S. Anantharamakrishnan

Who was S. Anantharamakrishnan?

Sivasailam Anantharamakrishnan, affectionately called "J" was an Indian industrialist and business tycoon who founded and led the Amalgamations group of industries from 1945 to 1964.

Anantharamakrishnan was born in Tirunelveli in 1905 and had his education in Tirunelveli and Madras. In 1935, he joined the Simpsons group of companies as a secretary and in 1938, became the first Indian director in the management of Simpsons group. He served as the Chairman of the group from 1953 till his death in 1964.

Anantharamakrishnan is remembered for his successful business practices, efficient management of the labour unions and for triggering the growth of the automobile industry of Chennai which has earned the city the epithet "Detroit of India". As a result he himself came to be remembered as the "Henry Ford of South India."