Mr. S L Kirloskar (1903-1994) was a leading Indian business leader of the twentieth century who played a pivotal role in the rise of the Kirloskar group.

He was born on 28 May, 1903, in Sholapur. He was one of the first few Indians to study at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in USA, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. After his return to India in 1926, he expanded the Kirloskar Brothers business that was started by his father, from ploughs to pumps, diesel engines and engineering equipment. In 1946, he set up Kirloskar Oil Engines Limited in Pune and Kirloskar Electric Company in Bangalore and after Independence, the Kirloskar group grew dramatically under his leadership. His autobiography, titled Cactus and Roses was published in 1982 and describes this journey. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1965 and he passed away on 14 April, 1994.