ITV

Category: Terrestrial

  • Sardar Patel, Indira Gandhi to be remembered by AIR, DD on their anniversaries

    Sardar Patel, Indira Gandhi to be remembered by AIR, DD on their anniversaries

    NEW DELHI: Both All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan are celebrating India’s Iron Man Sardar Vallabhai Patel’s birthday this week with different programmes.

     

    AIR has organised a discussion today, which will be broadcast on 31 October.  This year’s topic is Marxism, Socialism and Integral Humanism. The speaker is veteran mediaperson and member of Parliament Chandan Mitra.

     

    Meanwhile, AIR Delhi will also broadcast live the function relating to the 30th Death Anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi from 1 Akbar Road, New Delhi on 31 October from 8.15 am onwards on Indraprastha Channel MW 366.3 mtr and a Radio Report  on the various functions  held  in the capital to commemorate the anniversary and will be broadcast on 31 October 2014 at. 8.30 pm. This report will be broadcast from Indraprastha Channel 366.3 mtr and National Network.

     

    DD Bharati is telecasting “Sardar Patel”: Vallabh Bhai Patel Birthday Celebration on 31 October at 06:00 pm, with repeat telecast at 02:00 am and 10:30 am.

     

    DD National is going to remember him through the Hindi Feature Film ‘Sardar’ directed and produced by Ketan Mehta scheduled for telecast at 09.30 p.m. on DD-National.

     

    DD National will also telecast at 08:00 am the events of the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas with the paying of floral tributes at Patel Chowk, New Delhi. This will be followed by the Unity Pledge and Run for Unity from Vijay Chowk to India Gate, New Delhi.

     

    There will be a documentary on the Sardar after the morning function, and the film YUGPURUSH: A film on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at 10.00 am.

     

    The feature “SARDAR” by Ketan Mehta will be telecast on DD National in the Friday Houseful slot at 9.30 pm.

     

    DD News has also slated programmes to pay their tributes to the Sardar and the former Prime Minister. A half-hour discussion will be telecast at 7.30 pm on the Sardar, and the social media; Tweets and YouTube alerts will be given for the function. The Sardar Patel lecture will be telecast in news bulletins. The live programme will start at 7:30 am and go live till 10 am with two anchors and two guests with inputs from Police Parade, Hyderabad. This will be followed by a half-hour programme, named Lauh Purush which will be repeated at 7:30 pm. There will be a discussion in the late night news bulletin on DD News at 8.10 pm.

     

    During the day, all the events in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes part will be streamed live on YouTube. There will be tweets on PM’s function and speech, apart from posts on Facebook. 

  • DD to mark 50 years of the 1965 Indo-Pak war

    DD to mark 50 years of the 1965 Indo-Pak war

    NEW DELHI: Famed singers Suresh Wadekar and Kavita Krishnamurthy today emphasised that artistes from Bollywood always came forward for a good cause without charging any fee, but someone else had to take the initiative for such events.

     

    Answering questions at a press meet to announce the ‘Smarananjali’ musical programme being held on 30 October to mark 50 years of the 1965 war with Pakistan and pay tribute to those who laid down their lives in the defence of the country, both artistes denied that Bollywood artistes were reluctant in participating in such programmes.

     

    Smarananjali is the concept of Doordarshan additional director general Mahesh Joshi, who had commenced such programmes when he was in the Bangalore Kendra of Doordarshan and now initiated the same in Delhi.

     

    To be organised by Delhi Kendra of Doordarshan, the programme will also feature violin maestro Dr L Subramaniam who was present at the press meet along with the other artistes. It will also have performances by Pankaj Udhas, artistes from the Subramaniam Foundation. The musical tribute will be interlaced with specially choreographed dance performances of memorable patriotic songs by Manjula Parmesh and group. An additional attraction is the on-the-spot painting by renowned painter B S Verma and a dance by soldiers from the Madras Engineering Group (MEG) who will perform to the song “Ma Tujhe Salaam”.

