The signature tune at the start of all broadcasts by All India Radio (AIR) was played by a Parsi, Mehli Mehta, father of maestro Zubin Mehta.
Mehli Mehta playing the violin
Way back during World War II, in the pre-partition years, I remember the tune being played thrice a day for what then appeared to be more than five, perhaps even 10 minutes, before the commencement of AIR’s morning, noon and evening programs. They did not have full day broadcasts then — just three sessions on weekdays. On weekends the evening session was stretched out for another hour or so.
RUSI SORABJI
California, USA
rustam@sorabji.org
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