India, Nov. 17 -- Arunachalam Vellayan, former Chairman of the Murugappa Group and Chairman Emeritus of Coromandel International, died at the age of 72 following prolonged illness on Monday.

Announcing the passing of Vellayan in a statement, the Murugappa Group noted that the Chairman Emeritus is survived by his wife Lalitha Vellayan, sons Arun and Narayanan Vellayan, and grandchildren.

Vellayan played a key role in building the Murugappa Group's reputation as one of India's most respected conglomerates by providing strategic guidance across its businesses, helping expand and enhance the company, news agency PTI reported.

Born in Chennai on January 9, 1953, Arunachalam Vellayan is an alumnus of The Doon School, University of Delhi's Sh...