     

    Dr Mukesh Chandra, who is a special police officer for Delhi Traffic Police said he is an amateur flutist and will also perform at the event.

     

    Prasar Bharati senior advisor Brig. VAM Hussain said it was necessary for the common man to realise the hardships that the armed forces faced. He said the attempt would be to make this programme an annual affair.

     

    This programme will be telecast later on DD National and is also aimed at helping the brave soldiers and their families and keep the deeds and bravery of valiant soldiers in public memory.   

     

    ‘Smarananjali’ is being planned in the form of a lyrical tribute by artistes on stage to martyrs in the presence of their families and the Defence Minister Arun Jaitley, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar, and the Chiefs of Army, Navy and Air force and Chiefs of Paramilitary forces. Religious leaders from different religious groups will also be present to pay homage to the martyrs.

     

    The selected special guests will pay homage to the martyrs by lighting a candle before a replica of the Amar Jawan Jyoti and a soldier.

     

    Three Param Vir Chakra Awardees will also be honoured at the tribute event. They are Hony Capt Bana Singh (Retd), 8 J&K LI, Sub Yogender Singh Yadav, 18 Grenadiers and N/SUB Sanjay Kumar, 13 JAK RIF.

     

    The Defence Ministry has appreciated the concept of the programme and is fully supporting Doordarshan’s efforts to organise the event.

     

  • DD’s review committee to bring changes in programming, compete with private channels

    DD’s review committee to bring changes in programming, compete with private channels

    NEW DELHI: A mobile application is to be introduced to ensure that people get Doordarshan news on the move, just as they are getting All India Radio news headlines via SMS.

     
    This was decided by a Doordarshan High-level Review Committee in its meeting in Delhi. The meeting was held after the Committee was reconstituted. The new members are DD director-general Vijaya Laxmi Chhabra, DG (News) Archana Datta and additional directors-general Amit Shukla, Ranjan Mishra, Manoj Pandey, Mayank Aggarwal and S Mathias.

     
    Even while denying that the move was the result of any directive from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, a Prasar Bharati source told indiantelevision.com that the re-constitution of the committee was a normal process which takes place every time new officials come in.
     

    The source said while the High-level Review Committee looks at all issues relating to programming, the High-level Coordination Committee looks at promotions or transfers etc.  
     

    The source also said that the Review Committee constantly examines the programme content and makes or suggests changes where necessary.

     

    The Review Committee also examined possible changes to make the programming slick so that it can compete with private channels.

     

  • DD Bharti pays tribute to Indian music and big names in the field

    DD Bharti pays tribute to Indian music and big names in the field

    NEW DELHI: The cultural channel of Doordarshan, DD Bharati, is doing a series of shows that are aimed at understanding the nuances of Indian music and paying tributes to the big names in this field.

    A specially selected series entitled, “Remembering Legends- Vibhutiyon ko pranaam” will be aired this weekend. The show will offer some nifty archival performances of the Hindustani Classical Music Aces likely the legendary Dagar Brothers, Rampur Seheswan Gharana and Pt. Bhimsen Joshi. All the episodes have exclusively been curated and re-presented by Yatindra Mishra and Smt. Kumud Diwan. The telecast will be on 17 October and 18 October 2014, 9 pm onwards and repeat telecast at 5am and 1pm.

    On 20 October 2014, DD Bharati, in association with the External Affairs Ministry, will telecast the programme, “Kolkata Blues” at 10:30 pm, with repeat telecasts at 6.30 and 2.30pm. This show will present a glimpse of the wide range of musical traditions that Kolkata possesses. Culturally, Kolkata has been at the epicenter of the Bengal renaissance movement and its music reflects the revoluntary sprit of Bengal and their attitude towards reform and action for social change. It shows how music runs and energises the lives of its people.

