DD starts Golden Anniversary celebrations with Rahman concert

Televisionpoint.com Correspondent | New Delhi
Doordarshan (DD) will complete 50 years of transmission in September this year. Ambika Soni, the Information and Broadcasting Minister has flagged off the occasion by a curtain-raiser concert - 'AR Rahman Unplugged', which was a collaboration between DD and Phat Phish India.

In the concert, Rahman performed some of his compositions along with singers like Hariharan, Kailash Kher and Sadhana Sargam. Sivamani was also a part of this enthralling evening.

Aruna Sharma, director general, DD, says, "The show has all the hallmarks that one would associate with the musical genius - a delightful infusion of music, creativity, passion and individuality to mark this historic occasion of turning 50."

From humble beginnings in 1959, when DD started with experimental telecast using a small transmitter and a makeshift studio, DD today operates more than 30 channels across India and an international channel abroad.

DD will soon commence HDTV transmissions on an experimental basis, followed by a commercial rollout, in time for the Commonwealth Games to be held in Delhi in 2010. Thus, Indian television viewers will be able to watch the Commonwealth Games on HDTV ready televisions.

KR Harish, managing director, Phat Phish India, says, "We are happy to work with DD and bring in content that will not only kick start the golden jubilee celebration, but also usher in programming of scale richness that will start a new era on DD."

DD's year-long anniversary celebrations will mark a series of events across all centres, which will culminate with the 2010 Commonwealth Games next year.