Kala Khatta: From “Washing Powder Nirma” to “I Love You Rasna”

Some jingles stick with you for rest of your life. Complete the following sentences and you will know what I mean

Washing Powder ____ Washing Powder ____
Jab main chhota ___ tha, badi ___ karta tha
______ khao, khud jaan jao
Hamaara ______, _______ bharat ki _______ tasveer

Now-a-days there are more types of cold drinks in the market than total number of languages spoken in India, back then it was just thumbs-up, goldspot and limca.

Nirma will always be grandmother of tide and surf, for India's consumers. Lijjat's rabbit is probably India's first brand ambassador. Bajaj had a simple way of selling scooters to indian middle class. Every small girl wanted to tie a pony like that of Rasna Girl. Every man wanted to use red colored, odd smelling lifebuoy soap because it claimed to provide great health in hot and sweaty country.

Following are some of the ads which are my all time favorite

1. Washing Powder Nirma

I think the ad jingle is the most popular in India. It is actually so popular that here is a small tribute to it by this dude (he also has a vico turmeric version).

2. Hamaara Bajaj

In 2001 they came up with this ad as a follow-up ad which in my opinion is very nicely done.

3. Jab main chhota ladka tha

4. Dairy Milk (Also known simply as Cadbury)

This chocolate was so universal that it was news to lot of people that it is called "Dairy Milk" and not "cadbury" (cadbury was the name of the company).

5. I love you Rasna

Heavily artificially flavored Rasna made kids their target and made an ad which appealed to them immediately. Birthday parties were incomplete without Rasna

6. Vicks ki goli lo...khich khich door karo

An interesting ad that sold cough drops as a candy to kids. My uncle used to visit us once a month or so and he would get Vicks for all of us, and we would enjoy it with as much fun as we would enjoy melody or eclair. Oh that reminds me of this "melody khao kud jaan jao" ad

7. Parle-G

Vile Parle is home to Amitabh Bacchan and Parle-G. This biscuit is so loved in India that it is used in breakfast, lunch and dinner all over India. There was a construction work going in my locality a few years back, and all the workers would have a full pack of Parle-G with cup of cutting chai. That is a whole meal for just 6-8 rupees. It can only happen in India.