News Broadcasting
Amrita TVs Navarathri Specials
Amrita TV joins in the annual October Navarathri festivities with a number of programmes over an extended 3 day period, Saturday 12th October , Mahanavami on the 13th and Vijayadashmi on the 14th to celebrate its spirit.
Scintillating dances by Manju Warrier, riveting competitive performances by Stephen Devassy and Sivamani and special features on the Mookambika Temple and Paravoor Saraswathy Temple makes Amrita TV’s 2013 Navarathri celebrations distinctive.
An exclusive episode of Udayamritham at 6.30 am on October 12th explains the Durga Bhava of the Mother Goddess, presents a musical visualization of the Durga Stothram , considers the depiction of the Devi in our Puranas as a cosmic force that destroys demonic forces that threatens the world equilibrium and explores the Kasi Durga Kshetra, one of the 3 most famous temples dedicated to Goddesses in India.
Amritavarshom 60 Archana, a collection of captivating performances in song and dance by noteworthy artistes in the field of art and entertainment are braided together to provide an absorbing half-an-hour of entertainment at 9.00am. Hariharan’s heart rending masterpiece Nakhashatangal, a movie that will always bring a lump to the throat of every Malayalee and which saw the debut of Monisha in a National Award winning role along with Vineeth, will go on air at 2.00pm. Keyboard expert Stephen Devassy and drums maestro Sivamani demonstrate their versatility and finesse in the craft , by playing in tandem in Amritavarshom 60 Kala Archana at 7.pm.
Continuing the special Navarathri series, the Mahanavami edition of Udayamritham telecast at 6.30am on October 13th examines the Saraswathy Bhava of the great Divine Mother, reflects on the portrayal of the Goddess of speech and learning in our ancient texts, explaining its sasthra in the modern context and visits the Kanchi Kamakshi Temple.In Sruthilayam at 7.00 am which presents the penultimate day of the nine day Navarathri Sangeetholsavam , famous Carnatic musician and playback singer M.K Sankaran Namboothiri mesmerizes viewers with the versatility of his vocal recitals.
An assorted anthology of Saraswathy related Navarathri special songs compiled from evergreen Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi films, some related to the traditional kolu that exhibits dolls and the figurines of Gods arranged on tiers, Swarnachamaran at 7.30 am presents the poignant Swararaga Roopini from Kavya Mela tuned to unforgettable perfection by Dakshina Moorthy and rendered in the dulcet tones of the young Yesudas; Malayali’s celebrated kolu duet Manasilunaroo from Marunattil Oru Malayali that has endured over decades; the memorable Brahmanandini Saraswathy of Jeevikkan Marunnupoya Shtree penned by Vayalar, put to music by MS and sung by Yesudas and Vasantha; the super hit, all time favourite Punnakai Mannan from the timeless classic Iru Kodukal etc.
Amritavarshom 60 Archana continues with its banquet of variegated splashes of colorful artistic performances at 9.00am; Amme Mookambike slotted for 11.30 am , is a compact feature on the famed Mookambika Temple, which provides a close-up view of its exquisite interiors while tracing the origins of a shrine back through the path of its puranic history. Sauhritham co-starring Suresh Gopi with Geeetha and Narendra Prasad comes on at 2.00pm.
With a virtuoso performance in classical Bharatanatyam that would have done seasoned danseuses proud, Manju Warrier once the primma donna of Mollywood ,underlines that she is par excellence in dance as well in Amritavarshom 60 Kala Archana at 7.00pm.
Vijayadashmi celebrations on the 14th begins with Vandanam at 6.00am which presents a string of deeply expressive, soul stirring Saraswathy bhajans melodiously rendered by Kavalam Sreekumar and Sreevalsan Menon . The final episode of the Pooja specific series of Udayamritham at 6.30 am depicts the Lekshmi bhava of the Great Adi Sakhti , visualizes Adi Sankaracharya’s keerthanas on the Devi and explores the ancient Mookambika Temple.
