Raghunandan Srinivas Kamath, founder of Naturals Ice Cream, passed away on Friday night at the age of 70. His last rites were performed on Saturday evening in Mumbai’s Andheri West.
It is said that a determined 14-year-old named Kamath embarked on a journey from Mangaluru (then Mangalore) to Mumbai (then Bombay). Upon arriving in the bustling city, he found employment at his brother’s eatery. However, it wasn’t long before Kamath’s entrepreneurial spirit began to stir, reports The Indian Express.
Inspired by a simple yet revolutionary idea, Kamath pondered: if ice creams could boast fruit flavours, why not incorporate real fruits into them? With this innovative concept in mind, he set out to fill a gap in the market. Yet, uncertain of the reception his idea would receive, Kamath took a cautious approach. He decided to anchor his venture with pav-bhaji as the main attraction, with ice cream as a complementary offering.
In 1984, Kamath unveiled his inaugural ice cream parlour in Juhu, Mumbai. The menu, meticulously crafted, showcased approximately 12 flavours, each bearing the hallmark of Kamath’s upbringing and the wisdom gleaned from assisting his father in Mangaluru.
This remarkable journey of Kamath has been meticulously chronicled in “Intelligent Fanatics of India,” a comprehensive tome co-authored by the perceptive Mumbai-based journalist, Pooja Bhula.
From humble beginnings as the child of a mango vendor in a quaint village in Mangaluru, Kamath’s trajectory soared to remarkable heights. He defied the odds to establish Naturals, an ice cream parlour that has evolved into an enterprise valued at a staggering Rs 400 crore today.
Sevaral users condoled the death of the pioneer on social media. Actor and writer Tara Deshpande wrote, “A few years ago I did a top 5 ice cream brands of Mumbai feature for YouTube and I learned a great deal about the history of the Naturals Icecream brand I did not know and it made me appreciate their product even more. The man R S Kamath who created @Naturalicecream passed away today leaving behind an incredible legacy of quality which began in 1984.
What began with 10 flavours is now 125. Tender coconut was a flavour no one made before Naturals and some like coffee walnut are still the best in the market. One cannot imagine the last 30 years or more without the joy of his ice creams. May his soul Rest in Peace.”
One user on X wrote, “I’ve eaten ice cream in many parts of the world including Italy. Naturals is the best in the world. My thoughts & condolences are with his family. Will have some today in Sri Kamath’s honour.”
Another wrote, “Sad day for Ice Cream lovers! The founder of @Naturalicecream, Raghunandan Kamath , son of the fruit seller who moved from Mangalore to Mumbai at 14 passes away. His legacy will be forever etched in the many tubs and cones of Naturals Ice Cream he sells. May he rest in peace.”