M. A. Chidambaram

M. A. Chidambaram (born 1918-10-12 - died 2000-01-19 in Chennai) was an Indian industrialist and cricket administrator.

M. A. Chidambaram (or MAC, as he was fondly called) was the third son of businessmen Dr. Rajah Sir Annamalai Chettiar, the founder of Annamalai University. He started off with a scooter factory in Mumbai and later became the Director of the Indian Aluminium Company at a young age. He was instrumental in founding the Southern Petrochemical Industries Corporation (SPIC) and served as the chairman till his death. He was the Mayor of Madras in 1955.

MAC became the Vice President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in India in 1956, President from 1960-61 to 1962-63 and treasurer for about twenty years. He was the head of Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) for 32 years. He was also the President of All India Lawn Tennis Association from 1963 to 1966.

He played a significant role in the negotiations between the TNCA and the Madras Cricket Club over the construction of a stadium on the Club's ground in Chepauk. Completed in 1980, this stadium was later named M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in his honour. Chidambaram was the son of Raja Annamalai Chettiar, a noted businessman and philanthropist. His son A. C. Muthiah was also a President of BCCI.

Besides being a pioneering industrialist, MAC is also remembered for his contribution to several other fields. He started the Tamil Isai Sangam to promote music in Tamil. His trust contributed substantially to the Voluntary Health Service started by Dr K. Sanjeevi.

References

* "M.A. Chidambaram, a multi-faceted personality", The Hindu, January 21, 2000 [http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2000/01/21/stories/0221000c.htm]
* "Sporting fraternity pays rich tributes to MAC", The Hindu, January 21, 2000 [http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2000/01/21/stories/07210969.htm]