Meena Muthiah, educationist, philanthropist, and prominent citizen of Chennai, passed away in Ooty on Saturday (May 2, 2026). She was 91.
Sources close to her said that she died in her sleep around 5 a.m. at her summer getaway in Ooty. Her mortal remains will be flown to Chennai on Saturday evening. On Sunday (May 3), the funeral cortège will leave her house in Raja Annamalaipuram around 9 a.m. Her last rites will be performed at the Mylapore crematorium between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Distinguished legacy
A graduate of Madras University in 1954, Dr. Muthiah completed her Masters and, subsequently in 2002, her PhD from Annamalai University. Her doctoral thesis was on the Origin and Development of Tanjore Painting. The Kumara Rajah Muthiah School of Traditional Arts and Crafts set up by her has trained over 300 students in the Tanjore style of art. She was also the recipient of the Living Craft Treasure Award for 2016-17 presented by Poompuhar, Government of Tamil Nadu, for promoting Tanjore painting.
Dr. Muthiah was married to M.A.M. Muthiah Chettiar, industrialist. She played a big part in raising M.A.M.M. Annamalai Muthiah and Preetha Reddy, Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals.
