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Most youngsters born in the 21st century wouldn't even be aware of this brand, let alone trying or using it. But this is a legendary product which ruled the roost throughout the 20th century, and kept all dental ailments at bay.
The origins of it lies in the vision of the Wodeyar Royal Family of Mysore Kingdom who promoted ancient Indian Sciences including Yoga & Ayurveda.
Way back in the 1890s, Wodeyars, as part of their long term plans to revive Hindu traditions,
Way back in the 1890s, Wodeyars, as part of their long term plans to revive Hindu traditions,
had established Mysore Ayurvedic College which produced several Practitioners and Entrepreneurs who brought Ayurveda closer to the masses. BV Pundit was one such Scholar who graduated from the very first batch of Mysore Ayurvedic College and
had made it his life's mission to utilize the knowledge towards welfare of the public, not limited to Mysoreans alone but to every Indian from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.
That's how BV Pundit started Sadvaidyasala more than a century ago,
That's how BV Pundit started Sadvaidyasala more than a century ago,
where he launched a series of Ayurvedic products, including the legendary Nanjangud Tooth Powder, named after his hometown Nanjangud (A popular Temple town near Mysuru City), which went on to become a household name in India.
Such was the popularity of the brand throughout the 20th century that the Mysore-Nanjangud train was fondly referred to as "Tooth Powder Train".
However, by late 1990s, due to effects of liberalisation and changing trends,
However, by late 1990s, due to effects of liberalisation and changing trends,
Nanjangud Tooth Powder's sales started plummeting. The brand which used to witness sales of 10 lakh wholesale boxes per month throughout the 20th century, fell to just 1 lakh boxes per month in 21st century.
Despite repeated advices from experts to introduce "tasty" flavors and change its packaging to flashy plastic cover to compete against the attractive MNC counterparts, the company refused and retained their original 100+ year preparation with Ayurvedic ingredients,
and the same eco-friendly paper packs, stating that their primary aim is not to just make money but to promote Ayurveda and protect the environment as well.
As they say, fashion changes over time and trends tend to repeat.
As they say, fashion changes over time and trends tend to repeat.
With more awareness about Ayurveda among youngsters nowadays, there has been a noticeable rise in demand for all Ayurvedic products, including Nanjangud Tooth Powder. Interestingly, the same experts who had suggested the company to switch to flashy plastic covers,
are now hailing them for sticking to eco-friendly packs. The company now has plans to reach out to the youth, through e-commerce and future plans include international shipping, to cater to not just Indians but Americans & Europeans as well.
