Amruthavarshini migration sets off concern over local content
The Hindu
Classical music FM programming ceased to exist as independent entity on Monday
For classical music aficionados who keenly listened to ‘Amruthavarshini’ (100.10 FM) on Akashvani in Bengaluru, Monday came as a rude shock as their favourite radio show migrated to ‘Ragam’, a national channel. Local artists feel this means a declining chance to perform for the national broadcaster.
For, as part of an effort to consolidate transmission and content, the All India Radio (AIR) Bengaluru has given up its more-than-a-decade-old FM channel Amruthavarshini, and the regional music programme is now part of the multilingual Ragam. Content for Ragam comes from 14 AIR stations across the country, including Bengaluru. Ragam 24/7 is being aired for about 17 hours on digital and satellite radio, and on the Internet streaming globally.