The timeless charm of vintage Bangladeshi advertisements

Do you ever find yourself lost in a whirlwind of advertisements while trying to enjoy your favourite TV shows? I certainly do. Nowadays, it seems like every commercial break is an onslaught of product pitches and flashy gimmicks. Frankly, it's enough to make one's head spin. But amidst this chaos, there is a refuge—an oasis of tranquility that takes us back to the golden days of our childhood—the old Bangladeshi advertisements.

The old Bangladeshi advertisements were a breed of their own, my friends. They were not mere sales pitches; they were stories that reached deep into our hearts and left an indelible mark. Who could forget the legendary Humayun Ahmed, the filmmaker, and screenwriter extraordinaire, who lent his creative genius to Danish? Yes, you heard me right! He made ads for Danish based on his famous film "Srabon Megher Din". Now, that was something new and unique, something we hardly see these days.

Those ads were practically music videos, my fellow nostalgics! The stories, the music, the morals—everything about them was of such high quality and uniqueness. And let's not forget the dashing Riaz, the actor who seemed to be the go-to guy for starring in most ads. His presence, the catchy jingles, the picturesque locations—everything was ahead of its time, some say.

Oh, the jingles! We have all experienced the feeling of a jingle being stuck in our heads for an eternity. Those old Bangladeshi ad jingles, among many others, hold a special place in our hearts. Even after all these years, we can still recall them vividly. Take, for instance, the unforgettable RC Cola jingle—"Tomar Jonno Morte Pari O Shundori Tumi Golar Mala." And who can resist joining in when someone starts humming the classic Eid special jingle, "Bhai Jaan Hobore Khan"? It's amazing how these tunes have stood the test of time and still bring a smile to our faces.

Speaking of jingles, how can we not mention the iconic Danish jingle, featuring none other than Riaz himself? "Tumi Ami ar Danish" still echoes in the minds of many. It's as if the jingle has taken permanent residence in our heads, refusing to leave.

But these ads were not just catchy tunes and pretty visuals; they had substance. Unlike today's commercials which are all about selling products, most of the old ads carried a moral message. Remember the emotionally charged and heart-touching TV commercials of Grameenphone? Titles like "Kache Thakun", "Ma", and "Baba o Meye" had the power to make even the toughest among us tear up. And let's not forget Banglalink, with their heartwarming ads like "Din Bodoler Cheshta" featuring the journey of a fisherman, and "Shunte ki pao". These ads were not just about selling telecommunication services; they were about connecting people with each other and their emotions.

Now, let's have a quick round of honourable mentions, shall we? Who can forget the evergreen "Antore Antore Mojo" for Mojo soft drink, or the infectious "Tora Dekh, Dekh, Dekh re Chahiya" for Gazi pump? And how can we overlook the enchanting "Jhilik", starred by Riaz, for Berger paint? These ads were a testament to the creativity and storytelling prowess of our beloved Bangladeshi ad industry. They were the threads that wove memories of our childhood, the tunes that still echo in our hearts, and the stories that touched our souls.

Let's cherish these nostalgic gems and hope that the future holds more than just mindless product placements.

So, the next time you find yourself irritated by the excess of modern-day advertisements, take a moment to indulge in the nostalgia of old Bangladeshi ads. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to hum "Tumi Ami ar Danish" for the umpteenth time and revel in the joy of reliving those golden days. Join me, won't you?