Dharwad: Over the years, All India Radio Dharwad has played a pivotal role in shaping the cultural landscape of Dharwad, becoming a cornerstone of classical music, art, and literature. As one of the first radio stations established in Karnataka, Akashavani Dharwad marked its 75th anniversary on January 8, 2025.
Launched in 1950, under the guidance of Union Minister for Broadcasting, R. R. Diwakar, the station aimed to inform, educate, communicate, and train. It quickly became known as the ‘commoner’s university’, offering a variety of programs that catered to all sections of society. Today, it stands as a well-respected public service broadcaster, on par with other prominent stations like those in Kolkata and Pune.
Listeners, such as 94-year-old Ramachandra Dhongade, a devoted listener since 1951, and Prabhakar Kore, Chairman of KLE Society, share their appreciation for the station’s informative and entertaining content, presented in the regional dialect of north Karnataka Kannada.
Akashavani Dharwad is renowned for hosting musical performances, folk culture segments, interviews with scholars, and discussions on agricultural knowledge. The station’s programming, which blends simple yet creative content with music and sound effects, reaches listeners of all ages.
Keerti Nidagundi, a former programme executive, and Sharanabasava Cholin, the current programme head, emphasize the station’s focus on human interest, making its shows popular. The digitized library of Akashavani Dharwad also includes interviews with legends like Sir C.V. Raman, Masti Venkatesh Iyengar, and speeches by Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, ensuring the preservation of valuable historical content.
With more than 3.5 lakh subscribers on YouTube, programs like Smruti Samputadinda and Nenapinangala continue to reach a vast audience, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Dharwad.
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