• Madurai Messenger
• Printed version
• 2007
• October
• Editorial

 

A Success Saga

by Nandini Murali

It is a rags to riches story. What does it take for a young man who worked as a labourer in a match factory, get into the business of hand made matches, and then go on to become the world's largest fireworks manufacturer?

Dreams, belief, and commitment. Arthur Chelladhurai, the founder of Standard Fireworks, epitomised these values. He dared to dream. And he lived the dream. Today the Bell Group (an anglicised name of the Tamil word mani (bell) derived from Chelladhurai's mother's name, Nesamani) has spawned a number of institutions as varied as Fireworks, hotels, catering institutes, schools, match factories, and pins.

As a newcomer to Sivakasi, I was intrigued by the almost old world charm, gracious hospitality, and delectable food at the Bell Hotel. Indeed in Sivakasi, all roads lead to the Bell Hotel, easily the town's most famous landmark. Who are the people behind this endeavour, I wondered? Our cover story captures snippets of three generations of the Bell family who live in Sivakasi.

Jeryn Warren, our reporter, interacted with members of the family over several days. As she writes, "We really know people-their character, ethics, and priorities-not only by what they say but by what they do. In the case of this well known Sivakasi family, you know them not only by what they do, but by how they do it."

Strangely, even the name Standard Fireworks resonates with the high standards of the family-both personally and professionally. When I first met them, I was impressed by their down to earth attitude and friendliness that was as warm as the soothing rays of the early morning sunshine. Warren was in a dilemma while doing the feature because she was forced to leave so many things unsaid because of constraints of space. I wonder if you, like me, in an Oliver Twistian manner will also "ask for more" about this family who have emerged as one of the leading business families in Tamil Nadu.