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About Us
Prasar Bharati Archives is a treasure trove of not only the memorable performances of the great artistes, who have contributed to India’s rich cultural, music and dance heritage but also a collection of rare media assets related to important events like Independence Day celebrations, Republic Day Parades, address to the nation by Prime Ministers, Presidents etc. as well as other important broadcasts since the advent of broadcasting in our country. These rare assets are in the form of sound recordings and a/v footage in the all genres like music, dance, drama, interviews, short films, documentaries, feature films etc.
Archival activities started in the form of Transcription Service of Radio recordings on 3rd April, 1954 by entrusting the main function of preparing transcription of speeches of all dignitaries with a special reference to the Presidents & the Prime Ministers of India. Though,informal archiving had been there in the country, setting up of transcription service converted it as anorganized activity. Doordarshan Archives was established in 2004 with an objective to digitize and preserve the valuable audio-visual footages. Though, initially the archival setups in AIR and Doordarshan have grown separately under respective verticals.These setups were combined and brought under a common umbrella as a separate vertical “Prasar Bharati Archives” in 2018.
Objective
Collection, digitization and preservation of media assets in the form of sound recordings and audio- visuals generated across All India Radio and Doordarshan Network is the primary objective of Prasar Bharati Archives. The objective includes preservation of legacy media in digital domain for posterity, research and nurturing arts and culture. Archival content is also repurposed for feeding the AIR/DD channels and OTT platformsalong with the focus onmonetization of media assetsin order to generate revenue for Prasar Bharati.
Set Up
Prasar Bharati has established a setup for identification and archiving of the media assets available in all AIR and Doordarshan Kendras across the country. The archiving setup have following establishment: –
- Central Archives, New Delhi
- Zonal Archives East Zone, Kolkata
- Zonal Archives West Zone, Mumbai
- Zonal Archives South Zone, Chennai
- Zonal Archives North East Zone, Guwahati
The archiving set up at different regions/zones are engaged in identification, digitization and archiving of precious media assets available at various stations/ Kendras.
- Central Archives, New Delhi
Central Archives has been established at Akashvani Bhavan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi. It caters to the archiving needs of the north and central zone of Prasar Bharati. Central Archives functions with two wings namely AIR Archives and Doordarshan Archives.
AIR Archives
AIR Archives
(a) Digital Sound Archives/Library
The Digital Sound Archives is a rich repository of priceless recordings/autobiographies of eminent personalities, freedom fighters, national leaders such as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Mahatma Gandhi, Sh. J.R.D Tata, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Sh. Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Dr. VergheseKurien. Apart from this, rare music recordings, dramas, features, documentaries and lectures are preserved in the library.
(b) Programme Exchange Unit
Programme Exchange Library circulates radio programmes like serials, features, community songs, dramas and monthly chain plays among the AIR stations spread across the country.
(c) Transcription Service
This unit transcribes and preserve the recording of speeches delivered by the Presidents & Prime Ministers.
(d) Refurbishing Unit
This unit takes care of enhancing the audio quality of the archival value recordingsof AIR& DD available in Central Archives.
(e) Commercial Releases & Marketing
Audio assets such as speeches, features, documentaries etc are available for sale on commercial and non-commercial basis along with licenses. The Policy/Rate Card for obtaining the sound recordings/licenses is available at the following links:
This unit is has released many ACD/DVD titles out of its rich archives. The releases are available online for sale through www.amazon.in and www.archives.prasarbharati.org
(f) Social Media Cell
Central Archives publishes media content of AIR & DD of public interest on OTT/Social Media platforms namely YouTube, Twitter, Facebook & Instagram.
—— Social Media Handles of Central Archives
DD Archive
DD Archives
(a) Video Library/Archives
Video Library of Central archives is a content rich library and a central repository of tapes received from various DD Kendras across PrasarBharati network. Library acts as the core of archiving activities in the setup.It has huge collection of variety of tapes in the legacy analogue and new digital format.
(b) Digitization and Archiving
Analogue media contents generated by DD Kendras are digitised and preserved in Media Assets Management (MAM) System. Born digital content is being archived in the directly in the MAM system.
(c) Library Information system
An online library information system has been deployed for searching/cataloguing of media assets available in various programme libraries of AIR Stations and Doordarshan network.
(d) Cleaning and restoration of legacy media
Legacy tapes are thoroughly checked for any kind of damage. They are cleaned and the content is restored if the need arises before digitisation.
(e) Prepackaging/ repurposing
Digitized archival content iscurated/repackaged for broadcast purposes by DD Kendras. The archival content of public interest is also repackaged for OTT/Social Media platforms.
(f) Programme Exchange
For the purpose of exchanging programmes among Doordarshan Kendras, a pool of selected programmes has been maintained in Central Archives. This content is frequently used for exchange among DD Kendras for telecast purpose.
(g) Footage Sale
Media assets are available for sale on commercial and non-commercial basis along with licenses. The procedure/Rate Card for obtaining the video recordings/licenses is available at following link:
—-Application form/Rate Card for obtaining license/AV footage——-
- Zonal Archives East Zone
Digitisation and Archiving activities of East Zone are undertaken at AIR, Kolkata and DDK Kolkata for sound archives and Video archives respectively.
- Zonal Archives West Zone
Digitisation and Archiving activities of West Zone are undertaken at VBS, Mumbai and DDK Mumbai for Sound archives and Video archives respectively.
- Zonal Archives South Zone
Digitisation and Archiving activities of South Zone are undertaken at AIR Chennai and DDK Chennai for Sound archives and Video archives respectively.
- Zonal Archives North East Zone
Digitisation and Archiving activities of North East Zone are undertaken at AIR Guwahati and DDK Guwahati for Sound archives and Video archives respectively.
Licensing/Sales
Audio assets such as speeches, features, documentaries etc are available for sale on commercial and non-commercial basis along with licenses.
Media assets are available for sale on commercial and non-commercial basis along with licenses
Social Media Link
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