Shri. J. Chitharanjan, renowned CPI leader, was born on October 22,1927, at Kollam as the son of Shri. C.Janardhanan.

Entering politics through students movements, he became the General Secretary and later, the President of Travancore Students Union during the late forties. He joined the Communist Party in 1944, and served as Joint Secretary, AISF and Secretary, Quilon Division Committee of CPI.

Shri. Chitharanjan became elected to the Kerala Legislative Assembly in 1977 and 1980 from Chathanoor and again in 1987 from Punalur as a CPI candidate.

Shri Chitharanjan was the Minister for Public Health during 1977-78 in the Ministries headed by Shri. K. Karunakaran, Shri. A.K.Antony and Shri. P.K. Vasudevan Nair.

Shri. Chitharanjan had also been a member of Rajya Sabha during 1997-2003 .

Shri. Chitharanjan has also at different times, been Member, State Committee of CPI, General Secretary, Kerala Unit of AITUC, Vice President , AITUC and Member, National Council of CPI.

Smt. L.Ambika is his wife and they have one son and two daughters.