Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Binaca Toothpaste Freebies

The hexagonal cap later was replaced with the knurled, conical type.


Freebies have always been offered to attract the public to sell various products. Just like people went to theatres mainly to see a ‘trailer clip’ of a future movie, people bought products for the free item rather than the product itself! Marketers had begun to see how a ‘free tag’ works on human minds. ‘Buy one get one free’ was not certainly thought of for most part of the last century, but free items were offered that were good quality, unlike what we see now – they are real junk, throwaway toys or useless items which are advertised in an attractive manner to which people fall prey, thanks to their kids who are the advertisers’ target!

In the 1960s, we had Binaca Toothpaste. It was a popular brand and most homes had either Colgate or Binaca. But the humble ‘Nanjangud Toothpowder’ was always there… to eat (yes, it was tasty too!) as standby in case the tube was completely squeezed out! Kids loved the Nanjangud flavour and aroma of the pink powder. Toothbrushes too were making its entry fast during that time, with the development of Nylon Bristles that lasted long – products were ‘made to last’, unlike the cheap ‘use and throw’ items that flood the market today. Speaking of Nylon, I still use my grandfather’s shaving brush that he must have purchased in the late 60s. He used it for about 8-10 years and then when it was time for me to shave I began using it almost 30 years ago! The bristles remain amazingly straight in spite of being continuously used [I hang it upside down – that may be a secret!] hundreds of times over. I’ve deviated off subject. Let me come back to the freebies of Binaca.

Despite their roaring market, they probably wanted to stay high and so they introduced a free ‘water picture’ [hope I’m right] with every carton to hold on to customers. They were days when stickers or self-adhesive tapes had not entered. They were ‘gum and gum tape days’. This little piece of paper with a hidden picture had to be soaked in water for a few minutes, then had to be stuck when still wet, to a glass surface and slowly peel off the protective layer. This had to be done with deft hands of an adult lest the delicately thin picture would get damaged! It got stuck when dry. I picture a few here:



They are still looking new even now, as if it was stuck last week. Just as we stand in front of that mirror or go to the bookshelf, the mind jogs back to the era of the ‘light green’ toothpaste and also the immensely popular Wednesday 8 PM show “Binaca Geet Mala”, presented by Ameen Sayani on Radio Ceylon’s ‘Vividh Bharti’.


Hotels that boasted of radios [not many homes had even a radio in those times] were crowded at that hour, either for business or just standing and listening outside [volume was on a high always – what thrill!]. In our house most of the members of the joint family [I was too young to appreciate that at that time] crowded in front of our Bush Radio at that hour. The product sold well, stopped people’s bad breaths, kept shiny teeth and gave little gifts like those.

Binaca surely held on to customers with its unique ways! Not for nothing it was popular!



Later in the 70s, there came enclosed with each tube of Binaca, tiny plastic figurines of various animals. This soon became a collecting fancy. Friends even exchanged their duplicates for new ones. No sooner the toothpaste carton arrived home or even at the shop counters itself, we would curiously open and see which doll was in!! I must say, they were still the days when recycled plastic was unknown. So these cute little things are of soft virgin plastic.

Binaca could not cope up to stiff competition from other brands in the 80s and even tried to change the name to ‘Cibaca’ to see if they could hold on, but it faded away slowly off the shelves. But on my showcase shelf, I’ve treasured the cute little “Binaca Dolls” to remind me of those good old days.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
In May 2018, I have put up another post on this subject. Have made a proper display box to house these little beauties. I come back to add the link. Go there to see: 

37 comments:

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Dinakar KR said...

Omkar, Thanks for your response and insight.

Lakshmi Bharadwaj said...

Oh Bianca toothpaste is it? I have not heard of it, sadly...i belong to the gen. which knows only it's colgate and close-up fresh breath! But i can totally relate to the marketign stratergies companies adopt...my mother is a marketing teacher, and i've heard her often talk about this...thanks for your views as well. informative post.

Unknown said...

