A. Maria Irudayam is an Indian carrom player, widely regarded as one of the most accomplished competitors in the history of the sport in India. Hailing from Tamil Nadu, he has represented the country in international carrom competitions and has been honoured for his contributions to the game.
| Name | A. Maria Irudayam |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| Sport | Carrom |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Discipline | Singles and team carrom |
Carrom, a strike-and-pocket tabletop game with strong roots in the Indian subcontinent, is governed at the national level by the All India Carrom Federation (AICF) and internationally by the International Carrom Federation (ICF). Indian players have historically dominated the world stage, and Tamil Nadu in particular has produced a generation of leading competitors, among whom Maria Irudayam is a prominent figure.
Irudayam built his reputation through sustained success in national-level championships organised under the aegis of the All India Carrom Federation, going on to represent India at the World Carrom Championship. He is counted among the small group of Indian players to have won the world singles title, an achievement that placed him at the top of the international rankings during his peak years.
Beyond competitive play, he has remained associated with the promotion and administration of carrom in Tamil Nadu and at the national level, mentoring younger players and participating in veteran and invitational events.
In recognition of his sustained excellence in carrom, Irudayam was conferred the Arjuna Award by the Government of India, the country's premier honour for outstanding performance in sport. He is among the very few carrom players to have received this distinction.
Irudayam's career is significant for elevating carrom — often viewed primarily as a recreational pastime — to the level of serious competitive sport with international recognition. His success contributed to greater visibility for indoor and traditional games in Indian sporting policy and helped establish a competitive lineage of Tamil Nadu players in the discipline.