    The channel will also pay homage to legendary singer Manna Dey on his death anniversary by telecasting some programmes from the rich archives of Doordarshan in “Tu Pyaar Ka Sagar Hai” on 24 October and 25 October at 10.30 pm, repeat telecasts at 6:30 and 2:30 pm. This special programme is a tribute to Dey, born as Probodh Chandra Dey in an orthodox Bengali family on 1 May 1919. Blessed with a distinctly melodious voice, Manna Dey lent his immortal print on many renditions. His popularity was not restricted to the geographical boundaries of India and his voice was worshiped in every nook and corner where an Indian heart stayed.

    Earlier this week, DD Bharati commenced the telecast of “Tridiwasiye Dhrupad Dham Samorah” on 13 October at 9 pm with repeat telecast at 5am and 1pm. Dhrupad is an ancient form of classical music that comes from the Samveda. It has a long rooted history derived from ancient times. The foremost traditions developed are mainly Dagar tardition, Darbhanga tradition, Bettiah tradition, Talwandi Tradition and Bishnupur tradition. The show consists of legendary dhrupad musicians of past and present and will be presented and complied by Prashant Kumar Mallick.

  • DD Bharati re-invents itself with new programmes

    DD Bharati re-invents itself with new programmes

    New Delhi: DD Bharati has re invented itself with new programmes. It has commenced a new series on Theatre through the Ages that will be telecast on Wednesdays.

     
    The series will be shown every Wednesday at 11 pm and will be repeated the next day at 7 am and 3 pm. It will be based on the journey involved in the history of Bengali theatre and how the Bengali theatre came into prominences with stage actors and actresses.

     
    The channel will mark the centenary of Begum Akhtar (1914-1974) through a special presentation on her.

     
    Akhtari Ki Mehfil Aur Kaifi Azmi, will be telecast on 8 October at 9 pm and will be repeated at 5 am and 1pm. The programme is a presentation featuring the legendary Begum Akhtar singing the verses of literary giant Kaifi Azmi.

     
    DD Bharati sources indicated to indiantelevision.com that there may be more programmes on this legendary ghazal singer during the year to pay homage to Begum Akhtar.

     
    The channel has a series of programmes taking viewers to the head and homes of trendsetters, trailblazers. This will include classical dance- kathak, theatre, art and advertising trailblazers presents a glimpse of their personal and professional life. Kumudini Lakhia will be featured on * October and Kiran Seth on 12 October. It telecasts every Sunday at 10 pm onwards and repeat next day at 6 am and 2 pm. It has been curated and designed by Dr Priya Kanungo.

     
    On the birth anniversary of Jaiprakash Narayan, DD Bharati will telecast Lok Nayak on 11 October 2014 at 5:30 pm and repeat telecast at 1:30 pm and 9:30 am.

     
    Earlier this week, DD Bharati presented a very interesting film, Making the Face (A Make-up Artist in Manipur) a film by Uvendu Chatterjee and Joshy Joseph.  The film is Manipur based and it deals with identity in general and the personal story of Tom Sharma, a transgendered make-up artist. Tom feels he possesses a woman’s soul in a man’s body. The story is centered around Tom Sharma’s life in the backdrop of the turmoil in the Manipuri society owing to the long drawn problems of insurgency leading to state sponsored violence on the citizens in the name of counter insurgency.

     
    Ramayan Beyond Borders was telecast over the weekend. This was a presentation of various forms of Ramayana prevalent across the borders of India which has been curated and conceptualised by Dr Arshiya Sethi.

     
    DD Bharati also marked World Animal Welfare Day over the weekend by showing a special film, Resurgent Manas. This was about Manas National Park in Assam was endangered species like the rhino or the Bengal Florican and the involvement of local communities to restrict and overcome Poaching.
     

     

  • Doordarshan to monetise content archive through digital platforms

    Doordarshan to monetise content archive through digital platforms

    KOLKATA: Public broadcaster Doordarshan has finally decided to make some money out of its huge treasure of content. It is currently involved in converting its entire archive into digital format which it is also keen to monetise. On the other hand, the broadcaster is also looking at creating its own web portal to disseminate content of national importance, free of cost.

