Nostalgic 80's and 90's ads

When I see these ads, they remind me of my childhood and teens. All the then famous taglines, captions, brands and their USP's just ring in your head. The India advertising has really evolved in the last decade with innovation and plethora of new creative ideas. But it cannot take away the innocence of 80's and 90's ads. They were simple and narrative. Only few ads in those days were really stylish and iconic- and those are still imprinted in mind.

30 most nostalgic ads of that era-

1) Cadbury's dairy milk 

This ad remains one of my top favourites till date. Just love how it's conceptualised and the way the girl danced summarised the joy one feels as a cricket fan! It was found that most adults wanted to eat Diary Milk but restrained themselves because it was supposed to be consumed by children. Thus, a repositioning campaign was launched which showed adults doing unconventional things (like a girl breaking into a jig in the middle of an overflowing cricket stadium) driving home the message that chocolates could be enjoyed by adults as well.

2) Bajaj bulb

'Ab main bilkul budha hu goli khake geeta hu, lekin aaj bhi ghar ke ander roshini karta bajaj.' Who can forget these lines? :) Epic ad of that era.

3) Dhara 

Pure innocence captures your heart where you cannot stop smiling. Amazing concept where jalebi (scrumptious delicacy) episode is so tempting for the child to stay back. Shows how mothers have to mould the child in their growing stages. Another fab ad!

4) Humara Bajaj

Bajaj scooters were a rage those days! 'Buland Bharat ki buland tasveer humara Bajaj.' Perfect taglines to describe the then dominating brand. 

5) Doordardhan ad

PURE NOSTALGIA!!! 

6) Mile sur mera tumhara

The motto 'Unity in diversity' is so beautifully described in this ad. Who hasn't hummed along the ad? It communicates the message so strongly- how being culturally different still we are united. Languages, cultures, festivals and religions may be different but we are Indians. We salute our pride and our flag!

7) Cadbury kya swad hai zindagi ke

Capture little moments in your life with Cadbury's. Live life fully. 

8) Wonderful doodh

I hate milk. As a kid it was a herculean task to make me drink milk. Something in this ad made me finish my glass of milk. :) Mom used to sing it to me. This is surely a catchy ad. 

9)    Lakhani shoes

'What to do simply wear lakhani.' I love this ad. When this ad was released the idea to wear sport shoes with saree or suits was completely alien for the Indian customers. Gradually, the market as well as the consumer has evolved. We do see women wearing sport shoes with suits while going for morning and evening walks. 

10) Lakme

Super stylish ad that would woo you completely. Ash at her best! Gorgeous and beautiful. 'She's got the look' song describes her completely. Another one of my favourites. This ad can compel anyone to use Lakme and redefine herself! It's powerful. 

11) Onida

As a kid this 'devil' ad really got me scared. I used to scream whenever this ad was featured until my mom made me sit and understand not to get scared as it's just a tv ad. :)

Onida was the first indigenous premium TV brand in India. Its unique advertising gave it a special status among well-to-do consumers. The hugely successful "devil" campaign proclaimed "Neighbour's Envy, Owner's Pride." In the mid-nineties, however, there was tough competition unleashed by MNC brands like Sony, Samsung and LG. Thus the positioning had to be made contemporary. It was then changed to "World's Envy, India's Pride" to signal that Onida was as good as the foreign brands. 

12) Ericsson mobile

Classic ad with a little twist. A man mistakes a woman's conversation on a phone in a restaurant as an invitation to him. :) Very creative! 

13) Nescafe 

Pa para ra pa ra ra... Love this tune and the ad. If it was coffee, it had to be Nescafe. 'The taste that gets you started off...Nescafe!'

14) Liril 

Preity Zinta stole the show in this ad. She was refreshing and cool. Just by showing skin the essence of the ad is not communicated. The whole idea of the girl enjoying all by herself under a water fall in a bubbly and chick way hit the audience by large.

15) 7 up

My love for Fido dido can never fade away. I was crazy about it. :) It was funny and cool.
I used to make fido-dido birthday cards for all friends and relatives! 

16) Pan parag

'Hum bas itna chahte hai ki aap baratiyon ka swagat pan parag se karen'. This ad used to play like hell number of times in those days. It was never a choice to like this ad, though repeatedly playing strategy really engraved it in your system. 

17) Lijjat papad

Karram kuraam kuraam karram
eh he he eh he he Lijjat papad. 
I still feel it is one of the catchiest jingles made.

18) Ajanta clocks

Love this tune. I used to hum a lot and dance to it. :)

19) Humdard ka tonic cinkara

Hehe. I remember this ad vaguely. It featured Javed Jaffery in a work place all bogged down. The tagline was 'ye hai kaam ke bojh ka maara isse chahiye humdard ka tonic cinkara'. Couldn't find the video to recollect the ad properly. Still I'll rate it as one of the nostalgic ads. 

20) Essel world

Another epic ad. 'Essel world mein rahunga main ghar nahi nahi jaunga main.' Every child's dream was to go to Essel world at that time. It was correctly marketed and positioned. 

21) Amul butter

'Utterly butterly delicious Amul'. The girl, wearing a polka dot frock, became an iconic figure. Amul ads has been described as one of the best Indian advertising concepts because of it's wit and humour. It has been its forte. 

22) Rasna

The initial response to Rasna launch was quite poor. It was only after five years of their launch that it repositioned itself. The new positioning strategy incorporated the influencer (the child). While the initial positioning thrust of taste and economy remained, the quality of ease in preparation was added. The ad campaigns showed children asking their mothers to buy Rasna for the whole family. Some of the famous slogans were: "I love you, Rasna"; "My daddy loves . . . no, no, not coffee, not tea…. but Rasna".

There was a time when every household had Rasna. Summers meant Rasna. :)

23) Dabur Hajmola 

Mischievous ad. Typical hostel environment wherein all halla gulla and fun time is on until the warden arrives and everyone hides. It positioned Hajmola not just as good for digestion but yummilicious in taste as well. Strategically well positioned brand.

This is another one of my personal favourites. :)

24) Vicks

'Vicks ki goli lo khich khich dur karo'. Every kid was well aware that vicks is there to protect from the throat ailments. 

25) Lifebouy 

26) Nirma washing powder

Though it's not a hilarious ad, but I laugh when I see it. Reason- well yet to figure out. :) 
'Hema..Rekha..Jaya..Aur Sushma ..sabki pasand Nirma...Washing powder Nirma washing powder Nirma.'

27) Maggi

Maggi 2 minutes noodles. 'Badi gazab ki bhookh lagi maggi chahiye mujhe abhi'. I have literally sung this to my mom numerous times in my childhood. Ads become such an important part of your life especially as a kid. 

28) Titan watches

Beautiful father-daughter relationship. The tune in the ads of titan watches is really gripping! 

29) Complan

'I am a complan boy' and 'I am a complan girl'. Cute ad featured kid Shahid Kapoor and Ayesha Takia. It is still etched in my memories. 

30) Fevicol

'Dum laga ke haisha'. Even the elephant couldnt break the majboot jod of Fevicol. :)