‘Inhaling the Fragrance of Tradition’: Anand Mahindra Praises Mysore Sandal Soap, Rekindles Nostalgia Among Netizens
Anand Mahindra praised Mysore Sandal Soap, a heritage brand launched in 1918 by the Maharaja of Mysore. Known for pure sandalwood oil, it remains an iconic symbol of India’s tradition and quality.
Anand Mahindra, chairman of the Mahindra Group, recently took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his admiration for Mysore Sandal Soap, a heritage Indian brand produced by Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL). The Government Sandalwood Oil Factory was established in 1916 by the Maharaja of Mysore, His Highness Nalwadi Krishna Raja Wodeyar, and Diwan Sir M. Visvesvaraya to extract high-quality sandalwood oil. Initially developed at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, the oil gained global acclaim.
The iconic soap, known for its use of pure sandalwood oil, has been a household staple in India since its inception in 1916. KSDL, a state-owned enterprise, produces around 10 to 12 lakh bars daily to cater to its loyal customer base. Moreover, the former captain of Indian Cricket team and Chennai Super Kings, MS Dhoni was once the ambassador of this iconic Mysore Sandal Soap.
Inspired by a gift of sandalwood oil soap, the Maharaja envisioned creating a homegrown product. Sri S.G. Shastri, trained in London, pioneered the production of Mysore Sandal Soap in 1918, blending sandalwood oil with natural essential oils. The soap became India's iconic "Fragrance Ambassador," renowned for its quality and heritage.
Check Out the Viral Video
Sharing a video that showcases the soap’s manufacturing process, Mahindra wrote, “Overwhelmed by nostalgia upon seeing this clip. Delighted to see that it survives—and thrives. Going to start buying it again and inhaling the fragrance of tradition.”
Overwhelmed by nostalgia upon seeing this clip.
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) December 21, 2024
Delighted to see that it survives—and thrives.
Going to start buying it again and inhaling the fragrance of tradition!
(Video courtesy @amshilparaghu )pic.twitter.com/86HAVXR2yp
The video, originally created by Bengaluru-based content creator Shiva Rai, has become a viral sensation on Instagram, amassing over 23.8 million views. Mahindra’s post on X has also received significant attention, garnering over five lakh views and sparking conversations about the soap's enduring legacy.
Users Reaction to the Viral Post
One of the users said, " Mysore sandal is one of the best soaps available without any chemicals that negatively affect your testosterone levels (xenoestrogens) Every Indian should give them a try!"
A second user said, "It is iconic ,vintage, Mysore Maharaja sent his scientist to uk to study soap technology and set up this factory, in 60s it was a soap used by families, economical with good fragrance, definitely this factory has to be preserved and its products should be sold pan India&globally."
"No Sandal soap comes close to this. Lot of other states are copying even the packaging to confuse customers. Despite all these, it stands tall. Pride of Karnataka," said a third one.
Mysore Sandal Soap continues to introduce the younger genration with the nostalgia while maintaining its relevance in Indian households, reaffirming its position as a timeless brand.
Top Headlines
