Advertisements during Hindu festivals are all about giving Gyaan to Hindus and sending them on a guilt trip about how their festivals are ‘polluting’ and damaging the environment. There was a fair share of preachy ones, like Vishal Megamart’s Ad in the Dainik Bhaskar, that received the backlash it deserved from Hindus. However, some advertisements succeeded in pulling our heartstrings without sermonising Hindus.
Go Local
The young boy does all that he can to ensure Amma sells all her diyas and has a reason to be joyous on Deepawali. It also gives the message of ensuring that one buys from local vendors.
Finolex advertisement celebrates Stri Shakti
Finolex gives out the message of celebrating Stri Shakti and letting women discover their talent and goals in life without the usual sermonising and ‘patriarchal’ jibes. A woman plumber encouraging the housewife to turn her passion for designing and stitching clothes into a business comes across as heartwarming. The message that Mata Lakshmi can come home in any form is equally beautifully portrayed.
Vivo Ad is all about connecting families
Many people live away from their families for work. For parents, it is always the presence of their children that matters, particularly during festivities. This video emphasises the aspect of spending Deepawali with family and making the festival joyous for one’s parents.
Luminous speaks of lighting up homes
Caring for those working for you is equally important and that’s the aspect Luminous touches upon. The gesture might be small and insignificant for us but it may mean the world to someone and light up their festivities and heart.
Parle Deepawali Advertisement is all about keeping traditions alive
Parle seems to have learnt from its mistake during Ganeshotsav when it went all preachy by spreading fake propaganda in the name of patriarchy and misogyny. This time they cut the propaganda and focussed on the messaging of keeping traditions alive. It talks of going back to traditions such as making Kandils, sweets and savouries at home, together as a family.
These advertisements give us a message of celebrating without the propaganda and that’s what makes them stand out. Among all the lectures and propaganda, these advertisements come as a breath of fresh air with the right messaging sans the preachiness.
