Akashvani and Doordarshan: The Voices, Images and Memories That United Generations of India

Akashvani and Doordarshan: The Voices, Images and Memories That United Generations of India

Every generation has its own memories. For many of us who grew up before digital technology became part of everyday life, Akashvani and Doordarshan occupy a special place in our hearts. One generation grew up listening to the radio, while another experienced the world through television programmes. Today’s generation, by contrast, has smartphones, the internet and almost unlimited access to information.

However, Akashvani and Doordarshan offered us something far more valuable than information and entertainment. They introduced us to India’s people, languages, traditions, history, culture and way of life. Even today, when older people speak about these institutions, their faces often light up with pride and happiness. Their memories are not merely about two broadcasting organisations; they are about an important part of their lives.

Akashvani was a constant companion in countless Indian homes. Morning news bulletins, music, talks, discussions, agricultural programmes, cultural broadcasts and special national programmes brought the outside world into ordinary households. I have often noticed elderly people, particularly those above seventy, listening to Akashvani from early morning, sometimes as early as six o’clock, and tuning in at different times throughout the day until bedtime. It makes me happy to see that radio still holds such an important place in their lives. Old film songs, familiar voices, announcements, signature tunes, and national programmes bring back memories that are hard to replace. Vividh Bharati, launched in 1957, became particularly popular for its music and film-song programmes. Akashvani also provided a platform for classical, folk and light music, literature, radio plays, interviews and discussions. Its broadcasts connected people with the wider country at a time when travel and access to information were far more limited than they are today.

Doordarshan brought an entirely new experience into our homes. Its experimental television service began in Delhi on 15 September 1959, while regular daily transmissions commenced in 1965. In the early years, television sets were not common in every household. However, as its reach expanded, Doordarshan became an integral part of family life. I still remember the evenings when we eagerly waited for our favourite programmes. Hindi serials, children’s programmes, English and Hindi news bulletins, memorable advertisements, film songs and special broadcasts each had their own appeal. Watching Hindi serials also helped many of us become more familiar with the language. Programmes such as Hum Log, Buniyaad, Malgudi Days, Ramayan and Mahabharat became part of our collective memories. The old advertisements, with their distinctive music and simple presentation, are also remembered with affection. Watching television was often a family occasion, with everyone sitting together and sharing the experience.

One of Doordarshan’s greatest contributions was the variety of knowledge and experiences it brought to ordinary viewers. Programmes such as Krishi Darshan, launched in 1967, demonstrated how television could serve farmers and rural communities while also entertaining viewers. Agricultural information, improved farming practices and rural development initiatives reached audiences through such programmes. Doordarshan also featured educational, spiritual, cultural and adventure-related programmes that broadened our understanding of the world. Programmes on books, literature, history, geography, monuments, tourism and places of interest helped us explore India without having to visit every destination. We could discover different landscapes, understand the traditions of diverse communities and develop an interest in places we had previously encountered only in books. These programmes made television a source of learning and curiosity rather than merely a medium of entertainment.

Cinema was another important part of this experience. Through films, film songs, interviews, discussions and cinema-related programmes, we became familiar with stories and artistic traditions from different parts of India. Watching Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, Hindi and other Indian-language films helped me understand the social life, customs, emotions and cultural backgrounds of people beyond my own region. Even when we did not understand every word, the stories, performances, music, and visual presentation conveyed something meaningful. These experiences gradually deepened my interest in cinema and helped me appreciate films from different perspectives. I believe my exposure to films in various Indian languages has contributed significantly to my development as a film reviewer and critic. Cinema became a window through which I could explore and appreciate the diversity of our country. Akashvani, too, nurtured this interest through film songs, recorded music, interviews and programmes related to cinema.

Sports, particularly cricket, created some of the most unforgettable memories associated with Doordarshan and Akashvani. Thousands of people still remember sitting in front of their television sets for hours, sometimes throughout the day, to watch important cricket matches broadcast by Doordarshan. For many households, a live cricket telecast was a special occasion. Neighbours and friends gathered together, following every ball with excitement. Doordarshan played a significant role in taking televised cricket to a much wider audience and bringing the game into countless homes.

Akashvani made its own remarkable contribution through radio cricket commentary. The commentator’s voice, the vivid description of every delivery, the excitement of a boundary and the tension of a close finish created unforgettable pictures in the listener’s imagination. Even today, I feel a special longing to listen to that distinctive style of cricket commentary. It had a charm of its own. Before television became widely available, radio commentary enabled people across the country to follow their favourite teams and players. Together, radio and television helped transform cricket into a shared national experience for millions of Indians.

When discussing Akashvani and Doordarshan, we must also remember their contribution to national integration. India is a country of many languages, religions, traditions and cultural identities. Through national programmes, regional-language broadcasts, music, drama, news, sports and cultural presentations, these institutions helped people understand and appreciate one another. A listener in Kerala could become familiar with the music and traditions of another state, while a viewer in one region could watch programmes introducing the lifestyle and culture of another. Such experiences encouraged us to appreciate India’s richness and recognise that diversity is one of our greatest strengths.

The older generation may not have enjoyed access to today’s technology or the same range of information, but it possesses something equally valuable: knowledge, patience and life experience. We should never underestimate the contributions of those who developed their understanding of the world through radio, books, newspapers and the television broadcasts available during their time. Their wisdom and experiences continue to guide succeeding generations.

With the arrival of private television channels, cable networks, the internet, and digital platforms, India’s broadcasting landscape changed considerably. Doordarshan no longer occupies the same position it once held in the daily entertainment habits of many households, while Akashvani continues to serve listeners through traditional radio as well as digital platforms. Nevertheless, their public-service role remains important. Commercial entertainment cannot entirely replace programmes that educate, inform, preserve culture and serve communities. There is still a need for reliable news, agricultural guidance, educational content, children’s programmes, regional-language broadcasting, literature, music and meaningful discussions. Public broadcasting must continue to adapt to changing technologies while preserving the values that made it relevant and meaningful to generations of Indians.

I feel proud when I reflect on the role played by Akashvani and Doordarshan in shaping our memories and broadening our understanding of India. When older people recall their favourite radio programmes, memorable advertisements, familiar songs, cricket commentary, or television serials they watched with their families, their faces often reflect genuine happiness. That happiness itself tells us how deeply these institutions touched people’s lives.

The voices that once filled our homes through radio and the images that appeared on old television screens may belong to another era, but their influence has not faded. We must preserve this valuable legacy and ensure that future generations also have access to programmes that enrich knowledge, language, culture and human understanding. Technology may change, but the need for meaningful communication and shared experiences will always remain.

Akashvani and Doordarshan deserve our appreciation not only for what they broadcast but also for the memories they created, the knowledge they shared and the sense of togetherness they fostered across India. They were more than broadcasting institutions; they were an integral part of our lives and a bridge connecting generations.

About the Author

V. Rajesh Mohan Rao is a higher secondary commerce teacher from Dharmadam, Thalassery, Kerala, India. He writes about society, culture, language, and personal memories.