Today when I sat to jot down, assembling my thoughts together, the only serial or rather a trendsetting show that came to my mind was ‘Surabhi’. This was one show that changed the course of Doordarshan itself (though I doubt how many of us even remember it aired on DD). For those who do not remember such a show existed or do now want to tax the brain so much or did not bother to watch it, let me give some background knowledge. ‘Surabhi’ was a show that aired on DD for over a decade. The hosts of the show were Siddharth Kak and Renuka Shahne.

The show was wired with different segments including the 'sawal jawab' being the most popular along with the travel to different parts of India where one could virtually feel their presence in different unexplored parts of the country. A visual treat I must say! So, what was in it for me? To begin with the hosts Siddharth Kak and Renuka Shahane who I truly believe are the best hosts of any TV show I have ever seen. Their screen presence was so powerful that I remember a lot of my friends in school watched the show only to have a glimpse of them. How can I forget the title track that played with the sounds of a tabla, something that always managed to put a smile across my face. The ‘Aaj ka Sawal Jawab’ segment was my favourite though…the visuals on screen of the handi... the music that played in the background were some of the special features of the show. Surabhi for sure had several millions of viewers who would religiously write letters to the hosts. Initially, it was a box which was replaced by ‘handis’ that kept growing in proportion.

As a kid I was more fascinated just with the visuals and the music that complimented the visuals really well. Every time it was time for ‘Surabhi’ I sat with my entire family and tasted the delights of the sight and sound that transported me into a different world. It was and still is according to me one of the best shows ever aired on television, a show that redefined the idiot box into the nascent stages of its development. Cheers to the Golden Age of TV and cheers to ‘Surabhi’ which means ‘fragrance’.