     

    Two media agencies are being identified that will assist it in marketing this treasure trove. Recently, an expression of interest (EoI) was floated by Doordarshan and in the RFP (request for proposal) process, the names will be announced, said Doordarshan deputy general CK Jain while speaking exclusively to indiantelevision.com on the sidelines of IDOS 2014 in Goa .The tender process will take nearly six months, by the end of which, Jain hopes that it will have a longer list of digital content.

     

     “We have around two lakh hours of content yet to be converted. In fact we have converted 2,500 hours of content already which is being sold via physical media such as DVDs and CDs,” he said.  The programmes include Nirmala, Discovery of India and other classical programmes.

     

    The aim is to make the content available online and then monetise it by identifying its worth.  “We will convert the legacy tapes into digital formats,” Jain said adding that the pubcaster has content going back to pre-independence era.

     

    A national archive committee has been formed for identifying free and monetary content. Doordarshan is also exploring new revenue schemes for content syndication. Through this, it aims at getting a steady revenue stream.

     

    On the yet unnamed web portal, viewers will be treated to rare recordings of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru etc that will be available free of cost to digital audiences. It is further learnt that Doordarshan would make the matter available on platforms such as Bloomberg, Sa Re Ga Ma India, iTunes, Prasar Bharti and other telecom operators in the country.

  • DD News stirs a storm by telecasting live RSS annual day event

    DD News stirs a storm by telecasting live RSS annual day event

    NEW DELHI: Doordarshan has come under fire from various political parties and social media activists for telecasing live-for the first time – the speech by Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh to the organisation’s cadres.

    The RSS is the ideological parent of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party; it describes itself as a cultural outfit devoted to the betterment of the nation and upholding Hindu values.

     

    Almost all the opposition parties, which describe the RSS as anti-secular, said the telecast of the speech amounts to misuse of state television by the government.

    However, DD News Director Archana Dutta justified the telecast, saying: “It is a news event for us and that is why we covered it like any other newsworthy event.” However, this event has never been covered live, and in previous years including the years when Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee was Prime Minister, it was reported on by a stringer and not by a DD correspondent.”

     “DD is run by public money. So how is government using it to broadcast the RSS chief’s speech?” said Rashid Alvi of the Congress. “The RSS uses the occasion to propagate its Hindutva ideology,” said the CPI (M) declaring Doordarshan “has no business” in broadcasting the speech.

    The BJP’s Shaina NC defended the broadcast, stating, “I am glad that this speech has been highlighted and people realise that if there is one cadre in the country today that has genuinely contributed to patriotism and nation-building, it is the RSS.”

    The annual Vijaya Dashami or Dussehra speech by the RSS chief has never been telecast before by Doordarshan. The address articulates the organisation’s vision and agenda for its 4.5 million volunteers, who played an invaluable role in the electoral victory of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May, who was an RSS volunteer for many years before joining the BJP.

    Congress leader Salman Khurshid said that the decision was unacceptable, adding that the Congress refused to accept the RSS as ‘above board’ in the national discourse of India. “What they (the RSS) want and what they believe in is not in tune with the values of this country,” he said in comments to the media.

     

    The CPI-M also said it was an instance of the “public broadcaster being misused by the Modi government.”

     

    Prominent historian Ramachandra Guha called the decision a “dangerous misuse of the state machinery”, a tweet that has earned him an editorial in Niti Central, titled Ramachandra Guha’s hypocrisy on Doordarshan.

     

    The decision has also sparked a massive debate on Twitter with those for and against it clashing on the social network. Questions are being asked whether DD will also air speeches by the Chief of the Golden Temple, VC of Darul Uloom or the Archbishop of Sacred Heart Cathedral. 

  • Special programmes on DD Bharati to mark Gandhi Jayanti and Dusherra

    Special programmes on DD Bharati to mark Gandhi Jayanti and Dusherra

    NEW DELHI: DD Bharati will present a special play, “The Poet And The Prophet”, to mark Gandhi Jayanti on 2 October.

     

    The telecast will be at 05:30 pm, repeat telecast at 01:30 am and 09:30 am. The play is based on the exchange of letters and articles between Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore over a period of 25 years with the Indian freedom struggle as the backdrop. 

