New Delhi: Dharampal Gulati, the owner of the MDH Masala brand, often called the grand old man of spices, died on Thursday. He was 97.
"Mahashay" Dharmpal Gulati had been in hospital in Delhi for weeks. He died of a cardiac arrest early this morning, said reports.
Dharampal Gulati was the face of ads of MDH spices. Last year, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia were among the first to post tributes on Twitter.
"Dharm Pal ji was very inspiring personality. He dedicated his life for society. God bless his soul," Mr Kejriwal tweeted.
"India's most inspiring entrepreneur, MDH owner Dharm Pal Mahashay passed away this morning. I have never met such an inspiring and lively soul. May his soul rest in peace," tweeted Mr Sisodia.
Mr Gulati was born in 1923 in Sialkot (now in Pakistan). A fifth grade dropout, he joined his father Mahashay Chunni Lal Gulati's spice business early.