Music channels on satellite radio
WORLDSPACE, THE 24-hour audio entertainer, which has been in the scene for around four years now, has branched into several new channels, the latest being two dedicated to classical music — Gandharv (Hindustani music) and Shruti (Carnatic music).
WorldSpace, through two satellites, AfriStar and AsiaStar, works closely with several government and key institutions and lends its technology for social development causes such as distance education and forecasting. The company is headquartered in Washington and the Indian operations are run from Bangalore. Besides jazz and classical, old and new Hindi film songs, to rock and spirituality, all the South Indian language channels feature in their range of over 30 dedicated audio-specials.
R. Mahadevan, Programme Director, WorldSpace India Pvt. Ltd, who is involved with the planning, programming and production of Shruti and Gandharv says, "Being the only platform of their kind, the classical music channels would promote continuous interaction among the artists, critics and music enthusiasts."
Not just music and concert-formats, the audio feast in both Gandharv and Shruti is said to eventually bring in stimulating content for connoisseurs, programmes for beginners and lay-listeners, educative lecture-demonstrations to draw more enthusiasts, interviews with musicians and musicologists, magazine-format shows to explain the basics and intricacies in both styles, and insights to explain this genre of music and their evolution through the ages.
Says Shubha Mudgal, known for her in-depth studies in khayal-thumri-dadra and her recent forays into Indipop, "Music has been my constant companion for two decades now.
The diversity and the exhaustive day-and-night broadcasts of WorldSpace would help keep our interest soaring. Interactive programming is what we look forward to," she adds.
Mahadevan says, "To complement the broadcast programmes, on-ground activities involving community participation and special programmes commemorating major events in both Hindustani and Carnatic, and festivals, birthdays and milestones in the lives of composers, artists and patrons will be featured."
"We are as much looking forward to the golden era, (the archival material that is generally inaccessible) on WorldSpace as also to full length concerts that would help people who are unable to move out and enjoy live concerts," say S. Sowmya and Shashikiran of Carnatica. Since it is not just a day and night radio channel but one that tries to tackle engaging live events and workshops in its periphery, Carnatica joining in some of their on-ground activities are on the cards," say the duo.
Mahadevan says, "the pre-launch of the music channels had a live Sahgaan "Stree Shakti" — a judicious mix of Hindustani and Carnatic genres by Ashwini Bhide and Sowmya, in Bangalore. We will bring in some of the musical spectaculars of the Margazhi music extravaganza in Chennai for our nearly one-lakh subscribers in India and several million across the world."
Violinist, L. Subramaniam said, "The channels never sleep so that variety entertainment can be provided to all kinds of music enthusiasts. Their effort will help growing children imbibe our rich tradition."
For a complete dealer list, log into www.worldspaceasia.com.
RANJANI GOVIND
RANJANI GOVIND
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