Athira Ann M Jos
Being published in 1936, Akashvani served as the national public radio broadcaster of India. It is also a part of Prasar Bharati, which is India’s state owned public broadcasting, headquartered in New Delhi. Akashvani is accompanied by doordarshan, which is the national television broadcaster in India.
Before the introduction of television, radio was a major source of entertainment in the 70s and 80s. The nostalgic opening song of the Akashvani can never be forgotten. Listening to news from delhi and the local news in malayalam were not the favourite, but they were a memorable pastime. Everyone in the family used to finish all their work by evening to listen to the weekly plays or dramas that were broadcasted through AIR. After different programs, popular songs were played to keep the audience entertained. The weekly audio-only versions of movies were extremely popular among the people. Deaths of famous leaders were commemorated for days by playing a sad music that touched the hearts of the common people. Many programs circulated information among farmers about agricultural techniques.
Looking back, back then people didn’t require a visual media for entertainment. They enjoyed audio unaware of the technological revolution called television, that was about to take place. Akashvani and doordarshan had a major role in maintaining bonds between people as having a radio or television was uncommon in those days. People used to gather at one’s house or at tea shops to listen to the radio. That feeling of belongingness among strangers is something that this generation is missing out on.
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