The news of the sudden demise of advertising veteran Dwipal Kumar (DK) Bose has left the industry in a state of shock. Tributes have been pouring in for the adman who has been associated with several leading firms in the industry like Ogilvy Outreach and RK Swamy/BBDO.
Bose was the founder trustee of the Centre for Advocacy and Research (CFAR) and was also associated as a team member with the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
DK was also a visiting faculty at many institutions and tutored many who are stalwarts of the communication industry today. He was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from Rural Marketing Association of India in 2017. Industry colleagues remember the ad maven as a man of few words but powerful thoughts, a great speaker, a pioneer in rural communication and a compassionate and humble being.
Describing his interactions with Bose, Madhukar Sabnavis, Vice Chairman and Director-Client Relations, Ogilvy India, says, “'DK was a pioneer in rural communication in our industry. Wise and passionate, always brimming with ideas and a man with big vision. I found in DK a very charming man always ready to give sagacious advice. The industry is poorer without him. May his soul rest in peace.”
Srinivasan Swamy of RK Swamy BBDO, shares, “I am very sad to hear the passing away of our erstwhile colleague D K Bose. DK helped us start our independent media function in the mid- 1990s. His knowledge of the media scene then, and particularly the respect he commanded from the publishers friends, come to my mind immediately. A good public speaker, he could hold the audience's attention for any length of time. His knowledge of rural India and the vehicles to reach that audience was remarkable. I have not met him for some years now and now I hear he is no more. A great loss to our industry and to friends like me.”
Krishnamurthy Venkatraman, who worked with Bose at Ogilvy, remarks, “DK realised his life's purpose during his travels in the last few years, culminating in the release of his book. He passed away a satisfied person. Just last week he announced his intention to go to McLeodgunj with a 'one-way ticket'. Little did we realise that he meant it literally and he will never come back. The humility with which he conducted himself will always remain etched in my memory. May he attain moksha.”
Recounting how he met the ad veteran, Sathyamurthy Namakkal, Executive Director – DDB Mudra Group and President – OMD Mudramax, says, “I was a mid-level manager at O&M Mumbai about two decades ago when I had the privilege of interacting with senior minds like DK Bose sir. He was a man of few words, but each one he uttered had a powerful thought filled with sincere concern for the clients, agency and the people. I will remember him as a pioneer in rural activation. RIP DK.”
R Sridhar, former Director, Ogilvy India, another colleague who worked with Bose during his Ogilvy stint, shares, “I met DK Bose first when I joined Ogilvy on April 16, 1975. 45 years. Unique man. Tough as a nail on matters of his values and principles. He once described himself as a stubborn Bengali! Soft as a baby when it came to affection, friendship, care ...
"His life story is a truly inspiring, one from where he started to where he arrived and what he achieved. I was fortunate to have visited him some months ago and had lunch with him. Just the two of us and his sister. It is difficult to describe DK. What stood out was his determination, die-hard attitude and compassion. His book is a story of a man who rose by sheer dint of hard work and determination. He found his talent and gave it expression. I was touched when he spoke with gratitude about the many people who had helped him grow. He carried his success lightly. I am grateful to God that I could call DK my friend,” he says.