Doordarshan’s Signature Tune and Montage (1974)
For the people who doesn’t know about Doordarshan, it is an Indian public service broadcaster, a division of Prasar Bharati, which actually started in 1950’s. It is one of the largest broadcasting organizations in India in terms of the studio and transmitter infrastructure.
It all started 52 years ago, on 15 September 1959. With a humble beginning and a little support from All India Radio. Doordarshan (DD) started its transmission and gave birth to Indian Television.
When we think about Doordarshan the first thing that comes to our mind is the sad signature tune which would play before the transmission every Morning, Afternoon & Evening Sessions. Similar to the AIR Signature tune, the Doordarshan’s Signature Tune is embedded in our minds till it got a setback due to the upsurge of Cable television in the early 90’s.
This Nostalgic piece of music was composed by Ustad Ali Ahmed Hussain Khan with Pandit Ravi Shankar in 1974. In 1976 the DD Montage was designed at National Institute of Design (NID). In the next two decades from the early 80’s to mid 90’s, Doordarshan produced some of the finest serials on Indian Television. The people born in that generation when there was no other channel than DD will & definitely do miss it.
This slow mournful Signature Tune has become a cherished memory for generations of Indians all across the world.
Channel : Doordarshan
Music : Signature Tune
Composer: Ustad Ali Ahmed Hussain Khan & Pt. Ravi Shankar
Instrument: Shehnai
Year : 1974
Copyright : Doordarshan & Prasar Bharti