Good quality single crystal 4-dimethylamino-N-methyl 4-stilbazolium tosylate (DAST) has been grown by novel nucleation reduction method instead of regular slope nucleation technique (SNT). The grown crystal was subjected to high resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD) studies, the perfection of the crystal was found to be better than the crystal grown by slope nucleation technique and slow cooling method. The UV-vis-NIR spectrum was recorded for the grown crystal and relative second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency was investigated to explore the nonlinear optical (NLO) property. The dielectric and thermal behaviour of the crystal were also studied. The nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies also performed for the identification of different modes present in the compound. The photoluminescence and mechanical were carried out and the results were discussed in detail. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.