WORLDSPACE Satellite Radio, one of the world leaders in satellite-based digital radio services, today announced the launch of Falak-India’s first exclusive 24-hour Urdu channel and WORLDSPACE’s 31st branded, self-produced channel on its Satellite Radio Network.
Falak’s programming, available on AsiaStar(TM) Channel 109, will showcase the vast repertoire of Urdu music and celebrate the cultural heritage associated with the language of the imperial Mughal courts. “WORLDSPACE created Falak in response to subscriber interest in programming that conveys the mystery and beauty of Urdu culture and its place in the India of today,” said William Sabatini, vice president of global programming, WORLDSPACE. “Its launch not only reinforces our commitment to delivering a truly personal listening experience, but also to delivering programming that simply cannot be found on India’s traditional radio stations.”
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, including:
Taareekh Key Jharokhey Sey — a look into the history of various important cities, places of interest, monuments
Filmy Saughaat — film songs featuring Urdu lyrics from India and Pakistan
Aqwaal-E-Zareen — social messages from great philosophers from all over the globe that have been translated and adapted in Urdu
Bazm-E-Khanam — tips on good health, house keeping, family relations, culinary delights of the Indian, Mughlai, Irani, Uzbeki, Arabic and Afghani platter — their history, the little known tricks and techniques in their preparation
Sufiyana Kalaam — A special program featuring Sufi Qawalis, Mersias, Nohas and Baints
Ghazal Usne Chhedi — theme-based shows on Urdu poetry
Sham-E-Farozan — ghazals by renowned Urdu poets
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.