GECs
Worldspace launches Urdu radio station Falak
MUMBAI: Worldspace Satellite Radio has launched a 24-hour Urdu radio station – Falak. Named after the Urdu word for ‘sky’, the channel aims to showcase the vast repertoire of Urdu music.
Channel No. 109 on the Worldspace Satellite Radio Network, Falak captures the nuances of Urdu through a range of innovative programming that brings to life the romance of more than just the language. The channel revives memories of a whole tradition of impeccable style and etiquette, prose and poetry, and a rapidly vanishing set of traditional values.
Speaking on the launch of the new channel, Worldspace India MD Shishir Lall said, “It is our endeavour at Worldspace to showcase the rich musical diversity of the world in a refreshing advertising-free format, which can be accessed in virtually any part of the country. Worldspace is home to the widest variety of musical genres on radio with music ranging from contemporary forms such as Hip-hop and Pop to classic selections like Jazz, Hindustani, and Bengali. Falak will now enable music lovers to go back in time and indulge in the lyrical sounds of Urdu.”
Falak showcases the widest collection of Urdu music on radio in the form of ghazals, qawalis and film songs, broadcasting rare songs that are not even available in music stores today. The carefully structured programming highlights the various forms of Urdu music ranging from evocative poetry readings or Mushairas, exclusive interviews with singers and poets of a bygone era, special live recordings, trivia on historical events, celebrating the lives of legends from Urdu literature and music, sharing social messages contained in ancient Urdu literature, in addition to a host of other exclusive
programming.
The channel will air shows such as Taareekh Key Jharokhey Sey, Filmy Saugaat, Aqwaal-E-Zareen, Sufiyana Kalaam, Bazm-E-Khanam, Ghazal Usne Chhedi and Sham-E-Farozan.
Taareekh Key Jharokhey Sey will air an interesting peep into the times gone by, Radio Falak will take a look into the history of various important cities, places of interest, monuments etc., sharing interesting and unknown anecdotes. Filmy Saugaat will broadcast film songs featuring Urdu lyrics, from India and Pakistan. The show will be presented by Sabiha Fazal who excels in his knowledge of Hindustani and Pakistani film music, shares anecdotes about singers, composers, songwriters, and film producers on this entertaining show, according to an official release.
Aqwaal-E-Zareen will air social messages by great philosophers from all over the globe that have been translated and adapted in Urdu to imbibe modesty, humility and good human values.
Bazm-E-Khanam, yet another special programme catering to the ladies, the show features tips on good health, house keeping, family relations, culinary delights from Indian, Mughlai, Irani, Uzbeki, Arabic and Afghani platter – their history, the little known tricks and techniques of their preparation.
Sufiyana Kalaam, a special programme featuring Sufi Qawalis, Mersias, Nohas and Baints. Ghazal Usne Chhedi is based on Urdu poetry. Sham-E-Farozan will air best ghazals by renowned Urdu poets.
Radio Falak will also air the ethos of a bygone era and revel in the soothing and powerful voices of legends like Ghulam Ali, Mehdi Hassan, Iqbal Bano, Tahira Saiyad, Farida Khanam, Reshma, Abida Parveen and Nusrat Saheb.
GECs
Asianet Television Awards 2026 celebrates women power in Malayalam TV
“She is the Colour” theme honours icons as ceremony airs on March 14 and 15 at 7 PM.
MUMBAI: If television lights up living rooms, this year Asianet decided to let women provide the colour. The Asianet Television Awards 2026 turned the spotlight firmly on women empowerment with the theme “She is the Colour”, celebrating the strength, resilience and achievements of women who continue to shape society and the Malayalam entertainment industry.
The ceremony honoured several distinguished personalities whose journeys have left a lasting cultural imprint. Among them was legendary playback singer Vimala Varma, widely recognised as the first Malayalam playback singer. The evening also paid tribute to Padma Shri awardees Devaki Amma and Vimala Menon for their exceptional contributions in their respective fields.
Leading women from the Malayalam film industry were also recognised during the event, including actor Shweta Menon, who currently serves as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, and National Award winning actor Surabhi Lakshmi.
The awards ceremony brought together a glittering lineup of actors and industry figures, including Jayasurya, Vijay Babu, Asha Sarath, Lena, Esther Anil, Anumol, Akhila Bhargavan, Sarayu Mohan, Prajod Kalabhavan, Gayathri Suresh, Sabumon Abdusamad, Swasika, Tini Tom, Sijoy Varghese, Kailash, Veena Nandakumar, Sabareesh Varma, Ansiba Hassan and Dinesh Prabhakar. Kishan Kumar, executive vice president Malayalam at JioStar, was also present at the event.
Beyond individual recognitions, the awards celebrated excellence across Malayalam television, acknowledging artists and technicians whose work continues to drive the industry forward.
The evening also offered plenty of spectacle, with elaborate dance performances, stunt acts and comedy skits performed by popular television and film personalities, turning the ceremony into a full fledged entertainment showcase.
Viewers will get to watch the celebrations when the Asianet Television Awards 2026 air on Asianet on March 14 and 15, Saturday and Sunday, from 7 pm onwards, bringing the star studded tribute to homes across Kerala and beyond.
