Meet TS Kalyanaraman, the man behind the Rs. 10,000 crores jewellery brand, Kalyan Jewellers. Here's everything about his journey to building one of India's most successful businesses.
Kalyan Jewellers is one of the few businesses in India which needs no introduction. When it comes to the jewellery business, Kalyan Jewellers is right up there with the best. The company was founded by TS Kalyanaraman back in 1993. After years of hard work, commitment, and so many risks, Kalyan Jewellers has reached a point where it is recognised as one of the most successful business stories in India.
There’s no denying the fact that everyone is aware of the famous jewellery brand, Kalyan Jewellers. However, not enough people know much about TS Kalyanaraman, the company's founder. Thus, without any further ado, let’s get straight into the journey of TS Kalyanaraman’s inspirational success story with his company, Kalyan Jewellers.
Recommended Read: Who Is Billionaire Gautam Adani's Wife, Priti Adani? The Power Behind the Adani Empire
TS Kalyanaraman is one of the most sought-after business personalities in India. Despite being a prominent Indian business tycoon, his name hardly breaks into the headlines with any kind of controversy. For the unversed, he is currently the chairman and managing director of Kalyan Jewellers and Kalyan Developers. The esteemed entrepreneur, TS Kalyanaraman hails from Thiruvananthapuram and comes from a Tamil Brahmin family. Being the eldest son of his father, TR Seetharamaiyer, he carried forward the legacy of the Kalyan Group, which serves as the parent company of Kalyan Jewellers.
TS Kalyanaraman's journey in the business world began at the young age of 12 when he started assisting his father in his shop. While working with his father in his shop, he learned a lot of things about the trade. Talking about his education, Kalyanaraman studied commerce at Sree Kerala Varma College in order to get more expertise in his business.
The Kalyan Jewellers is a part of the Kalyan Group, founded by TS Kalyanaraman’s grandfather, TS Kalyanaraman Iyer, in 1909. He was a priest who ventured into entrepreneurship with his company, Kalyan Group. Kalyanaraman Iyer started with a textile mill in Thrissur, Kerala, which the government eventually took over.
The Kalyan Group was one of the leading names in the textile industry, but the company expanded its presence with Kalyan Silks, Kalyan Sarees, and Kalyan Collections. When Kalyanaraman Iyer’s son, TK Seetharamaiyer joined the business, he took it to even further heights.
However, in the latter years, TK Seetharamaiyer partitioned it among his five sons in 1991. Not only this, Seetharamaiyer also named one of his sons by the name of his late father, TS Kalyanaraman Iyer. Interestingly, TS Kalyanaraman was the one, who went on to establish Kalyan Jewellers in 1993, making his family a leading name in the jewellery business.
Don’t Miss: 'Shark Tank India' Judge, Ghazal Alagh's Love Story: From Childhood Sweethearts To Business Partners
TS Kalyanaraman embarked on his entrepreneurial journey in 1993 when he opened his first jewellery shop named Kalyan Jewellers in Thrissur City. In order to open the shop, he had taken a loan of Rs. 50 lakhs and also took Rs. 25 lakhs from his family savings. With dedication and a vision for growth, Kalayanaraman’s jewellery business started growing rapidly, establishing 32 showrooms across South India.
As of now, Kalyan Jewellers is a household name, and it has evolved into one of India's largest and most trusted jewellery brands. As per multiple reports, the company has a workforce of approximately 8,000 employees and a network of 140 showrooms spanning India and West Asia. It wasn’t a cakewalk for TS Kalyanaraman to build a jewellery company worth Rs. 10,000 crores, but his entrepreneurial genius inspired him.
You May Like This: Kokilaben Ambani's Hidden Facts: Family Background, Car Enthusiast, Settled Feud Between Sons, More
The chairman and managing director of Kalyan Jewellers, TS Kalyanaraman never takes credit for building India’s one of the most trusted jewellery brands. The entrepreneur always stated that consumers founded Kalyan Jewellers because they wanted a brand they could trust, and I just provided them with the same.
Time and again in his interviews, he stated that business is in his blood, reflecting on his family business. Opening up about the ‘golden rule’ of his success behind Kalyan Jewellers, he once stated that “Whether national or international, customer satisfaction is most important for us”. Well, it speaks volumes about his character as an entrepreneur.
TS Kalyanaraman is happily married to Ramadevi, who is a housewife. The lovely couple is blessed with three children. Their eldest son, Rajesh Kalyanaraman is married to Maya Rajesh. While their second son, Ramesh Kalyanaraman is married to Deepa Ramesh. Their daughter, Radhika is a devoted homemaker and is married to Karthik R, who holds the position of Managing Director at Kalyan Developers.
TS Kalyanaraman and his wife, Ramadevi are also blessed with five grandchildren, two grandsons and three granddaughters. The head of the family, TS Kalyanaraman has managed to keep all the members of his family close to each other, as he always prioritises his family over anything.
What are your thoughts on TS Kalyanaraman’s journey to build one of India’s leading jewellery brands, despite being in the textile business? Let us know.
Also Read: Radhika Merchant's Father, Viren Merchant: Billionaire CEO Of Encore Holds A Net Worth Of Rs. 755 Cr