India's longest-running TV show is not Bigg Boss or KBC, but a show that's been on air for over 5 decades, airing over 16,000 episodes. Read on to uncover this iconic program and its legacy.
India boasts a television show that has been captivating audiences for an astonishing 57 years, with over 16,000 episodes aired. And no, it's not the widely popular 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' (KBC), the thrilling 'CID', the comedic 'Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah', or the famous reality show 'Bigg Boss'. India's longest-running TV programme is 'Krishi Darshan', an informative show dedicated to agriculture, broadcasted on Doordarshan.
Krishi Darshan
With over 16,780 episodes spanning more than 57 years, 'Krishi Darshan' has become a household name. The show imparts valuable knowledge on agricultural practices, animal husbandry, fisheries, and rural development, reaching every corner of the nation. It has penetrated even the remotest villages, surpassing the reach of any other show, including KBC.
Inauguration
'Krishi Darshan' was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The first episode aired on January 26, 1967, marking the 20th Republic Day after India's independence. For the past 57 years, the programme has been a staple on DD National and expanded to DD Kisan in 2015. Each episode runs for approximately 30 minutes. Initially, the broadcast was limited to 80 villages around Delhi, but it quickly gained nationwide popularity.
Chitrahaar
Wondering about India's second longest-running TV show? It's 'Chitrahaar', a musical programme that has graced DD National for 42 years, with over 12,000 episodes aired. Its first episode, featuring Bollywood film songs, was broadcasted on August 15, 1982, coinciding with Independence Day.
Rangoli
Securing the third position is 'Rangoli', another music programme that has been entertaining viewers since 1989. With 35 years and 11,500 episodes to its credit, 'Rangoli' has seen numerous popular actresses like Hema Malini, Sharmila Tagore, and Shweta Tiwari as hosts.
In comparison, popular shows like 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' has aired 1,230 episodes since 2000, 'CID' broadcasted 1,547 episodes in its 20-year run, 'Bigg Boss' has aired 1,864 episodes in 17 years, and 'Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah' has been running since 2008 with 4,180 episodes.
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