BANGALORE, the cultural capital added, a feather to its cap with the inauguration of a Relay Centre of Doordarshan on 1st November 1981. This came as a gift of Rajyotsava to the people of Karnataka, which promised to showcase the art, culture, literature and development of the land and its people.
Since its inception, Doordarshan has been striving hard to uphold the splendour and grandeur of the State in its various facets and dimensions. Doordarshan Kendra, Bangalore, got a base Production Centre in 1983, which facilitated the introduction of News in Kannada on 19th November 1983. On the same day Kannada feature films were also introduced on Doordarshan channel. The Colour transmission began in 1982 and sponsored serials went on a air from November 1, 1985. The duration of News was increased to 15 minutes in 1988. The new studio complex which was also commissioned in 1988 gave a major impetus to boost the quantum of production. However, the major breakthrough was achieved in 1990 when all the LPTs in Karnatak were linked with Bangalore where by people throughout the State could then see the regional language programmes.

Doordarshan has not only grown in size but also in its programmes variety, experience and professional standards. Today Doordarshan, Bangalore, telecast not only in-house programmes but also Sponsored and Commissioned programmes.

The pride of Doordarshan programmes is the wide range of subjects and fields that they encompass. Be it music, literature, culture, agriculture or development communication, Doordarshan is in the forefront. Doordarshan’s achievements include giving wide canvas to the best novels, short stories, the literati, musicians, folk artists and achievers in various fields. This has been not only inspirational but also meaningful to our disarming viewers.

Doordarshan despite facing competition form a host of private entertainment channels has maintained its impeccable dedication and commitment to public service concerns, which accord a unique place to it.

Today Doordarshan Bangalore covers an area of 76.2% and population of 82.4% and the DD News covers and area of 21.1% and population of 37.6% in the state of Karnataka.

A regional language satellite channel was launched on 15th August 1991, which became 24 hrs channels on 1st January 2000. This came to be later christened as CHANDANA, which true to its name has been the true cultural ambassador of the Karnataka State.

Doordarshan Kendra, Bangalore, has been also experimenting with narrow casting in LPT in Bellary by way of telecasting programmes, which are area specific and oriented to local needs. This is an ongoing experiment n from August 31st 2002.

KEY MANAGEMENT:

Bangalore Doordarshan Kendra is ably managed by three senior officers from programme, Engineering and News. Mahesh Joshi, Director of the kendra who has a rich experience of programming for Radio and Television Station has been in the forefront for bringing new look to Bangalore. He is ably supported by S.J.D Devasahayam, Superintending Engineer by extending technical and infrastructural services and by K.R. Prahallada Joint Director News.

Mahesh Joshi	S.J.D Devasahayam	K.R. Prahallada

AWARD GALLERY:
By way of laying greater emphasis on the Content and Quality the Kendra has won several awards they are,

• This Kendra received the first prize for Public Service Broadcasting Award on Gandhian philosophy for its programme "Janapada Jagattu" a leather puppet shoe depicting the life and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi.
• The News cameraman of this kendra Shri.T.S. Shivakumar has been adjudged Best News Cameraman Award during the Doordarshan annual award for the coverage on extremists who were shot down in Bangalore.
• The Taana - Yaana, a documentary on tourism produced by shri.T.N.N.Prasad, Cam.Gr.I received The Best Programme Award for the south zone in the month of September, 2002.
• "Deepa Samskruti" produced by Smt.Rohini Mahaswamy,Prod.Asst. received The Best Programme Award for the south zone in the month of November, 2002.
• Outstanding Prize for the best maintenance of Garden/Lawn in Govt. buildings.
• The Kendra got Best Maintained award for technical excellence.
• "Aditya",the Hindi In-house magazine edited by Dr.Varadraj of our HIndi Unit received the best Hindi Magazine among the media units of Min. of Information & Broadcasting.
• Kendra got Best News Unit,Best Youth Programme and Best Administrative Performance Awards.