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The Legacy Of S.R.Gopal Rao Opticians

We are the pioneer opticians in Karnataka with roots dating back to the 19th century. Quality products, precision in dispensing and service is our main focus. This text isn't scripted but it is written by none other than the family that manages the business. Visit us to understand our processes and the care that goes into dispensing each item. Every eye piece in our store is important and so is every customer.

It was the late 19th century. Bifocals had been around for a few decades now and trifocals had been recently invented. Contact lenses were still a concept being explored that wouldn’t come into their own for at least half a century. The world over, men and women were trying out different eye-wear to enhance vision. As evolutionary beings, we had come a long way since Seneca read books using a globe of water for magnification in 4 BC.

India was not unfamiliar with visual aids. There have been references in our texts which point to usage as early as the 19th century, and even invention in South India. Vision aids may have been an accessory of the elite in pre-independence India but a definite market did exist. The industry however, was in a nascent space.

It was in this environment that a young man brought alive his vision and entrepreneurial dynamism. A young retailer of spectacles, watches and dentistry instruments, set up shop in the Cantonment area of Bangalore to dispense opticianry of quality. Full of verve and versatility, this young man brought his business acumen to usher in organised and professional retail services to a fledgling industry.

HISTORY & HERITAGE

MILESTONES

S.N.Rama Rao was a dentist, watchmaker and optician. He had set up shop in the late 19th century opposite Tippu Sultan's Fort in Kalasipalayam.

He was the personal optician to the Erstwhile Maharaja of Mysore

1800s

1936-1971

S.R.Gopal Rao the son of S.N.Rama Rao becomes the first qualified Optometrist in Bangalore.He rebrands the store and gives it its present identity on N R Road

He single handedly positions the store as a focused retailer of prescription spectacles and sunglasses

A visionary himself he sets up an in house lens grinding workshop to ensure that his patrons get the most accurate lenses and the fastest service.

1971-1982

S.R.Gopal Rao was a name born to be carried forward by generations to come.

In 1971 with Malathi Manay and Chandrashekar Manay the second generation took succession.

In 1972 the store saw its first renovation, a step to newer modern times that the brand has always embraced.

In 1974, continuing with the same pioneering spirit, the business started its first contact lens practice and became one of the earliest retailers in the city to do so.

1982-2011

It's time for the third generation to take the brand to loftier heights. In 1982, Hemanth Manay completed his Diploma in Optometry and joined the business

He broadened the brand identity by introducing international luxury and premium brands in the 1980’s. He changes the face of the company to a sought-after store for the rarest and the best.

In 2004, Hemanth was joined by Uma Manay to open the 2nd boutique outlet at Residency Road

In 2005, Essilor nominated S.R.Gopal Rao Opticians & Optometrists (SRGR) as a Club Platine member

2011 - Till Date

Come 2011 a third, vibrant store was established in Jayanagar bringing with it the fourth generation under the leadership of Meghana Manay

2018 welcomes the year of eCommerce and the establishment of SRGR’s youth brand : www.getspexy.com (Getspexy)

2018 was also an iconic year as it involved relocation, renovation and expansion of our Residency Road boutique & clinic

In 2019 we were recognised by The Times Healthcare Award for Service Excellence in Opticianry & Optometry

2019 also sees the birth of our sustainable and upcycling initiatives. Our commitment to green only gets stronger with time.

Our first collaborative collection with street luxe brand Capsul was launched in Dec 2020

SRGR was nominated as the first Essilor Expert in South India in 2020

2021 sees the expansion of the digital age with the presence of a Luxury Online Shop for SRGR : www.shop-srgopalrao.co