Hey

I have been posting ads to buy binaca toys from so long. Lost my collection when water had filled up in my house. Have not been able to forget it. Please if there is anyone who would like to sell any of the toy please email to me.

Mr Dinakar KR, I loved your collection and am so happy to see my little friends again. Thanks a lot for refreshing my memories.

Vijay said...

just loved your collection. thanks for bringing back those memories

Vasu said...

Thanks for bringing back the golden memories about tiny little friend with whom many of us would have spend our holidays.. thanks a lot

C.G. BHARGAV said...

I happened to read your article. I remember Binaca giving golden coloured trinkets along with the toothpaste. This has not been mentioned. Can anyone give some information on this?

Dinakar KR said...

Sri Bharghav, thanks for your comment. Somehow, I do not remember the trinkets offered by Binaca.

Deepakbellur said...

Thanks for reviving old memories so effectively and with photos. However there's one small error that could perhaps edited:-
Radio Ceylon never broadcasted 'Vividh Bharathi'. That name is an All India Radio product. Radio Ceylon in their English broadcast would air a popular program they called "Choice Of the People". Perhaps it was called "Man Chahe Geet" in Hindi. Others should clarify.

Dinakar KR said...

Thanks Deepak, I will make note of this.

Unknown said...

Hi, I was searching for the toy figurines, and came across your blog. was delighted to see the
display case which is interesting and could you please help me with making one... the material used etc. I have more than 100 toys and would like to make a display just to relive the sweetness of childhood.

Unknown said...

Glad to know u have collection of 100 of Binaca toys.I also have collection of 25. Kindly send me image of 100 toys at my whattsup no 09810124822

Abhijit Mitra said...

Dear Dinakar,

Magnificent collection, I have 70 plus of them including quite a few duplicates which I do not see in yours, if you are interested in exchanging please email me at amitracal@gmail.com.

Regards,
Abhijit

Dinakar KR said...

Thanks Abhijit.... I have only a few duplicates too... may be they are among your 70.

K.K. Gaur said...

I have over80 in number and many duplicate one, if someone's looking for exchange.

seema said...

I felt nostalgic seeing the binaca freebies collection and relived the childhood memories. Thanks Mr. Dinakar for sharing the pic of little friends. If Mr. Abhijit can also upload the pic of his collection, interested members shall feel delighted. I too have only few of them and it always gives me smile whenever I open my memory box.

Abhijit Mitra said...

Hi Mr. Dinakar and Seema,

Is there a way to post a picture in this blog ? I can definitely post a picture of my collection then.

Thanks,
Abhijit

Unknown said...

From murugan thiagarajan,
It's really nice to see like minded people. I too collecting these cuties and I will be very grateful if anyone help build my collection. Please help. If anyone is interested please do contact me at 8124037399 or thiagumurugu@gmail. Com

Abhijit Mitra said...

Dinakar, is there a way to know the duplicates you have. I can be reached at amitracal@gmail.com and can share pics of my dups some of which I may exchange with Seema.

Abhijit Mitra said...

Thanks to Dr. Seema and Mr. Murugan I was able to exchange a few Binaca toys from oceans apart and got some of my childhood favorites back. Amazing experience, unforgettable, have a few more duplicates if somebody is interested.

Abhijit Mitra said...

Dear Dinakar,

You have not posted my last few comments which is fine and you certainly do not have to post this one. But are you really not interested in any exchange for the duplicates which could enhance the diversity of the collection after so many years. I see you do mention about the enthusiasm with which we used to exchange these at that time. I really do see a lot of my absolute favorite lost ones in your collection and truly wanted to know about your duplicates and wanted to let you know my duplicates and entire collection. Is there anyway you can send me an email at amitracal@gmail.com or at amitra@us.ibm.com if at all possible. I will really cherish your email and eagerly wait for it.

With deep regards,
Abhijit Mitra

Murugan ramaiah thiagarajan said...

Sir,
Thanks to you l relived my childhood.my mail id Thiagumurugu@gmail.com.l am eagerly awaiting for your reply sir please

Unknown said...

