In a proud moment for India’s traditional textile sector, legendary silk entrepreneur Shri Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti has been conferred with the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Trade and Industry.
As the driving force behind Nalli Silks, Chetti has spent over six decades preserving and promoting India’s rich handloom and silk heritage. After taking charge of his family’s Chennai-based sari store in 1958, he transformed it into a globally renowned brand rooted in quality, trust, and authenticity—earning it the tag of a “heritage brand” among Indian households.
Nalli Silks today boasts multiple outlets across India and abroad, including in Singapore, the U.S., and Canada, all built on Chetti’s core principles: no discounts, no compromises, and complete dedication to the craft and the weavers behind it.
In his acceptance message, Chetti described the Padma Bhushan as the “happiest moment of his life,” dedicating it to the thousands of weavers and artisans whose skilled hands and silent labor have kept India’s textile traditions alive.
Apart from his business acumen, Chetti is also a noted patron of Carnatic music, Tamil literature, and fine arts, serving as a trustee and benefactor for leading cultural sabhas in Chennai. He is a prolific Tamil author, having penned more than 30 books, and a recipient of the Kalaimamani Award and Padma Shri (2003).
This latest national honour reaffirms Shri Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti’s enduring legacy—as a businessman, cultural steward, and guardian of Indian tradition.
