THE INDIAN LISTENER
Written by Bombay All India Radio
58 pages, about 70 minutes of reading
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Themes, characters and key ideas in THE INDIAN LISTENER, written by Chaptra AI.
- about 2 hours
- intermediate
- informative
- historical
- instructional
"THE INDIAN LISTENER" is a historically significant fortnightly program journal published by All India Radio, serving as a vital record of early Indian broadcasting. Originating in 1935 as a successor to the Indian Radio Times, this particular 1937 issue, Vol. II, No.2, offers a snapshot into the technical, social, and cultural landscape of the time. It primarily functioned as a 'bradshaw of broadcasting,' providing detailed program schedules, insights into program creation, and profiles of artists, alongside articles addressing contemporary issues like radio receiver maintenance and the human element in Indian industry. The journal's evolution into 'Akashvani' underscores its enduring legacy in shaping public discourse and national identity through radio in India.
“"The Indian Listener... used to serve the listener as a bradshaw of broadcasting, and give listener the useful information in an interesting manner about programmes, who writes them, take part in them and produce them along with photographs of performing artists."”
Key themes
- Public Service Broadcasting & Information Dissemination
- The core purpose of 'THE INDIAN LISTENER' was to serve as a vital link between the broadcaster (All India Radio) and its audience, providing essential program schedules, policy updates, and general information. This theme explores how early radio was used to inform, educate, and unify a diverse populace.
- Cultural Documentation & National Identity
- As a product of All India Radio, the journal inherently contributed to the formation and dissemination of a shared national culture. By profiling artists, detailing programs, and covering policy, it acted as a cultural archive and a tool for fostering a collective identity in a diverse nation on the cusp of independence.
- Technological Literacy & Maintenance
- The journal played a crucial role in demystifying new technology (radio) for its listeners. The article on receiver maintenance highlights the practical aspects of owning and operating a radio, empowering users to troubleshoot and maintain their devices, thereby extending the reach and reliability of broadcasting.
Worth discussing
Discuss the role of early public broadcasting in nation-building and fostering a national identity, particularly in a colonial context like pre-independence India.
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