DD National:Icarus or Phoenix?

2000-2020(Before COVID-19 lock down)

Despite being a mid 90’s born ,Doordarshan was pretty popular during my early childhood days in spite of the growing popularity of channels like Sony TV,Star Plus, Zee TV,Sab TV etc in the national circuit and regional channels like Sun TV, Udaya TV, ETV etc during this time. The success of Doordarshan during this period can be attributed to TV shows like Shaktimaan ,Vishnu Puraan ,Shaka Laka Boom Boom,Jasoos Vijay(In collaboration with BBC) etc which kept audiences glued to DD National. DD tasted success during the beginning of this millennium(2000-2001) against its arch rival Star Plus through its sister channel DD Metro and dethroned Star Plus for a brief period of time due to its free to air (FTA) and Pan-Indian presence .During this period,DD Metro aired many genres of TV programmes by collaborating with 9 Gold.It also aired dubbed movies from English and other languages into Hindi during this period. But,this success of DD was short lived as it failed to capitalize its success due to stringent rules ,which did not seem feasible to the production houses. Gradually, they started abandoning Doordarshan and moved towards private channels. Later, in 2003,DD Metro was replaced by DD National.After this period,Doordarshan’s viewership started started declining even in rural areas due to introduction of free to air channels like Star Utsav ,Zee Smile etc.In the case of regional variants of Doordarshan ,the situation was much worser.

Even though, Doordarshan tried reviving its presence by re-branding in 2014,it could taste success only for a few months due to the spike in TRP’s. In 2016,DD did give a try on revival by selling its slots to private production houses like Balaji Telefilms. Unfortunately,GoI did put hold on slot sale policy.The outcome of this hold was , Doordarshan National started airing its already aired programme like Tehreer,Byomkesh Bakshi etc. Till then, Doordarshan’s fate reminded me of the Icarus from the Greek Mythology who got his wings burnt by living in fools paradise. Only two channels from DD tasted success at the end of its period i.e. DD Sports and DD India.The former’s success can be attributed to live streaming of International Cricketing events which was moved from DD National because of the dilemma involving Tata Sky and Star Sports. The success of DD India can be attributed to its re-branding from a general entertainment to a English News Channel in 2017.Since then,it has always(other than few instances) found a place in Top 5 watched English News channel as per BARC ratings.

During lock down

The lockdown has been a blessing in disguise for Doordarshan. Based on popular demand, Doordarshan has began airing many old popular TV shows like Ramayan, Mahabaharat, Chanakya, Shaktimaan ,Circus, Buniyaad, Byomesh Bakshi etc on DD National and its sister channel DD Bharati. The re-telecast of Ramayan has brought rich divdends to DD National .According to the provisional data provided by BARC-Nielsen, Ramayan episode aired on 29th March evening recorded the highest viewership of 8.5 crores,which is the highest among the Hindi General Entertainment Channel since 2015.

Note:-BARC began collating data only since 2015

Future

Going by the new found success,Doordarshan National has the potential to re-emerge as a popular choice among the masses like the mythical bird Phoenix. This could happen,provided if it is aptly supported by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. In the mean time, Doordarshan has to chalk out an effective strategy by collaborating with popular production houses and also should hire young talented directors and screen-writers in order to produce to its own original TV shows similar on the lines of BBC’s Doctor Who,Sherlock,Luther ,Dracula etc. Going by its history ,Doordarshan has the potential to cater to the needs of all segment of the society i.e. right from kids to senior citizens.Most of the Doordarshan serials aired during the 80’s,90’s and early part of this millenium have very good rating on popular sites like IMDB.

TV ShowsIMDB Ratings
Malgudi Days9.5
Flop Show8.9
Dekh Bhai Dekh8.6
Nukkad8.1
Ramayan9.2
Shaktimaan8.1
Captain Vyom8.2
Mahabharat8.8
Om Namah Shivay7.6
Alif Laila8.1
Buniyaad8.7
Byomkesh Bakshi9.2
Suraag: The Clue8.5
Jasoos Vijay8.3
Tehreer … Munshi Premchand Ki 9.5
Chandrakanta7.8
Shrimaan Shrimati8.6
Circus7.6
Chanakya9.2
Tehkikaat8.5
Krishna8.4
Vishnu Puran7.4
Vikram Aur Betaal8.1
Popular TV shows with their IMDB rating

Based on the ratings and popular demand, Doordarshan can re-telecast the above TV shows (Some of the shows are already undergoing successful re-runs ) for the next 2-3 years. Meanwhile, Doordarshan National can work in tandem with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting during this period to revive itself .Going by its potential, their is no doubt that Doordarshan can become the BBC of India provided with ample resources,talents and the promising audience.

