The Maharaja logo of Air India was designed in 1946 by the famous commercial director Bobby Kuka along with Umesh Rao, but very few people know that it has a connection to Pakistan. Let’s understand how was its whole journey…
Image Credit source: NewsNCR GFX
It is discussed that the Tata group is preparing to say goodbye to the ‘Maharaja’ who is the identity of Air India. Recently Singapore Airlines has announced the merger of Air Vistara with Tata Group’s Air India. Since then, preparations for the re-branding of Air India have started. The responsibility of branding has been given to London-based consultancy Futurebrands. Although the final decision is yet to be taken on the departure of the people of ‘Maharaja’.
The Maharaja logo of Air India was designed in 1946 by the famous commercial director Bobby Kuka along with Umesh Rao, but very few people know that it has a connection to Pakistan. Let us understand how was its whole journey…
Maharaja’s entry in branding of airlines
In the year 1938, JRD Tata started Tata Airlines. This was the country’s first commercial airline service. At the time of the airline’s inception, Boky Kuka joined the team formed for its branding. Bobby was called the magician of marketing. JRD Tata asked Bobby to design a logo for the airlines.He said, the logo should be such that Indianness is visible and it should be different. Bobby designed the Maharaja’s logo and it was launched.
He designed a logo that There was a sense of hospitality along with a glimpse of Indianness. It was well liked. Seeing this, it became the identity of Air India.
How was ‘Maharaj’ made and what was the connection with Pakistan?
Bobby designed such a logo in the form of Maharaj, which looked majestic but was not royal. The round face, big moustache, Indian turban on the head, long nose and presented the Maharaja as an attractive looking personality. It became the pride of Air India, but Bobby got the inspiration to prepare it from a Pakistani industrialist.
Bobby, who prepared the Maharaja, was very fond of Pakistani industrialist Syed Wajid Ali. Syed Wajid Ali had set up a manufacturing plant for Ford cars in Pakistan. Which was acquired by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1973. Not only business, Syed Wajid Ali was also associated with the Pakistan Olympic Association. An important part of Syed Wajid Ali’s personality was his moustache. Maharaja’s mustache was inspired by him.
Read more- Knowledge story of
: Language Inputs