Four generations of the Mathias family have been directly involved in cultivation and processing of coffee and tea. Kelagur Estate was acquired by Diwan Bahaclur S.L. Mathias (1868 – 1940), himself the son of a coffee planter, in 1927. At a time when the global coffee market was fluctuating, ’Sathab’ as he was respectfully known, staked his all to open up a tea estate – the first Indian to do so in Mysore. He became a legend – being honoured both by the Viceroy and Governor-General of India and by the Maharajah of Mysore, for his achievements. His son, E.J. Mathias (1913 – 1992) carried on the family tradition for five decades and developed the estate further, planting coffee, clonal tea ancl progressively improving the social welfare for the workers. Since 1980, his grandson Peter Mathias continues the family planting tradition. Today, both coffee and tea flourish on a 1000-acre estate that yields bountifully, joyously, year after year.