Now, the ball is in the court of DD National .It is high time for DD National , whether to remain an Icarus or become Phoenix.

 

ಸೂರ್ಯವಂಶ

Since a long time, I had a desire to pen down a poem and publish it on my blog.But , things didn’t turn out as I had expected it to be. So, this is the apt time for me to draft a poem in order to pay tribute to one of the greatest family in Indian history.

With Regards ,

Beerappa

ಸೂರ್ಯವಂಶ

ಶ್ರದ್ಧದೇವ ಮನುವಿನ ಪುತ್ರ ಈ ಇಕ್ಷ್ವಾಕು

ಸಕಲ ಕಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮೂಡಿಸಿದನಂತೆ ತನ್ನದೆ ಛಾಪು |

ಯುದ್ಧದಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ದಾಳಿಯು ಕರಾರುವಾಕು

ಆದನಂತೆ ಅಧಿಪತಿಯು ಒಟ್ಟು ದಿಕ್ಕುಗಳು ನಾಲ್ಕು ||೧||

ರಾಜ ನಭಿಯ ಜೇಷ್ಠ ಪುತ್ರ ರಿಷಭನಾಥ

ಆದನು ಜೈನರಲ್ಲಿ ಮೊದಲನೆಯ ತೀರ್ಥಂಕರ ಈತ |

ಈತನ ಹಲವು ನಾಮಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂದು ಆದಿನಾಥ

ಮುಂದೆ, ಈತ ಆದನು ಬಡವ ಬಲ್ಲಿಗನಿಗೆ ನಾಥ ||೨||

ತ್ರೇತಾಯುಗದ ಅತ್ಯಂತ ಧರ್ಮ ನಿಷ್ಠ ರಾಜ ಅಂಬರೀಶ

ಪಟ್ಟವನ್ನೇರಿದ ಕೂಡಲೇ ಆದನು ಭುವನೇಶ |

ಈತನ ಏಕಾದಶಿಯ ಉಪವಾಸವು ಅತ್ಯಂತ ವಿಶೇಷ

ದುರ್ವಾಸರಿಂದ ಕಾಪಾಡಲು ಸುದರ್ಶನನು ಮಾಡಿದನು ಪ್ರವೇಶ ||೩||

ಕಾಳಿದಾಸನ ರಘುವಂಶದಲ್ಲಿ ಉಲ್ಲೇಖಿಸಿರುವ ನೃಪ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠ ದಿಲೀಪ

ಒಮ್ಮೆ ಸಂತಾನವಿಲ್ಲವೆಂದು ಆತನಿಗೆ ಕಾಡಿತು ವಿಲಾಪ |

ನಂದಿನಿಯನ್ನು ಕೊಲ್ಲುವೆನೆಂದು ವ್ಯಾಘ್ರ ಮಾಡಿತು ಪ್ರಲಾಪ

ದಿಲೀಪನು ವ್ಯಾಘ್ರದೊಂದಿಗೆ ಮಾಡಿದನು ಕಲಾಪ |

ತನ್ನ ಪ್ರಾಣವನ್ನೇ ಸ್ವೀಕಾರ ಮಾಡಿಕೋ ಎಂದ ಆ ಮಹಾನೃಪ

ಈತನ ಗುಣವನ್ನ ಮೆಚ್ಚಿ ನಂದಿನಿಯು ಕೊಟ್ಟಳು ವರದ ಆಲಾಪ ||೪||

ಮರ್ಯಾದೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪುರುಷೋತ್ತಮ ಆಗಿರುವನು ಶ್ರೀರಾಮಚಂದ್ರ

ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ಸತ್ಯ ನುಡಿಯುವುದರಲ್ಲಿ ಈ ಸತ್ಯ ಹರಿಶ್ಚಂದ್ರ |

ಈತನ ವಚನಗಳಿಗೆ ಸಾಕ್ಷಿಯಾದರಂತೆ ಸೂರ್ಯ ಹಾಗೂ ಚಂದ್ರ

ನಿಷ್ಠೆ ಹಾಗೂ ಧರ್ಮವನ್ನು ಮೆಚ್ಚಿದನಂತೆ ಸಾಕ್ಷಾತ್ ದೇವೇಂದ್ರ ||೫||

ಸೂರ್ಯವಂಶದ ಮೂವತೆಂಟನೆಯ ದೊರೆ ಅಜ

ಪಳಗಿಸುತಿದ್ದನಂತೆ ಮದವೇರಿದ ಗಜ |

ಪತ್ನಿವಿಯೋಗ ತಾಳಲಾರದೆ ತನಗೆ ತಾನೇ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡನಂತೆ ವಜಾ

