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Charismatic expat club boss K.R. Murthy Iyer is leaving the Dilly to take over the reigns as general manager of Upstairs Downstairs, one of the island's top live music restaurants.
After 22 years at the Dilmun Club - the past six in the role of acting general manager - he will have to harness all his hospitality industry know-how in the highly competitive Adliya arena.
"I'm really looking forward to the challenge," said Murthy. "Upstairs Downstairs has a great reputation for offering a five-star dining experience plus international entertainment.
"My job will be to consolidate and improve all aspects of the customer experience and add even more entertainment and gourmet events to the recipe!"
According to Projects Group managing director Stan Bontoft, the restaurant, fondly known by regulars as Up & Down, has been looking for 'the right person' for around 12 months since former manager George Cherian left to set up a restaurant in Amwaj.
"We're delighted Murthy has joined us," he said, adding that there were already four former Dilly Club employees in the team. The stage is set for 'murder mystery' dinners and comedy nights in the coming months.
Murthy, 54, is married to Mayumi and their son, Julius, 24, now lives in Australia. Born in the Indian capital of Mumbai, Murthy started in the hotel trade at the age of 17 at the Taj Mahal Hotel in his home city.
He moved to the kingdom for the opening of the Hilton Hotel, now the Golden Tulip, where he worked for nearly 10 years and joined the Dilmun Club in February 1989 as food and beverage manager.
"The Dilly was a very small operation then and it grew bigger and bigger over the years. During that period I have managed to work well with eight different chairmen and committees.
"It's been an amazing experience and I've met so many marvellous people, especially the managers such as the late Joe McIntyre and Christopher Banks. Roy 'the Boy' Silverthorne, who it was recently reported has been seriously ill, was another great character. Together we were instrumental in bringing some very popular artistes, bands and various kinds of entertainment to the kingdom."
Showbiz names such as comedian Jim Davidson, show band The Barron Knights, 60s pop idols The Searchers and the legendary British folk/rock group Lindisfarne have all put on memorable shows.
Was he upset that the 'acting' label was never removed from his job title? "Not really," he said. "I did not mind. It was more important just to get the job done, keep the club going forward, offer the members excellent value for money and help keep the Dilly on the map.
"Twenty-two years is a long time. I have gained a lot of valuable experience but it's time for a change."
Founded in 1974 and fondly known as 'The Dilly' the family, sporting and social facility currently boasts around 4,000 members from 60 countries. It recently celebrated the completion of a BD140,000 investment programme, which has seen the popular members club expand and improve its facilities. Committee member Andrew Storey said: "Murthy has been a great ambassador for the club and we wish him all the very best."
The Dilmun Club is currently looking to recruit a new general manager to provide 'overall leadership, guidance and direction'.
