Muthiah was born in 1941 to industrialist and cricket administrator M. A. Chidambaram. He was Chidambaram's only son, his other child being a daughter Seetha. He is cousin of former Indian Home MinisterP. Chidambaram. Maternal grandfather of P. Chidambaram is the paternal grandfather of Muthiah.
Muthiah took charge of the Southern Petrochemical Industries Limited (SPIC) on the death of his father Chidambaram in the year 2000. Muthiah served as the Director of Standard Motors, Tamil Nadu Petroproducts Limited, Southern Petrochemical Industries and SPEL Semiconductor Ltd. He also served as Director of Henkel India Limited, Tuticorin Alkali Chemicals & Fertilisers Ltd.
Like his father, Muthiah is also a cricket enthusiast and was an active in cricket administration. He served as the president of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association from the 1994–95 season to the 2001–02 season. From 1999 to 2001, Muthiah served as the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
Muthiah was the president of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in its Platinum Jubilee year 2003. Muthiah was a Member of the Prime Minister's Advisory Council on Trade and Industry. He was a member of the executive boards of the International Cricket Council, and the Marylebone Cricket Club. He was also conferred the Rotary International District Vocational Services Award for his outstanding efforts in business ethics in the year 1999. Muthiah awarded an Honorary Doctorate (Honoris Causa) in Science in February 1992 from Anna University.
Muthiah serves as a member of the board of trustees at The Voluntary Health Services. He continues to be associated with Tamizh Isai Sangam which was founded by his father.
Muthiah is the Managing trustee of MAC (Education) Foundation, a public charitable trust founded by his father Dr. M. A. Chidambaram, which runs the School & College of Nursing in Chennai.[3] MAC Trust, on the occasion of the birth anniversary of his father M. A. Chidambaram, every year, confers Sir Annamalai Chettiar Award for outstanding contribution to and promotion of Tamil language and literature; Dr. M. A. Chidambaram Award for excellence in fine arts; and the Dr. A. C. Muthiah Award for achievement as a first generation entrepreneur.
Family
Muthiah is married to Devaki and has a son and two daughters.