Monday, March 20, 2006

Serials on Doordarshan

  • Saptahiki
Saptahiki was a weekly program that introduced the viewers to the interesting programs in the week ahead. The most interesting and eagerly awaited part of the program was ofcourse the announcement of the sunday evening movie. I think the program might still be on :)
  • World of Sports
Remember Major Ahluwalia doing the equesterian rounds over Chetak or whatever the name of his horse was, or Mohan Bagan battling it out with East Bengal with Babu Mani, Krishanu Dey squaring it against Tushar Rakshit and company. And of course there were our own foreign imports in Cheema Okerie and Chibuzar. Remember 4:00 PM Sundays, just before the eagerly awaited evening movie.
  • Himalaya Darshan
Himalaya Darshan was my favourite serial. In those days most serials were given a 13 episode slot. Only a handful like Ramayana, Mahabharata, Hum Log, Buniyaad were given bulk slots. Himalaya Darshan was also a 13 episode serial, however it essentially turned out to be of 39 episodes. The first run of 13 episodes dealt with the Western Himalayas, with stories from the Kashmir, Ladhakh and higher up and west. Of the various stories the one I easily recall involved a film crew going on an expedition about the mysterious Snowman 'Yeti' and what happens when they finally see one. The second run of this exciting serial was based in the Central Himalayas. In one of the best episodes, a man while looking for his herd of sheeps ventures deep into the Kailash-Mansarovar territory. The man does not believe in god and ends up meeting Lord Shankar in disguise. The fellow accompanies lord Shankar to mount Kailash and spends 7 days with him. Finally after seven days when he returns back to his village, he realizes that its not 7 days but 700 years that have passed.
In yet another brilliant episode, Rama Vij's car breaks down near a Buddhist monestary and the monks does not allow her inside the monestary as women are not allowed there. What follows in short is that Rama Vij while sleeping in her car sees an old monk who later as we find out died long ago. Later in the morning, the monks tell her about the prevelant legend that the spiritual guru who founded this monestary still roams around and can be viewed only by the purest of souls.
The last run of this serial covered the Eastern Himlayas. I recall a story about the legendary tale of tracing the complete course of river Brahmaputra. A brilliant episode that told the story of the legendary character of 'Pundit' who seemingly was the first person to locate the source of the river, how the mystery of Tsangpo and Brahmaputra was solved and more.
Himalaya Darshan was perhaps the start of my fascination for the Himalayas, a fascination that over the times have grown more and more.
  • Chitrahaar (Wed and Fri)
  • Katha Sagar
  • Gul Gulshan Gulfaam
  • Kile Ka Rahasya
  • Karamchand
  • Police File Se
  • Gopichand Jasoos
  • Fatichar
  • Daane Anaar Ke
Daane Anar Ke reminds one of all good things Doordarshan was. Shailendra and Nina Gupta as the start lead, Gulzar's beautiful 'Kissa hai kahani hai paheli hai, Zindagi yeh moosa ki saheli hai' as the title song with Vishal (Yes Vishal) doing the music. This incidentally was first song from the Gulzar-Vishal combo, that in times to come gave us gems like 'Goli maar bheje mein', 'sapne mein milti hai' among various others. The highlight though was the brilliantly written script by none other than great Sharad Joshi, the king of hindi humour. No matter the serial caught the fancy of people all over the country and still remains one of the most loved serial of all time. BTW the serial also starred Ajit Vacchani.
  • Guniram
'Guniram Bhai Guniram, aa pahunche bumbai dham', I hope people remember the title track that pretty much summed the theme of the serial. Guniram played by Rakesh Bedi is a village simpleton who comes to Bombay (it was still bombay those days) and keeps on falling in one comical situation or the other. A decent comedy.
  • Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi
  • Gayab Aaya
  • Super Six
  • Ek Do Teen Char
  • Rangoli
  • Ramayana
  • Mahabharata
  • Uttar Ramayana
  • Vishwamitra
  • Shri Krishna
  • Chanakaya
  • Shrikant
  • Vikram Betaal
  • Simhasan Batissi
  • Chandrakanta
  • Humlog
  • Buniyaad
  • Dusra Kewal
  • Tamas
  • Chunni
  • Saanjha Choolha
  • Muzrim Haazir Hai
  • Chunauti
  • Circus
  • Fauji
  • Dada Dadi Ki Kahaniyan
  • Byomkesh Bakshi
  • Potli Baba Ki
  • Jungle Book
  • Aamne Saamne
  • Baaton Baaton Mein
  • Mr. Yogi
  • Trishna
  • Mungerilal Ke Haseen Sapne
  • Wagle Ki Duniya
  • Khel Khel Mein
  • Malgudi Days
  • Honee Anhonee
  • The Sword of Tipu Sultan
  • Shanti
  • Swabhimaan
  • Ji Matriji
  • Kakka Ji Kahin
  • Surabhi
  • Bharat Ek Khoj
  • Stone Boy
  • World This Week
  • Flop Show
  • Giant Robot
  • DD's Comedy Show
  • Spiderman
  • Nukkad
  • Yatra
  • Manoranjan
  • Show Time
  • Quiz Time
  • Prashan Manch
  • Indradhanush
  • Zigma
  • Udaan
  • Rajani
  • Sukanya
  • Tehkikaat
  • Reporter
  • Dekh Bhai Dekh
  • Junoon
  • Shrimaan Shrimati
  • Khandaan
  • Mriganayani
  • Aa Bail Mujhe Maar
  • Farmaan
  • Ulta Pulta
  • Ados Pados
  • He Man
  • Ek Kahani
  • Afsane
  • Street Hawk
  • Tele Match
  • The Old Fox
  • Froggle Rock
  • Idhar Udhar
  • Kab Tak Pukaaroon
  • Mirza Ghalib
  • Bahadur Shah Zafar
  • Zamana Badal Gaya
  • Dard
  • Kashish
  • Hum Hindustani
  • Some series where Sunil Gavaskar and Mohinder Amarnath gave Cricket tips
  • A Mouthful Of Sky
  • Chayyageet
  • Param Veer Chakra
  • Hello Zindagi
  • Tenali Rama
  • Neev
  • Aakhri Daav
  • Karwa Sach
  • Prahari
  • Turning Point
  • Aisa Bhi Hota Hai
  • Darpan
  • Dil Darya
  • Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan
  • Kahan Gaye Woh Log
  • Udaan
  • Chapte Chapte
  • Choti Badi Baatein
  • Charitraheen
  • Wah Janaab
  • Subah
  • Kya Banoge Munna
  • Itihaas
  • Alif Laila
  • Nirmala
  • Intezaar

