Rrajani: made new info.

2026-01-18T18:12:55Z

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{{Short description|Indian ethnic wear brand}}
[[File:Ramraj Cotton Logo.png|thumb]]
'''Ramraj Cotton''' is an Indian [[Folk costume|ethnic wear]] brand and it is a brainchild of [[K. R. Nagarajan]]. Ramraj stepped into the textile business, predominantly selling white cotton shirts and [[dhoti]]s. Ramraj Cotton has gained substantial market shares in the textile industry and gained a reputation as a market leader in the ethnic wear industry.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Express News |date=2023-06-12 |title=Ramraj Cotton opens 250th store on 40th anniversary |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/vijayawada/2023/Jun/12/ramraj-cotton-opens-250th-store-on-40th-anniversary-2584162.html |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Preetha |first=M. Soundariya |date=2024-01-10 |title=Textile units in Tiruppur plan investments |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/textile-units-in-tiruppur-plan-investments/article67728019.ece |access-date=2024-11-05 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Ramraj has been reportedly manufacturing about 4000 unique varieties of dhotis.<ref name="afaqs-2025">{{Cite web |date=2025-01-13 |title=Abhishek Bachchan flaunts dhoti with pride in Ramraj Cotton's new spot |url=https://www.afaqs.com/news/advertising/abhishek-bachchan-flaunts-dhoti-with-pride-in-ramraj-cottons-new-spot-8618306 |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=afaqs |language=en}}</ref> The popularity of the Ramraj brand which was solely due to its concept focusing on ethnic wear also paved the way for other brands such as Mister White, MCR to jump [[Bandwagon effect|bandwagon]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sujatha |first=S. |date=2009-03-20 |title=Come elections, it is good time for political dhotis |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/come-elections-it-is-good-time-for-political-dhotis/articleshow/4293105.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-11-04 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref> The Ramraj Cotton company exports textile materials to Sri Lanka, Singapore and Malaysia.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-10-22 |title=Ramraj Cotton launches new outlet at Anna Nagar |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2018/Oct/22/ramraj-cotton-launches-new-outlet-at-anna-nagar-1888252.html |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-08-21 |title=Ramraj Cotton Opens New Store at Shamshabad |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/southern-states/ramraj-cotton-opens-new-store-at-shamshabad-1817836 |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=www.deccanchronicle.com |language=en}}</ref>

== Corporate history ==
=== Early years ===
Ramraj Cotton was established initially as a small office in [[Tiruppur|Tirupur]] in 1983 under the name Ramraj Khadi Traders by K. R. Nagarajan, with a vision to popularise traditional Indian attire dhotis.<ref name="thehindu"/> Ramraj Khadi Traders began its operations with a table and a chair as the only furniture items. It was revealed that the precarious situation pertaining to the livelihoods of weavers living in Tirupur area made K. R. Nagarajan sympathise with them and as a result, he began the Ramraj Khadi Traders to help the weavers through the revenue earned by selling dhoties.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-05-23 |title=HE BUILT up A BRAND to help weavers |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/he-built-up-a-brand-to-help-weavers/articleshow/91728924.cms |access-date=2024-11-04 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> K. R. Nagarajan named the company "Ramraj" using the letters that appear in both his name (Nagarajan) and his father's name (Ramaswamy) and with the tagline in Tamil “paarambariya naagareegam pudhiya polivuden” (traditional fashion with a new twist).

Ramraj Khadi Traders was later rebranded and renamed as Ramraj Cotton in 1987, when [[cotton]] replaced the use of [[khadi]] in the company, with the brand focussing on premium cotton fabrics.<ref name="thehindu" />

Between 1989 and 1994, they expanded their product line to include white shirts, innerwear, and various other men's wear clothing. In 1999, the brand opened their first exclusive showroom in Tirupur, [[Tamil Nadu]].<ref name="gts-2024">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-09-24 |title= India requires skill development to compete in the textile race: Ramraj Cotton Chairman KR Nagarajan |url=https://globaltextilesource.com/news/india-requires-skill-development-to-compete-in-the-textile-race-ramraj-cotton-chairman-kr-nagarajan |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=globaltextilesource.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name="toi-2022">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-05-23 |title= Madurai: He built up a brand to help weavers |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/madurai-he-built-up-a-brand-to-help-weavers/articleshow/91734579.cms |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com |language=en}}</ref>

Prior to the “Salute Ramraj” campaign 2001, the brand had opened exclusive showrooms in multiple locations across South India.

