Bhupen Hazarika (1926-2011). North-East India loses a star
The legendary Bhupen Hazarika died of multiple organ failure in a Bombay hospital today. He was one of the few stars of North East India that the rest of the…Continue Reading →
Fancy a puff from an air-conditioned cigarette?
When I first saw this ad for Caravan Air-Conditioned Cigarettes, the first thought that came to my mind was “WTF…
Watch: Helen, Queen of the Nautch Girls (and a Lux ad)
A 1973 31-minute documentary from Merchant Ivory Productions, directed and narrated by Anthony Korner on Bollywood greatest ‘item girl’ ever.…
Amul’s tribute to Steve Jobs
An Apple logo shaped candle and “Steve Jobs 1955-2011” written in white Apple chiclet keys. Amul, in a topical ad, pays tribute to the passing of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.…Continue Reading →
How Maxim maidens bowl the men over
Maxim claims to be the sexiest men’s magazine around and occasionally comes with with sexy ads promoting itself. Here’s a…
‘Finally a shaving cream that doesn’t arouse sexual feelings’
Really? And I am also eagerly waiting for the deodorant that doesn’t assure deprived males of an unlimited supply of…
The bald quartet – Gandhi, Nehru, Bose, Patel – in an ad for hair oil
This is possibly from a time when a head full of ideals was more important than a head full of hair. What else can explain the presence of India’s most…Continue Reading →
Wills Filter: Made for each other
This was perhaps the most noticed (and the longest running) of all the ads in Hindustan Thompson Associates’ (HTA) ‘Made…
Molten gold, Rs 28: The ad that got Calcutta curious
The Indian lust for gold can never be quenched. Gold prices had recently crossed Rs 29,000 for 10 grams. Even…
Amrutanjan takes on Zandu’s badnaam Munni with Savita Bhabhi
The script of the new ad for Amrutanjan Roll-On balm reads like one straight out from a Savita Bhabhi comic (minus the sex). Two couples travelling on a train, one…Continue Reading →
1930s ad for washable condoms and other contraceptives
Pamphlet advertising, one of the oldest forms of advertising, is still alive and vigorously kicking. They come tucked inside our…
To have beautiful hair like Waheeda Rehman, use Castaroma
A print advertisement from the 1950s for Castaroma hair oil endorsed by actress Waheeda Rehman.
