Arunachalam Vellayan, former Chairman of the Murugappa Group and Chairman Emeritus of Coromandel International, passed away in Chennai on Monday at the age of 72 after a prolonged illness. A fourth-generation member of the Murugappa family and great-grandson of founder Dewan Bahadur Murugappa Chettiar, he leaves behind a rich legacy of strategic leadership and institution-building.
He is survived by his wife, Lalitha Vellayan, sons Arun and Narayanan, and grandchildren.
Industry Mourns a Visionary Leader
Top industrialists and corporate leaders expressed deep sorrow, remembering Vellayan for his strategic clarity, long-term vision, and personal warmth. Known for his calm authority, he played a pivotal role in shaping Murugappa Group into one of India’s most respected business conglomerates.
“He had unmatched business acumen and a rare strategic lens,” said Venu Srinivasan, Chairman Emeritus of TVS Motor Company. “He was an institution builder and a tall leader of my generation.”
Transformative Leadership at Murugappa Group
Vellayan became Executive Chairman in November 2009 at the age of 56. His leadership marked a period of strong organic growth, disciplined acquisitions, and strategic decision-making.
Between 2008–2009 and 2016–2017, Murugappa Group’s revenues doubled from ₹15,907 crore to ₹30,023 crore, while EBITDA grew from around ₹1,500 crore to ₹4,000 crore, and market capitalisation surged more than six-fold to ₹70,000 crore by January 2018.
What stood out was not just the growth achieved, but also the opportunities he consciously chose not to pursue. After initially receiving approval from the RBI to start a payments bank in 2015, the Group, under Vellayan’s leadership, decided to drop the plan as it did not align with its strategic priorities in a high-burn, capital-intensive environment dominated by major tech and telecom players.
Mentor Who Built Leaders, Not Just Businesses
One of his greatest strengths was his ability to spot and groom leadership talent early. Many senior executives of today credit their careers to his vision and confidence in them.
“He identified potential in us even before we noticed it,” said L. Ramkumar, former MD of Tube Investments of India. “He gave freedom, support, and trust — and we delivered.”
Prominent leaders such as S. S. Gopalarathnam, N Srinivasan, and K E Ranganathan rose under his mentorship.
A Leader with Humility and Empathy
Despite his stature, Vellayan was known for his humility, accessibility, and respect for people at all levels.
“He would sit in small roadside shops, accept tea, and never refuse hospitality,” recalled K E Ranganathan. “He believed that saying no would hurt the hosts.”
Colleagues described him as a listener, who asked thoughtful questions without imposing decisions, giving true freedom in execution.
Governance and Ethical Leadership
Vellayan strongly upheld governance principles. During internal conflicts at Parryware in 1999, he candidly wrote on the board: “People are not seeing eye to eye. Result: loss of market share. Time for corrective action.” This clarity helped turnaround the company.
Even during the 2015 SEBI insider trading allegations, he stepped down voluntarily to uphold corporate ethics. He was later cleared of all charges and returned as chairman before retiring in early 2018.
Academic Excellence and Industry Contributions
A Doon School alumnus, Vellayan held degrees from Shri Ram College of Commerce, Aston University, and Warwick Business School. He also led various industry bodies including the Fertiliser Association of India and the All India Cycle Manufacturers’ Association.
He was awarded honorary doctorates by Aston University and Tamil Nadu Agricultural University for his contributions to industry and leadership.
Legacy of Strategic Vision and Human Values
Arunachalam Vellayan will be remembered not just as a visionary business leader, but as a builder of people, principles, and purpose. His legacy endures in the institutions he strengthened and the leaders he nurtured.
