Mysore AIR Jubilee on Sept 19

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Akashvani Station Director Dr M S Vijaya said the first broadcast of Akashvani was on September 10, 1935 by late Dr M V Gopalaswamy.

The platinum jubilee celebrations will be inaugurated by Wing Commander M G Premkumar, who is the son of Dr Gopalaswamy. Retired Director of Prasaranga, Dr Prabhushankara will release a souvenir on the occasion.

Cultural programmes include Carnatic classical vocal recital by R K Srikantan and R S Ramakantha, Sapthaveena recital by Mysore S Rajalakshmi, light music by Nithin Rajarama Shastri. Folk programmes such as Beesukamsale, Tamboori Pada and Yuva Ranjani will also be organised.

Dr Vijaya recalled that Akashvani was started by Dr Gopalaswamy as a private venture. During the 1940s, the Government of Mysore gave the land to construct the existing Akashvani building in the city. “Around 350 radios were distributed to villages, so that farmers could benefit by listening to the programmes,” she said.