Dorai (Markandan), was born on 20th August 1955, in Penang, Malaysia as the eldest child of six children born to C.Narayana Iyer and Parvathy.
He lived at 96 Dato Keramat Road in Penang. Primary education was at the Pykett Methodist School, from 1962 to 1966. He did his secondary schooling at Methodist Boys' School, also in Penang. In 1972 after completing his form 5, Dorai left for India together with his parents and brothers and sisters.
He joined the New College (Madras University) and completed his Pre University Course in 1973. The same year he commenced a five year Bachelor of Technology Degree course at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. He obtained his B.Tech. degree in 1978, and returned to Malaysia. He worked for a while as a lecturer at the Jaya Institute of Technology in Kuala Lumpur, and with MINCO Consulting Engineers also in Kuala Lumpur before joining the Penang Municipal Council (Majlis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang) as Engineer in December 1978.
He married Annapoorani (Geetha) on 24th January 1980 in Madras, and returned to Penang with his wife.
On 28th July 1981, their first son, Jaidev was born. On 13th July 1984, their second son, Vijay was born. They first lived at rented houses, until the family moved into their own house at 2N Lorong Delima 18, Island Glades, Penang in 1985. In 1996, Dorai left his job at the Municipal Council and joined Indah Water Konsortium as Planning Manager.
CHILDREN Jaidev | Vijay Father | Mother