Dear All,
There was award winning ‘Comfort Travel Agency’ opposite Satyanarayan Mandir, Woodside, Queens, some 40 years ago. When they went out of business, they throw some of their items backside of their office. Well, there was life size statue of Air India’s Iconic Mascot which was display in their office and my mind went back 60 years…
It was in early 1970, I had a job opportunity in Air India’s art department at their Nariman Point, Mumbai head office as a graphic designer. At the same time, I had better job offer in Doha, Qatar, Arabian Gulf at British Ad. Agency as an Art Director. So, I went to Gulf…
As you may know, my hobbies of collecting photos, records and old items etc. It includes collection of Air India’s creative designed original old calendars and photos…
I did know Air India’s mascot, the Maharajah, was designed by Bobby Kooka, the airline’s Commercial Director, and illustrated by Umesh Rao, an artist at the J. Walter Thompson ad. agency in Mumbai. Kooka conceived the idea for the mascot in 1946 to represent the airline’s gracious and elegant service, while Rao brought the character to life through his illustrations and rest is a history…
Above: Air India’s Mascot and designer Bobby Kooka who was the airline’s Commercial Director…
Below: Here are some iconic posters that show the Maharajah in his quirky avatars, looking quite at home in famous locations around the world…
Recently I have read the news about Maharaja, the much-celebrated mascot of Air India, is now in his late-seventies and faces retirement – or a possible rebirth…
No doubt, Air India’s “Maharaja,” a mascot that was indeed a “man for all seasons”
Best regards,
Jayant. Sharing is Caring…
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