=== Salute Ramraj ===
K. R. Nagarajan initiated the concept of ''Salute Ramraj'', and he brought prominent actors and celebrities including Malayalam actor [[Jayaram]], Telugu actor [[Rana Daggubati]] as well as veteran Telugu actor [[Venkatesh (actor)|Venkatesh Daggubati]] as brand ambassadors on board to shoot [[Advertising|advertisements]] for his Ramraj branded clothing traditional attire with the ''Salute Ramraj'' theme being played in the background.<ref name="thehindu" /><ref name="mg-2017">{{Cite web |date=2017-09-14 |title=Rana as Brand Ambassador For Ramraj Cotton Vests |url=https://moviegalleri.net/2017/09/rana-daggubati-as-brand-ambassador-for-ramraj-cottons-new-line-of-vests.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200421162841/https://moviegalleri.net/2017/09/rana-daggubati-as-brand-ambassador-for-ramraj-cottons-new-line-of-vests.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 21, 2020 |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=MovieGalleri |language=en}}</ref><ref name="orissa-diary-2017">{{Cite web |date=2017-09-14 |title=Ramraj Ropes In Rana Daggubati As An Endorser |url=https://orissadiary.com/ramraj-ropes-rana-daggubati-endorser/ |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=OrissaDiary |language=en}}</ref><ref name="manatelugu-2024">{{Cite web |date=2024-10-02 |title=Ramraj Cotton's Successful Partnership with Victory Venkatesh |url=https://manatelugu.com/ramraj-cottons-successful-partnership-with-victory-venkatesh/ |access-date=2025-01-22 |website=ManaTelugu |language=en}}</ref> The underlying core principles behind the incorporation of ''Salute Ramraj'' anthem is based on the personal setback of its founder K. R. Nagarajan who was once denied entry to a five-star hotel due to his ethnic wear.<ref name="thehindu" /> Nagarajan's thought process focused on ensuring that Ramraj Cotton stuck to its basic instincts on elevating the status of the dhotis and veshtis to a level of cultural pride. Over the years, with the marketing strategies of Ramraj, the public perception turned out to be positive towards dhotis.<ref name="thbl-2013">{{Cite web |date=2013-10-21 |title=Ramraj weaves a success story with labour innovation |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/Ramraj-weaves-a-success-story-with-labour-innovation/article20679235.ece |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=BusinessLine |language=en}}</ref>

=== Other Brands ===
By 2013, the brand began exporting to International markets like Malaysia, USA and Singapore, with sub brands like “Little Stars” for kids, “Linen Park” for linen shirts, “Genxt” for adjustable dhoti, and “Lagnaa” for pure silk fabrics.<ref name="thbl-2013" />

In 2015, Ramraj introduced pocket [[dhoti]]s to cater to the requirements of men in order to keep their belongings, such as purses, mobile phones and handkerchiefs, in their pockets conveniently and to ease portability concerns.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rajan |first=Sangita |date=2024-10-29 |title=How ready-to-wear saris and veshtis are bringing tradition back to everyday style |url=https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/fashion/how-ready-to-wear-saris-and-veshtis-are-bringing-tradition-back-to-everyday-style/article68804268.ece |access-date=2024-11-04 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Similarly, Ramraj Cotton began producing velcro dhotis specifically for kids with the added feature of small pockets.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-02-14 |title=Ramraj launches velcro pocket dhoti |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/ramraj-launches-velcro-pocket-dhoti/article6896228.ece |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=BusinessLine |language=en}}</ref> As of 2017, the Ramraj Cotton company owned 3 production facilities in Tamil Nadu, with over 82 exclusive outlets and 6,000 multi-brand outlets in across the territories of South Indian region.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-09-14 |title=Ramraj Cotton to tap Rs 5,000 crore vests market |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/business/2017/Sep/14/ramraj-cotton-to-tap-rs-5000-crore-vests-market-1656863.html |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

In 2019, Ramraj launched their e-commerce platform for worldwide online ordering.<ref name="thbl-2013" />

Later, Ramraj Cotton introduced Ottikko Kattikko Adjustable dhotis for the convenience of men.<ref name="newindianexpress"/> Ramraj also produced a commercial advertisement with a promotional tagline "kattikko illa ottikko" (tie it or just stick it) specifically targeting kids with the aim of ensuring user-friendly mechanism.<ref name="newindianexpress">{{Cite web |date=2020-01-01 |title=Ottikko Kattikko dhoties from Ramraj |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2020/Jan/01/ottikko-kattikko-dhoties-from-ramraj-2083401.html |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Revathy |first=L. N. |date=2019-12-31 |title=Now, adjustable dhotis with shirts to match from Ramraj Cotton |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/now-adjustable-dhotis-with-shirts-to-match-from-ramraj-cotton/article30445363.ece |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=BusinessLine |language=en}}</ref>

By 2020, the brand had expanded into women's wear and kid's clothing with their sub-brand “Ramyyam”.<ref name="thbl-2013" />

In September 2021, the company marked the occasion of centennial year of [[Mahatma Gandhi]]'s historic attire change by staging a special event under the theme "Gandhiya Dhoti Centennial Celebration".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Express News |date=2021-09-23 |title=Ramraj Cotton celebrates 100 years of Gandhi's attire change |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2021/Sep/23/ramraj-cotton-celebrates-100-years-of-gandhis-attire-change-2362530.html |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

