Soundarya Sabun Nirma


It was a ruthless day when I discovered my real identity. As a teenager, I struggled through hot girls, rich girls, and famous-for-nothing girls. I often felt like a lost puppy in the crowd of bitches. Amidst the ting-tong of Doordarshan commercial, finally, one day I found answers to all my questions. My ray of enlightenment was none other than - Nirma Soap Ad.



This karmic journey started the day my cousin infused the thought that a soap defines you. He bathed with Dettol as he was a cleanliness freak. And I should choose a soap that fits my character. When I gleefully jumped at being Liril Girl, he looked with disdain. With one hand he pointed at Preity Zinta’s poster and with other towards the mirror. I nodded. I had no dimples or shorts to be that cool. Even the bottom of my skirt was triple folded to adjust my growing height and our middle-class income. On that day of summer vacation, my arduous journey began. If there is a soap that my fits my short-rounded-desperate frame, I should find it.

I ransacked my brain. My mother used Pears Soap, my father used any, which, by the way, made me doubt his character. I had a characterless father! I tried to convince him to buy a soap for himself. ‘Daddy, please buy Cinthol!’ I pleaded. He flicked his hand in rejection. He was saving money, I was saving his character. And, we both failed - I bought a Dove Soap costing 45 rupees in protest. My friend was using it. She used it on her face to make it last for a month. It was an expensive soap. In an attempt to do some face-saving, I borrowed her idea. We became girls with a lot of ‘face value.’ But the question of character still haunted me.

I made my very famous pro-con list to pacify my inner storm. Lux was in the budget, but out of style. Pears was for mommies, Dove for rich aunties. Santoor was for girls who wore skirts six inches below knees. Margo was kept in thought, just because the model wore a pretty dress in commercial, which I could buy from ‘Midha Dress Shoppe’ in Jain Bazar. There was a small connection. In a pensive mood, I looked at the flickering screen of our Colored BPL TV. Sonali Bendre dazzled in Nirma soap ad. She was traditional and sexy - wore salwar kameez, sari, lehenga, and was smart enough to make it backless. She was gutsy and caring - wore an animal print top while handling tiger cubs. She rode airplanes, went on safari, boarded the train at last minute and boys fell for her, literally. Hands down, she was my role model. I found out, in the world full of ordinary soaps, I was Soundarya Sabun Nirma. On next Dussehra break, I went to my cousin’s place with a Nirma Soap bar in my VIP suitcase.
Sigh, life didn’t leave me there. One day my little brother came home, breathlessly, he begged me to stop using Black Sunsilk Shampoo. Gary’s family used it for their bitch, apparent reason behind her jet black fur. Ladies and gentleman, that day I accepted my life will always be affected by bitches. And, to deal with them, I have to be one!


P. S. - Every bit of this story is true. These days I use Dove Soap, but you may neither call me rich nor aunty. In my deep voice, I must say - I am aging gracefully.

Comments

  1. Haq=, ha that was a post more akin to a soap opera than the story of soaps, Saru:) Good to see you back in a funnier avtaar!

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    Replies
    1. I agree with Rahul!

      The post is amazing and brought me back to the good old days when they used to play this Ad!

      Delete
    2. @Rahul Sir - Glad you enjoyed it. And, thanks for a fun comment.

      @The Purple Assassin - Thanks dear!

      Delete
  2. Hahaha!That was a fun read! Yes, I vividly remember the Nirma ad with La Bendre in it! And you are right, you gotta be one to deal with one ;)

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  3. Haha. Epic post ma'am with such wonderful narration.Loved the way you ended this post.

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  4. hahahaha! No words to describe the awesomeness :)

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  5. Tell you the truth, even I used to believe that it's the toiletries, which define what kind of a guy one is. I used Cinthol Lime, as it was used by those hunks. Then, Old Spice shaving cream and after shave, although it wasted most of my pocket money, hence used sparingly. Sometimes I believe that, that was when I decided to grow beards. :D

    Wow! You kicked me down the memory lane!

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    Replies
    1. I still believe so. I think I haven't grown up. Thanks for a lovely comment, Rakesh. :)

      Delete
  6. That IS awesome! yes, you guessed it right dear it's awesome as its true :P:D Loved it to bits !

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    Replies
    1. It's so true to all us middle class people. Thanks for reading, Kokila.

