Everyone remembers the classic MDH masala ads. No matter if you were born in the 80s, 90s, or even a part of Gen Z, the MDH ad is timeless. On Thursday morning, the founder MDH, Mahashay Dharampal Gulati aka ‘Chachaji’ passed away at the age of 98.
The masala king was born in 1923 in Sialkot, Pakistan. After dropping out of school, Gulati joined his father’s spice business. He came to India after the partition with Rs 1,500 and eventually opened the shop Mahashian Di Hatti of Sialkot “DEGGI MIRCH WALE“ in Delhi. Today, MDH is a Rs 1,000 crore empire. In 2019, Gulati was conferred with the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award for his exceptional contribution to trade and industry in the country.
For people who grew up watching the MDH chacha on their TV screens and then seeing his face on every masala box in their kitchen, his death hit a little too close to home. Naturally, they poured their tributes on Twitter, honouring Gulati’s legacy.
RIP Mahashay Dharampal Gulati ji #MDH
Your rise from a man in street to top and your contribution towards social works will always be remembered— Pankaj Nain IPS (@ipspankajnain) December 3, 2020
Even he passed away in this 2020!!
And you think it’s a normal year😒भगवान आपकी आत्मा को शांति दे!🙏#MDH #Mahesh_dharmpal_gulati pic.twitter.com/eb0RnFruB1
— Astrikk Rishan (@AstrikkR) December 3, 2020
#DharampalGulati #MDH #mdhmasale
Rest in peace 🌸 pic.twitter.com/d99QDA8vEp— Ashutosh Ankit (@AshutoshAnkit7) December 3, 2020
Mahashay #DharampalGulati, the owner of #MDH passed away earlier today at age 98.
Year 2020 be like : pic.twitter.com/basWtnROZC
— Life In Bhiwandi (@LifeInBhiwandi) December 3, 2020
Thank you for spicing up our lives. RIP #MDH #DharampalGulati pic.twitter.com/xe5JJ2a4YV
— Gizmore (@gizmoreindia) December 3, 2020
#MDH owner #DharampalGulati passes away following a cardiac arrest.
Meanwhile Indians : pic.twitter.com/cN2TVkFlct
— Aman Bhagat (@AmanBhagat69) December 3, 2020
2020 is so bad that even MDH wale uncle paased away. RIP 🙏 pic.twitter.com/jeD42fWJGj
— Shivam (@iamshiv144) December 3, 2020
Shri Mahashay Dharmapal Gulati, owner of MDH Masala is no more. Here he was dancing at an event celebrating 100 years of MDH Masalas when he was 96 years old. Om Shanti🙏🏽pic.twitter.com/kgaCaWgDEf
— Nandita Iyer (@saffrontrail) December 3, 2020
The “grand-dad” or “Dadaji” whose pictures most of our moms had in their kitchens and owner of the famous Masala Brand “MDH” – Dharampal Gulati passed away at 98. He will be missed! What a journey he had..so
One more time in his memory….
“MDH MDH”
Om Shanti 🙏 pic.twitter.com/ShngtWhRGh— Tehseen Poonawalla Official (@tehseenp) December 3, 2020
RIP King 👑 #DharampalGulati pic.twitter.com/DGO2Zqu7kl
— Nitin 🇮🇳 (@viratfanalwayss) December 3, 2020
Grew up watching MDH ads featuring him! And back then thought spices mean MDH! https://t.co/hS9PgiKXZP
— Sonal Bhutra (@sonalbhutra) December 3, 2020
What a legend. His own brand ambassador. Clearly had tremendous vision to take the brand where it is. Never had the chance to meet him or work with MDH but my hats off to him. #MDH #mdhspices #mdhmasala https://t.co/OpS1h5lRT5
— Safir (@safiranand) December 3, 2020