Doordarshan, operated by the Prasar Bharati, is a television broadcaster in India and is an undertaking of the Government of India. Due to the transmitters and infrastructural facilities of Doordarshan, it is considered amongst the leading broadcasting organisations throughout the world. Doordarshan successfully completed its 50th year on September 2009.History of Doordarshan
Doordarshan started with a tentative telecast on September 1959 from Delhi. The infrastructure at that time was small supported by a temporary studio. Regular transmission commenced on 1965, and formed a part of All India Radio. By 1972, the telecast was expanded to Amritsar and Mumbai. Doordarshan was the only channel available at time and by 1975, it was available in seven cities around the nation. In 1976, it was detached from All India Radio and was fully managed from New Delhi, by two different Director Generals. In 1982, colour television sets became available in country and the speech given by the Prime Minister of that time, Indira Gandhi, was telecast live through out the nation. After this, the 1982 Asian games, Delhi, was also broadcasted by the channel.
Early Programmes of Doordarshan
Doordarshan gained exceeding popularity during the 1980s with its new and groundbreaking shows that could easily connect with the urban and rural audiences alike. Shows like Hum Log, Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, Buniyaad, Nukkad, along with the epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata were watched by viewers throughout the country. Later programmes like Bharat Ek Khoj, Chitrahaar, Sword of Tipu Sultan, Rangoli, The Great Maratha, Ek Se Badkar Ek, Shaktimaan and Superhit Muqabla also were watched widely.
Other popular programmes included thrillers like Byomkesh Bakshi, Karamchand, Barrister Roy, Tehkikaat, Reporter and Suraag. Family oriented shows like Wagle ki Duniya, Fauji, Mr. Yogi, Talaash, Kashish, Srimaan Srimati, Dekh Bhai Dekh, Zabaan Sambhal Ke, Swabhimaan, Shanti, Saagar, Lifeline, Udaan, Circus, Sansaar, Jaspal Bhatti's Flop Show, Meri Awaaz Suno, Sangharsh, Gul Gulshan Gulfam, Sea Hawks, Tu tu mein mein and Junoon were also widely accepted. Mythological programmes like Dastan-E-Hatim Tai, Chandrakanta, Alif Laila were also very popular among the viewers.
Shows targeted at kids were also much appreciated. Programmes like Captain Vyom, a Desi version of Star Wars, Potli Baba Ki, Malgudi Days, Stone Boy, Tenali Raman, Sigma, Vikram Betaal, Kile ka Rahasya and Dada Dadi ki Kahaniyan are worth mentioning. Many popular international programmes were also aired, after being dubbed in Hindi, such as Johnny Soko and his flying robot, Street Hawk, Knight Rider, Superhuman Samurai Cyber Squad, and animated shows like the jungle book, He-Man and the masters of universe, Spiderman, Disney adventures were also admired by the young audience.
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