LashawnLxs at 22:13, 5 April 2026

2026-04-05T22:13:38Z

New page

{{Short description|Indian company, headquarter in Bangalore, Karnataka}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited
| logo =
| logo_size =
| caption =
| type = [[Public Sector Undertaking]]
| genre =
| traded_as =
| predecessor =
| successor =
| foundation = {{start date and age |1916|5|10|df=yes}}
| location_city = [[Bengaluru]], [[Karnataka]]
| location_country = India
| locations =
| area_served =
| founders = Maharaja [[Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV]] <br> [[M. Visvesvaraya]]
| industry = Personal care
| products = Soaps, detergents, sandalwood oil, fragrances, hand washes, face washes, coconut oil, agarbathis, liquid detergents
| services =
| revenue =
| operating_income =
| net_income =
| aum =
| assets =
| equity =
| owner = [[Government of Karnataka]]
| num_employees =
| parent =
| divisions =
| homepage = [https://mysoresandal.karnataka.gov.in/english]
| footnotes =
}}

'''Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited''' (KSDL) is an Indian company, owned by the [[Government of Karnataka]], that manufactures [[personal care]] products including [[Mysore Sandal Soap]]. It was founded as '''Government Sandalwood Oil Factory''' in 1916 by sosale garalapuri shastri and [[M. Visvesvaraya]] for extracting and exporting [[sandalwood oil]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Iconic Mysore Sandal soaps' maker turns 102: a brief history |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/iconic-mysore-sandal-soaps-maker-turns-102-brief-history-43025 |accessdate=26 May 2020 |work=The News Minute}}</ref> It launched Mysore Sandal Soap in 1918, and has since manufactured soaps and cosmetics products.<ref name=omen>{{cite news |title=Sandalwood secures good omens for KSDL|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/business/sandalwood-secures-good-omens-for-ksdl-757495.html |accessdate=26 May 2020 |work=Deccan Herald}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Mysore Sandal Soap maker smells money in new scents |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/mysore-sandal-soap-maker-smells-money-in-new-scents/article19669436.ece |accessdate=26 May 2020 |work=The Hindu}}</ref> The company became a [[public sector enterprise]] in 1980 and was renamed as KSDL.<ref name=raja>{{cite news |title=Maharaja of Mysore Sandal: How the Soap Maker Emerged 100 Yrs Ago |url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/maharaja-of-mysore-sandal-how-the-soap-maker-emerged-100-yrs-ago |accessdate=26 May 2020 |work=The Quint}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Mysore Sandal Soap: The fragrance of heritage lingers |url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/the-fragrance-of-heritage-lingers/articleshow/60768673.cms |accessdate=26 May 2020 |work=Bangalore Mirror}}</ref>

KSDL obtained the [[Geographical Indication]] tag for Mysore Sandal Soap and [[Mysore Sandalwood Oil]] in 2006.<ref>{{cite news |title=Geographical Indications Journal |url=http://www.ipindia.nic.in/writereaddata/Portal/IPOJournal/1_4726_1/Journal_118.pdf |accessdate=26 May 2020 |work=ipindia.nic.in}}</ref> Apart from soaps and sandalwood oil, KSDL manufactures detergents, fragrances, talcum powder, hand washes, face washes, coconut oil and [[Incense in India|agarbathis]].<ref>{{cite news |title=KSDL of Mysore Sandal Soap fame to expand capacity in 100th yr |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/cons-products/fmcg/ksdl-of-mysore-sandal-soap-fame-to-expand-capacity-in-100th-yr/articleshow/53415616.cms |accessdate=26 May 2020 |work=Economic Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=KSDL to give soap brands a run for their money |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/ksdl-to-give-soap-brands-a-run-for-their-money/article20667642.ece |accessdate=26 May 2020 |work=The Hindu}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=KSDL launches six new products |url=https://www.oneindia.com/2008/03/03/ksdl-launches-new-products-1204540547.html |accessdate=26 May 2020 |work=oneindia}}</ref> It has manufacturing facilities in [[Bengaluru]], [[Mysore]] and [[Shimoga]],<ref>{{cite news |title=How Mysore Sandal beat the odds |url=https://bloncampus.thehindubusinessline.com/columns/brand-basics/how-mysore-sandal-beat-the-odds/article9140833.ece |accessdate=26 May 2020 |work=Business Line}}</ref> and exports its products to 11 countries as of 2019.<ref name=omen/>

== Brand Ambassador ==
In May 2025, the Congress-led Karnataka government has signed a two-year contract with Bollywood actress [[Tamannaah Bhatia]] for a reported sum of Rs 6.2 crore.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Tamannaah Bhatia Or Kannada Pride? Mysore Sandal Soap Move Sparks Row |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/tamannaah-bhatia-mysore-sandal-soap-tamannaah-bhatia-or-kannada-pride-mysore-sandal-soap-move-sparks-row-8485916 |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=www.ndtv.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |title=North vs South: Tamannaah Bhatia's appointment as brand ambassador of Mysore Sandal Soap faces flak; 'no Kannada actor?' |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/htcity/cinema/north-vs-south-debate-tamannaah-bhatia-appointment-as-brand-ambassador-of-mysore-sandal-soap-why-no-kannada-actor-101747989621785.html}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Desk |first=DH Web |title=Protests in Bengaluru against Tamannaah Bhatia's appointment as Mysore Sandal soap brand ambassador |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/ampstories/entertainment/protests-in-bengaluru-against-tamannaah-bhatias-appointment-as-mysore-sandal-soap-brand-ambassador-3554454 |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref>

=== Criticism ===
The move has drawn sharp criticism from pro-Kannada groups, local activists, and opposition leaders that the choice of a non-[[Kannada]]-speaking actor to represent one of Karnataka's most treasured heritage brands<ref name=":1" /> and that the government should have chosen a Kannada actress to represent a brand that is deeply rooted in Karnataka's cultural legacy.<ref name=":0" /> Responding to the criticism, government said that the Mysore Sandal already has strong brand recall within Karnataka. The objective was to expand the reach of Mysore Sandal Soap beyond Karnataka and position it as a national and global brand.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-05-22 |title=Netizens slam Karnataka govt over Tamannaah Bhatia's Rs 6.2 crore brand ambassador deal for sandal soap: 'Why we have Rashmika Mandanna, Rukmini Vasanth, Srinidhi Shetty in Kannada?' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/netizens-slam-karnataka-govt-over-tamannaah-bhatias-rs-6-2-crore-brand-ambassador-deal-for-sandal-soap-why-we-have-rashmika-mandanna-rukmini-vasanth-srinidhi-shetty-in-kannada/articleshow/121346465.cms |access-date=2025-05-23 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Manufacturing companies of India]]
[[Category:Cosmetics companies of India]]
[[Category:Companies based in Bengaluru]]
[[Category:Economy of Karnataka]]
[[Category:Kingdom of Mysore]]
[[Category:Indian companies established in 1916]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1916]]

{{India-company-stub}}

Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited - Revision history

LashawnLxs at 22:13, 5 April 2026