Thangal Kunju Musaliar (January 12, 1897 - February 19, 1966)[1] was an industrialist, educationalist and visionary,[2] known for his contributions to the cashew industry, and higher education in the state of Kerala, India.

He was born as son of Ahmed Kunju Musaliar at Kollam district of Kerala on 12 January 1897.It was a middle-class family that traces its ancestry to Malik ibn Deenar, Persian scholar and traveler who came to India in the 8th century.

After travelling to Sri Lanka, Brunei, Singapore and Malaysia for employment, he returned home and started a cashew processing unit, which became successful.

[5] He was called the "Cashew King" in national and international markets,[1][2] and Fortune magazine named him as the single biggest individual employer in the world, at the time.

[5][4][2] He authored multiple books in Malayalam including Prayogikadwaitam, translated to English as Man and the world, practical philosophy and law of nature., by S Sathyavageeswara Iyer.