Following an ailment, the founder of the stationery brand Camlin, Subhash Dandekar, died at 86 on Monday. The architect of the iconic stationery brand is survived by a son and a daughter. His wife had died two years ago.

Several politicians and dignitaries conveyed condolence to the family, noting his contribution to the industry in India. Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, while paying tributes to the businessman, said that Dandekar was a “grandfather figure” who brought fame to the Marathi industry. The deputy chief minister also noted that Dandekar helped to generate employment while ensuring dignified labour with higher values.

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Dubbing the death of Dandekar as the loss of a mentor for the present youth, Fadnavis said that the businessman set an exemplary example that a Marathi man can build an industry with his skills and hard work. “Subhash Dandekar not only built Camlin industry but added color to the lives of thousands of youths by providing employment,” he wrote on X.

कॅम्लिन उद्योग उभे करणारे ज्येष्ठ उद्योजक सुभाष दांडेकर यांच्या निधनाने मराठी उद्योगविश्वाला नावलौकिक मिळवून देणारे दादा व्यक्तिमत्त्व आपण गमावले आहे.

सुभाष दांडेकर यांनी केवळ कॅम्लिन उद्योगाची उभारणी केली नाही तर हजारो तरूणांच्या हाताला रोजगार देऊन त्यांच्या जीवनात रंग भरले.… pic.twitter.com/5FPWUAlVXB

— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) July 15, 2024

Camlin was started in 1931 by Subhash Dandekar’s father, Digambar Dandekar, after completing his studies in 1958, Subhash Dandekar joined the company as technical director. With his works on creating high-quality art materials in India, Dandekar reduced reliance on imports. He also started research and development and created his first product – waterproof black drawing ink. The product gained quick popularity among designers, cartographers and other artists, helping him to establish his mettle in the industry.

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Dandekar then contributed significantly to making Camlin a top producer of high-quality art supplies. His visions as a leader took the company to the highest, leading to the launching of myriad branches from then onwards.