37 comments:

GuNs said...

Did you miss 'Byomkesh Bakshi'? OR maybe I missed it in your list. However, where in the world did you get that entire list. Thats really huge. I remember a lot of those serials, though not all.

One more thing is all the cartoons that we first saw on DD. All the major superhero cartoons were aired, I think. Superman, Spiderman, Batman, He-man etc.

Old memories !
DD is just a stupid channel with almost NOTHING worth watching now.

-PeAcE
--WiTh
---GuNS

Anonymous said...

Great list!

Anonymous said...

well i guess i love mitti ke ranggggggggg, u managed to get all that list , amazing typical shash , always obsessed with detailss haha

Anonymous said...

Nice to see the list!! really nostalgic.

I thought I was the only one who used to remember these. Unfortunately there are not many who even know them to discuss. Good Job.

Anonymous said...

nice list...miss those days..innocence!...now thanx to the bitch ekta kapoor she has ruined everything..doordarshan has no choice but to go in that direction..anyways old memories

Anonymous said...

yugantar is the one u can add too if u wish..

Nautilus said...

Stumbled upon your blog just by chance! What a fabulous list you have there!! Reminded me of the glory days of DD. What do they show on DD nowadays?

Do you remember that show where Ratna Pathak, Supriya Pathak and Ravi Baswani used to share the same flat? Was it Idhar Udhar? There was another one with Anu Agarwal and Kiron Kher...can't quite remember the name...but it was fabulous!!

India should have its equivalent of TVLAnd where they show reruns of old serials. Ther'll be lots of takers!

Anonymous said...

Excellent list. I watched Mirza Ghalib on tape a few weeks ago and it was a truly amazing experience.

Anonymous said...

You missed out on:
Himalaya ki god mein and Paying Guest.

Anonymous said...

Also, Jaane kahan gaye woh log

Anonymous said...

On Sunday afternoons:

Khazana (I think I got the name right) and Project Tiger.

Neev was my favourite.

Anonymous said...

Kacchi Dhoop...(Bhagya shree's first serial)

Anonymous said...

Is there anyway where can I find these shows..??

K u n @ L M 0 d i said...

Hey i loved this list,it kind of good collection on DD

Can anyone knows about "Shrikant"?
i would like to download,if possible

Anonymous said...

Hi,
Good to see some ol' DD programs mentioned here!

Though there is a good amount of list of Famous programs on DD, I'm in particular interested in the name of the program & the availability of the same to own (download!!!).
~ About the Program:~
I've very faint memory that the program's name was *-"Alakh Niranjan" -* It also started with the same title track song...
The serial was => 13 episode <= serial, which was being telecast on Thursadays & it was filmed about the "Navanaths" in general & --= BHARTRHARI =--in Particular.

If anybody has the information regarding the same please Post the details (Correct Name of the Serial & the place to get it if available) in this BLOG or mail to me @ "sudarshmurthy@gmail.com"

Thanks in Advance,
Sudi

Anonymous said...

