Doordarshan has embarked its 65th anniversary, on 15th September, which is also known as its Foundation Day. It was on this day in 1959, that a pivotal moment in the history of Indian history, Indian’s first television channel, Doordarshan, started its journey under the name ‘Television India.’ What started as a moderate half-an hour, three types a week broadcast, soon transformed into a national event that revolutionized the way information, education and entertainment delivered to the Indian households.
THE BIRTH OF DOORDARSHAN
Doordarshan, the first Indian Television channel, was officially, born on 15 September, 1959. Began as ‘Television India’, it started the country’s journey into television broadcasting. The launch was modest, catering half-an hour programs aired three times a week, only in and around Delhi. The main aim or the primary goal at that time was not entertainment, but education. The channel focused to broadcast those programs which were related to school children and farmers. Furthermore, these programs provided information for the developing nation.
Doordarshan’s early success was made possible by the support of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Recognizing television as a tool for education and development of nation, UNESCO contributed $20,000 and 180 Philips TV sets to establish the foundation of country’s first broadcasting network.
EARLY DAYS OF BROADCASTING
In its initial years, Doordarshan broadcasting was minimal, focusing on its educational content. The broadcasting primarily serves to two key audience: school students and farmers. The early shows aimed to provide knowledge, improve literacy and assist in agriculture developments, showcasing its mission to present as an educational tool to newly independent India. At the time, entertainment came secondary, and the channel was more of a public service platform encouraging learning and community growth.
The initial schedule was also limited- broadcasting three times a week that to half-an hour program. However, as television came in more demand, Doordarshan expanded its programming. By 1965, the channel transformed from weekly to daily broadcasting, making it more accessible to public. Furthermore, this shift embarked the beginning of the first 5-minute news bulletin, adding a new dimension to Doordarshan’s role in providing the information of national and international events. Moreover, with this development, Doordarshan became a major position to provide education and information for Indian public.
EVOLUTION AND MILESTONES
1970s were the year of milestones for Doordarshan. These years shaped its evolution and impact on Indian society. One of the most significant developments during this period was the Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE), launched in 1975. This groundbreaking project aimed to bring educational content to rural India, with the help of satellite technology to broadcast program directly to community television sets. SITE covered over 2,400 villages across six states, offering content focused on agriculture, health, family planning, and education. Its success lay in reaching the rural community which was isolated from such information, thus playing a crucial role in rural empowerment and community development. Moreover, the success of SITE demonstrated the power of television as a medium for social change, particularly in remote areas.
In 1976, another development that was changing the name from ‘Television India’ to ‘Doordarshan.’ The term Doordarshan in Sanskrit means “seeing from afar”, which symbolizes the expanding of channel’s reach across the nation. This rebranding marked the growing importance of the channel in media’s landscape, as Doordarshan evolved from a basic educational broadcaster to more diverse network.
Simultaneously, Doordarshan also got separated from All India Radio (AIR) in 1976. Previously, both television and radio operations were managed under a single umbrella. This separation was a strategic move for Doordarshan. It help Doordarshan to have its own identity, allowing it to develop independently, and focus its mission on delivering visual content to the masses. This independence paved the way for Doordarshan to diversify its programming, increase its technical capabilities, and become a central force in Indian broadcasting in the years to come.reviously, both television and radio operations were managed under a single umbrella.
TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS
One of the most defining moments for Doordarshan came in 1982. It was the time when Doordarshan changed from black and white to color television. The transition to color was a significant technological leap that improved the viewing experience and marked the growing expertise in global landscape. This also had a coincidence with the Asian Games held in Delhi, in 1982. Doordarshan broadcasted the event in color, making it the first large-scale color transmission in Indian television history. This captivated the audience, as it was the first time the viewers get a vivid detail of any sport. The Asian Games became a milestone in Doordarshan’s rise to prominence, as millions of Indians tuned in, sparking a nationwide boom in the purchase of color TV sets.
Additionally, the launch of INSAT-1, India’s first domestic communication satellite, also in 1982. INSAT-1 allowed Doordarshan to increase its reach, enabling the channel’s first national broadcast. Prior to this, the broadcast was regional, but with the help of satellite it could reach across the country. This marked the beginning of Doordarshan’s transformation into a truly national network, linking urban and rural viewers alike under a unified broadcasting platform.
POPULAR PROGRAMS THAT DEFINED AN ERA
Krishi Darshan (1966)
One of the earliest and significance programs was Krishi Darshan, started in 1966. As india was moving towards self-agricultural, this program played a vital role. It helped in promoting agricultural awareness, offering farmers valuable insights on modern farming techniques, crop management, and irrigation practices. It became a foundation of Green Revolution, which transformed India’s landscape. Krishi Darshan was designed to educate and empower farmers, helping them adopt scientific methods and increase productivity. Decades later, it remains the longest-running television program in Indian histo
Chitrahaar, Rangoli, and Entertainment Shows
Beside education, Doordarshan also transformed the entertainment section. Chitrahaar, a program showcasing popular Bollywood songs, and Rangoli, a Sunday morning show featuring classic film songs, became household favorites. These shows brought a touch of Indian cinema in the people’s households. Chitrahaar and Rangoli made people more close to Bollywood, especially in rural areas where theatres were limited. For many, these programs were the primary source of entertainment, and they became a ritual for families who eagerly tuned in each week to enjoy their favorite songs.
Epic Shows- Ramayana and Mahabharata
The game-changers for Doordarshan were the epic serials Ramayana and Mahabharata, which aired in the late 1980s. Ramayana, which first aired in 1986, was based on the ancient Indian epic and depicted the life of Lord Rama. It was followed by Mahabharata, which aired in 1988, retelling the story of the epic battle between the Pandavas and Kauravas. These two shows revolutionized Indian television, dealing with ground breaking viewership. During their broadcasts, the entire country would come to a virtual standstill. Streets would empty out, and people would gather around their television sets, turning the viewing of these epics into a communal ritual. It was not uncommon for families to clean their homes before the episodes aired, light incense sticks, and treat the airing of these shows as a spiritual event. The cultural impact was profound, as Ramayana and Mahabharata transcended entertainment, bringing a sense of shared national identity and devotion.
INTERESTING FACTS
Doordarshan now operates 34 satellite channels.
– With 14,000 ground transmitters and 66 studios, Doordarshan is the largest broadcaster in the country.
– Doordarshan has 66 studios across India, 17 of which are in state capitals, and the remaining 49 in various cities.
– On 3 November 2003, Doordarshan launched its 24-hour news channel.
– UNESCO provided India with $20,000 and 180 Philips TV sets to start Doordarshan.
