MAM
Dhara rekindles “Dhara Dhara Shuddh Dhara” tune
MUMBAI: Imprinted in our memories from the time the ad used to play on Doordarshan, the jingle and the jalebi kid is still alive in our hearts and mind even after two decades. Back in the early 90's, this tune had kick-started the ‘Anokhi Shuruat’ of a dynamic journey for the leading edible oil brand and today as Dhara re-launches the tune Dhara Dhara Shuddh Dhara, it takes the audience back to the glorious days of the past.
Not only is it an epic comeback of the brand’s jingle but fuelling the brand space and lending a fresh look to it is the music band- Indian Ocean which is also iconic to the era.
Many have grown up listening to the Dhara jingle and humming to the tunes of Indian Ocean band, and today as India sits back at home due to the lockdown, enjoying classical epics like Ramayan and Mahabharat, Dhara rekindles its milestone era with the Dhara tune.
On the idea of the campaign, Mother Dairy business head – Dhara Dinesh Agrawal said, “Dhara has been deep-rooted in the Indian value system since 1988. This phase of lockdown has taken us back in time when people enjoyed even the smaller joys of day to day life. As we spend time with family and travel back the memory lane, we want our consumers to also travel back and relive those moments with us on an emotional journey. Dhara tune has ruled our hearts then and continues to rule now and forever. With this campaign,we want to hold our consumers in an emotional bond and stir nostalgia with the melody of the ad.”
The campaign has been conceptualised and executed by Mixed Route Juice and can be viewed on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter channels of Dhara. Live for a duration of three-weeks, this campaign invites India to submit their version of Dhara Dhara Shuddh Dhara tune and the best entries will be given special prizes from the brand.
Mixed Root Juice creative head Amrita Sharma said, “Indian Ocean brings back to one’s mind space the memories from a golden era, where bonds amongst people were stronger. The current situation has brought all new realisation that has given family time more precedence over the rest of the things. With this campaign, we wanted to bring back the same goodness that once a prime part of everyone’s life. The connect of the band with what we wanted to do for the brand was perfect.”
MAM
India’s experience economy grows as live events market hits Rs 17,000 crore
EY-Parthenon and BookMyShow report finds 78 per cent Indians prefer experiences over products
MUMBAI: India’s live entertainment scene is no longer just about music, comedy or festivals. It is increasingly becoming a powerful stage for brands seeking deeper connections with consumers.
A new report titled Beyond Attention, Into Immersion by EY-Parthenon and BookMyShow suggests that India’s experience economy is entering a strong growth phase, driven by consumers who are choosing memorable moments over material purchases.
According to the study, the country’s live events ecosystem, which includes concerts, comedy tours, festivals and immersive exhibitions, is estimated to reach around Rs 17,000 crore in 2025. The growth reflects a broader cultural shift in how Indians spend their time and money.
The report finds that 78 per cent of Indian consumers now prefer spending on experiences rather than physical products. From attending concerts and festivals to participating in interactive brand installations, audiences are increasingly seeking engagement, community and shareable moments.
This change in consumer behaviour is particularly evident among younger audiences who want to participate rather than simply watch. Instead of passively consuming entertainment, many now look for experiences that allow them to interact, express themselves and connect with like minded communities.
For marketers, this shift has turned experiential marketing into a strategic priority rather than a promotional add on. Brands are moving away from interruption driven advertising and towards immersive formats that allow consumers to discover, test and emotionally connect with products.
The report suggests that experiential marketing now plays a role across the entire consumer journey. It can spark brand discovery, strengthen storytelling, encourage product trials and ultimately influence purchase decisions and loyalty.
The impact is already visible. Post event surveys conducted among 7,450 attendees at major events including Lollapalooza India and concerts by Ed Sheeran and Guns N’ Roses highlight the effectiveness of these experiences.
Around 59 per cent of attendees recalled brands they interacted with during the events, while 55 per cent said those interactions increased their likelihood of purchasing from the brand. A further 63 per cent reported that brand activations actually enhanced their event experience rather than distracting from it. Nearly 29 per cent also said the interaction improved their perception of the brand.
Brands are also changing the way they approach events. Instead of simply putting logos on stages or banners, companies are building experiences into the fabric of the event itself.
Financial services brands, for example, are offering early ticket access, exclusive lounges and curated event experiences for cardholders. Fashion and beauty companies are using festivals to showcase products through pop ups, interactive installations and social media friendly spaces that encourage visitors to share their experiences online.
The scope of experiential marketing now stretches far beyond live entertainment. Retailers are designing experiential stores where customers can explore products in lifelike environments. Entertainment platforms are extending popular intellectual properties into immersive exhibitions and fan events. Technology is also playing a growing role through augmented reality and virtual try on tools that blend digital discovery with physical interaction.
Cultural festivals remain one of the most powerful platforms for such engagement in India. Celebrations such as Navratri and Holi bring together large communities, emotional participation and heightened consumer spending. For brands, these moments offer an opportunity to become part of the celebration rather than simply advertise around it.
Despite the momentum, the report notes that some companies still hesitate to adopt experiential marketing at scale. Budget constraints, limited expertise and uncertainty around measuring return on investment remain common concerns.
However, the growing body of data around consumer engagement and brand impact is gradually addressing these challenges. More marketers are expected to allocate a larger share of their budgets to experiential formats over the coming years.
Taken together, the findings point to a clear trend. As consumers seek meaning, memories and moments worth sharing, live experiences are emerging as one of the most powerful ways for brands to stay relevant in a crowded media landscape.
