Interview With Mr Thyagu Valliappa, Executive Director - Sona Valliappa Textiles Pvt. Ltd.

We have patented “silk stretch” through National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) and have a joint venture with Central Silk Board, Bangalore, for establishing silk stretch with filature, dupion and spun silk yarns for the first time in India. We created this on a scientific formula against all odds.

MICROBIOZ INDIA: As a fourth generation entrepreneur in your family business how do you see the past helping you at present?

Thyagu Valliappa: Throughout its rich history, SONA VALLIAPPA GROUP has always been the pioneer of all kinds of businesses and it has never stopped changing and innovating in all of its endeavors. Every futuristic idea formulated by the visionary founder Sri Karumuthu Thiagarajar Chettiar has turned into business success.

The group is also known for taking the lead in the emergence of IT exports in India in the 1980s by housing companies like Texas Instruments in its Sona Towers at Millers Road, Bangalore.

MICROBIOZ INDIA: Could you tell us briefly about how your group evolved over the years?

Thyagu Valliappa: Sri Karumuthu Thiagarajar Chettiar started the business in a small way in 1920. With hard work, dedication and commitment he could scale up operations assuring quality products and building relationships with each level in trade. Not surprising that he has been the uncrowned king of the textile industry and in 1972 he was the largest spinner of textile yarn in the world. Over the years, his son-in-law Sri Chockalingam Chettiar established a large base of textile mills in Salem and with his son Sri. C. Valliappa established mills all over Karnataka. The textile mills thereafter grew rapidly under the care of the illustrious sons of C. Valliappa.