Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti

Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti
Born	9 November 1940 Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India
Nationality	Indian
Education	Business Management
Alma mater	University of Washington
Occupation(s)	Industrialist, philanthropist
Organization	Nalli
Known for	Chairmanship of Nalli Silks
Children	Ramanathan Nalli, Vishwanathan Nalli, Geetha Devi, Jayashree
Awards	Padma Bhushan (2025) [1] Padma Shri (2003) [2] Kalaimamani (2000) Employer-Employee Relationship Award (2006)

Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti (born 9 November 1940) is an Indian textile industrialist and philanthropist. He is the chairman of Nalli Silks, a major saree retail chain based in Chennai. Known for his patronage of the arts and education, Chetti has contributed extensively to cultural institutions and literary works. He has authored 68 Tamil books, including Vetrikku Moondre Padigal, Needhi Noolgalil Nirvagam, and Padagacheri Mahan. ^{[3] [4]}

Early life and education

Chetti was born in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, into a Padmasali weaving community. ^[5] He studied at the Ramakrishna Mission School and pursued business management at the University of Washington. ^[6]

Career

After the death of his grandfather, Nalli Chinnasamy Chetti, in 1958, Chetti took over the family-run Nalli Silks and expanded it into a nationally recognized brand in traditional Indian textiles. ^[7]

Cultural involvement

He is closely associated with several cultural and music organizations. He serves as:

• President of Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Sri Parthasarathy Swami Sabha, Brahma Gana Sabha, Sri Bhairavi Gana Sabha, Mudhra, Mylapore Fine Arts Club, and Chennai Cultural Academy.
• Vice President of the Madras Film Society and the Mylapore Academy. ^[8]
• Patron of the Tamil Chamber of Commerce. ^[9]

Positions held

Position	Organization
Chairman	Nalli Silks

Awards and recognition

Year	Award	Awarding body
2025	Padma Bhushan	Government of India [1]
2006	Employer-Employee Relationship Award	The Rotary Club of Madras [10]
2003	Padma Shri	Government of India [2]
2000	Kalaimamani	Government of Tamil Nadu [11]

References

1. "Padma Awards 2025 announced". Press Information Bureau. 25 January 2025.
2. "Padma Awards" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
3. Krishna, M. Balamurali (12 November 2012). "From textile magnate to writer". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
4. "Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti calls Padma Bhushan honour happiest moment of his life, dedicates it to weavers". ANI News. 26 January 2025. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
5. "The 'soft' corner for silks". Business Line . 20 March 2000. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
6. Kannan, Swetha (19 October 2011). "Going faster on the silk route". The Hindu Business Line. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
7. "Fifth generation continues to add magic to iconic Nalli silk sarees". The Hindu Business Line. 15 March 2025. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
8. "Profile of Dr. Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti". Samudhra. Archived from the original on 24 October 2013. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
9. "Members". Tamil Chamber. Archived from the original on 15 May 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
10. "Rotary honours Nalli Kuppuswamy Chetty". The Hindu . 17 May 2006. Archived from the original on 6 June 2008. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
11. "Kalaimamani awards: CM refutes criticism". The Hindu . 26 November 2000. Archived from the original on 17 August 2002. Retrieved 28 July 2013.