The following list includes notable people who were born or have lived in the region of Malwa, India.
Historical
Rajmata Ahilya Devi Holkar, ruler of Indore state of the Holkars
Bhartrihari (570-651?) Brahmagupta (598 - 668), mathematician Bhoj (1010–1060), king Bhāskara II (1114–1185), mathematician Chandragupta Vikramaditya (375 - 415), legendary king Dhanvantari Kalidasa (c 100? BC - c 400? AD), Sanskrit playwright Mahinda, Buddhist monk depicted in Buddhist sources as bringing Buddhism to Sri Lanka; first-born son of the Mauryan emperor Ashoka from his wife Devi Malhar Rao Holkar Holkar dynasty founders....and first Maratha Empire subedar Madhya Bharat Sanghamitra, daughter of Emperor Ashoka and his wife, Vidisha Dev Siddhasena Varahamihira (505 - 587), astronomer and mathematician
Artists and literary figures
Hafeez Contractor, architect of India; born in Mumbai
Asghar Ali Engineer, graduated with a degree in civil engineering from Vikram University Sagarika Ghatge, Indian film actress; daughter of the actor Vijayendra Ghatge Vijayendra Ghatge, actor in the Hindi film industry; son of Sita Raje Ghatge, who was the daughter of Maharaja Tukojirao Holkar III of Indore (reigned 1903–1926) Umakant Gundecha and Ramakant Gundecha, leading Dagarvani dhrupad singers M.F. Husain, eminent painter; spent his childhood in Indore Rahat Indori, Urdu poet and songwriter in Hindi films Celina Jaitley, Shimla-born Indian actress; mainly appears in Bollywood films; her parents live in the army town of Mhow in the Indore district Ustad Amir Khan (born 1912), Hindustani classical vocalist; referred to his unique style of khyal singing as "Indore Gharana"; born in Indore Digvijay Bhonsale, (born 31-03-1989) Rock/Metal Musician, Lead Vocalist/Guitarist of Nicotine, Metal band from Indore; studied at Daly College, Indore and Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK Rais Khan (born 1938), Indian sitar maestro; born in Indore Salman Khan, Indian film actor who appears in Bollywood movies; born in Indore Sneha Khanwalkar, Indian music director who works in Bollywood; brought up in Indore Swanand Kirkire, lyricist, singer, and writer; born in Indore Kiran Kumar, Mumbai-based Kashmiri Indian actor; studied at Daly College, Indore Kishore Kumar, playback singer and actor; belonged to Khandwa; studied at the Indore Christian College and used to stay in the hostel Ankita Lokhande, Indian television actress; brought up in Indore Lata Mangeshkar, playback singer, born in Indore to Pandit Dinanath Mangeshkar Sachida Nagdev, contemporary Indian artist Pradeep (1915–1998), Indian poet and songwriter who is best known for his patriotic song "Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo" Kunwar Amarjeet Singh, hip-hop and contemporary style dancer; played lead role in Dil Dosti Dance Prahlad Tipanya, Kabir folksinger from Lunyakheri village; recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi award Mahadevi Varma, Hindi poet; freedom fighter; was married to Dr Swarup Narain Varma in Indore Johnny Walker, famous comic actor; born in Indore Kunwar Amarjeet Singh, hip-hop and contemporary style dancer; played lead role in Dil Dosti Dance Zakir Khan, Stand-up comedian, Shahbaz Khan (actor), Television actor, known for his role in "Chandrakanta" as "Kunwar Virendra Singh"; Son of Ustad Amir Khan, born and raised in Indore. Mantra Well known RJ, Actor, Comedian; born and raised in Indore.