

Business

In the realm of business, Tamil Americans have achieved significant influence and leadership:

• Krishna Bharat – Founder of Google News, instrumental in transforming news consumption globally.
• Vasant Narasimhan - CEO of Novartis, leading the multinational pharmaceutical company through significant periods of innovation and growth.
• Indra Nooyi – Former CEO and chairwoman of PepsiCo, known for her leadership and impactful business strategies that reshaped the company.
• Sundar Pichai - CEO of Google, recognized for his role in steering one of the most influential technology companies in the world.
• C. K. Prahalad – Renowned late management guru, known for his theories on core competencies and the bottom of the pyramid.
• Raghuram Rajan – Economist and former chief economist at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), awarded the Fischer Black Prize for his contributions to economic theory.
• Ram Shriram – Billionaire venture capitalist and early backer of Google, known for his investments in the technology sector.
• Raj Rajaratnam – Founder of the Galleon Group, a major player in the American hedge fund industry before his conviction for insider trading.
• Chandrika Tandon – Businesswoman and artist, known for her leadership in consulting and her Grammy-nominated album in Indian classical music.

News & Journalism

In the field of news and journalism, Tamil Americans hold prominent positions:

• Sukanya Krishnan – Award-winning news anchor, known for her work on New York City television.
• Hari Sreenivasan – Broadcast journalist, currently serving as a senior correspondent and anchor for PBS NewsHour.

Politics & Law

Tamil Americans are active in the political and legal arenas:

• Kamala Harris – Vice President of the United States, the highest-ranking female official in U.S. history, and the highest-ranking Tamil American ever in the U.S. government.
• Maya Harris – Lawyer, public policy advocate, and television commentator, known for her advocacy on civil rights and social justice.
• Raja Krishnamoorthi – U.S. Representative from Illinois, actively involved in issues related to consumer protection and national security.
• Pramila Jayapal – U.S. Representative from Washington, known for her advocacy on healthcare and immigration reforms.
• Susheela Jayapal – County commissioner for Multnomah County, Oregon, focusing on social services and community development.
• Nimi McConigley – Former U.S. Representative from Wyoming, known for her work in state and national politics.
• Visvanathan Rudrakumaran - Prime Minister of the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam, advocating for Tamil rights and recognition on the international stage.
• Sri Srinivasan – United States circuit judge, known for his judicial prudence and consideration of complex legal issues.
• Savita Vaidhyanathan – Former mayor of Cupertino, California, recognized for her community engagement and leadership in local government.
• Vivek Ramaswamy – Entrepreneur, author, and candidate in the 2024 Republican Party presidential primaries, known for his perspectives on innovation and economic policy.

Religion

• Ananda Coomaraswamy – Philosopher and historian, known for his writings on Indian art and culture.
• John Prabhudoss - Chairman of the Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations (FIACONA), advocating for the rights and representation of Indian Christians in the USA.

Sports

• Vijay Amritraj – Former professional tennis player and commentator, known for

Also see

• Indian Americans
• Telugu Americans
• Malayali Americans
• Gujarati Americans
• Punjabi Americans

Conclusion

Tamil Americans are an integral part of the multicultural mosaic of the United States. Through their rich cultural traditions, professional achievements, and community activities, they contribute significantly to the diversity and dynamism of American society. {{stb}