Doordarshan Days..!!!!

It was a Sunday morning in the mid 90’s, but me and brother woke up early. Done with the daily chorus, we ran to mom for breakfast. By 8:30we were ready and so were our neighbors. All of them assembled at our home and obediently sat in a row. Mom served us hot “aalo ka paranthas” with “dahi” and tea. It was 9:00am and we were thrilled. Time for He-man and Masters of the Universe. I still recollect the excitement on our little faces for it was the first Sunday after the small 18” Onida color TV came home –  The Sundays before that there was at a neighbors’, couple of blocks away (Black & white 15” monitor). So we were the proud owners of a TV. After getting disbursed, I and bro watched the sword of Tipu Sultan and Mahabharat with parents. A break and in the evening children gathered again. Giant Robot!!

Chitrahar, Chitrageetham, Rangoli, He-man, Tipu Sultan, Mahabharat in the beginning and Reporter, Chandrakanta, Tu Tu Mein Mein, Superhit Muqabla a few years later -There were very few things to watch and only one channel – Doordarshan, but all of us eagerly looked forward to it.

Once private channels were allowed in the early 90’s Doordarashan had a steep decline in viewership. I personally think Doordarshan who had a modest beginning with just a small transmitter and a makeshift studio , could never stop being humble and therefore got kicked out. As far as I remember, the last program I saw in DD was India’s first super hero – Shaktimaan and that was the end!! The quality of programs delivered by Cable and Satellite Television was much higher to what DD gave. It continues to earn profit from cricket tournaments though..

From then we saw an exponential growth in the number of channels landing in, but whenever I switch on my TV, I can only browse through these umpteen channels and never be satisfied to stick to a program.

Doordarshan and I often talk to each other, where have the golden days gone. When the entire family (or sometimes more than one family) sit together before the television to watch a movie. When one person standing on the rooftop adjusts the antenna while another inside the house checks for clarity. And there would be a third person acting as a messenger between the two. Slightest wind or rain disturbs the whole setup and the process starts again. It was so much fun!

As I walk down the memory lane, I take a look at what has changed in television in these years. Earlier we had small TV and big antenna and few channels. Chitrahaar, Rangoli played melodious songs which we used to hum along with while “Superhit Muqabla” played the recent hits. Come Sundays, epic like Mahabharata and Ramayana were watched with full attendance. “Mein Samay Hoon” would start the famous Mahabharata and everyone waits curiously for the action to begin. Comedy shows like “Ulta Pulta” made us laugh to our heart's content and were enjoyed by all generations.

Hindi channels have only reality shows and their replays – Dance, Sing, Comedy and that’s it. But now barely clad models fill the screen – Bikini Destination or Kingfisher Calendar hunt or some cheer girl selection for IPL or Formula1. It’s like a 24X7 Bay Watch there. And news... Oh God!! News channels are in plenty, but 5 news would be there which is shown over and over again. And then UTV Bindaas. Only reality shows – Emotional Attyachar and Date Trap (and the replays of course) are the only 2 programs that run in this channel for a full week until the next episode comes in the week after. I pity the kids of today for there are no kiddish cartoons. Everything in cartoon channels are violence or high funda. And sports channels are there, May I should take up interest in them. However, right now nothing looks innovative or interesting. Only disappointing!!

Even now when I think of what to watch or discuss with friends on what programs they see, we all talk about the pleasure the poor quality videos of Doordarshan delivered. Strange isn’t it?