News Broadcasting
Aaj Tak’s ‘Chunavi Qawwali’ adds flavour to Elections 2004
MUMBAI: All news channels, be it Star News, NDTV, Aaj Tak, Sahara Samay or even Zee News are looking at making political sattires in the light of the upcoming elections. But Aaj Tak has gone a step ahead and is all set to grab maximum eyeballs this elections. The news channel has come up with a path-breaking programme to add a unique colour to its election coverage with Chunavi Qawwali.
From 12 April, Aaj Tak started televising a colourful and musical show that takes an unconventional look at the elections. The show aims at capturing the essence of the great electoral battle through rhyme and repartee, rather than the regular fare of reports, interviews and analysis.
Running Monday through Friday at 10:30 pm, this is the first time that qawaali has been used to communicate the various election agendas, claims and counter claims of political parties.
Aaj Tak endeavors to deliver contemporary issues pertaining to the general elections to its viewers in a form that has in the past been used for themes such as romance, religious devotion and at times social messages. This style of programming gets across complicated and confusing agendas of politicians to the electorate in a simple and humorous manner.
Chunavi Qawwali demonstrates the various charges levied by the leading political parties against each other in the form of parodies. The qawwali comprises two teams representing two major political groups, parties or individual led factions. It is set in a royal and elegant location and with participants dressed in an apt manner and this adds to the strong humorous element in the show. The qawaali has both teams fighting it out amongst themselves to create a favorable opinion and support. What the programme actually does is to bring out the truth and behind-the-scene elements pertaining to the various issues. Chunavi Qawwali enables Aaj Tak to portray the various angles to the issues that is generally not possible in normal news bulletins.
Chunaavi Qawalli is another testimony to Aaj Tak’s efforts at adding greater value to its viewing experience and it is through the use of such innovative formats that viewers will be treated to a complete election news experience, which will cover all aspects.
News Broadcasting
Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