The Vijayadashmi episode of Sruthilayam at 7 am, in which the annual Sangeetholsavam reaches its climax, one of the greatest living exponents of Carnatic music, Smt Parassala B Ponnamal makes the show something to be cherished for long, with a demonstration of her mastery and expertise over classical ragas. A rainbow of sparkling star performances light up the morning in Amritavarshom 60 Archana at 9.00 am.
Saraswathy Namasthubhyam at 12 noon is an enlightening programme on the Vadakkan Paravoor Dakshina Mookambika Saraswathy temple where Navarathri is celebrated with great excitement and fervor; the show does a circumambulation of its hallowed premises to examine its rituals and rites and delve into its rich stock of legends and lores. Vennisile Vyapari with Mammootty and Kavya Madhavan makes for compelling viewing from 2.00pm. A fascinating jugalbandhi by Karaikudi Mani and Shankar Tucker in Amritavarshom 60 Archana at 7.00 pm that hold the viewers spellbound with its perfect fusion rounds off this year’s Navarathri celebrations on a high note.
News Broadcasting
News18 hosts Tamil Nadu town hall ahead of 2026 polls
MK Stalin headlines ‘Next Big Leap’ event from 10am on 23 February in Chennai with leaders and icons.
MUMBAI: Tamil Nadu’s political pot is simmering and News18’s town hall is stirring it up just in time for the 2026 assembly elections boilover. Set for 23 February from 10am onwards in Chennai, the News18 Network Town Hall gathers heavyweights under the banner ‘The Next Big Leap for Tamil Nadu’ to dissect the state’s political pulse, economic edge, and cultural clout. With the 234-seat assembly contest looming as a fiercely competitive showdown, the event spotlights how Tamil Nadu’s identity-driven politics and engaged voters continue to ripple across national debates.
Chief minister MK Stalin leads the charge with a keynote on the theme, sketching his government’s blueprint for governance, development, and staying power pre-polls. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin chimes in on ‘Voices, Vision & Way Forward’, unpacking generational shifts and fresh narratives. From the opposition corner, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami tackles ‘Baton Change at the Ballot?’, floating alternatives to the status quo.
Economic vibes get a nudge from industries minister TRB Rajaa on ‘Investment Story Intact?’, probing the state’s draw for big bucks. BJP’s K Annamalai dives into ‘People, Trust & Political Ideology’, positioning his party in the Dravidian-dominated turf. IT Minister Palanivel ThiagaRajan explores ‘Code, Capacity & Citizenship’, on tech’s role in citizen-focused services. TVK’s KG Arunraj questions if ‘Winds of Change are Possible’ in this pattern-prone state.
A panel on innovation features IIT Madras director Prof V Kamakoti, M&M’s Velusamy R, and Electronic Industries Association’s Dr Sasikumar Gendham, musing how AI and knowledge hubs are remaking opportunities. AICC’s Praveen Chakravarty weighs ‘Power Sharing vs Principles’, while former Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan joins the fray. Culture gets its due with composer Anirudh Ravichander on ‘Tamil Music for the World’.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar noted, “The News18 Network Tamil Nadu Town Hall… reflects our core editorial focus, to capture the political mood of the state and spotlight the ideas that will shape the next phase of governance and growth.”
Network18, CEO of English & business news Smriti Mehra added, “As Tamil Nadu moves closer to a defining electoral moment… we see it as our responsibility to drive informed and meaningful conversations.”
Network18 managing editor for South, Vivek Narayan said, “The News18 Network Townhall in Tamil Nadu is designed as a platform where policy, politics and public interest intersect.”
Backed by associate partners Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles and Reliance Industries, the live event streams on CNN-News18, News18 Tamil, CTV, and Youtube from 10am on 23 February perfect for catching the sparks, even if you’re not knee-deep in Dravidian drama.
