NEW DELHI: The Government has denied any proposal to start any new channel completely devoted to classical music in either All India Radio or Doordarshan.

All India Radio has an internet radio channel ‘Raagam’ devoted to classical music. It was started on 26 January 2016. It is available on DTH platform, internet-live streaming and also on Mobile Apps.

Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore told Parliament that Doordarshan has a television channel DD Bharati dedicated to art and culture which also telecasts programmes on classical music.

Apart from the above, all regional channels of Doordarshan and All India Radio regularly broadcast programmes on classical music.

‘Raagam’ is an FM channel available through the All India Radio Mobile App for Windows, Android and iPhone (iOS) users. This is 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 had told radioandmusic.com: “Raagam will be available on live streaming on internet. This will ensure wider reach and cater to the global audiences as well.”

Shehryar added 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 functions from Bengaluru.

Also Read: AIR to launch channel for classical music on DTH, web and mobile App