Bengaluru: When Dr Tumakur Rajasekhariah Mallikarjuna walks past the towering silhouette of the Altair building in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s tallest residential skyscraper, he doesn’t see just steel, concrete, or glass. He sees ambition, sleepless nights, a team of hundreds, and a career built brick by brick across four countries over four decades.
An alumnus of St. Joseph High School: Dr T R Mallikarjuna is an alumnus of St. Joseph High School, Dharwad, and is passionate about his humble beginnings and takes it as a matter of pride to be associated and closely connected with his school friends. He also rejoices in taking part in the Past Students Association(PSA) meetings in Dharwad. Born and brought up in Dharwad, he remained there until he turned 21 and still retains the ancestral sprawling bungalow, which is a rare sight these days in the hustle and bustle surroundings of the once pensioners' paradise.
Son of the English Professor: Dr T R Mallikarjuna belongs to a well-educated family. His father, the late Dr T R Rajasekharaiah, was a Professor in the English Department of Karnataka University, Dharwad(KUD). He also served as the Vice Chancellor of Gulburga University. Mrs Vimala Rajasekharaiah, his late mother, was a housewife.
Legacy continues in the family: Dr T R Mallikarjuna's son Shivaprasad Mallikarjun is a businessman, while Mrs Sanjeetha, daughter-in-law, is the Regional General Manager of livspaces and in charge of three states.
Built the Goa Medical Hospital at the age of 30! Perhaps it is difficult to count the number of feathers in Dr T R Mallikarjuna's hat. He completed the construction of the prestigious Goa Medical Hospital at Bambolim when he was barely 30! It also goes to his credit for successfully completing the Lulu Mall and the Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO) in Thiruvananthapuram, apart from many skyscrapers across the globe.
MBA at 50, Ph D at 60! Perhaps, the most astonishing characteristic about Dr T R Mallikarjuna is his never-ending list of accomplishments! Although, strange it may appear strange, you need to believe them. He did an MBA at the age of 50 and was awarded Ph D when he was 60. Not yet over, he launched his own company at the age of 65!
Under the tutelage of legends: Dr T R Mallikarjuna's professional career is also equally mind-boggling, going by the list of illustrious people he happened to be associated with in his awesome career for four decades, and still growing stronger than ever before. A mere glance at the towering personalities he worked with is an eye-opener on the professional calibre he acquired. Here goes their list:
*Dr APJ Abdul Kalam: For two years.
*Dr P. Mohadalli: For 10 years.
*Sreenivasan: 10 years.
*Cyrus Mistry, Chairperson, Tata Group:
*M D Saini: 17 years.
*S D Dixit: Seven years.
A story of technical mastery, vision, resilience, and leadership: From a modest beginning in Karnataka in the early 1980s to becoming the Country Head for Shapoorji Pallonji Lanka Pvt Ltd, Dr T.R. Mallikarjuna's story is not only one of technical mastery but of vision, resilience, and leadership.
A Humble Start with Grand Aspirations: Born in 1960, Dr T.R. Mallikarjuna graduated as a Civil Engineer from B.V.B College of Engineering, Hubli, and soon began his professional life with the Karnataka State Construction Corporation. Back then, he was one of many young engineers working on government buildings—but even then, his meticulous attention to detail and his passion for excellence stood out.
“I always believed that the quality of work reflects the character of the person behind it,” he says.
That belief would go on to define his career.
Forty years of senior management level experience: Dr T R Mallikarjuna, a Civil Engineer/MBA(IIMA), boasts 40 years of Senior Management level experience in managing construction companies. Project Management and Quality Management of all Engineering Projects.
A highly successful background: A positive, proactive and result-driven Sr. General Manager / Country Head, over 40 years’ (in India, Brunei, Oman, and Sri Lanka) of experience with a highly successful background in the achievement of profitable business growth through the creation and execution of successful project management and implementation strategies.
Multi-story high-rise buildings (Towers), 5-star hotels, hospitals, schools, and Mall infrastructure: Dr T R Mallikarjuna is experienced in the construction of multi-story high-rise buildings (Towers), 5-star hotels, hospitals, schools, and Mall infrastructure works, etc.
