Ram Selvarajah: The Father of a Rising Star

Posted by Lourie Helzer on Sunday, June 23, 2024

Ram Selvarajah is not a celebrity himself, but he is the father of one. His daughter, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, is a Tamil-Canadian actress who has gained fame and recognition for her leading role as Devi Vishwakumar in the Netflix teen comedy series Never Have I Ever. She also voiced Priya in the Pixar film Turning Red, released in 2022. But who is Ram Selvarajah, and what is his story? Here are some facts about him that you may not know.

From Sri Lanka to Canada

Ram Selvarajah was born in Sri Lanka, a small island nation in South Asia. He belongs to the Tamil ethnic group, which has faced discrimination and persecution from the Sinhalese majority for decades. In the late 1970s, a civil war broke out between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a militant group that fought for an independent Tamil state. The war lasted for 26 years and claimed over 100,000 lives.

Ram Selvarajah was one of the many Tamils who fled the country to seek refuge elsewhere. He migrated to Canada with his family in the 1980s, when he was still a young man. He settled in Mississauga, Ontario, where he met his future wife, Kiruthiha Kulendiren. They got married and had two children: Maitreyi and Bishwaa.

A System Analyst for the Government

Ram Selvarajah works as a system analyst for the Government of Ontario, according to his LinkedIn profile. He has been working for the government since January 2008, and he is responsible for designing, developing, testing, and maintaining information systems. He has a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Toronto.

Ram Selvarajah is a private person who does not seek publicity or fame. He only came to the limelight after his daughter’s success in the entertainment industry. He is supportive of her career and proud of her achievements.

A Loving Father and Husband

Ram Selvarajah is a loving father and husband who cares deeply for his family. He raised his children with traditional Tamil values and culture, while also embracing their Canadian identity. He taught them to be respectful, humble, and hardworking.

He is especially close to his daughter, Maitreyi, who considers him her role model and inspiration. She often talks about him in her interviews and social media posts. She credits him for instilling in her a sense of confidence and self-worth.

She also shares a strong bond with her mother, Kiruthiha, who works as a marketing manager for a non-profit organization. She admires her mother’s strength and resilience, especially after surviving breast cancer.

She also has a brother, Bishwaa, who is a professional musician. He plays the guitar and sings in a band called The Lifers. He also supports his sister’s career and often accompanies her to events and shows.

A Proud Grandson of a Freedom Fighter

Ram Selvarajah is not only the father of a rising star, but also the grandson of a freedom fighter. His grandfather, S.J.V. Chelvanayakam, was a prominent Tamil politician and lawyer who fought for the rights and autonomy of the Tamils in Sri Lanka. He was the founder and leader of the Federal Party (FP), which advocated for a federal system of government that would grant more power and representation to the Tamils.

He was also one of the co-founders of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF), which demanded a separate Tamil state within Sri Lanka. He was known as “Thanthai Chelva” (Father Chelva) by his supporters and followers.

He died in 1977, before Ram Selvarajah was born. However, his legacy lives on through his descendants and admirers. Ram Selvarajah has inherited his grandfather’s passion for justice and equality, as well as his intelligence and charisma.

Ram Selvarajah is more than just Maitreyi Ramakrishnan’s father. He is a man with a rich history and culture, a successful career and family, and a humble personality and character. He is an example of how one can overcome adversity and achieve happiness and fulfillment in life.

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