New Delhi: On the pious occasion of Basant Panchami, Pt. Ravishankar Music Studio at Broadcasting House, Akashvani came alive with a special function organised to mark the launch of a new radio programme series, ‘Har Kanthh Mein Bharat’, specially curated to showcase the myriad shades of Indian classical music on the airwaves.

Jointly presented by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and public service broadcaster Akashvani, this series will be broadcast at 9:30 AM simultaneously from 21 stations across India, effectively covering almost all parts of the country, every day till 16 February 2025.

The function formally commenced at 10:30 AM with a floral offering to goddess Saraswati by Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, Aruneesh Chawla, CEO, Prasar Bharati, Gaurav Dwivedi, Director General, Akashvani, Dr Pragya Paliwal Gaur, Joint Secretary, Culture, Ameeta Prasad Sarbhai, and Director General, Doordarshan, Kanchan Prasad.

In her welcome address, Director General, Akashvani, Dr Pragya Paliwal Gaur highlighted the celestial significance of Basant Panchami this year, symbolising the rare confluence of Saraswati and Lakshmi as the spring season begins. Explaining the concept and broadcast schedule of ‘Har Kanthh Mein Bharat’, she expressed hope that this collaborative effort would be successful.

The series ‘Har Kanthh Mein Bharat’ was digitally inaugurated by Aruneesh Chawla and Gaurav Dwivedi amid a standing ovation. In his inaugural remarks, CEO, Prasar Bharati, highlighted the historical role of Akashvani across the country over the decades. He expressed optimism that such creative partnerships could open new avenues.

In his keynote speech, Secretary, Ministry of Culture, detailed the vision behind this collaboration. He referred to various initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Culture and the need to conserve and preserve performing art forms in the present AI age. According to him, involving the younger generation in such projects was a step in that direction. He also said the Ministry of Culture was keen on expanding this joint presentation.

Intermittently, there were live musical performances on stage. While Saraswati Vandana and a vocal rendition in Raag Basant held the audience spellbound, Raag Des played on the sarod enthralled everyone present in the studio.

BI Bureau