Nalli Sarees' owner dedicates Padma award to weavers

After being honoured with the Padma Shri in 2003, textile industrialist and philanthropist Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti, 84, was conferred with the Padma Bhushan in the category of trade and industry on Saturday.

- HT Correspondent

CHENNAI: "When I got the Padma Shri award in 2003, I think, I was the first person to have received that award from the weavers' community," he told news agency ANI on Sunday.

"At the time in 2003, I got this honour because of the weavers' efforts, quality... and our workers' sales ability. I submit this honour to my weavers and workers," he added.

He inherited the popular silk saree showroom, Nalli Silks, from his grandfather, Nalli Chinnasami Chetty, in 1958 and is currently a partner. His grandfather was chosen to weave a silk shawl to be presented to King George V in 1911. Nalli started with its first store in Chennai in 1928, and now has stores across India, including Delhi and Mumbai, and overseas in the US, Singapore and Canada. Several eminent personalities, including Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Carnatic legend MS Subbulakshmi, had visited Nalli stores.