Alyque Padamsee | A great believer of research in the early stages
Alyque Padamsee Ad-man, theatre personality, delightful raconteur, Alyque donned many hats during his lifetime. His theatre productions Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar and Tuglaq were all wildly successful, setting new benchmarks for English theatre in India. Padamsee also played the memorable role of Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Richard Attenborough’s Oscar winner Gandhi. But it is Alyque Padamsee, sometimes also called the ‘Brand Father of Indian Advertising’ – the advertising genius, the maestro of brand success – that will remain Alyque’s longest lasting legacy.
Padamsee created Lalitaji for Surf, Cherry Charlie for Cherry Blossom Shoe Polish, the MRF Muscle Man, the Liril girl in the waterfall, the Kamasutra couple, Hamara Bajaj, the TV detective Karamchand, the Fair & Handsome brand … over a hundred brands benefitted from Alyque’s astute understanding of consumer insights, and gained his indelible stamp on their advertising, making it memorable and impactful.
He was first and foremost a showman at heart. And that is the trait that differentiated him from his peers in Indian advertising. His ad campaigns, much like his theatrical performances, had a strong element of characterization: strong, memorable characters that got deeply etched into the minds of consumers. Lalitaji or the Liril girl : each of them epitomized the brand they represented. In fact, to the consumer Lalitaji and the Liril girl were soul of the brand; the physical product was only a manifestation of that image already created by Alyque and his Lintas team. Add to that the story-telling skill of Padamsee.
Lalitaji was not just a character. She was a narrative in herself. Each dialogue of hers was remembered, in fact repeated by customers. Lalitaji, like her creator, was not just a brand spokesperson, she was a cult. So was Hamara Bajaj. The sensual Liril girl was again a Padamsee masterpiece. The waterfall, the music, the half-nude-half-drenched girl, the sheer ecstasy and enjoyment of the shower elevated a soap to a soap opera in 30 seconds!
Lalitaji or Karamchand or Hamara Bajaj or the need for a Fair & Lovely like product were obviously not birthed in the hallowed environs of the Bombay Gymkhana. They were the output of a mind that observed, absorbed, analysed, reinterpreted and created new thoughts, new personas, new breakthroughs.
Alyque Padamsee belonged to another generation, another era. An era when clients loved and respected their agencies for what agency folks did best : create great advertising, build great brands. Padamsee was the doyen of that generation. Unparalleled in his genius. Unmatched in his prowess.