DD Malayalam
DD Malayalam is a Malayalam language television channel operated by India's national broadcaster Doordarshan. It's commonly known as DD4, although it is not officially used now. The name was changed to DD Malayalam after 2000. It is one of the 11 Indian regional language channels operated by Doordarshan. DD Malayalam broadcasts from Kudappanakunnu, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
The channel broadcasts through satellite in the name DD Malayalam and through terrestrial in the name DD Keralam. The channel has its main studio in Thiruvananthapuram and an auxiliary studio in Kochi. In terrestrial mode, DD Malayalam is available to 99.2% of the population of Kerala. The satellite broadcast was started in 1994.
History
Though television made its entry in India on 15 September 1959 it took a quarter of a century to speak the language of most literate state of India - Kerala.The television broadcast in Malayalam -the language of Kerala - under the legacy of Doordarshan was formally launched by the then Chief Minister of Kerala Mr.K.Karunakaran on 1 January 1985 at Tagore Centenary Hall, Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala.
The first ever television programme in Malayalam was a children's play entitled "Oru Koottam Urumbukal"-ഒരു കൂട്ടം ഉറുമ്പുകൾ presented by Rangaprabhath Children's Theatre, Venjarammood, Kerala under the leadership of Mr.Kochunarayana Pillai. The play was written by legendary writer and academician in Malayalam Drama, Mr.G.Sankara Pillai. This first ever television programme in Malayalam was directed and produced by A.Anwar, one of the legendary TV Directors and Producers in Malayalam. 'Oru Koottam Urumbukal' was aired at 6.30 pm on 2 January 1985. The duration of this children's play was 15 minutes.
Initially there was a broadcast in Malayalam for just 70 minutes daily from 1830 hrs to 1940 hrs. The first ever news bulletin Malayalam was aired live at 1930 hrs on 2 January 1985. This live bulletin was produced by Mr.T.Chamiyar and presented by Mr.G.R.Kannan. The text and visual contents were edited by Mr. Baiju Chandran, Mr.A.Anwar and Mr.P.K.Mohanan.
There were a score of programmes in a week specifically targeted to special audience as well as general public. Among them the most popular were 'Vaarthakal'-വാർത്തകൾ, 'Chithrageetham'-ചിത്രഗീതം, 'Malayala Chalachithram'-മലയാള ചലച്ചിത്രം, 'Poomottukal'-പൂമൊട്ടുകൾ, 'Arogyavedi'-ആരോഗ്യ വേദി, 'Sindooram'-സിന്ദൂരം, 'Padavukal'-പടവുകൾ, 'Kalikkalam'-കളിക്കളം, 'Yuvadarshanam'-യുവദർശനം and Rainbow.
The premier band of Producers in Malayalam Television comprise T.Chamiyar, G.Sajan, C.K.Thomas, John Samuel, S.Venu, Baiju Chandran, M.A.Dilip, A.Anwar, R.Syamaprasad, P.K.Mohanan, G.Jayakumar and T.N.Latha Mony.
The first ever tele-serial in Malayalam was a joint production of Doordarshan and UNICEF entitled "Oru Poo Viriyunnu"-ഒരു പൂ വിരിയുന്നു which went on air in 1990. The serial was written and directed by Eravi Gopalan, A.Anwar and P.K.Mohanan.
There were many classic productions in Malayalam television was born under the banner of Doordarshan - the Public Service Broadcaster of India. Among them the following are the most astonishing productions still persist its dominance in the small screen: "Venalinte Ozhivu"-വേനലിൻ്റെ ഒഴിവ്, 'Kariyilakal Moodiya Vazhitharakal'-കരിയിലകൾ മൂടിയ വഴിത്താരകൾ 'Blood-stained Allies of the Yore' 'Uyarthezhunelpu'-ഉയർത്തെഴുനേൽപ്പ്, 'Viswa Vikhyaathamaaya Mookku'-വിശ്വവിഖ്യാതമായ മൂക്ക്, 'Snehathinte Mullukal'-സ്നേഹത്തിന്റെ മുള്ളുകൾ, 'Ragging - Crime & Punishment'-റാഗിങ്: കുറ്റവും ശിക്ഷയും 'Ithente Mannu, Ithente Thaalam'-ഇതെൻറെ മണ്ണ്, ഇതെൻറെ താളം, 'Hamlet of Mountain Monarch'-വരയാടുകളുടെ ലോകം, 'Golden Dream'-സുവർണ്ണ സ്വപ്നം, 'Prathiknjaa'-പ്രതിജ്ഞ, 'Madhuram Madhuram'-മധുരം, മധുരം and'Sooraj ke Pahale'.
