Even today, when there are countless channels on television, I keep switching back to Doordarshan channels like DD National, DD Bharati, DD India, DD Urdu and DD Punjabi. Some of my friends wonder how I can be so fond of watching DD and prefer it to all the exciting stuff that goes on other channels. I have my reasons for doing this.
There are some elements in the DD channels which make me watch them many times during the day. In the mad race for TRPs and cut throat competition among the hundreds of private channels, DD has maintained a stability and consistency that is heartening in this era of noisy and exaggerated reporting and serials that are far beyond reality and are sometimes quite bizarre.
DD takes me back to the time when there were no such channels and no rush for becoming one up on the other. Good old DD was our only channel and we were happy and content. It was symbolic of the simplicity and straightforwardness of life in those days. Materialism and consumerism were not the monsters they are today. In fact, we had not heard of these two words!
Doordarshan still retains its original form and content and gives me a feeling of calm and contentment through its presentations some of which I have been watching for years. These includeRangoli and Chitrahar. The way it repeats the old serials on its various channels is also heart warming. To watch Malgudi Days and Bharat: Ek Khoj and other amazing serials like Buniyaad, Bibi Naatiyon Waali, Hum log and Shriman Shrimati after a gap of so many years is like going back in time and reliving the moments from our past.
Serials based on Tagore’s novels like Gora and those based on the lives of famous Urdu poets (on DD Urdu) are fine presentations for lovers of literature and poetry like me. They give an in-depth treatment to these subjects and works. DD Punjabi connects me to my mother tongue and the Punjabi culture through its several programmes, including discussions on books, folk music and news-based programmes. Takes me back to my roots. DD Bharati and DD India comes up with engaging serials and do great justice to the preservation of Indian culture and literature. The regional films with English sub titles are worth watching.
There was a time when DD was almost written off with the arrival of countless satellite channels. And actually, those who had a choice stopped watching DD. However, some people like me must have remained attached to the DD channels for these very reasons which I have given here. For sentimental reasons and for remaining in a comfort zone that would not try to shock you with the manner of presenting news or serials. Even the serials that are being aired on DD these days are realistic, simple and logical. Commercial breaks are fewer and there is no loud music in the background which makes it difficult for one to hear the dialogues in the soaps shown by other channels.
The newsreaders are not excitable and one can get balanced information from the entire world within a few minutes. News presentation onDD can never disturb you. Classical music and dance programmes can hardly be seen on any channel other than DD channels. The traditional subjects and the conventional manner of presenting them makes watchingDD a great delight. The documentaries are very informative and interesting. Recently, I watched an evening show on the great film director and scriptwriter Kamaal Amrohi which told me a lot about the life and times of this film maker. Research-based programmes like these add greatly to one’s knowledge.
DD truly provides infotainment and keeps us grounded. For one’s peace of mind and acquiring genuine knowledge, it is always a good idea to watch one or the other channel of Doordarshan. Down to earth and pleasing is how I would describe these channels. Perhaps some of us may have forgotten all about the goodness, innocence and wholesomeness of these channels. I would like to urge you to reconnect to this charming group of channels and rediscover this wonderful world of gentleness and joy, information and fun, balance and wisdom, music and dance, debate and drama, history and perspective, facts and fiction. With old serials being repeated, the panorama becomes more colourful and nostalgic. What a package!