MAM
Piyush Pandey, the adman who made India feel, is cremated
MUMBAI: The man who taught India to sing together was cremated at noon on Saturday, his mortal remains consigned to flames at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park crematorium. Piyush Pandey, the advertising genius who turned mundane products into cultural touchstones, died on Friday following an infection.
They came in their thousands—chief executives whose fortunes he’d reversed, rival agency heads, Ogilvy’s fiercely loyal staff, office runners. All wept. Pandey had that rare gift: he spoke to drivers and sweepers with the same warmth he reserved for corner-office wallahs. In an industry built on hierarchy, he demolished it with a handshake and that signature grin.
Posters lined the crematorium showing Pandey’s famous moustache and wide smile. His younger brother Prasoon, himself a renowned filmmaker, performed the last rites surrounded by family. Then something extraordinary happened. The mourners broke into song—Mile Sur Mera Tumhara, the anthem Pandey created decades ago that stitched a fragmenting nation together through music.
After the body entered the electric crematorium, Prasoon addressed the assembled crowd. “Thank you for the love you’ve showered on Piyush. He loves you too,” he said, voice steady despite grief. “We’ll celebrate his life with a gathering soon. We’ll keep you informed.”
Pandey would have approved. The man who spent his life connecting Indians through stories deserved nothing less than a final act of collective remembrance.
MAM
Mangaldeep partners with Vrindavan Vibes at ISKCON Vrindavan event
Fragrance brand backs youth led kirtan gathering that drew 4000 plus devotees.
MUMBAI: If devotion had a soundtrack, Vrindavan recently turned the volume up. Mangaldeep Incense has partnered with Vrindavan Vibes at ISKCON Vrindavan, an emerging devotional gathering that blends traditional kirtans with a youthful, community driven atmosphere. The first day of the celebrations alone drew more than 4000 devotees, signalling the growing appeal of participatory spiritual events among younger audiences.
More than a festive collaboration, the association reflects a broader cultural shift in how spirituality is being experienced today. Vrindavan Vibes Jamming, described as a kirtan utsav, brings together youth, families and devotees for collective singing within a sacred temple setting, turning devotion into a shared, immersive experience.
For Mangaldeep, the partnership positions the brand as a long term enabler of community led devotion. Vrindavan, long regarded as the spiritual home of Lord Krishna, remains a vibrant centre for bhajans, temple gatherings and devotional music that attracts pilgrims and visitors from across the country.
As part of the collaboration, Mangaldeep has introduced a fragrance led experience within the venue. This includes ambient fragrance pillars designed to enhance the devotional ambience, a curated Khusbhoo Path experience, a selfie booth for visitors to capture shared memories, and specially designed souvenirs for devotees attending the event.
Mangaldeep divisional CEO of the matches and agarbatti division Rohit Dogra said the initiative reflects the changing ways in which faith is being expressed.
“At Mangaldeep, devotion has always been at the heart of everything we do. Today we are witnessing a beautiful shift in how spirituality is expressed, particularly among young India where bhajans and kirtans are becoming vibrant collective experiences of faith and belonging. Our partnership with ISKCON Vrindavan for Vrindavan Vibes reflects this evolution,” he said.
Bhajan and kirtan gatherings are increasingly emerging as spaces for emotional connection and cultural identity, especially for younger audiences looking for a sense of grounding in an otherwise fast paced world. Participants at the event described the gathering as a moment of calm and shared joy, as chants and music brought thousands together in a collective expression of faith.
By aligning with Vrindavan Vibes, Mangaldeep is positioning itself not just as an incense brand, but as a facilitator of shared spiritual experiences, extending its presence from homes and temples to large scale community led devotional platforms.