From where can I buy it

Abhijit Mitra said...

I am interested, so is Murugan. I am at amitracal@gmail.com and he is at Thiagumurugu@gmail.com

With deep regards,
Abhijit

Unknown said...

Hello Kadambini,
Thanks for the offer.I would gladly talk to you about the exchange . Please contact me at smilealways2uma@yahoo.co.in ASAP. Awaiting your email in eager to see my childhood buddies whom I lost 😢
Thanks to Mr.Dinakar for refresh in our childhood memories :0)
Uma Suresh

Unknown said...

Hello Mr.Abhijit,

Very happy to meet you via this blog.Thanks to Mr.Dinakar for connecting us on this nostalgic memory.I will connect with you via email to get some duplicates for my cousin who is affected with cancer😔 All if a sudden she wanted to see these little guys and I was searching in Google. Finally ended up in this blog :) I was happy to give her 4 or 5 of my buddies which is the least I could do to make her happy :0) Thanks again Mr.Dinakar.

K.K. Gaur said...

I don't think you can buy these anywhere from. It was a passion, hobby or I'd say 'an addiction' to collect these Binaca Friends. So, I don't anyone in possession of these little gems can ever think of selling them.

K.K. Gaur said...

I have around 80 Binaca toys and many duplicates. I am looking for a Giraffe, Pig & Pelican. In case anyone has duplicate of above, Pl contact me at kkgaur617@gmail.com for exchange. Regards.

Unknown said...

Hi I want to know about the bigger size binaca toys please help

K.K. Gaur said...

Hi, there. These were made in small size so as to fit in Binaca toothpaste pack. Despite being small in size, these cuties were beautifully manufactured.

b1313 said...

Does anybody know where the Binaca figurines from the 1970's can be purchased? My wife speaks of them so fondly that I would like to acquire a collection, or at least a few to give her as a gift.

Please contact me at bruce3963@gmail.com

K.K. Gaur said...

I don't think anyone who has the collection of these little gems would think of selling it off. I have around 80 of these beauties. After me, my kids played with them and now my granddaughter plays but we all made sure not to lose any of these. I have some duplicates and can be exchanged if anyone interested in.

Unknown said...

I have been collecting these Binaca Charms. I am 58 years young. Anyone interested in exchanging pictures, display ideas, list of all Charms in Alphabetical order please get in touch through WATTSAPPP #919789744404

Unknown said...

I have been collecting these Binaca Charms all my childhood. I am 57 years young now. I am interested in exchanging information about complete Charms list, animal wise, colour wise,etc. I look forward to like minded people to exchange the photos of Charms, display techniques, lists, etc. I am willing to exchange my doubles with others who may have doubles in your possession. My WATTSAPPP mobile# is +91 9789744404

Unknown said...

Hey guys if anyone wants binaka toys for exchange or sale please contact me at thiagumurugu@gmail.com or 8124037399.my friend has about 180 toys for the above mentioned purpose

പി.സ് said...

Does anyone know how many animal toys where there apart from the colour valiants??

Unknown said...

Hi DInakar, It was on November 7th 2021 Sunday, I was reading the open page in THE HINDU Sunday supplement, when I saw this headline in 'More on the Web" articles:
The Binaca Moment. I wanted to read the whole article, so searched for it in The Hindu's archives, but couldn't get the whole article. Tried to find it somewhere else on the web, and that's when I surprisingly stumbled on your "Mysurean Musings" What a pleasant surprise!!!
It was a childhood dream come true. We used to collect those Binanca miniatures so enthusiastically but somehow lost them on our journey of life. To see them all at one place so neatly arranged(saw both your posts on the subject), never thought I would ever see them all in my life again. Zoomed on each one and saw them to my heart's fill. Thank you so much Dinakar for the beautifully arranged collection.
Once started, couldn't stop reading all the other reminiscences/your posts.
It was nostalgia unleashed all the way.I shared the link with my family and friends too.
A heartfelt thanks and may God bless you.
Ishrath