Walkathon, musical evening to mark Akashvani at 90

Dharwad: To mark the 90th anniversary of Akashvani in India, Dharwad station of All India Radio (AIR) will organise a walkathon and music programme. Deputy director general (engineering) K Arun Prabhakar and programme chief Manjula Puranik said here on Wednesday that a walkathon will be flagged off at AIR premises at 7.30am on May 8 (Friday). The walkathon will reach Alur Venkatrao circle via LIC office and RN Shetty stadium.A Hindustani classical music programme will be held on May 11, at Alur Venkatrao Bhavan at 6.30pm. Principal of KLS VD Institute of Technology, Vadiraj Kulkarni will inaugurate the programme. The evening will feature flute recital by Kruttika Janginamath and vocal recital by Raghunandan Bhat, accompanied by Raghunandan Gopal Hugar, Sharanappa Guttagi (Tabala) and Ashwin Walawalkar (harmonium). Arun Prabhakar will preside.Akashvani: A brief historyAIR, popularly known as Akashvani, traces its origins to the early days of radio broadcasting in India during the 1920s. Radio transmission in the country began in 1923 through private radio clubs in Mumbai and Kolkata. In 1927, the Indian Broadcasting Company (IBC) launched organised broadcasting services but ceased operations shortly due to financial difficulties.Subsequently, the British govt assumed control of broadcasting in 1930 and introduced the Indian State Broadcasting Service (ISBS). In 1936, ISBS was renamed AIR, marking the formal establishment of a national public broadcasting system in the country.The term ‘Akashvani', meaning ‘voice from the sky', was officially adopted in 1957 and has since become synonymous with AIR. Over the decades, Akashvani has played a significant role in disseminating news, promoting education, and preserving India's cultural heritage through its extensive radio network.Akashvani Dharwad-established on Jan 8, 1950, by the then union minister RR Diwakar, holds a special place in Karnataka's cultural history. From its inception, it has been a bastion of traditional and contemporary art, serving as a platform for legendary artists like Mallikarjun Mansur, Gangubai Hangal, and Basavaraj Rajguru. The station not only captured the artistic brilliance of these icons but also nurtured rural talent, creating ‘radio celebrities' who became household names. The station also stood as a medium of connection, bringing the music, thoughts, and ideas of Karnataka to every home, from urban neighbourhoods to the remotest villages.
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