It was in June 1923, that the very first radio programme in India was broadcast by the Radio Club of Bombay (Mumbai) and then in November, 1923 from Calcutta (Kolkata). These radio broadcasts were made with the efforts of amateurs, later followed by private enterprise. This was the beginning, of a medium, which was to connect the country through electric waves and eventually contribute greatly in creating new India in new world order! In 1924, broadcasting service was initiated by the Madras Presidency Radio Club. After the Indian Broadcast Company in Mumbai and Kolkata went bankrupt it was shutdown in 1930. Later, Indian State Broadcasting Service (ISBS) under Department of Industries and Labour was launched. It was on July 23, 1927 that organized broadcasting kick started. Lionel Fielden was the first controller of Broadcasting in India. He was a senior BBC producer who spent five years in India as the controller of broadcasting and one of the main people who established All India Radio (AIR). It came under the control of the Government of India in 1936.
The signature tune of All India Radio was composed by Walter Kaufmann , then director of music at AIR. Kauffman was forced to leave Prague because of Hitler's fascist rule. He came to India in 1934. He lived in Bombay for twelve years and worked in the music department of All India Radio. He did significant research on Indian music and even worked for Hindi movies. "In India's remote villages there are many who, after the day's work is done, find time hanging heavily...and there must be many officials whose duties carry them into out-of-way places, where they crave company of friends and solace of human companionship. To all these and many more broadcasting will be a blessing and boon of real value." These are words spoken by Viceroy of India , Lord Irwin .at the inauguration of the Bombay Station of Indian Broadcasting Company on July 23, 1927. His words still hold true to a large extent.
Forwarded by :- Mitul Kansal ,kansalmitul@gmail.com