Nalli About Us

Since our establishment in 1928, Nalli has woven a rich tapestry in the textile and retail realm, becoming a cherished household name for exquisite silks. With 90 years of grace and legacy, we stand as an iconic heritage brand, deeply rooted in tradition. As the first and finest purveyor of quality silks, we've earned the enduring patronage of customers across generations. At Nalli, we warmly welcome you into a world where trust and quality are not just values but traditions passed down through time, creating a homely haven for those who appreciate the artistry and warmth of genuine craftsmanship.

WHO WE ARE

Under the visionary leadership of Nalli Chinnasami Chetty, our family-run brand earned the trust of customers, becoming synonymous with pure silks and traditional sarees in households. After three decades, the baton was passed to grandson Nalli Kuppusami Chetty, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2003, India's fourth highest Civilian Honour, for his remarkable contributions to Trade & Industry.

OUR HERITAGE

In 1928, the journey of Nalli began in Chennai's vibrant locale of Thyagaraja Nagar. Nalli Chinnasami Chetty envisioned it as the ultimate saree destination, a symbol of purity. Amidst the World War II closures, this landmark store stood unwavering, dedicated to meeting customers' needs. The unparalleled commitment to customer-centricity forged Nalli's iconic status in silk sarees.From celebrities such as former President Dr Rajendra Prasad, and the queen of carnatic music M.S. Subbulakshmi (for whom Nalli presented a saree woven in a unique shade of blue, later labelled as the 'MS Blue'), to the common people, Nalli has remained a long-time favourite.

Over the years, Nalli has opened multiple stores in major cities; including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Hyderabad and many more and has presence across US, Singapore & Canada too.

CUSTOMER CENTRICITY

Breaking away from tradition, Nalli Kuppusami made a bold decision in the 1950s: the store would refrain from discount selling, a concept unheard of at the time. This decision marked a significant departure from the norm and positioned Nalli as a pioneering force in the textile industry, spearheading change across the sector. In today's marketplace, where sales and promotions entice consumers, Nalli continues to uphold its 'Every Day Value Price' approach. This strategy prioritises operational excellence and efficient cost structures, enabling the provision of high-quality products to consumers at value-driven prices. Nalli remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering unrivalled quality at competitive prices, earning an ever-growing base of loyal customers.

OUR LEGACY

A Souvenir For King George V

When King George V visited India, he stopped over at Madras. It was decided that a hand-crafted Kanchipuram Silk Saree would be gifted to him as a souvenir from Tamil Nadu, and Mr. Chinnasami Chetty was chosen for this prestigious occasion. As the occasion coincided with the King's corona-tion, Mr. Chetty wove a rich silk saree with a special border which he named 'Durbar Pet', or the 'Coronation Border'.

Shades of Change

In 1921, when a Swiss pharmaceuticals firm named Geigy wanted to test the market its chemical dyes and replace vegetable dyes, weavers were reluctant. All except Nalli Chinnasami Chetty. He dared to change, and others followed soon, opening the doors to a myriad of colours.

Madras Calling

By 1928, the famed Kanchipuram weaver, Chinnasami Chetty, was visiting Madras twice a week. As an astute businessman, he decided Thyagaraja Nagar near Mambalam station would be his residence and depot. He later assigned his son-in-law, Mr. P. Lakshmiah Chetty, to manage the deliveries from Kanchipuram, while he managed the retailing front. The rest, as they say, is history.

Standing strong during World War II

In 1939, as World War II raged all around, the air was filled with despair. Frightened by imminent bombing and armour rolling in, terrified citizens cleared the city. Hundreds of businessmen shut shop and relocated. The Madras High Court shifted to Holy Angels School in Pondy Bazaar, T Nagar. Amidst all the pandemonium, however, one business remained open: Nalli. People from all over Madras came to Nalli for any purchase, however small. It was this dedication that permanently etched the Nalli name into the hearts of the people of Madras, forever transforming it into not just a saree shop, but a symbol of the city's defiance.

A Saree for the Legend

One crisp summer morning in 1951, the late M.S. Subbalakshmi, one of the greatest names Car-natic music has ever known, walked into a Nalli store with a blue thread in her hand. The thread was of a particular shade of blue, one that she wanted a saree fashioned out of. As that particular color was not commercially available, Nalli experimented with dyes in their own workshops and true to Nalli's reputation, she got her wish fulfilled by an exquisite Kanchipuram silk saree in a unique shade of blue. From then on, that particular shade came to be known as MS Blue.

The Queen's Coronation

In 1953, the year of Queen Elizabeth's coronation, from Tamil Nadu, Mr. V.A.K. Raghu of Royal Insurance was invited for the occasion. Thrilled by the invite, he decided to get something extra special as a gift for her majesty. What he took was one of the India's finest silk sarees: A Nalli.

Passing the baton

It was time for the new generation to take charge. Mr. Kuppusami Chetty, the grandson of Nalli Chinnasami Chetty, rose up to the occasion and entered the family business. Keeping with the dedication towards quality and customer satisfaction, Mr. Kuppusami Chetty decided to do away with discounts. This was done as a measure to always offer goods at affordable prices for different economic groups, without compromising on quality.

A household name

A household name Nalli came to be known as the ultimate destination for wedding sarees. People traveled from smaller cities and towns to Chennai to buy silk sarees and dhotis for weddings and other important occasions. Nalli became a household name that customers trusted for high-quality silk sarees.

The Second Store

With more and more customers coming in, word of mouth made people travel from near and far to buy a Nalli saree. As loyal customers increased, so did the demand for Nalli to step out of Chennai and look for new areas to serve the customers. Thus, Nalli opened their next store in Madurai.

FIRST & THE FINEST