Professional experience:
A story of technical mastery, vision, resilience, and leadership: From a modest beginning in Karnataka in the early 1980s to becoming the Country Head for Shapoorji Pallonji Lanka Pvt Ltd, Dr T.R. Mallikarjuna's story is not only one of technical mastery but of vision, resilience, and leadership.
A Humble Start with Grand Aspirations: Born in 1960, Dr T.R. Mallikarjuna graduated as a Civil Engineer from B.V.B College of Engineering, Hubli, and soon began his professional life with the Karnataka State Construction Corporation. Back then, he was one of many young engineers working on government buildings—but even then, his meticulous attention to detail and his passion for excellence stood out.
“I always believed that the quality of work reflects the character of the person behind it,” he says.
That belief would go on to define his career.
Forty years of senior management level experience: Dr T R Mallikarjuna, a Civil Engineer/MBA(IIMA), boasts 40 years of Senior Management level experience in managing construction companies. Project Management and Quality Management of all Engineering Projects.
A highly successful background: A positive, proactive and result-driven Sr. General Manager / Country Head, over 40 years’ (in India, Brunei, Oman, and Sri Lanka) of experience with a highly successful background in the achievement of profitable business growth through the creation and execution of successful project management and implementation strategies.
Multi-story high-rise buildings (Towers), 5-star hotels, hospitals, schools, and Mall infrastructure: Dr T R Mallikarjuna is experienced in the construction of multi-story high-rise buildings (Towers), 5-star hotels, hospitals, schools, and Mall infrastructure works, etc.
Professional experience:
Shapoorji Pallonji Lanka Pvt Ltd, Sri Lanka– From Feb 2014 till date.
As Senior GM / Country Head, K2K Infrastructure Pvt Ltd – From May 2011 to March 2014.
As CEO, Shapoorji Pallonji & Co. Ltd - From Nov 2005 to May 2011.
As Regional Head (Regional GM), Adarsh Developers – From Oct 2004 to Nov 2005.
As AGM, promoted to DGM within 6 months, Al Ansari Trading - From April 2004 to October 2004.
As Assistant General Manager, Adarsh Developers - From June 2001to April 2004.
As PM, promoted to AGM within 6 months, Galfar Constructions Brunei- From June 1991 to October 2000.
As PE promoted to Sr. PM within 9 years, Naik Associates – From 1985 – 1991 May.
As Sr. Engineer to Area Manager, Karnataka State Construction Corporation (Under PWD) - From 1983 to 1985 as Asst. Engineer.
Building Across Borders: T.R. Mallikarjuna's journey has taken him far beyond the borders of his hometown. In Brunei, he rose through the ranks at Galfar Constructions, managing over 30 projects, including housing schemes and hospitals for the government. His ability to handle complex infrastructure projects earned him accolades from the Brunei Ministry of Development.
Top positions at renowned firms like Adarsh Developers and Prestige Group: Later, stints in Oman and India further sharpened his skills, not just in engineering, but in leadership and business management. In the early 2000s, he returned to India, where he held top positions at renowned firms like Adarsh Developers and Prestige Group before taking on the regional reins at Shapoorji Pallonji & Co. Ltd..
Leadership at Scale: As a Regional GM and later VP at Shapoorji Pallonji, T.R. Mallikarjuna oversaw over ₹1,600 crores worth of projects across South India—from ISRO research centres to Columbia Asia hospitals. His ability to manage both the boardroom and the construction site was rare.
By 2014, he was appointed to lead operations in Sri Lanka—a move that would cement his legacy in the region.
Transformed skylines, jobs, and skills, and set new standards for safety and sustainability: Under his leadership, Shapoorji Pallonji Lanka completed Altair, a striking architectural marvel designed by Moshe Safdie, as well as Mehewara Piyasa, Sri Lanka’s tallest government office building. His projects not only transformed skylines but also created jobs, developed skills, and set new standards for safety and sustainability.
Turning Around Companies, Not Just Projects
Prestige Group company, he took over a ₹5.5 crore deficit to a ₹1,000 crore order: One of T.R. Mallikarjuna's most underrated qualities is his ability to turn around struggling businesses. As CEO of K2K Infrastructure, a Prestige Group company, he took over a ₹5.5 crore deficit and led the company to a positive cash flow and a ₹1,000 crore order book within just three years.
