Akashvani, the national radio broadcaster of India, has partnered with the MyGov platform to launch two nationwide creative contests to celebrate its ninety year legacy. These initiatives, titled the Signature Tune-Making Contest and the Jingle-Making Contest, aim to modernise the auditory identity of the public broadcaster while engaging the youth through the themes of the New Rhythm of Bharat and the Vibrant Voice of India. By crowdsourcing these musical elements, Akashvani seeks to bridge its historic past with a dynamic and digitally connected future.
Celebrating Nine Decades of Public Service Broadcasting
The launch of these contests coincides with the 90th anniversary of Akashvani, which traces its official roots back to 1936. Over the decades, All India Radio (AIR) has evolved from a colonial-era utility into one of the largest broadcasting organisations in the world. Operating under the administrative control of Prasar Bharati, the public service broadcaster currently serves a diverse population through its massive network of stations and varied programming in multiple languages.
The current initiative is part of a broader effort to refresh the brand of Akashvani for a younger demographic. The themes for the contests, Akashvani @90: The New Rhythm of Bharat and Akashvani @90: The Vibrant Voice of India, reflect a focus on the cultural and economic aspirations of modern India. The broadcaster aims to transition from its traditional image to one that resonates with the digital age, while maintaining its role as a credible source of news and entertainment.
The National Signature Tune Contest: A New Rhythm for Bharat
The Signature Tune-Making Contest focuses on creating iconic instrumental themes for specific Akashvani programmes. Participants are tasked with designing tunes that reflect the unique content and tone of various categories, such as youth, sports, technology, and social welfare. This contest emphasizes musical excellence and atmospheric suitability, ensuring that each programme has a distinct auditory signature.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Theme | Akashvani @90: The New Rhythm of Bharat |
| Duration | 20 to 40 seconds |
| Requirement | Strictly instrumental (no vocals or humming) |
| Categories | Youth and Sports, Business and Tech, Social Welfare, Culture |
| Prizes | First (₹30,000), Second (₹20,000), Third (₹10,000) |
Submissions for the signature tune must be in high-quality MP3 or WAV formats. The winners will be selected based on the creativity of the composition and how well it functions as both an introduction and an outro for the radio shows. In addition to the top three prizes, the broadcaster has also announced ten consolation prizes of ₹5,000 each.
The Jingle-Making Contest: Engaging the Modern Listener
The National Channel Jingle Contest is designed to create fresh and catchy vocal compositions for the main radio channels of Akashvani. Unlike the signature tune contest, this competition requires the inclusion of lyrics and background musical arrangements. It targets popular channels like Vividh Bharati, FM Gold, and FM Rainbow, which have long been the staple of radio listeners in India.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Theme | Akashvani @90: The Vibrant Voice of India |
| Duration | 20 to 50 seconds |
| Language | Hindi or English |
| Channels | Vividh Bharati, FM Gold, FM Rainbow |
| Prizes | First (₹20,000), Second (₹15,000), Third (₹10,000) |
The objective is to produce modern jingles that resonate with the current generation of listeners while preserving the core essence of the radio experience. Participants can submit their entries via the MyGov portal, and each submission must be accompanied by a brief concept note. This approach ensures that the entries are not only musically sound but also aligned with the strategic vision of the broadcaster.
Historical Context: The Iconic 1936 Signature Tune
The current search for a new rhythm is a significant moment in the history of Akashvani, especially given the legacy of its original signature tune. Composed in 1936, the iconic melody was created by Walter Kaufmann, a Jewish composer from the Czech Republic who had fled to India to escape Nazi persecution. Kaufmann served as the director of music for the Western Music department at the Bombay station of the broadcaster.
The original tune is based on the Indian raga Shivaranjini and features a melancholic yet stirring violin performance. This violin part was played by Mehli Mehta, the noted Indian musician and father of the world renowned conductor Zubin Mehta. For ninety years, this tune has served as the auditory heartbeat of the nation, marking the commencement of radio broadcasts at dawn across the country. By launching these contests, the broadcaster is not replacing this historic piece but is adding new layers to its sonic identity to match the contemporary era.
Institutional Support: Prasar Bharati and MyGov
The collaboration between Prasar Bharati and MyGov leverages the strengths of both organisations to ensure broad reach and citizen participation. Prasar Bharati, established in 1997 as a statutory autonomous body under the Prasar Bharati Act, 1990, functions as the public service broadcaster of India. It oversees both Akashvani and Doordarshan, with its headquarters located in New Delhi. The organisation operates under the administrative control of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
MyGov, on the other hand, is the flagship citizen engagement platform of the Government of India, launched in July 2014. Operating under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the portal serves as a bridge between the government and the public, facilitating crowdsourced ideas for policy formulation and national initiatives. By hosting these musical contests on MyGov, the government ensures a transparent and inclusive selection process that allows talented musicians from all parts of India to contribute to the nation’s broadcasting legacy.
Key Takeaways
- Akashvani (All India Radio) has partnered with MyGov to launch two nationwide contests to celebrate its 90 year legacy.
- The contests include the Signature Tune-Making Contest and the Jingle-Making Contest, aimed at modernising the broadcaster’s sound.
- The original signature tune of Akashvani was composed in 1936 by Walter Kaufmann and is based on the raga Shivaranjini.
- Prasar Bharati is a statutory autonomous body established in 1997 under the Prasar Bharati Act, 1990, and is headquartered in New Delhi.
- The MyGov platform was launched in July 2014 under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to promote participatory governance.
- The deadline for submissions for both musical contests is May 25, 2026.
