In the 80s and 90s, Doordarshan was the primary source of entertainment for Indian households.
One of the most memorable aspects of Doordarshan during that era was the nostalgic ads that would air during commercial breaks. Though the purpose was to advertise the products to the mass, these ads also played a significant role in shaping the memories of an entire generation.
The ads of the 80s and 90s had a certain charm that is hard to replicate today. They were simple yet effective and had catchy jingles that are still remembered today. Many of these ads also had relatable characters that Indians could identify with, which made them even more endearing.
We also spoke to the people behind The Blu Leaf Instagram page, which serves nostalgia through popular vintage art and brand stories, posting famous commercial and TV jingles, particularly from the 80s and the 90s.
“We used to listen to a lot of jingles from the 80s and 90s as they were extremely hummable, easy on ears, and had a soothing impact, so we decided how about we start a page on Intsa and connect to people like us and bring back the nostalgia,” they said when we asked them what made them start this unique Insta page.
We got curious and wanted to know whether Gen Z connects with their page.
“The idea was not to please Gen Z(s). We wanted to create something for Millennials (people born from 1981 to 1996) as they hardly connect to any trends on Insta or Youtube, so we thought of creating a space for them through this page. But interestingly, a lot of Gen Z(s) also connect with us because they are keen to know how things were in the past and how they came out. They get surprised to see leading character artists of today’s time as the brand ambassadors of leading products back then,” they replied.
Here is the list of the top 10 ads/ jingles from the 80s and 90s.
Nirma Washing Powder
“Washing powder Nirma, Washing powder Nirma, doodh si safedi, Nirma se aaye, rangeen kapda bhi khil khil jaye” became one of the most memorable jingles of the 80s. The catchy tune and simple lyrics made this jingle a hit with nationwide audiences.
Surf Excel
One of its most iconic campaigns was the “Lalitaji” campaign in the 80s, which the renowned Indian adman, Alyque Padamsee, created.
The “Lalitaji” campaign was for Surf detergent. It featured a middle-aged housewife, played by actress Kavita Chaudhary, who was shown as a smart and savvy shopper who always made informed decisions while purchasing.
Bajaj Bulbs
“Jab main chota ladka tha, badi shararat karta tha, jab bhi mama so jate the, main light chupakar darwaje pe khada ho jata tha“, became one of the most beloved jingles of the 80s. The catchy tune and relatable lyrics made this jingle a hit with audiences of all ages.
Liril
“La la la la la, Liril” became synonymous with the brand and helped to establish Liril as one of the most popular soap brands in the country. The jingle was so popular that it became a part of popular culture and is still remembered fondly by many Indians today. It was the same Liril ad that later launched Preity Zinta on screen.
Lehar Pepsi
The “Yehi Hai Right Choice Baby” jingle was a popular ad campaign by Pepsi in the 90s, not from the 80s. The campaign featured two of the biggest Bollywood stars of the time, Aamir Khan and Shahrukh Khan, and was hugely successful.
The jingle, with its catchy tune and memorable lyrics, became part of the popular culture of the time and helped to establish Pepsi as a leading soft drink brand in India.
Vicco Turmeric
“Vicco turmeric, nahi cosmetic, Vicco turmeric Ayurvedic cream” became a hit with nationwide audiences. The jingle helped establish Vicco Turmeric as India’s leading beauty product brand.
Cadbury Dairy Milk
“Kuch khaas hai zindagi mein” became a hit with audiences of all ages. The catchy tune and simple lyrics helped to establish Cadbury Dairy Milk as a beloved brand in India.
Bajaj Auto
“Buland Bharat ki buland tasveer, Hamara Bajaj, Hamara Bajaj…” became one of the most popular jingles of the 80s. The jingle showcased the importance of family and togetherness in Indian culture and helped to establish Bajaj as a household name.
Onida
The “Neighbour’s envy, owner’s pride” tagline became synonymous with Onida televisions in India and the evil man with two horns. The jingle helped to establish Onida as a leading television brand in the country.
Nerolac Paints
Nerolac Paints had a memorable jingle in the 90s was composed by the renowned Indian musician, A.R. Rahman. The jingle featured the famous tagline, “Jab ghar ki raunak badhani ho, Nerolac, Nerolac.”
The jingle was part of a highly successful ad campaign that helped to establish Nerolac as a leading brand in the Indian paint industry. The campaign featured a series of commercials that showcased the durability and quality of Nerolac paints, and the jingle became synonymous with the brand.
The ads of the 80s and 90s were memorable and had a certain innocence to them. Today’s ads hold aesthetic values and are often seen as mini-films. The ads of the 80s and 90s were simple and focused on the product, and they did not rely on gimmicks or elaborate special effects to get their message across.
Another notable aspect of the ads of the 80s and 90s was how they portrayed Indian culture. Many of these ads featured traditional Indian values and customs, which helped to reinforce them in the minds of Indians.
In addition to promoting products, the ads of the 80s and 90s were also instrumental in promoting social causes. For instance, the “Mile sur mera tumhara” ad featured various Indian celebrities singing the same song in their native language. The ad promoted the idea of national unity and diversity and is still remembered as one of the most iconic ads in Indian history.
The 80s and 90s were a time of great creativity and innovation in Indian advertising, with jingles that became a part of popular culture and helped to establish brands as household names. These jingles remain beloved to this day and continue to evoke a sense of nostalgia and fondness for a bygone era of advertising.
Did I miss out on any of your favorite ads or a jingle?