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Quarantine Comforts: Retro Doordarshan TV Serials

Hello, hello!
I hope the Lockdown (round 3 this time!) is treating you well!
I hope you are physically and mentally well and are managing to find food to eat and entertainment to keep yourself engaged whilst cooling your heels at home! Basically, I hope you are safe and healthy!

My sister and I have been re-watching some wonderful and, might I add, recently uploaded to YouTube, classic Doordarshan serials from the 1980s.

For any non-desi readers, Doordarshan is India's public/ government broadcaster. Before the advent of cable TV in India, which happened with the onset of the Gulf War in 1990, Doordarshan or DD was the only entertainment option for TV viewers all over the country. Surprisingly, it turned out some very high quality, progressive, "modern" content. Don't believe me? Watch some of these shows that I am recommending below and see for yourself! *grin*



1. Trishna is the best Indian adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice. If you are a fan of the book, watch this TV show and you won't be disappointed! Here is the link to Episode 1. The other episodes will show up as 'Watch Next'. Enjoy!

2. Farmaan: Based on an Urdu novel called Alampanah, Farmaan is a love story meets family drama all rolled into one. It is based in a royal family in Hyderabad and is just such a fun, yet rich serial in terms of complicated family dynamics, a love triangle, interesting family histories etc. You can watch Episode 1 here.

3. Kashish: Once again, a great love story from the late 80s/ early 90s. Starring Sudesh Berry and Malvika Tiwari, this is a story of love between two unlikely people set agains the backdrop of Bollywood/ TV serial land. You can watch Episode 1 here.

4. Flop Show: Changing tracks, we now bring you, without argument, the BEST satire show India has ever produced. Flop Show is written and directed by Jaspal Bhatti, whose also acted in the show. It takes on all kinds of corruption- government offices, PhD guides, medical malpractice etc.- and has a hilarious, brilliant take on it! Episode 1 is here.  

5. Byomkesh Bakshi: Unless you have been living under a rock, you'd have heard of the brilliant Byomkesh Bakshi TV series from the 80s starring Rajat Kapoor! If you haven't watched it, go right now and binge it! Please! You won't be disappointed! Here is Episode 1.

6. Malgudi Days: Based on RK Narayan's beautiful stories about the adventures of a boy called Swami in a village called Malgudi, this series is lovely and heartwarming! All episodes can be found here.

7. Stone Boy: A fantasy fiction kids' show about a pair of siblings and their magical, mysterious friend- Stone Boy. Won't give more of the plot away, but this is a beautiful, beautiful serial! Show your kiddos! Episode 1 can be found here.

8. Indradhanush: If you were a kid in the late 80s, this serial was your sci-fi fix! The first TV show to delve into time travel! If you were a fan of Back to the Future and wanted to watch similar content, then this cute TV show as your fix! Watch Episode 1 here.

If you end up watching any of these shows, do tag me in your Instagram stories, so that we can gab about how awesome they are! *grin*

Take care, fam!

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