New Delhi

Public Broadcaster Prasar Bharati will launch a 24×7 niche channel – ‘Ragam’, which would be exclusively devoted to classical music, this Republic Day.

The channel will be launched by Prasar Bharati chairman Dr A Surya Prakash, and will be live streamed through DTH and AIR website allindiaradio.gov.in, officials said.

It will also be available through the All India Radio Mobile App for Windows, Android and iPhone(iOS) users.

The launch will be from Bengaluru and is an indigenous effort by the country s oldest broadcaster to get connected with Digital India living within and outside the country and has strong embedded love for Hindustani and Carnatic Music, officials said.

Over the years, All India Radio has acquired an immensely rich repository of recordings of the old masters as well as contemporary celebrities, which will be aired on this channel.

In a tweet Suryaprakash also said that he is “Looking forward to the launch in Bengaluru. Prasar Bharati fulfils a long felt need of classical music lovers on Jan26.”

“Raagam will be available on live streaming on Internet, this will ensure wider reach and cater to the global audiences as well,” F Sheheryar, DG, All India Radio said.

The channel will offer classical music lovers in India and overseas a blend of Hindustani and Carnatic Classical Music, with contributions from all prominent regional stations, officials said.

Akashvani, Bengaluru also runs ‘Amrithavarshini’, which is a channel dedicated to classical music.

PTI