Indian advertising designer Ramesh Babu has become part of Dubai's visual memory, recording his history with his pen and career for over five decades. His journey spans the history of the advertising industry in the country, from its beginnings to the digital age, making him one of the symbols of creativity who witnessed the renaissance of the UAE since the 1970s, a living embodiment of the concepts of tolerance and coexistence in the nation.
During an interview with the UAE's WAM news agency, Ramesh recalled the details of his first trip to Dubai: "I arrived in Dubai on April 16, 1974, on a ship from Bombay. The journey took 4 days, and my first stop was Port Rashid, from where I began to look for work. After a few months, I heard about a job opening at a small advertising company where only two people worked."
He added: "I was asked to create an advertisement for an 'ice cream' company. I completed the advertisement manually with a pen, drawing a scene of old Dubai with its streets, buildings, and the product's brand name. I then joined the company, and that was the beginning of a career that has lasted for over 50 years, during which I moved through the various stages of advertising evolution, from manual drawing to digital designs."
Ramesh said: "In the beginning, everything we did was by hand. There were no computers or digital photography. I would spend a whole day designing one advertisement with brushes and pencils, whereas today the same work can be done in minutes."
Ramesh also pointed out that in 1977, he founded his first advertising company in the emirate of Ajman under the name "Nayana International," which he later renamed to "i Advertising" in 1982. From there, he began a professional journey where he collaborated with major brands like "Canon" and "O General," alongside local companies that grew to become some of the most prominent institutions in the country today.
In 1992, Ramesh founded "Al Ayn Advertising" in Dubai, and its headquarters has remained in Baniyas Square in Dubai ever since.
Ramesh expressed his happiness that many of the companies he started with when they were small have now become billion-dollar entities. He noted with pride that the first advertisement for those companies came from his own hands.
Despite the challenges he faced during the "COVID-19" pandemic and the recession in the printing and advertising market, Ramesh, whose office can be described as a museum of printed materials, remained loyal to the profession he loved until he recently decided to end his activities in preparation for retirement.
He said: "I am now preparing to return to India after more than 50 years in the UAE. It is time for me to rest after a long life of work."
Regarding the International Day of Tolerance in the UAE, Ramesh said with gratitude: "This country helps everyone, not only those who live in it, but everyone who deals with it. The UAE was and remains my country. I have lived here for 51 years and have never felt like a stranger."
He added that everything here is easy; individuals, the government, and economic entities are all very cooperative. It is a safe and generous country that gives everyone the opportunity to succeed.
Regarding his message to the youth entering the advertising sector, Ramesh confirmed that this profession is worth the effort and creativity, pointing out that the field of advertising is beautiful for those who love art and different thinking, and it rewards those who strive in it.
Ramesh also mentioned that he recently received a "Guinness World Record certificate" for the longest career in printed advertising for 47 years and 77 days in the UAE, emphasizing that this achievement serves as an inspiration for the new generation and shows how a dream can come true with work and perseverance.
In concluding his talk, Ramesh said: "The UAE gave me the opportunity, embraced me, and today I am preparing to return to my homeland carrying with me its love, tolerance, and the story of my success."
