Praises pour in as popular DD programme Jaan Bhi, Jahaan Bhi completes golden jubilee episode

New Delhi: Music is a divine sound and is directly related to our metaphysical core. It has the same value and importance in all cultures across the globe and no civilization has ever existed without the colour of music. The Sufi mystic - Hazrat Ali Hujwiri alias Data Gaj Baksh, said in his book, “Kashf-ul-Mahjoob,” “Except hypocrite, every person understands the language of music.’’

With an aim to mitigate the problems and reduce the pains of the people during the global pandemic Covid-19, Doordarshan Lucknow launched a very innovative cultural, musical and entertainment programme ‘‘Jaan Bhi, Jahaan Bhi’’ on a clarion call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi which is completing its 50th – golden jubilee episode today (12 August). Praises, appreciations and accolades are pouring in from several Bollywood artists who not only responded befittingly to this noble social cause, but also performed without asking for a single penny.

Artists like Hariharan, Udit Narayan, Kailash Kher, Shaan, Shankar Mahadevan, Suresh Wadkar, Anuradha Paudwal, Alka Yagnik, Kavita Seth have already graced the programme. They have extended their greetings and sent their congratulatory messages on the completion of the 50th episode. They are also all praise for the ‘man behind the mission’ Anurag Pandey, Editor, News and Program, who conceived and implemented the sui generis programme. ‘‘When I was contemplating launching such a programme, I had never thought that it would be such a huge success…It would be so popular among the masses,’’ Pandey said.

On completion of the 50th episode, noted playback singer and Padma Shri awardee Anuradha Paudwal said, ‘‘I said yes when I got the call from Anurag Pandey. The concept is so good that it was very difficult to say no to him. Doordarshan has given us so much, so how can I refuse such a show for some money.’’

Renowned singer and Padma Shri awardee Suresh Wadkar said, ‘‘You can't refuse a program like ‘‘Jaan bhi, Jahaan bhi’’ for a meagre amount of money. When Anurag Pandey shared the concept of the program with me, I was awestruck. I decided to contribute to Doordarshan which brought the show to keep viewers indoors during lockdown.’’

Well known singer Shaan said, ‘‘We really appreciate Anurag Pandey’s efforts for creating such a wonderful TV programme. Artists have not taken any money for the performance because they want people to stay indoors and stay safe. It is very important to keep oneself safe and healthy and others as well. We have done our bit through our songs. Artists have also shared some of their personal annals in the show which were not well-known yet. They have revealed some secrets of their lives that no one knew before. It has thus made this show more interesting.’’

Speaking with Asianet Newsable, distinguished playback singer and Padma Bhushan recipient Udit Narayan said, ‘‘I congratulate Team DD Lucknow. I am grateful to them particularly Anurag Pandey and want to thank them from the core of my heart because they are doing a fabulous job. They’re entertaining people through such a wonderful musical TV programme during the global pandemic COVID-19, the whole of the World including our country is grappling with.’’

Well-known playback singer Anup Jalota, popularly known as ‘Bhajan Samrat’ and Padma Shri recipient told Asianet Newsable, the entire DD Lucknow Team led by Anurag Pandey is doing a good job and that too in a testing time when the world is grappling with the coronavirus pandemic. My heartiest congratulations to them on the completion of 50 episodes of ‘‘Jaan bhi, Jahaan bhi’’.’’

Noted singer-composer and Padma Shri recipient Shankar Mahadevan said, ‘‘I am extremely happy to know that the show ‘‘Jaan bhi, Jahaan bhi’’ has completed 50 episodes. When the show started off, none of us would have imagined that it would be appreciated all around the nation so wonderfully. I congratulate the entire team of Doordarshan Lucknow, UP,  especially editor, News and Program, Anurag Pandey and head and host of the Program Rama Arun Triwedi. Thank you so much for giving us this wonderful show.’’

‘‘Behad haseen khwab jawaani me dekhiye…’’ famed Ghazal singer Dev Rathore said, ‘‘It’s undoubtedly a very good inspirational programme and I liked it very much. In the film industry we keep doing commercial programmes, but this is a programme to preserve our rich literary, art and cultural heritage. Artists from various fields have come forward to convey their message for social welfare through their performances at the same platform. My heartiest congratulations to the entire DD Team specially Anurag ji.’’

An elated Anurag Pandey told Asianet Newsable, ‘‘Artists have done this for the sake of Corona warriors. Initially, only two people joined and then slowly people started coming, and the caravan moved on. More than 150 artists have performed so far. For this program we don’t send our teams, instead artists send their bite/video through their mobile and same through technical brilliance is presented as live program to viewers.’’

‘‘Amidst the unforeseen disruption of the coronavirus pandemic, everything has shifted to virtual platforms. With no clue of the pandemic ending anytime soon, even the music industry is experimenting with virtual concerts. Historically, musicians have been challenging the traditional concert model. While a lot of virtual concerts have been trending nowadays, we decided to feature artists’ live performances virtually,’’ he added.

‘‘We all know that any industry today during this COVID-19 period is going through the worst phase ever seen. We must realize that in India, music as a business is not thriving in terms of revenues. There are no revenues for online sales, there are no revenues from physical sales (sale of CDs, cassettes) and there are no other sources of revenue that musicians can make money out of. Yet, they have immensely contributed to our program. We are really thankful to them,’’ Pandey concluded.

• DD programme
• golden jubilee
• Jaan Bhi Jahaan Bhi