In 2023, veteran actor [[Venkatesh (actor)|Venkatesh Daggubati]] inaugurated their 250th store in the country, in Vijaywada.<ref name="tnie-2023">{{Cite web |date=2023-06-12 |title=Ramraj Cotton opens 250th store on 40th anniversary |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/vijayawada/2023/Jun/12/ramraj-cotton-opens-250th-store-on-40th-anniversary-2584162.html |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=TheNewIndianExpress |language=en}}</ref>

In 2025, Ramraj launched a new campaign in collaboration with [[Abhishek Bachchan]] and [[Chennaiyin FC]].<ref name="afaqs-2025"/>

=== Sustainability Initiatives ===
Over the last few years, Ramraj Cotton has pledged to taking steps towards sustainable fashion, integrating eco-friendly practices into its manufacturing processes.

Currently, the brand has its presence in over 13+ countries including Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Saudi, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Oman, UK, Canada, Australia, USA, and Myanmar, with over 300+ stores across India.<ref name="thbl-2013" /><ref name="gts-2024" /><ref name="toi-2022" />

== Endorsements ==
In 2019, [[Prime Minister of India|Indian prime minister]] [[Narendra Modi]] wore a Ramraj Cotton-branded dhoti during a high-profile meeting with [[general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party]] [[Xi Jinping]] at [[Mamallapuram]], and Modi's adaptability to the South Indian Tamil traditional ethnic wear eventually put the brand under the national spotlight, and the moment also gained international recognition afterwards.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-10-26 |title=Veshti |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/national/india-news-veshti-news-302289 |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=Outlook India |language=en}}</ref>

In 2022, Narendra Modi also wore the traditional Ramraj-branded dhotis during the inauguration of the [[44th Chess Olympiad]] which was held in [[Chennai]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-07-28 |title=PM Modi's Traditional Veshti And Shawl With Chessboard Design At Chess Olympiad Grabs Attention |url=https://news.abplive.com/news/india/pm-narendra-modi-traditional-attire-checkered-shawl-44th-chess-olympiad-2022-chennai-inauguration-grabs-attention-1545069 |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=ABP Live |language=en}}</ref> In January 2024, Ramraj announced Kannada actor [[Rishab Shetty]] as its [[brand ambassador]].<ref name="deccanherald">{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/business/companies/ramraj-cotton-ropes-in-kantara-star-rishab-shetty-as-its-brand-ambassador-2869103|website=deccanherald.com|title=Ramraj Cotton ropes in 'Kantara' star Rishab Shetty as its brand ambassador|access-date=2024-11-04}}</ref> In 2024, Ramraj announced a partnership with [[Chennaiyin FC]] club as its presenting sponsor for the [[Indian Super League]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Khandelwal |first=Aashay |date=2024-08-05 |title=Ramraj Cotton becomes Chennaiyin FC's presenting sponsor |url=https://sportsmintmedia.com/ramraj-cotton-becomes-chennaiyin-fcs-presenting-sponsor/ |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=SportsMint Media |language=en-US}}</ref>

Ramraj Cotton conducted a fashion show to portray the models wearing the signature white shirt and dhoti costumes. In 2009, the Federation of Tamil Sangams of North America (FeTNA) in Atlanta brought on board approximately 700 men and women, where men and women gathered in large numbers to dress themselves in Ramraj-branded dhotis, salwars, as well as in sarees.<ref name="thehindu">{{Cite news |date=2013-10-11 |title=A white revolution |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/a-white-revolution/article5221439.ece |access-date=2024-11-04 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Since around 2010, [[Jayaram]] worked as the brand ambassador.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2017/Jul/14/ramraj-cotton-opens-third-kochi-showroom-on-mg-road-1628403.html|title=Ramraj Cotton opens third Kochi showroom on MG Road|date=July 14, 2017|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> In 2016, Telugu actor [[Daggubati Venkatesh|Venkatesh]] was roped in as the brand ambassador of the company and he opened Ramaraj Cotton's Ameerpet branch in Telangana.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/actor-venkatesh-opens-ramraj-cotton-showroom/article8395349.ece |title=Actor Venkatesh opens Ramraj Cotton showroom |newspaper=The Hindu |publisher=thehindu.com|date=25 March 2016 |access-date=2024-11-04}}</ref> In 2021, [[Ramesh Aravind]] was roped in as the brand ambassador.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/actor.ramesh.aravind/posts/happy-to-colloborate-with-ramraj-silk-celebrating-puritypositivityramraj-puritya/376205523867447/|title=Ramesh Aravind - Happy to colloborate with Ramraj silk...|website=[[Facebook]] }}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Indian companies established in 1983]]
[[Category:Retail companies established in 1983]]
[[Category:Indian brands]]

Ramraj Cotton - Revision history

Rrajani: made new info.