Camlin¡¯s legacy: How Subhash Dandekar revolutionised stationery and art supplies in India

For many of us, Camlin or Camel products evoke fond school memories. The iconic orange and yellow Camlin geometry box was a staple that accompanied us for much of our lives. Can you recall any other stationery brand that held a similar place in your heart? Camlin undeniably ruled our backpacks and our affections.

It¡¯s the end of an era with the passing of the man who brought an artistic revolution in our country. Chairman emeritus of Kokuyo Camlin, Subhash Dandekar left for his heavenly abode on July 15. He was 85.

He is solely credited with bringing colours to artists when India relied on import for this commodity. Back in 1931, he took over the reins from his father Digambar Dandekar, an ink manufacturer. Pretty soon, he started selling office stationery.

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Reflecting on his brother¡¯s legacy, Camlin chairman Dilip Dandekar shared that artists were initially apprehensive about using Camlin colors as they doubted its quality. Subhash Dandekar took it upon himself to convince them to use his colors by providing them a guarantee for their paintings and that Camlin colours would last long.

¡°The uniqueness of the products is that they are for every age group ¡­ for the customer to associate with our brand, which was Subhashji¡¯s vision. He also expanded into writing instruments,¡± he said as reported by Business Insider.

How Camlin transformed into a complete stationery company

When Camlin launched its colors in 1964, it established the art materials division. In 1971, the company expanded by introducing writing instruments, including stencils and geometry boxes. Additionally, it formed a joint venture with the State Development Corporation of Malaysia to distribute products in Southeast Asia.

Under Dandekar¡¯s leadership, the company diversified into pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals in 1982. This division is now a separate entity led by his son, Ashish Dandekar.

Camlin was sold off to a Japanese company called Kokuyo

Kokuyu Camlin

When circumstances changed, Subash sold his brand to the Japanese company Kokuyo. Post that, Subhash served as the honorary chairman of Kokuyo Camlin.

It was 2011 when this company, which sold office furniture and office equipment, picked up a little over a 50 per cent stake in the company for Rs 366 crore. This enabled Camlin to spread its business in other countries and Kokuyo brought its products to our country.

Subhash Dandekar's education and Camlin journey

Subhash Dandekar earned his undergraduate degree in chemistry from the esteemed Mumbai University. In 1958, he joined Camlin as the technical director, concentrating on developing high-quality art materials in India and significantly decreasing reliance on imported goods. As a result, Subhash began researching and developing his first product: waterproof black drawing ink. The ink quickly became popular, earning praise from cartoonist Bal Thackeray for its quality.

After finding his true calling of creating such products, Subash then enrolled in a post-graduate degree course in colour chemistry at Glasgow, UK.

During this time, he visited several dye and pigment manufacturers from England and neighbouring countries to understand the nitty gritties of the business.

After returning from Glasgow, Subhash established a laboratory to develop colors specifically for the Indian market. Following an enthusiastic search, he provided artists and students with art materials, including poster colors, wax crayons, oil pastels, and watercolor cakes, which were launched in 1962.

Subhash Dandekar's legacy

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Camlin was founded in 1931 by brothers Digambar Parshuram Dandekar and Govind Parshuram Dandekar. Initially, the company produced stationery items, primarily ink powder, under the name Dandekar & Co. When Subhash Dandekar took over in 1960, the company expanded into art materials and was rebranded as Camlin. In 1988, it officially became Camlin Ltd.

As per reports, Kokuyo Camlin¡¯s market capitalisation stands at Rs 1,555 crore and Camlin Fine Sciences¡¯ at Rs 2,058 crore.