10 facts about history of Indian Radio!

Unlike Buzzfeed, here’s a list that actually tells you something worthy. Cheers!

1. Radio broadcast started in 1923 via 2 private stations — Radio Club of Bombay & later Calcutta Radio Club. In 1924, broadcasting service was initiated by the Madras Presidency Radio Club.

This transmitter was first used in India in 1924 by the Madras Presidency Radio Club. Source: http://goo.gl/1QPGqW

2. In 1930, Indian Broadcast Company (IBC) that ran the stations in Bombay (now Mumbai) & Calcutta (now Kolkata) went bankrupt and was liquidated. Later, Indian State Broadcasting Service (ISBS) under Department of Industries and Labour commenced on experimental basis.

A letter by ISBS. Source: http://goo.gl/emHD7v

3. Lionel Fielden was the first controller of Broadcasting in India. He was the senior BBC producer who spent five years in India as controller of broadcasting, creating — All India Radio (AIR)

On June 16, 1938, AIR Madras station on Marshall’s Road, Egmore, was inaugurated by C. Rajagopalachari, then premier of Madras Presidency, Lionel Fielden, controller of broadcasting, and Sir Andrew Clow, member of communication in the Viceroy’s Executive Council. Photo: The Hindu Archives. Source: http://goo.gl/k1nSNd

4. First news bulletin was broadcasted on January 19,1936

5. On June 8, 1936, Indian State Broadcasting Service became All India Radio

The building on 18, Alipur Road in Delhi which was used to broadcast radio from 1936 to 1943. Source: http://goo.gl/VTkR2A

6. First National Programme of Music broadcast from AIR took place on July 20,1952

7. Vividh Bharati Services started on October 3,1957.

8. Che Guevara recorded an interview for All India Radio in 1959 during his visit to India.

Che records an interview with AIR’s K.P. Bhanumathy. Source: http://goo.gl/qywzM

9. First ever FM service was inaugurated from Madras (now Chennai) on July 23, 1977.

10. Time Slots on FM Channel to private parties at Delhi & Mumbai started in 1993 and the revolution in FM radio stations in India started.

Some pictures from the History books. Free stuff!

Then Premier of Madras presidency, Rajaji signs the visitor’s book at the station’s inauguration in 1938. Photo:AIR, Chennai. Source: http://goo.gl/hUCPd

East Nook, the building where the studios of AIR Madras were located, from June 1938 to July 1953. The building no longer exists. Photo: The Hindu Archives. Image: http://goo.gl/k1nSNd

An audio ensemble for AIR Madras. Photo: The Hindu Archives. Source: http://goo.gl/k1nSNd

Jinnah announced creation of Pakistan over All India Radio. Source: http://goo.gl/YS8W7f

A disc with an electrical recording of a Bismillah Khan concert. Photo: S.S. Kumar. Source: http://goo.gl/hUCPd

Children at the recording studio in Madras (1940). Source: http://goo.gl/emHD7v

R.D.Burman in a studio. Source: http://goo.gl/4vQwf7

Singer Mukesh presenting the show ‘Jaymala’. Source: http://goo.gl/mzRSfI

A Radio Ceylon ad in the newspaper. Source: http://goo.gl/9M1LYF

Pandit Nehru during a broadcast. Source: http://goo.gl/6QFJeD

Please note: The copyright of photos are with the sources mentioned. Please make sure not to use the photos and copyrighted material for commerical purposes without the consent of the rightful owners. Other sources include: All India Radio, Britannica,The Hindu, Radio Heritage Foundation, Chennai Museum.