ತನ್ನ ಪುತ್ರ ದಶರಥನನ್ನು ನೇಮಿಸಿದನಂತೆ , ಆಗು ನೀ ಮುಂದಿನ ಮಹಾರಾಜ ||೬||

ಅಜೀತನಾಥನ ಕಿರಿಯ ಸಹೋದರ ಮಹಾರಾಜ ಸಗರ

ಆತನ ರಾಜಧಾನಿಯಾಗಿತ್ತು ಭವ್ಯವಾದ ವಿದರ್ಭ ನಗರ |

ಆಯೋದ್ಯೆಯದ ಸ್ಥಳಾಂತರಿಸಿದರು ತನ್ನ ಅಗರ

ತನ್ನ ಅಶ್ವಮೇಧಯಾಗದಿಂದ ಅಳುಕಿತು ಇಡಿ ಅಮರಾವತಿ ನಗರ ||೭||

ಪಿತೃಗಳಿಗೆ ಮೋಕ್ಷ ಕೊಡಿಸಿದ ಮಹಾನ್ ಧೀಮಂತ ಈ ಭಗೀರಥ

ತಪಸ್ಸಿಗೆ ಮೆಚ್ಚಿ ಗಂಗೆಯು ಪಾಲಿಸಿದಳು ಈತನ ರಥ |

ಧರೆಗಿಳಸಲು ಆಕೆಗೆ ತಪಸ್ಸಿನ ಮೂಲಕ ಮಾಡಿದನು ಮನವಿ

ಶಿವನ ಜಟೆಯಿಂದ ಧರೆಗಿಳಿದು ಬಂದಳು ಜಾಹ್ನವಿ ||೮||

ಸುದಕ್ಷಿಣೆ ದಿಲೀಪ ಸುತ ,ಚಕ್ರವರ್ತಿ ರಘು

ದಾನ ನೀಡುವುದರಲ್ಲಿ ಬೀರುತ್ತಿದ್ದನು ಉದಾರತೆಯ ನಗು |

ಭಂಡಾರ ಕ್ಷೀಣಿಸಿದ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಗುರುದಕ್ಷಿಣೆ ಪಡೆಯಲು ಬಂದನು ಕೌತ್ಸ

ರಘುವಿನ ಪರಾಕ್ರಮವನ್ನು ನೆನಪಿಸಿಕೊಂಡು,ಕನಕ ವೃಷ್ಠಿ ಹರಿಸಿದನು ವಿಷ್ರವ ವತ್ಸ ||೯||

ಅತಿರಥರಲ್ಲಿ ಮಹಾರಥಿ ಈ ದಶರಥ

ದಾನವರ ವಿರುದ್ಧ ಹೋರಾಡಲು ದೇವಲೋಕದ ಅತ್ತ ಹೊರಳಸಿದನು ತನ್ನ ರಥ |

ಅಯೋಧ್ಯೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಒಮ್ಮೆ ಆಗಿತ್ತು ಭೀಕರ ಕ್ಷಾಮ

ಶನೇಶ್ವರನ ಕೃಪಾಕಟಾಕ್ಷದಿಂದ ನೋಡಿಕೊಂದನು ಪ್ರಜೆಗಳ ಕ್ಷೇಮ ||೧೦||

ತ್ರೇತಾಯುಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಆತನ ಹೆಸರು ಶ್ರೀರಾಮ

ದ್ವಾಪರಯುಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಆತನ ಹೆಸರು ಶ್ಯಾಮ |

ಆತನನ್ನು ಪ್ರೀತಿಯಿಂದ ಭಕ್ತರು ಕರೆಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು ರಾಘವ ಎಂಬ ನಾಮ

ಹಲವಾರು ರಾಕ್ಷಸರನ್ನು ಸಂಹರಿಸಿದನು ಆ ಅವತಾರದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಾಕ್ಷಾತ್ ಪರಂಧಾಮ ||೧೧||

ಇತಿಹಾಸದಲ್ಲಿ ಅತ್ಯಂತ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠವಾದ ವಂಶ ಈ ಸೂರ್ಯವಂಶ

ವಂಶದಲ್ಲಿ ಹುಟ್ಟಿದ ಪ್ರತಿಯೊಬ್ಬ ರಾಜನಲ್ಲಿತ್ತು ದೇವಾಂಶ |

ಪ್ರತಿಯೊಬ್ಬ ರಾಜನಲ್ಲಿತ್ತು ತನ್ನದೆಯಾದಂತಹ ವಿಶ್ಲೇಷಣಾ ಅಂಶ

ಇದೆ ನನ್ನ ಕಾವ್ಯದ ಅತ್ಯುನ್ನತ ಸಾರಾಂಶ ||೧೨||

                                                                                                -ಭಾಸ್ಕರ

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Ways to watch Kannada movies online

Kannada cinema, also known as Chandanavana or Sandalwood ,is the Indian film industry based in the state of Karnataka where films are produced in Kannada.

