T.N. Manoharan (file photo)
| Photo Credit:
BIJOY GHOSH
Padma Shri awardee and chartered accountant TN Manoharan (69), the former chairman of Canara Bank and the man behind revival of Satyam Computer, passed away in Mumbai on Wednesday morning.
Highly regarded for his financial acumen and work ethics, Manoharan was the Government Nominee Director during the turnaround of Satyam Computer Services and also served as Administrator of Lakshmi Vilas Bank.
He often referred to his restructuring efforts at the scandal-hit Satyam as a service to the nation and said it was his national duty to safeguard the image of India’s business ecosystem.
Besides being a Founder Partner at CA firm Manohar Chowdhry & Associates, he also served on committees of the Reserve Bank of India and was Non-Executive Chairman of Canara Bank for five years. While he was a chartered accountant and not a career banker, he contributed strategic direction and guidance to the bank and was responsible for its growth in the period.
Hailing from a small town in Vellore district of Tamil Nadu, Manoharan was the son of a freedom fighter. He became a chartered accountant in 1983 after completing law and post-graduation in commerce.
He has also mentored the CA students community as a teacher and authored books for professionals and students on taxation. He also co-authored The Tech Phoenix: Satyam’s 100-Day Turnaround, a book that chronicles the crisis and recovery of Satyam Computer Services.
He also served as Lead Independent Director at Mahindra & Mahindra contributing to risk management practices of the Group. He was also Independent Director at National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development and IDBI. He served as chairman of the committee on Accounting Standards and Taxation of the Confederation of Indian Industry, and was also a past president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
Manoharan is survived by his wife and two daughters.
Published on July 30, 2025
