1940

The man who knew how to turn wounds to wisdom and stared the Kankatala legacy - the founder - Late Mr.Kankatala Appalaraju. Born in 1923 in a small town of Tuni, he was a school dropout. Owing to his family’s responsibilities due to his father’s sudden demise, he took up a humble job at a cloth shop in his town. Little did he realise back then that this experience would help him set up a flourishing textile business in the future.

A few years later he started buying cloth from Mumbai and selling it to the Britishers at Vizag railway station, all this amidst the mayhem of World War 2, while travelling from Tuni daily.

1965

A decade later the store turned 10 times bigger, from a humble shop it was called as Kankatala Appalaraju & Co. with a collection unlike any other store and had some exotic sarees as expensive as 1,000/- back in the mid 60’s.

1996-2007

Kankatala Silk Palace (1250 sft) was opened in Jagadambha Junction. The next big step in selling exclusive sarees upto 1lakh and more.

V Square (30,000 sft.) a giant leap in the retail sector. A one of its kind store in Vizag. The range is so diverse, you name it and Kankatala has it. From fancy wear to some exotic handlooms covering all the states in India.

2016-2017

Opening of Fabric store in Vizag. A one stop fabric store for all your designer fantasies. With in-house designers and a diverse range of fabrics under one roof, brought to you by Kankatala. One of its kind in Vizag.

We are taking Kankatala to a worldwide platform by opening an online store with some exclusive range which is launching very soon.

Best foot forward

A diligent hawker today, can be a great tycoon tomorrow- this is what the man who laid the foundation for Kankatala empire, the late Mr.Kankatala Appalaraju,once again established. Little aware that he was essaying the preamble for a glorious success story, he set out on a bicycle, selling sarees in the villages fringing the then sleepy town Vizag. The meals served by the villagers had become his sustenance, while their open varandahs (arugus) became his resting lodges in the night. Perhaps, he had no inkling that the seeds thus he sowed would grow into a massive tree, spreading its tentacles all around.

Heavy burden on tender shoulders

Mr.Appalaraju was born in Tuni in 1923. Having lost his father at a young age, he had to step into his shoes. Being the only bread-earner of the family, he had to give up his schooling and he started working in a cloth shop. Learning the ropes of textile business rather quickly, the young Appalraju soon started buying cloth from Mumbai to be sold to Britishers at the Vizag railway station. Every single day he would travel from Tuni to Vizag amidst the mayhem of World War 2 to keep the family fed.

1965

Birth of the Brand

The store grew from strength to strength and took shape as Kankatala Appalaraju & Co within a decade, meeting the expectations of premium customers. The exclusive collection, which no other store in the town could offer, was its hallmark. It shot into fame, bringing in exotic sarees, as expensive as Rs.1,000.

1996-2007

The Giant Leap

The next in the long Kankatala line-up, was Kankatala Silk Palace. The 1250 sq.ft-facility opened in the upmarket Jagadamba Junction, selling exclusive sarees, up to Rs.1 lakh and more.

Not resting on the laurels and taking a giant leap in the retail sector, Kankatala built the majestic V-Square. Standing tall, the sprawling 30,000 sq.ft facility has become a landmark building on the all-important railway station road. The store with four floors has the capacity to cater to hundreds of customers at a time. The range of merchandise is vast and diverse. From fancy wear to - exotic and exclusive handlooms sourced from all the states of India- Kankatala has them all. They are artistically displayed in their designated slots and are artfully presented by highly dedicated and diligent staff, who are members of the extended Kankatala family.

2016-2017

Now world becomes the stage

It was time to cross the state borders and try new frontiers. Answering the call of world-surfing netizens, we floated our e-commerce store and have become a global company. We use leading-edge technologies and innovative modes to reach the very best to our customers. Here too, Kankatala seems to have tapped the right keys. Garnering instant recognition, our e-store attracted the world in general and US and India in particular.

2021

Mega cities beckon

Propelled by new zest and zeal and continuing with the same brand name "Kankatala - Queen of Sarees", Kankatala went on to create its own space in the vibrant cities of Bangalore and New Delhi. Acquiring new dimensions, it has beautifully blended the traditional styles that reflect our rich cultural heritage and contemporary flairs mirroring modern elegance to appease the well-informed metropolitans.