     

    The dance drama “Mohan and Rambha” on Mahatma Gandhi is another programme being telecast on 2 October at 10:00 pm, repeat telecast at 06:00 am and 02:00 pm. The telecast is a tribute to the memory of the late Prof. Ramchandra Gandhi and shows how Mahatma Gandhi was initiated into the chanting of Rama-Nama.

     

    On the basis of Mahatma’s own account on his initiation into chanting Rama-Nama by maid servant Rambha, writer-philosopher late Prof Ramchandra Gandhi has explored the meaning of this extraordinary testimony in ‘Mohan and Rambha’. It is contemplation on enquiry and illumination, love and martyrdom, homage to the power (‘shakti’) which sustains sages. The extraordinary creative partnership between late writer-philosopher Prof Ramchandra Gandhi and eminent danseuse Shovana Narayan formed the pioneering effort in opening the doors to dance-plays highlighting the narrative tradition of Kathak and also for its unique quest into unknown yet so relevant facets in the lives of contemporary sages.

     

    Narayan brings out with equal prowess the relation of faith and belief between the maid servant and young Mohandas. Through questions asked, she has touched upon many issues relating to women, untouchability and human discrimination which were so close to Mahatma’s heart.

     

    DD National and DD News will telecast live the Dussehra proceedings from Ram Lila Maidan where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be present.

     

    On the occasion of Dussehra, DD Bharati presents live telecast of Radhotsavam from Hyderabad at 7:00 am on 3 October. The Rathotsavam festival is a highly emotional event known for the flow of bhakti sangeet, keertans, bhajans and full pitched rendering by the devotees who accompany the procession of the deity. The Rathotsavam of Tirumala is significant for its salient features. The Rath is dragged by devotees and temple staff with the help of secure four-inch thick jute ropes all along the thiru mada streets surrounding the temple shrine. The Rathotsavam has a special spiritual message embedded in the Kathopanishad which compared it to blending of the soul with the body.

     

    DD Bharati will present in association with the External Affair Ministry “Devi Durga” on 3 October at 05:00 pm, repeat telecast at 01:00 am and 09:00 am. This programme traces the genesis of the Durga Pooja. The film explores the amalgamation of cultures and racial features in the facial features of the goddess. The film journeys through time to present how the imagination and the image of the goddess have kept up with the changing times. Today the goddess is global; worshipped across the globe and across India.

     

    Another programme being telecast in the documentary section is “Almoriana” at 06:00 pm, repeat telecast at 02:00 am and 10:00 am. “Almoriana” is a film by Vasudha Joshi and the film is a cinematic document of the Dussehra festival in the Himalayan town of Almora in Uttaranachal.

     

    DD Bharati will also telecast live Mysore Dasara Procession at 01:00 pm on 4 October with the Nandi Dhwaja Pooja which marks the start of Mysore Dasara Procession from Mysore Palace Premises. There will be live telecast Of the Torch Light Parade at 07:00 pm on 4th October from Bannimantap Grounds.

     

    On Vijayadashami, the traditional Dasara procession (locally known as Jamboo Savari) is held on the streets of Mysore city. The main attraction of this procession is the idol of the Goddess Chamundeshwari which is placed in a golden howdah on the top of a decorated elephant. This idol is worshipped by the royal couple and other invitees before it is taken around in the procession. Colourful tableaux, dance groups, music bands, armed forces, folklores, the royal identities, decorated elephants, horses and camels form a part of the procession which starts from the Mysore Palace and culminates at a place called Bannimantap, where the Banni tree (Prosopis spicigera) is worshipped. According to a legend of the Mahabharata, Banni tree was used by the Pandavas to hide their arms during their one-year period of Agnatavasa (living life incognito). Before undertaking any warfare, the kings traditionally worshipped this tree to help them emerge victorious in the war.

     

    The Dasara festivities would culminate on the night of Vijayadashami with an event held in the grounds at Bannimantap known as Panjina Kavayithu (torch-light parade).

