“Time is a companion that goes with us on a journey. It reminds us to cherish each moment, because it will never come again. What we leave behind is not as important as how we have lived.”

Patrick Stewart, from the film “Star Trek: Generations”

I still remember that day when my grandpa bought our first ever TV at home.

It was like an event by itself. A day to mark our calendars as to when it was purchased.

Although we were used to living in a very small 10×10 house (Kitchen, bedroom, hall rolled into 1!) our TV always got the best place to rest. It was one thing that demanded a special place in the house. So much so that we used to fight who will clean the TV and keep it neat and tidy. There used to be a constant quarrel when something rested atop her! The watches and purses would be shown their way if they ever sat on her head! So much was her demanded attention!

During the 80’s there were the Solidaires, Murphy, Dyanora but we had a “Televista”. Nestled inside a dark brown wooden cover this little thing used to gather much admiration from the kids to the older folks alike. And when we got her inside our home whole chawl gang used to flock to our place for entertainment sake.

Suddenly we were the most famous people around. And our house used to be always filled with kids and other folks just because of this little entertainer!

Till early-90s DD was the only broadcaster in India. It was not alone, but was still the most prominent one. Today a lot of other private broadcasters have captured the mainstream television in India, but there are still a few of us who cherish those olden days of DD. And as obvious as it may sound, this blog is specifically dedicated to bring out those old memories…

It’s very difficult to single out reasons for liking those old serials.

There were many factors… less influence, less interaction with other channels like online media, Cinema was considered a luxury, and so on and so forth. So obviously TV was the only source of entertainment.

However, simplicity, closeness to reality of the plots, mature direction, quality acting, diversity of subjects, the amazing actors and social relevance are something that characterized serials of those times.

I witnessed it when Zee first launched its free-to-air satellite channel (Oct’92) hosting programs such as Tara, Saanp seedi etc. It was such a welcome change for all of us. But little did we all know what was the future to hold and what we are witnessing today is that unknown side of media influence that we are exposed today.

In all fairness, I will surely say that DD did host a range of high-quality shows in its early days and I am just quoting some few yet excellent work of art that I viewed as a child:

Some amazing programs that were meant for the entire family

Malgudi days

I remember this serial watching as a kid and growing up with it. Master Manjunath as Swami in this serial was simply superb. The serial used to start with a signature tune of “Ta na na, tana na na na…” and we used to leave everything aside with our eyes glued to the b/w TV set.

Malgudi Days is a collection of short stories by R.K.Narayan focusing on the trial and tribulations of a small Indian town of Malgudi. The serial Malgudi Days was directed by the late Kannada actor and director, Shankar Nag in 1987, and was shot entirely near Agumbe in Shimoga District, Karnataka. The music was by L. Vaidyanathan and produced by T.S. Narasimhan of the Padam Rag Films. It included many of Narayan’s short stories and novels such as Swami (Master Manjunath) and Friends and The Vendor of Sweets.

Programs like Katha Saagar, Dada dadi ki kahaniyaan had something new to offer every week. Each episode being different from the other. Moreso like short stories.

The comedy genre included great works like Yeh joh hai zindagi, Mr Ya Mrs, Wah Janaab!, Dekh bhai dekh, (Although it came late, it is still considered a favorite even today) Satish Shah, Swaroop Sampat, Archana puran Singh, Ravi Baswani, Rakesh Bedi were instant household names.

Then there were some amazing western comedy in the name of Different strokes, Here’s Lucy, Some mothers do have ‘em, To the manor born, Yes minister… Can you beat that?

Programs on Indian culture and its rich history and heritage…

Bharat ek khoj (The Discovery of India)

Based on the book by Jawaharlal Nehru this documentary was quite popular amongst everyone in the family. Shot beautifully to give a film like appearance, I guess as a kid we all enjoyed watching and growing up on this serial. If I remember right this used to come on Sunday mornings. Truly Amazing!

Spanning 53 episode that dramatically unfolds the 5000 year history of India from its beginnings to the coming of independence in 1947, it is a series of explorations into the different periods of Indian history and was made in 1988 by the writer, director and producer Shyam Benegal. The serial is based on a book written by the historian and the first Prime Minister of independent India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, titled The Discovery of India. The boasted of Om Puri and Roshan Seth. Pandit Nehru was portrayed by Roshan Seth, With an amazing pictorial presentation of Roshan Seth and enchanting tough voice of Om Puri making the serial one of the best TV series aired in India

Surabhi

One of India’s best known programs covering its rich, colorful and vast insights about the culture. Who can forget the anchors Renuka Shahane and Siddarth Kak (Also producer)

This was one of the longest running programs in Indian TV history spanning a good 10 years or probably more. So much has been said about this program and so many awards to add to its glory. Truly good piece of work!