Even though their is rapid growth in internet connectivity,Kannada industry has failed to strike a chord with audience due to lack of awareness about the streaming of movies online.

Popular sources to look out for Kannada movies

YouTube:-This video sharing website is the most used one across the globe. It is available by default for android users . Most of the Kannada content is available free of cost.One can find many Kannada classics like Bangarada Manushya, Kasturi Nivasa etc along with a finite number of new movies like Shravani Subrahmanya, Doddamane Huduga etc on YouTube. Some of the important channels where you can watch Kannada movies are:-

SRS Media Vision

Sri Ganesh Video

Pace Digital Music

Anand Audio

DBeats Music World

Kannada Namma Biscoot

Shemaroo Kannada

TVNXT Kannada

Vega Entertainment

YouTube

Netflix:-This global giant also boasts of some of the most critically acclaimed movies like U-Turn, Thithi ,Rama Rama Re etc.But the number of movies available is very less when compared to its competitors. 

https://www.netflix.com/in/
Netflix

Amazon Prime video:-It is owned and operated by retail giant Amazon Inc.A lot of benefit is available if you subscribe to it. You can find blockbusters like KGF ,Kavaludaari etc on it.

https://www.primevideo.com/

Prime video

Hotstar:-It is an Indian based streaming platform which is operated by Star India,which in turn is run by Walt Disney.You can find movies like Mungaru Male,Duniya ,Maankiya,Aa Karala Raatri etc which has been screened on Star Suvarna.

https://www.hotstar.com/languages/kannada

Hotstar

Voot:-It is owned by Viacom 18.Here,you can find movies which has been aired on Colors Kannada ,Colors Super and Colors Kannada Cinema.Some of the prominent movies available are Gultoo, Operation Alamelamma ,Kirik Party etc

https://www.voot.com/

Voot

Zee5:-It is operated by Essel group which owns Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited .Some of the prominent movies are Milana, Natasarvabhowma, Hebbuli etc which has been aired on Zee Kannada.

http://www.zee5.com/

Zee5

Sun NXT:-It is operated by Sun Network Limited which operates Udaya TV and its sister channels. Prominent movies available are Rajakumara , Aake, Kotigobba, Shankar Guru etc

https://www.sunnxt.com/

Sun NXT

Eros Now:- It is owned and controlled by Eros Digital, the digital media management arm of Eros International.It has a decent number of Kannada movies in its catalog.

https://erosnow.com/

Eros Now

Jio Cinema:-This app developed by Jio hosts a fair number of Kannada movies.

https://www.jiocinema.com/language/kannada/movies/all/0/9/0

JioCinema

As far as I know, these are the most prominent sources to watch/download Kannada movies.

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beerappa.r987.bn@gmail.com

Yakshagana

Yakshagana( ಯಕ್ಷಗಾನ ) is a popular traditional theatre form developed in coastal part of Karnataka.It also has significant presence in Malenadu and Bayaluseeme region of Karnataka. The word Yakshagana means the song of Yaksha in Kannada. It is believed that ,Yakshagana was started during the Bhakti movement. In 13th century, a Sage named Narahari Thirtha started Dashavathara performance in Udupi, which later developed into the Yakshagana of today. Today, Yakshagana is performed in Kannada, Tulu and Konkani language. Yakshagana is usually performed on mythological themes like Ramayana, Mahabharata etc. Yakshagana is usually performed from dusk till dawn.In olden days, Yakshagana used to be played during rainy season.Villagers used to patronize this art by financially contributing to the play. Sometimes,the villagers are also offered few roles in the play.

Main Components of Yakshagana

Play: It is called Prasanga(incident) in Kannada.Usually,the play revolves around the Hindu mythology.Ex:-Krishna sandaana (Krishna is sent to strike a deal with Kauravas after Pandavas have back from their vanvaasa).Sometimes ,it also covers the entire story.Ex: Nala Damayanthi. The performance of drama and dance includes melodious songs which is sung by a Bhagavatha,who is the pulse of the entire play. The prelude of the play is called Sabhalakshana. The play also includes comedy scenes which is performed by a jester called Hasyagaara.

Music: The play also includes group of musicians called Himmela,which score the background music.The musical instruments used are Taala,Maddale and Chande.

Himmela
Hasyagaara

Characters: Both male and female characters are played by men. These days, even women are playing the roles provided it is all women troupe. The make-up for the character is done by actors(themselves) who portray the role.

To be continued in part II…

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February 2026
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