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  7. Ha ha ha...this was simply awesome. Kahaan se doond kar laati ho aise funny ideas? You rock, Saru! :-D By the way, I am still a Santoor Mom. :-P

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    1. Hehehe... Santoor ke khusboo aur shape bahut acchi hai. Be a santoor mom, I say. :)

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  8. Ha ha.... I remember that ad and the soundarya sabhun nirma jingle.... I remember using Palmolive soap because Aamir Khan was shown running after those girl models on Tv... Guess that soap is extinct now :D we used moti too, I was fascinated by the idly like shape of it :D

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    Replies
    1. Yeah, it was round. I guess, we all were smitten by one or other factor while growing up.

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  9. Whoa! Your "soap" opera was vivid, growing up. I never thought so much. I believe my family used Lux unless someone needed a medicated soap to beat the side effects of heat. Your account was funnier than the reality !
    Btw, growing up, I loved Sonali Bendre for this ad and later on for that Sarfarosh song! Only 2 worthwhile things she did 😀

    Your funny posts are always a nice change of pace and I like that variety.

    P.S. Typo- cousin was a cleanliness freak

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    Replies
    1. ROFL! Two worthwhile things she did!

      Thanks for reading and pointing out the type. It was the first thing I corrected when I got up that day. :P

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  10. What a turn !! From romantic and social words just go to soap opera . Funny and readable again & again .

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  11. hahah! this post made me smile ear to ear with nostalgia! seriously those days were too innocent and cute :)

    a very lovely post Saru :)

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    Replies
    1. I also grew up around the same time and everywhere the story was the same

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    2. LOL! We are lost girls. Which soap you use, Ankita?

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  12. oh now I need to go and have a look what SOAP do i use maybe I am characterless toooo :( :(


    made me smile :) :)
    Bikram's

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  13. This was so hilariously funny..
    Even I use Dove, and I'm just 20, by the way. Don't judge. :P

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  14. hehe! Made me smile..I love Pears a lot. This post is like windy breeze, made me smile a lot. Nirma! ads! How I love them. You remember the one, washing powder Nirma,Jaya Sushma aur Hema. Lux was another favorite of mine:)

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    Replies
    1. Yeah, it was a fun ad. I never liked Lux though.

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  15. Neither I'm an aunty nor rich, but I too use Dove, though it's still heavy on my husband's pocket.

    Ha ha ... I'm still giggling Saru. So true to life. :)

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    1. Hehehe... Dove is a good soap and we are good wives. We deserve nothing but the best.

      Thanks for reading. It's always good to hear from you.

      Delete
  16. Had a hearty laugh. hilarious post, so well expressed. I loved the part "Characterless father"..I am still laughing! Thanks, for giving me the smile on my face.

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  17. Ha ha! what an awesome read and you really explained that so well. Soap did define character in those days :P Now, we are all aging gracefully! :D

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  18. Loved every bit of it. Showed your funny side of a blogger :D

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  19. LOL! :) lovedddd this saru! so candid so real so you:)

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  20. Hahaha! Arrey I have been using Pears since I was a kid! As i read the post, I could head the words, 'aunty aunty aunty'...lol! As always your posts r total paisa vasool...oops I have got in the advertisement mode too...;)

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    Replies
    1. Hehehe... Not aunty silly, mummy. And you are a super and beautiful mom, Shaivi. Thanks for reading.

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  21. Kya post ka naam dhoonda hai...ekdum se purane din ka tv yaad aa gaya. :)

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  22. Wow mam you narrated it so well...and Character less father!! ��
    Hilarious post ��

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  23. Hello Nirma... err Dove... thoroughly enjoyed reading this post :) using Dove only on the face was such a norm back in those days!! ;)

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    Replies
    1. Yeah, it was. I miss those days when we came up with perfect solution to our fancy problems.

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  24. Haahaha this is so hilarious:):) reminder of good old days :):)

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  25. Well written. Regards, Mahesh, 4Cube.Inc.

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  26. Your sense of humor never ceases to amaze me. Brilliant post. And yeah, you need to be one to deal with one. But no matter how many times I tell myself that, it just doesn't work out that way.

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    Replies
    1. Same here. I say, I write, but I can never do it.

      Thank you so much for all your love and support, Ramya. It means a lot to me. <3

      Delete
  27. I don't use soap anymore.More into bodywash these days.I wonder am i characterless like your father or what?Bdw reading this post gave me real nostalgia

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  28. Mam u are great because ur voice is osm and this is my favorite ad in telivision

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