Musical symphony in a tea cup! Zakir Hussain's iconic 'Wah Taj' tea ad was a perfect blend of magic and Indian culture

Legendary tabla maestro Zakir Hussain passed away at the age of 73 after battling idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, his family confirmed on Monday.

Hussain was known for his cherished figure and his contributions to Indian music and vast culture. Apart from winning international accolades for his musical talent, he was widely known for his association with Brooke Bond Taj Mahal Tea.

Who doesn't remember the popular tea ad featuring Zakir Hussain passionately playing tabla against the majestic beauty of the Taj Mahal? In the year 1988, the tea brand collaborated with Hussain with a memorable ad featuring the maestro.

Remembering the 'Wah Taj' ad as an unforgettable legacy for tea lovers

In the 1990s, Ustad Zakir Hussain became a household name not only for his brilliant music but also for becoming the face of Brooke Bond Taj Mahal Tea.

The idea of creating this ad was to match Hussain's mastery of tabla with Brooke Bond Taj Mahal's expertise in tea. The visuals of the ad have still struck a chord with the Indian audience, who admire the brand and Hussain.

The ad features the legend playing the tabla and ends with someone complimenting Hussain's performance by saying, 'Wah Ustaad,' to which he replies, 'Arey huzoor, wah Taj boliye.'

With time, the maestro became synonymous with the brand, making it one of India's most enduring brand associations in the history of Indian advertising.

Zakir Hussain in the ad paved the way for Brooke Bond to enter the middle-class population

Before this ad came, Hussain wasn't the original endorser of the brand. Prior to 1988, Brooke Bond Taj Mahal Tea was only meant for the elite Indian tea gourmet with a Western touch in mind.

Brooke Bond was launched in 1966. To endorse its products, the brand used to rope in celebrities such as Zeenat Aman and Malavika Tiwari, who were modern in their thought process and outlook. During that time, the main motive of the brand was to target an elite group of people.

But something changed in the 80s when the brand realised that tea was very popular among the aspirational middle-class people, and this was when they decided to expand the marketing of the product across India, targeting every section of consumers.

Zakir Hussain was delighted with the idea of the Brooke Bond ad

According to media reports, when Hussain was approached for the ad, he was ecstatic by the idea, and he flew down from San Francisco to Agra for the advertisement.

Have a look at the iconic ad video here and relive the memories:

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