Mysore pak & silk saris may say no to `Mysuru'
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Mysuru pak would no doubt
taste as delicious, Mysuru Sandal Soap smell as exotic and Mysuru
mallige appear as fresh. It's a brand dilemma: to move on with the
changing times, or remain loyal to the bestselling Mysore label -in this
case, a lofty GI tag with global fame. Though officially
rebaptized Mysuru, the products associated with this heritage city that
carry a geographical indication (GI) label may retain their old names.
These well-known brands are, in fact, part of the socio-cultural fabric
of the region.
The Mysore Silk Sari is quintessentially Mysore -woven by the Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation (KSIC) here, the silk factory that was started for the royal Wadiyar family .
The silk sari, which has grown into a global brand, is a hot favourite among foreign tourists and is unlikely to hop off the brandwagon anytime soon.
B S Sadananda Swamy , general manager of the KSIC's Mysore unit, told TOI: “It's been in the market for several decades, and we've obtained a geographical indication tag from the GI registry . We can't change the name of the product.“
Even if a private company launches a similar product branded Mysuru, getting the patent is impossible. “According to the Geographical Indication Regulation Act, similar sounding names are not allowed. They won't get the patent,“ he said.
Mysore Sandal Soap, the name engraved on the bars that leave the Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Ltd (KSDL) factory in Bangalore, is also expected to retain its brand name. A KSDL official told TOI: “As the product is registered as Mysore, it will remain so. If the name is changed, it will affect business in the international market. So there is no chance of changing the name.“ Mysore Pak, though, may slowly align itself to its more Kannada sounding name. Kumar, owner of Guru Sweets, said: “Our sweet packets have `Mysore' printed on them. Once the stocks are over, we may change the spelling while printing fresh packets.“
Legend has it that four generations ago, the royal chef invented Mysore Pak while dishing up a dessert for the king; his descendants started Guru Sweets in the 1950s.
As Sadananda Swamy says, “Renaming the city will not affect the brand. It is quality that counts and people recognize it.“
So what happens to Mysore Dasara and the Mysore masala dosa?!
Banking on a new name?
State Bank of Mysore, the century-old public sector bank once called Mysore Bank, may get a possible change in nomenclature in the future. “As of now, we have not received any circular regarding this. But discussions are on in the head office regarding change of name. There is a possibility,“ said Srirangamurthy R, SBM branch manager.
The Mysore Silk Sari is quintessentially Mysore -woven by the Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation (KSIC) here, the silk factory that was started for the royal Wadiyar family .
The silk sari, which has grown into a global brand, is a hot favourite among foreign tourists and is unlikely to hop off the brandwagon anytime soon.
B S Sadananda Swamy , general manager of the KSIC's Mysore unit, told TOI: “It's been in the market for several decades, and we've obtained a geographical indication tag from the GI registry . We can't change the name of the product.“
Even if a private company launches a similar product branded Mysuru, getting the patent is impossible. “According to the Geographical Indication Regulation Act, similar sounding names are not allowed. They won't get the patent,“ he said.
Mysore Sandal Soap, the name engraved on the bars that leave the Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Ltd (KSDL) factory in Bangalore, is also expected to retain its brand name. A KSDL official told TOI: “As the product is registered as Mysore, it will remain so. If the name is changed, it will affect business in the international market. So there is no chance of changing the name.“ Mysore Pak, though, may slowly align itself to its more Kannada sounding name. Kumar, owner of Guru Sweets, said: “Our sweet packets have `Mysore' printed on them. Once the stocks are over, we may change the spelling while printing fresh packets.“
Legend has it that four generations ago, the royal chef invented Mysore Pak while dishing up a dessert for the king; his descendants started Guru Sweets in the 1950s.
As Sadananda Swamy says, “Renaming the city will not affect the brand. It is quality that counts and people recognize it.“
So what happens to Mysore Dasara and the Mysore masala dosa?!
Banking on a new name?
State Bank of Mysore, the century-old public sector bank once called Mysore Bank, may get a possible change in nomenclature in the future. “As of now, we have not received any circular regarding this. But discussions are on in the head office regarding change of name. There is a possibility,“ said Srirangamurthy R, SBM branch manager.
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