While private channels are set their target to gather more commercial earnings than any other parameters of social development Doordarshan had relentlessly shown its social commitment for human development. DD Malayalam is no exception in this regard.
Programs
DD Malayalam has entertainment serials, infotainment programmes, news and current affairs, social programmes and film programmes as its major content. DD Malayalam news Varthakal from its inception in 1985 was popular among the viewers for its crisp and 'to-the-point' presentation. 'Varthakal' speaks the 'best Malayalam' among the Malayalam TV Channels.List of programmes broadcasting on DD Malayalam
- "Thavalam serial by Sunil Krishnan, Thiruvathira Tele Film Makers,Cast - Ashokan, Ratheena V Raju"
- Oru Kudayum Kunjupengalum
- Nilavariyunnu
- Indulekha
- Punnaykka Vikasana Corporation
- Sadasivante Kumbasaram
- Pulari
- Balyakal smaranakal
- Manikyan
- Pattolaponnu
- Koodaram
- Mandan Kunju
- Kunjayyappan
- "Jwalayayi"
- Manasi
- Snehaseema
- Narmadi Pudava
- Aparichitha
- Angadipaattu
- Alakal
- Sagaram
- Suryodayam
- Chandrodayam
- Purappadu
- Marmaram
- Ditective Anand
- Sasneham
- Anuyathra
- Shyamambaram
- Nizhalattam
- Thalolam
- yathra
- Valayam
- Sthree oru punyam
- Pranayam
- Moonnumughamullakannadi
- Chathurangam
- Anantham
- Agneyam
- Marubhoomiyil oru pookalam
- Veendum jwalayay
- Agnishalabhm
- Ishtam
- Thoovalsparsham
- Manjuthirum munpe
- Eeran Nilavu
- Vazhvemayam
- Ganga
- Avalariyathe
- Pakida pakida pambaram
- Gagarajayogam
- kurumthottikkumvatham
- Thyagam
- Charulatha
- Radhamithram
- Thapasya
- Inakkampinakkam
- Rachiamma
- Amma
- Niramala
- Magam
- Snehatheeram
- Gandharvayamam
- Nadodikalyanam
- Deepanaalangalkkuchuttum
- Draupadhi
- Neelamala
- Gopika
- Padavukal
- Hamsageetham
- Morningshow
- Krishideepam
- Rhythm of cookery
- Sumithra
- Pranayakalam
- Punarjani
- Swantham Malootty
- Bhagyanakshathram
- Evening show
- Snehaveed
- Kalyana saugandhikam
- Vrindavanam
- Nombarapoovu
- kamala
- Jwalayay
- Valsalyam
- Chithrageetham
- Rangoli
Non fictional shows
- Bold and beautiful
- Beat the floor
- Foot print 4G
- kilivathil
- Sargasangamam
- Krishidarshan
- Sutharya keralam
- Megha Ragam
- En Swaram
- Sallapam
- Sangeethika
- Chayakoottu
- Rhythm of cookery
- Haritha vidyalayam
- Mayilpeeli
- Katha saritha
Legacy shows
- 'Oru Poo Viriyunnu', a public interest TV serial with 87% viewers' participation. Aired during late 1980s, in 13 weekly episodes. It is the first ever full-fledged story based serial in Malayalam.
- Kairalivilasam 'Ladge', a satirical series aired in the early 1990s in 13 weekly episodes. The serial starred M. S. Thripunithura and Nedumudi Venu.
- Giant Robo, a Japanese TV series of the 1960s was aired as 'Giant Robot' during 1990-91 in weekly episodes.