Vividh Bharati – The Radio Station That Took Hindi Film Music to Masses

Flashback to fifties. You could find people gathered around a radio to listen to songs from films. Good music was almost necessary for a film to be hit and music directors and singers were household names. Believe it or not, Bollywood music was banned on All India Radio in those days and due to that the Hindi service of Radio Ceylon was a big hit in India. Programs like Binaca Geetmala by Ameen Sayani and Lipton Ke Sitaare by Sunil Dutt on Radio Ceylon ruled the radio waves. Binaca Geetmala moved to Vividh Bharti in 1988.

It was in this background that All India Radio decided to launch Vividh Bharti on 3rd Oct, 1957. This was a radio station focused on entertainment and had  film music, skits, short plays and interactive programmes. Some of the old popular music shows were  Sangeet Sarita, Bhule Bisre Geet, Jaimala, Inse Miliye, Chhaya Geet etc. which are still familiar with music lovers.

All the shows were produced inMarine Lines and Borivili Mumbai and then up-linked to satellite for broadcast across the country. Initially, this service was commercial free but commercials were introduced in 1967. Over the years Vividh Bharti has become an important part of any music lovers life. Vividh Bharti has also moved with times and launched on FM in 2015. They also launched their services on Mobile Apps and Website.

Vividh Bharti Website – http://vividhbharti.org/

And listen to some old episodes to get into nostalgia mode.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UR8kQFNo1lk&list=PL5vON6czMzXjX3FSpYz_ARskSyF9rs1ZB&index=1