Sri Krishna Sweets was founded by Late Shri N K Mahadeva Iyer, in Coimbatore in 1948 as part of a small restaurant in 500 sq. feet area. He was a pioneer in the field of pure ghee sweets. The separate sweet shop concept was launched in 1972. Since then Sri Krishna Sweets is engaged in the pursuit of manufacturing and marketing of traditional home made sweets and savouries for over five decades using modern manufacturing practices.

Mahadeva Iyer had a dream and a vision. He visualized a professionally managed food processing enterprise to offer traditional sweets and savouries with modern and scientific manufacturing techniques. His entrepreneurship, blended with an innate faith in himself gave rise to a well-knit total quality management model in all the preparations.

M. Murali, the younger son follows religiously the principles laid down by his legendary father and his business suave elder brother and fine-tunes strategies depending upon the changing consumer perceptions. He is a philanthropist with a noble heart. A man with a mission and purpose, he works towards many social causes and is a positive role model for the society. He is quality conscious and dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in his chosen areas. He is a patriot, an ardent Tamil lover, a strong believer in 'Work is Worship' and dedicates himself to the profession. On behalf of Chennaionline, H Ramakrishnan interacted with him. Excerpts:

“I owe everything to my father. He was in fact more than a father to me. He was my boss, my Guru, my good friend and a teacher who taught me how to live this life. He started this profession when he was hardly twelve. The vow he took at that time, is what fuelled the growth of our business venture. He wanted to succeed. That was his strong vision. He trusted the customers, the public. He was a true Karma Yogi, who believed only in sincere work. He and his Mysorepa were inseparable. He wished for the welfare of the whole world. He had only very basic education. Yet, his skill was unparalleled.”

And, how did he get the idea of starting such a venture?

“Sheer survival. He wanted to do something for his family. But he put his heart and soul into it. Can you imagine? Even in the late forties, my father opened an air-conditioned restaurant in Coimbatore. There was also a roof garden restaurant. He had a different approach. He always thought big. Things went well thereafter. My brother Mr Krishnan gave a new orientation and a professional touch to it. My brother’s experience and my father’s blessings stand by me. My brother‘s administrative skill and expertise are my greatest asset. He ”

Did he expect it to succeed so well?

"Since he had a strong will and clear vision, it could grow. I will only say that we are moving towards success. The journey does not end. He never compelled us to join the business. We joined it on our own volition. He was our role model. Even when I was in the school, I would go to the restaurant everyday. I would be in the kitchen, in the Coffee stall, at the cash counter. I have also delivered sweets at several places. I grew up in this atmosphere. I learnt the nuances of administering such a huge unit from my father and my brother.

"It is not Just ghee, sugar and gram flour that go into the sweets. Our dedication, our heart goes into it. My love and affection is in every sweet that goes from my outlet it. It is not just selling a product. Our customers get good returns for the money they spend.

"We are there wherever happiness is. This is a great joy and blessing."

And when did you move to Chennai?

“That was in 1996. We wanted to be here for a short while. However, the people of Chennai were very supportive and responsive. Now, in Chennai alone we have twenty two outlets. Of course, totally we have seventy outlets including in Dubai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Bengaluru. We have a proposal to open outlets in U S. “

He is passionate about Ganesha idols. There are over two thousand five hundred of them in his room. They are of different material.

"I adore Ganesha. He is a very accessible God. He has gravity around him, a stately form. He radiates mother’s love. He gives us a lively, comfortable energy."

How did he start organizing concerts and events?

“I want to reciprocate. That is all. I can’t give back in money. I do it this way. Last year, in 365 days, we organized about 700 programmes. Of course I am grateful to the Sabhas and artistes for its success.

Madras Culinary Association and we jointly organize a monthly food court for poor and special children. For the sake of blind children, we provide a Braille-menu.

We have provided life-guards in the Besant Nagar Beach, in collaboration with Exnora. We have appointed five persons, exclusively to save people from drowning. They have saved seventy five lives so far.”

His father started it as a restaurant and then they built a sweet empire. Now again, they have started a restaurant.

“It is in my blood. I am essentially a restaurant-man. That is why I started Rasam.”

Awards?

“The Industrial Research and Development trust of All India Manufacturers' Organisation (Tamil Nadu State Board) recognised Sri Krishna Sweets as worthy of the Sir Visvesvaraya Industrial Award for success in promoting a food processing establishment, elevating this organisation from the confines of a domestic home based activity to the status of an organised manufacturing unit providing substantial employment opportunities. Hon. Frank Pallone, Jr. of New Jersey speaking in the House of Representatives in U S, on September 19, 2006 formally congratulated my brother and me for ‘earning the title of Best Businesspersons of the Year’ and for our receipt of the Fetna Award of Excellence for 2006. ‘This recognition is the culmination of the contributions that these two brothers have made in the Indian and larger communities,’ he said.

What is their road plan to future expansion?

“This venture grows almost on its own. We also go along the way.”