  • PM Modi to broadcast his ‘Mann ki Baat’ through All India Radio

    PM Modi to broadcast his ‘Mann ki Baat’ through All India Radio

    NEW DELHI: After his visit to the United Nations where he expounded his world view, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will now share his ‘Mann ki Baat’ with the nation through All India Radio on 3 October.

     

    Announcing it on Twitter, Modi said, “Received many ideas & suggestions for my forthcoming Radio programme. Have decided to hold the first programme on 3rd October at 11:00 AM.”

     

    The broadcast can also be carried by any private radio or television channel wanting to carry it.

     

    The broadcast will be carried simultaneously by AIR in different modes and channels including medium wave, shortwave, FM network, Vividh Bharati and local radio stations. This broadcast will thus be available to 99.2 per cent population of India. 

     

    Doordarshan has also been requested to carry the audio of this programme with suitable visuals and footages. 

     

    Regional language versions of the broadcast will be aired in the regional network of AIR at 8.00 pm on the same day. This is to ensure dissemination of the massage to the largest possible audience. 

     

    The Prime Minister will share his thoughts on a variety of issues. A separate Open Forum has been created on MyGov for citizens to share their comments for the forthcoming radio programme.

  • DD Bharati commences cultural and religious season

    DD Bharati commences cultural and religious season

    NEW DELHI: The public broadcaster Doordarshan’s channel DD Bharati has slated several programmes to establish its identity as the television channel reflecting the art and culture of the country.

     

    Jewels of Hindustani Classical Music, a programme specially curated from the archives of stalwarts of Hindustani vocal and instrumental musicians who are alive and are virtually legends is commencing this evening.

     

    The first telecast at 9.00 pm with repeat telecast at 5.00 am and 1.00 pm features Begum Parveen Sultana of the Patiala Gharana followed by Vidushi Kishori Amonkar of the Jaipur- Atrauli Gharana. The legendary Pt Jasraj will be featured tomorrow at the same time.

     

    The programme, especially curated by Kumud Diwan and Yatindra Mishra, delves into their gharana, their musical genius, and their musical journey etc.   

     

    Coinciding with Dussehra and Diwali next month, DD Bharati will commence telecast of Ramayana from 27 September at 10.30 pm with repeat the next day at 6.30 am and 2.30 pm. It will be a series of presentation of ballets and documentary on the Ramkatha traditions prevalent in India.

     

    The Ramayana or Ramkatha tradition is pervasive not only in India but throughout South East Asia. Stories revolving around Ram, Sita and Lakshman penetrate through rural and urban, mundane and religious, sacred and secular domains. They defy categorization of art as folk or classical, rural or urban, textual or oral. Literary, oral, kinetic and pictorial aspects intermingle to generate multiple renditions of the text in different locales and contexts; each rendition with unique local flavour and linguistic distinction. The performative aspect of the text makes it fluid, accessible and adaptable. It accounts for its preservation, survival, transmission and mobility, cutting across boundaries of time and space. Every region has its own particular form and style of singing and reciting the story.

     

    Earlier this week with the start of Mahalaya, DD Bharati in association with the Girnar Kendra of Doordarshan presented ‘Maa Ni Chundari Lehrai’ from its rich collection of archives. A series of Garba presentation especially done and performed during the Navratra Festival was telecast with repeats the next day.

     

    DD Bharati also presented Devi Darshan from 24 September at 10.30 pm through a series of dance ballets and documentary celebrating the festivities of Durgaostav. Durga Puja festival is a 10-day long festival that starts off on Mahalaya (the day of the new moon) – the first day when Goddess Durga is believed to come into the world to destroy the evil.  The festival ends up in Dashumi- the last day when the Goddess Durga is believed to go back to her heavenly home, leaving behind the trails of happiness, goodness and purity. This is the day of the Lord’s victory over evil and is celebrated as Vijay Dashami or Dussehra. The salient ritual of Durga Puja spans a five days period Maha Sashti, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Nabami and Vijaya Dashami.