New Delhi: 'Raagam', a 24x7 radio channel exclusively devoted to classical music, will be launched by All India Radio by Prasar Bharati chairman A Surya Prakash on Republic Day, 26 January. The channel will be live streamed through direct-to-home channels and the website allindiaradio.gov.in .

The launch will be from Bengaluru and aims to fulfil the long felt need of classical music lovers. An FM channel, it will also be available through the All India Radio Mobile App for Windows, Android and iPhone (iOS) users. This is also an indigenous effort by the country’s oldest broadcaster to get connected with Indians within and outside the country and have strong embedded love for Hindustani and Carnatic Music.

Akashvani, Bengaluru, already has the channel ‘Amrithavarshini’ dedicated to classical music. It enjoys a committed clientele of music lovers. Tiruchirapalli also had a similar channel with the name ‘Raagam’, the sources confirmed.

AIR DG F Shehryar added: “Raagam will be available on live streaming on internet, this will ensure wider reach and cater to the global audiences as well.”

Shehryar told radioandmusic.com that the channel will depend on its rich repository of recordings of the old masters as well as contemporary celebrities, preserved for posterity for the programming. AIR sources said this is expected to be equally divided between Hindustani and Carnatic music. The channel will function from Bengaluru.