T .S. Kalyanaraman is a self-made Indian billionaire and the founder and chairman of the jewelry retail chain, Kalyan Jewellers. He comes from a family of textile merchants in Thrissur, Kerala. In 1993, he decided to venture into a new business, opening his first jewelry showroom with a modest amount of capital. He has since built Kalyan Jewellers into one of India's largest and most recognizable jewelry brands.
Kalyanaraman's success is built on his focus on transparency, trust, and a customer-centric approach in an industry that was often fragmented and opaque. He introduced practices like detailed price tags and quality certifications, which were revolutionary at the time. He has expanded his company into a massive retail network with hundreds of showrooms across India and in the Middle East. He is also known for his high-profile marketing campaigns, often using major Bollywood celebrities as brand ambassadors. He took the company public in 2021, and his family retains a majority stake.
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