Salutes, DD-Bharati! by Padmaja Iyengar-Paddy

Salutes, DD-Bharati!

by Padmaja Iyengar-Paddy

These days, I often hear people complaining that they are “bored”, “fed up” of various TV Channels churning out serials with more or less the same content and themes, day in and day out in different languages...Scheming saas bahu serials, stage-managed reality shows, film based programs, with several repeats through the day etc., etc. These shows have somewhere started people to question whether they really cater to their tastes. I often hear some seniors sighing and yearning for some good classical music and classical dance programmes on TV...

It was by accident that one Sunday, I ran into DD-Bharati while channel surfing, as watching the same films, serials and reality shows had me completely bored and restless. What stopped me at the channel was the face of the sitar maestro Ustad Vilayat Khan and he was presenting a Jugal bandi between two other maestros of Hindustani Classical Music – Pandit Bhimsen Joshi and Ustad Rashid Khan, both casually seated. I hung on... And what followed was sheer musical ambrosia – Raag Mia-ki-Todi and then Raag Darbar. That was not all. There was another gem that Ustaad Vilayat Khan presented – A Jugalbandi between Dr. Bala Murali Krishna and Pandit Ajay Chakraborty...! Ok, these were repeat telecast of an earlier program (both Ustad Vilayat Khan and Pandit Bhimsen Joshi are no more), but to me this was literally music to my ears and treat to my eyes.

DD-Bharati has me hooked now like no other TV Channel. Amidst all the cacophony of routine serials and reality programs, here is a channel that serves Indian Classical Music, classical dance forms, folk music and dances, other fine arts, literature and what have you. The channel frequently telecasts live various cultural programs of great quality and class from throughout the country ... be it Thyagaraja Aradhana at Thiruvaiyyar, a music concert at the Capital or a dance festival at Khujrao or a Mushaira or a Poets’ Meet or reputed international troupes performing in India. It also presents very informative and interesting features on various fine art forms like Madhubani paintings, heritage sites, folk arts, interviews and discussions with leading authors, film directors etc. For those who make fun of Doordarshan (as was seen in a recent popular Hindi movie), DD-Bharati could be quite an eye-opener!

Above all, I love the fillers in between two programmes – “Desh Raag”, “Mile Sur Mera Tumhara” – the melodious and visual treats featuring the all time greats of India from all the fields – instead of commercial ads! Agreed, these are the golden oldies, but then, they are evergreen! And it is always so nice to refresh ourselves with their memory.

Start by visiting DD-Bharati and then, it grows on you. Experience the sheer pleasure of viewing its rich cultural fare. To my knowledge, the best part is this channel comes with almost all packages as a part of the deal. . Be entertained and be enlightened...!

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01-Oct-2013

More by : Padmaja Iyengar-Paddy

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Comments on this Article

Padmaja Ji,

This DD Bharti was doing excellent job till year 2004 - if you had seen it before year 2004, it was not telecasting not only valuable and worthy programs but also added value though thought provoking but simple programs, documentary interviews etc.

The quality degraded after the govt changed at center, (probably) because there was forceful dilution to the content being telecasted.

But, still it's different than others and worth watching - especially for the people who do not find 'rest of the channels' interesting because of poor and cheap programs/laughter shows/thrillers/family serials etc. on those channels.

Dinesh Kumar Bohre
10/05/2013 09:45 AM

Thanks Mohiniji for your nice feedback and appreciation. It will be my pleasure to read all the poems you mentioned and will surely post my feedback too.

Padmaja Iyengar
10/03/2013 10:51 AM

Very well written Padmaja ji . Truely speaking I don't watch T V serials and for the same reason that you mentioned.. I get bored with saas bahu serials .. instead of how to maintain good relations they keep on depicting negative sides of it and plotting against each other which for sure has bad impact on the young generation . I do agree with you that DD-Bharti does entertain and enlighten. I would like to share some of my poems if you find time do read them at your leisure . Thank you dear.
"locked in memories" , "Me and my plight"
"Jasmine Flowers- soul delights in Love" , Pleasant blissful moments " etc

mohinigurav
10/03/2013 08:06 AM

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