INDIA, June 3, 2011: (by Reshmi Dasgupta, Economic Times) Luxury marketers are perceptive. It pays to give reverential acknowledgement to our sacred sentiments, especially with more and more Indians added to the international rich lists. The recently launched Caran d’Ache limited edition solid silver Balaji pen (adding to its Artiste collection repertoire of Buddha, Ganesha and Shiva) is one such move.
The 108 individually numbered fountain pens for US$10,000 each and an equal number of rollerball pens at $8,800 each should be snapped up in no time. The made-on-order-only gold and diamond versions of the pen sell for $51,000 and $85,000 each, respectively.
There is scarcely a wealthy Indian home these days that does not feature a pleasantly pastoral Radha Krishna, serenely sated Ganesha, or Lakshmi from a luxury brand. It could be called the coming of age of the Indian buyer, who is no longer compelled to buy bucolic shepherdesses or other such favorite western porcelain subjects. Or the coming of age of the western seller, who now must look beyond time-tested stereotypes to appeal to culturally secure and assertive new markets — and finally has bowed to the Indian Gods.