It’s about people. Empower them, trust them, and build a vision: Ask him how he did it, and his answer is simple: “It’s about people. Empower them, trust them, and build a vision they can believe in.”
More Than Just Concrete and Steel
Sri Lanka Quality Leadership Award: Despite his many awards—including the Sri Lanka Quality Leadership Award (2019) and multiple safety honours—T.R. Mallikarjuna remains grounded. He speaks just as passionately about staff development and mentoring as he does about timelines and budgets.
My job is to build not just structures, but trust and pride: “Buildings will come and go, but people remember how you made them feel,” he says. “My job is to build not just structures, but trust and pride.”
Legacy and Looking Ahead
Not only a builder of buildings but a builder of futures: At 64, T.R. Mallikarjun shows no signs of slowing down. With each project, he continues to inspire young engineers and managers. He’s not only a builder of buildings but a builder of futures.
Hard work, teamwork, and integrity: “Every site I visit reminds me of where I started,” he says. “The scaffolding may change, the tools may get smarter, but the heart of construction remains the same—hard work, teamwork, and integrity.”
And that, perhaps, is T.R. Mallikarjuna’s greatest blueprint yet.
Building Across Borders: T.R. Mallikarjuna's journey has taken him far beyond the borders of his hometown. In Brunei, he rose through the ranks at Galfar Constructions, managing over 30 projects, including housing schemes and hospitals for the government. His ability to handle complex infrastructure projects earned him accolades from the Brunei Ministry of Development.
Top positions at renowned firms like Adarsh Developers and Prestige Group: Later, stints in Oman and India further sharpened his skills, not just in engineering, but in leadership and business management. In the early 2000s, he returned to India, where he held top positions at renowned firms like Adarsh Developers and Prestige Group before taking on the regional reins at Shapoorji Pallonji & Co. Ltd..
Leadership at Scale: As a Regional GM and later VP at Shapoorji Pallonji, T.R. Mallikarjuna oversaw over ₹1,600 crores worth of projects across South India—from ISRO research centres to Columbia Asia hospitals. His ability to manage both the boardroom and the construction site was rare.
By 2014, he was appointed to lead operations in Sri Lanka—a move that would cement his legacy in the region.
Transformed skylines, jobs, and skills, and set new standards for safety and sustainability: Under his leadership, Shapoorji Pallonji Lanka completed Altair, a striking architectural marvel designed by Moshe Safdie, as well as Mehewara Piyasa, Sri Lanka’s tallest government office building. His projects not only transformed skylines but also created jobs, developed skills, and set new standards for safety and sustainability.
Turning Around Companies, Not Just Projects
Prestige Group company, he took over a ₹5.5 crore deficit to a ₹1,000 crore order: One of T.R. Mallikarjuna's most underrated qualities is his ability to turn around struggling businesses. As CEO of K2K Infrastructure, a Prestige Group company, he took over a ₹5.5 crore deficit and led the company to a positive cash flow and a ₹1,000 crore order book within just three years.
It’s about people. Empower them, trust them, and build a vision: Ask him how he did it, and his answer is simple: “It’s about people. Empower them, trust them, and build a vision they can believe in.”
More Than Just Concrete and Steel
Sri Lanka Quality Leadership Award: Despite his many awards—including the Sri Lanka Quality Leadership Award (2019) and multiple safety honours—T.R. Mallikarjuna remains grounded. He speaks just as passionately about staff development and mentoring as he does about timelines and budgets.
My job is to build not just structures, but trust and pride: “Buildings will come and go, but people remember how you made them feel,” he says. “My job is to build not just structures, but trust and pride.”
Legacy and Looking Ahead
Not only a builder of buildings but a builder of futures: At 64, T.R. Mallikarjun shows no signs of slowing down. With each project, he continues to inspire young engineers and managers. He’s not only a builder of buildings but a builder of futures.
Hard work, teamwork, and integrity: “Every site I visit reminds me of where I started,” he says. “The scaffolding may change, the tools may get smarter, but the heart of construction remains the same—hard work, teamwork, and integrity.”
And that, perhaps, is T.R. Mallikarjuna’s greatest blueprint yet.
-Manohar Yadavatti
Comments
Post a Comment