The Naturals Ice Cream Man of India.
Born into a humble family in Mulki, Karnataka, in 1954, Raghunandan Kamath grew up amidst the challenges of financial hardship. As the son of a fruit vendor trying to provide for seven children, young Raghu struggled academically, failing his board exams twice. Yet, within this environment of scarcity, a kernel of curiosity began to sprout—a knack for discerning the finest ripe mangoes from the rest. It was a seemingly simple talent, but one that would eventually inspire an innovation that changed the way India enjoys ice cream.
Naturals Ice Cream- Raghunandan Kamath’s moment of realization came while pondering the question: if ice creams could be flavored with synthetic fruit essences, why couldn’t they contain real, wholesome fruit?
This thought became the seed of a new idea. Buoyed by this insight, the teenager took a leap of faith. Leaving behind his family’s fruit-selling business, he boarded a train to Bombay, armed with nothing more than a second-class ticket and an entrepreneurial spirit.
His early days in the bustling city were anything but smooth. At just 15, he found work in a modest South Indian eatery run by his brother. Living conditions were tough—a cramped 12×12 foot chawl in Juhu—and the earnings were barely sufficient to get by. But Raghu’s vision remained vivid. He imagined a world where people could savor ice creams crafted with fresh, natural fruit pulp, breaking free from the monotony of vanilla and chocolate flavors.
However, his brother wasn’t convinced of this unconventional idea. Determined to bring his dream to life, Raghunandan Kamath left the eatery, taking what little savings he had. With a small amount of money and an unwavering belief in his concept, he rented a tiny 200 sq ft space in Mumbai’s Juhu Koliwada neighborhood. In 1984, at the age of 30, he launched “Natural Ice Cream” with a simple setup: six tables, four staff members, and a menu of twelve fruit-inspired flavors.
From the outset, Raghunandan Kamath’s approach was revolutionary in its simplicity. His ice creams were made from just three ingredients: fresh fruit, sugar, and milk. The concept resonated. Customers, who had long been accustomed to artificial flavors, quickly embraced these all-natural delights. In that first year alone, the small shop generated sales of 1.5 lakh rupees—a notable achievement in the mid-1980s.
As word spread, Naturals became more than just an ice cream parlor; it became a destination. Traffic jams began forming outside the shop as eager patrons queued up to taste flavors made from Alphonso mangoes, tender coconuts, Sitaphal (custard apples), and seasonal berries. The shop drew an eclectic crowd, from local residents to Bollywood icons like Amitabh Bachchan and Dilip Kumar. Even international cricket stars, such as Vivian Richards, were enamored by the offerings. Richards, in fact, enjoyed the ice cream so much that he offered to endorse it free of charge—a testament to the brand’s growing appeal.
The real turning point, however, came a decade after its founding. In 1994, when a former employee opened a competing ice cream shop, Raghunandan Kamath recognized the importance of creating a strong, distinct brand identity. He understood that building a recognizable, trusted brand was key to sustaining and scaling his business. Determined to take Naturals to the next level, he took out a loan from Saraswat Bank and invested in a dedicated manufacturing facility in Mira Road. This move not only increased production capacity but also brought about a professionalized approach to operations. That year, Naturals’ turnover jumped from 1 crore to 3 crores.
Over the years, Raghunandan Kamath’s commitment to quality and his focus on natural ingredients continued to win customers’ hearts. Unlike many competitors, Naturals eschewed artificial flavorings, instead relying on the vibrant, genuine flavors of hand-picked fruits. This steadfast dedication to authenticity earned the brand a loyal following and countless accolades.
Today, Natural Ice Cream is a household name with over 140 outlets across 40 cities in India. Its annual turnover exceeds 300 crore rupees, and it has been ranked among India’s top brands for customer experience in a KPMG survey. The modest fruit vendor’s son from Mulki is now celebrated as an industry pioneer, proving that an honest idea paired with hard work and unshakable determination can lead to extraordinary success.
What makes Raghunandan Kamath’s story especially poignant is that he no longer indulges in his own creations due to diabetes. Yet, his legacy remains undeniably sweet. His journey from selling fruits on the streets of Mulki to redefining ice cream in India is an inspiration—a reminder that even the humblest beginnings can lead to achievements that are, quite literally, the cream of the crop.
