Doordarshan – Old legacy

Looking back, what are the poignant images of the Doordarshan era. It’s a story started with the 82 Asiad and going up to the early or mid 90’s.

Asiad 82 – Appu era

Starting with Asiad, I can remember the vividly of how one sports commentator who announces the programs. One of my schoolmate Sammuel a backbencher used to imitate the way this anchor spoke.

World this week – Pranoy Roy

And coming to the other years, I can remember how I would yearn for more choices in T.V. I used to wait for Friday to see “World this week” by Pranap Roy. His program opened up the world in that 30 minutes and I used to wait to the end of this show to see the newsmakers, and other short clippings of music.

Another program was Malgudi days with its characteristics, tan…. Tone. It was a wonderfully created serial, which takes to the sleepy village of Malgudi.

Then comes Startrek, UFO program, Sherlock homes, . I think these used to the Sunday special.

Yes, Chitrahar was a great hit in those days, but not to me, since Hindi dance songs were not on my view list.

Crowd around the T.V

Also remember how Malayalam movies were beamed on Saturday’s and how the streets wore a deserted look on those sat evenings. People used to cut beach outings and the whole family glued to the box. . Another aspect of that era, is that only few houses had T.V and rightly so all the neighborhood gathered to the house to watch the T.V.

Prospecting from living room
Well I had one friend who did what was best of those youthful occasions. Along with the neighborers folk, there were a large number of local dames who came to watch the T.V from his living room. That presented a host of opportunities to know more than ever and he had a couple of tales weaved around those power cut times . In short it was a productive gathering for him …

Old T.V market leaders and todays …

Well what are the T.V boxes ruling the market. Keltron Solid state, Dyanora, Western, Solidiare. I often wonder how these big names failed to keep with the market changes.. Now as you know it’s a whole list of global brands.

There are more to be told and retold about Doordarshan era, but so much for today. I can hear the Friday bells ringing down….

Got to pack and hit home – A day when serial bombs have gone off in Bangalore.