The daily soaps

These were truly poignant and path breaking serials. None of us could wait till the next airing of the episode. Who can forget the plots/ episodes of Hum log, Buniyaad, Shrikaant, Swayamsiddah, Trishna etc Lajoji was such a household name that no one can actually match the acting skills that Anita Kanwar had. The look of a typical Indian mother. I guess what Mother India did for Nargis, Buniyad had done for Anita Kanwar.

And let’s not forget the Opening lines “Chan pakaiya, chan pakaiya, chann ke oopar…” goes the line when Shri. (Late) Ashok Kumar comes on screen. He was the sutradhar of the another most popular program Hum Log. Can we forget Baseshar Ram, Badki, Chutki, Nanhey? Oh my gosh, it was so nostalgic!

I really thank God that I was a kid then and Ekta Kapoor was not even born then! $%#@ what the hell would have happened to us then! Imgaine, all her “K” serials running then? Oops, I don’t wanna screw this blog by saying anything more about her… lets just come back to our good ‘ol times.

The thrillers

Imagine what Pankaj Kapur and Sushmita Mukherjee had done to all of us. Suddenly every one started consuming carrot so much. It became more of a lifestyle to ape Karamchand in his own style. Though it was touted as a thriller, it had extremely funny moments with some amazing chemistry between the two protagonists Karamchand and Kitty. Byomkesh Bakshi what saw Rajit Kapur essay that role was nothing short of genius. While Karamchand had a sly humor to it, Byomkesh was more of a serious program with lots of introspection!

Shwetambara was another Marathi serial with lots of twists and turns in the plots. Another serial that we all just used to love watching.

Kids time

The program that first comes to my mind is Jungle book… Superbly composed opening track by the hugely talented Vishal Bharadwaj and lyrics by the legendry lyricist Gulzar. My all time fave Gulzar’s song, “Jungle jungle baat chali hai pata chala hai… array chaddi pahan ke phool khila hai, phool khila hai” Wow! How can one ever think of writing a song about a kid and relating that to a flower with words like chaddi and all! Truly amazing and none other than Gulzar can come up with such poetry!

Then there was Spiderman, He-Man and the masters of the Universe, … we still had so much innocence in our taste. Star Trek, Fireball XL5 (Remember… I wish I was a spaceman, the fastest guy alive… the song goes)

They may seem trifle now but what impact it had in our minds and lifestyle. Atleast as kids we didn’t go astray compared to what the current genX is being exposed to! I am a pucca Madrasi born and raised in Mumbai, but as a kid we all still used to watch Kilbil, Santakukdi etc Although these were in Marathi on the local feed, we used to go gag a over these programs. So much so that even programs like Aamchi Maati Aamchi Mansa was like highly viewed programs which were aimed at rural audiences. Some amazing cartoons like Ek Anek, Tree of unity which were more like fillers used t light up our faces.

 Funny but very nice ones!

The Epics

Epic serials like Ramayan, Mahabharat used to generate huge ratings. Stars like Mukesh Khanna, Rupa ganguly, Arun Govil, Deepika became huge stars so much so that they couldn’t be accepted on any other roles that they ventured onto. Such was the strength of the program and its impact on the daily lives of Indian public. I still remember my ex bosses and some colleages discussing that the scene in Mahabharata where Mukesh Khanna (Bhishm pitamaha) dies, the episode garnered the maximum ratings ever almost 94%. Imagine a program gathering 94 TRPs! Wow!

Then there are other initiatives done by DD to foster unity in the hearts and minds of Indian audiences which resulted in truly amazing work such as… Miley sur mera tumhara… All time classic!

Musical programs

Our only source to the world of music was through Chayageet (Fridays), Chitrahaar (Wednesdays) and Rangoli (Sunday early mornings)

I also remember there used to be a program called Top of the Pops and Europops (If I guessed it right!) Top of the Pops used to appear on the first Friday of every month @ 11:00 pm and this program was sponsored by Vimal. These were the times when kids like us got to know who Madonna is and with her posters adorning our walls… sheer delight!

And this led to various musical countdown programs… This was the pre MTV generation during our times. Limited access but huge fan following and amazing impact.

The list still goes on… but I guess at my age if I can still remember all this then it is something to talk about! How I wish we were still trapped in that age, era when all was so good and great.

But as time passes, it leaves behind a trail like footsteps in the sand. So that other can learn and see where it leads them.

Such was our journey when we were young and what we have achieved now. I guess with such humble beginnings we now realize the value and importance media played in our lives.

But then as they say, “We are made wise not just by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future”