Hi there,
I saw a few other similar posts online reminiscing those good old days of doordarshan. Himalaya Darshan was one of my most favorite shows also, among many others aired from mid to late eighties. Let me tell you that I too can't forget that story of a shepherd getting lost in the himalaya's and coming across lord shiv himself, from "Himalaya Darshan". I think the god was in the disguise of a shepherd and had the name "trilochan", which incidentally is another name of lord Shiv. I was very fascinated by this story, and the himalayas in general (still am), after watching this show. I still can't think of a more peaceful place than "Himalayas" on this entire earth.
-Yasha

BLUEGUITAR said...

Hi Yasha

Thanks for commenting.

Himalaya darshan was indeed a fabulous serial. I had tried, but unsuccessfully, in obtaining the same . May be I will one day, till that time, we'll have to be contended with the memories :)

Anonymous said...

hey it is a big suprise to me ,so many people talking about the shepherd getting lost in the himalaya's and coming across lord Shiv from himalay Darshan,i can remember only this epi as i was not even 10 yr at that time and think of this epi all time ...happy to know many more waiting for "HIMALAY DARSHAN"

Anonymous said...

also add, Ek se badhkar ek.

Anonymous said...

Hi you can also add Turning point and khandaan in ur list

Srikanth said...

Hi all,

It feels great to see a list of all the serials from our childhood. Brings back so many fond memories. I would be grateful If anyone can provide download links for serials like 1) Mr Yogi, 2) Himalay Yatra 3) Mungeriy Lal key haseen sapney

thanks

Srikanth (srikany@gmail.com)

Anonymous said...

Dear Frnd,

Nice job. i was looking for those old memories. thanks for put a light on it.

Uk

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Anonymous said...

Hi All,

I remembered the serial name as "TYAG" 13 episode serial on Doordarshan around early 90's. Please let us know about the serial if anybody knows more about it.
Thanks in Advance.


Hi,
Good to see some ol' DD programs mentioned here!

Though there is a good amount of list of Famous programs on DD, I'm in particular interested in the name of the program & the availability of the same to own (download!!!).
~ About the Program:~
I've very faint memory that the program's name was *-"Alakh Niranjan" -* It also started with the same title track song...
The serial was => 13 episode <= serial, which was being telecast on Thursadays & it was filmed about the "Navanaths" in general & --= BHARTRHARI =--in Particular.

If anybody has the information regarding the same please Post the details (Correct Name of the Serial & the place to get it if available) in this BLOG or mail to me @ "sudarshmurthy@gmail.com"

Thanks in Advance,
Sudi

BrokenBinMan said...

Just stumbled on this wonderful blog. Watching Television DD back in the 80's until mid 90's was a wonderful experience, before the cable TV's started to hijack them.

It was good old days, glued on to TV's on Saturdays and Sundays and watching programmes along with the family and neighbors. DD with their Govt laid out constraints and insular marketing laid themselves out to be butchered once these political people started unleashing their own channels.

There were few programs the blog author seems to have missed out or I have forgotten to read. One was Mashoor Mahal which gave away some great prizes, quiz time with Sidhartha Basu plus Chitramaala which was Televised on every other Monday at 8:30 PM.

Anonymous said...

I still remember,every sunday afternoon- News for Hearing Impaired before the regional films. I was so much in awe as a child..how they could "speak" thru fingers?

/a said...

Hey, this is wonderful! I was searching for "Himalay Darshan" and (the creator - perhaps) Sarbjeet Singh through various sources but couldn't find much info. I was a kid during that time and never been to Himalay but as you have mentioned my facination toward Himalay also started then. If I am not mistaken, the episode of 'Yeti' was named 'Lama Yuru'. I wish I can see that series now. It was serene.
citrusee at gmail

Food Hygiene Training UK said...

Shashank jee, tahnk you so much for reigniting the memories. I have copied the text from your blog to post on facebook's page on HImalaya Darshan, I hope that you wont mind :)

Subrato said...

How can We watch that famous "Himalaya Darshan" serial again ?

Anonymous said...

there was a song main aur mera motor cycle dono ek jaan either in himalaya darshan or himalay ki god mein. if anyone has it pl post.

Ava said...

I remember Himalaya Darshan a lot. Esp the one about Rama Vij's car stopping near the Monastery. It does not seem to be available on youtube anywhere. :(

Any clues?

BLUEGUITAR said...

Hi Ava

Unfortunately not :(

Last I googled desperately, I was able to locate the title song of the serial. someone had posted that on one of the forums (dont remember which one), but didnt manage to download the same.

Thats the only actual reminiscence of the series available on the net, rest are all memories like the one I have posted on this blog.

Take care

Shashank

Kuldip D Gandhi said...

If anybody has himalaya darshan episodes, please please please let me know. It is my favorite.

BLUEGUITAR said...

@Kuldip D Gandhi

They were telecasting Himalaya Darshan on DD India about an year ago. Perhaps they are still doing that. Try checking the schedule. Apart from that the best way to get the series might be to contact DD directly.