In 1985, Doordarshan did a desi adaptation of Jane Austen's classic Pride and Prejudice, which was directed by Meena Vaishnavi. I discuss this little known gem of Indian television with my friend and Austen fan Ranjitha where we compare this DD adaptation by Kamna Chandra with other film and television adaptations.

Madraswallah Podcast (Hindi)

Of Pride and Prejudice in Trishna

The year 1988-89 marked the centenary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and the occasion was celebrated with the airing of Shyam Benegal's Bharat Ek Khoj on Doordarshan. This podcast brings you details about the making of this classic of Indian television.

Discovery of India: A Hindi Podcast on Bharat EK Khoj

For over 11 years, Surabhi brought to the masses the story of India and its rich heritage in a way seldom on Indian television. Every Sunday Siddharth Kak and Renuka Shahane entered the drawing rooms of millions of Indians, as they showcased stories of India's incredible culture. Siddharth Kak goes back in time as he shares the beginning of Surabhi, the flood of postcards from readers, some enthralling moments from the rich showcase and what it takes to make a Surabhi again.

Cultural kaleidoscope of Surabhi

Ram Katha has been revealed over millennia through multiple art forms. In the 20th century, when cinema emerged as a global art form, Ramayan became a story that filmmakers turned to time and again. This podcast brings to you some interesting attempts to capture the essence of Ramayan on the silver screen in Hindi cinema

Ram, Ramayan and Cinema

Hum Log was India's first television soap opera and set the tone for home entertainment for the decades to come. This podcast is a tribute to the genius of P Kumar Vasudev, Manohar Shyam Joshi and the wonderful artistes who made Hum Log a reality for us.

Hum Log: A Soap opera is Born -A Hindi podcast

Kundan Shah's Wagle Ki Duniya became an instant classic when it was aired in 1988 with its appeal that cut across social strata. Based on RK Laxman's Common Man, it was conceptualized by the cartoonist himself. This episode takes down the lane to meet Srinivas Wagle and his family.

The Common Man in Wagle ki Duniya (1988) - Hindi Podcast

First aired in 1988 on Doordarshan, Mile Sur Mera Tumhara went on to be a part of the collective consciousness of the nation. With an enviable line-up of celebrities such as Pt Bhimsen Joshi, Dr M Balamuralikrishna, Shabana Azmi, Kamal Hasan, Mrinal Sen, Amitabh Bachchan and several others, this music video was an instant classic. This episode throws light on its making and its cult status. The podcast is in Hindi

National Integration with Mile Sur Mera Tumhara

In 1986, Ramesh Sippy's television serial Buniyaad created history. Capturing the pain, love, longing and resurrection that accompanied partition, Buniyaad won over the nation. This episode throws light on the making of Buniyaad and some interesting anecdotes about its success. This is from the Madraswallah Podcast, now in Hindi

Buniyaad: A partition saga 

In 1985, Basu Chatterjee caused a storm on the small screen with his Rajani, starring Priya Tendulkar. The serial caught the imagination of the middle class citizens across the country and played a major role in propelling consumer activism among the masses. I had watched Rajani during its rerun in the 1994 on Zee TV. But a few years after Basu Chatterjee made Rajani, Anand Mahendroo brought out a second season of the serial. The audio you hear in the podcast is from the second season and not from the original run in 1985 as the serial is unavailable online.

Middle Class Durga: Hindi Podcast on Basu Chatterjee's Rajani (1985)

The Madraswallah podcast is an ode to a time when time itself didn't hurry up. From memories of that Doordarshan classic to the rush for a matinee show in a single-screen theatre, you will discover all of that and more. चलिए, अप्पको ले चलता हूँ फिर से उस रविवार की फुर्सत में जब वक़्त जल्दी नहीं करता था