Have you ever been held up in a lift that didn’t go either ways?

I have.
Being stuck in a dark lift all alone can only lead to two things; hyper-ventilation and consequent screaming (neither of which I am very good at) or profound thinking, to take your mind of harsh reality…..
I chose the second option.
The night before I had been talking to a close friend about how Doordarshan was a major part of our childhood entertainment memories. Now standing in darkness, my thoughts wandered in that direction again…….

My first memories of Doordarshan, stem from Dr Ramanand Sagar’s monumental epic-Ramayan. As a kid, the costumes, the dialogues, the “effects”, and the “oh so dramatic” situations filled me with wonder! Mystical stories of demons and beautiful princesses left me craving for another Sunday.
When Mahabharath came along, the costumes, the effects and the situations just got better. Who can forget the soft yet unyielding voice at the beginning of almost every episode that said “Main samay hoon……”

My thoughts come faster now…….. Randomly I think……
He- Man and Jungle Book…..
Stone boy and Potli baba ki…..
Vikram aur Betaal……
My favourite Malgudi Days and Katha Sagar, weaving enticing tales by Chekov, Maupassant, Saki, Bond, and so many others…..
The thrilling Kile ka Rahasya and the comical dreamer, Mungeri Laal ke haseen sapne….
Wagle ki Duniya and the ever so unlucky Mr Yogi……
The enlightening Surabhi and the enchanting Bharath ek khoj…..
Humlog and Buniyaad…….and Nukkad...
Chitrahaar and Superhit muquabala….my dose of Bollywood songs and gossip…
British comedies….Yes Minister, Black Adder, Mind your Language….
The dapper Hercule Pirot, the handsome Byomkesh Bakshi, and the bordering on goofy, Tehkikaat…….
The man, the machine……Street Hawk!
The advent of Indo British ventures…..Tandoori Nights and Jewel in the Crown.
The biased pro government news and the regional national award winning sub-titled movie every Sunday afternoon……..
Independence day and Republic day…..patriotic speeches, the magnificient Red fort and the parades……..
Rukavat ke liye khed hai……

Suddenly, the commercials hit me……
“Raju ke daant motiyon jaise kyon chamak rahe hai?”…..Dabur laal daant manjan!
“washing powder Nirma”
“Lijjat Pappad”
“Glycodin”
“Vicco Turmeric…nahin cosmetic”
“Parle-G”
“Rasna”
“Humara Bajaj”
and who can forget………… “Gold spot- the Zing thing!”

It’s funny how I still haven’t forgotten “Mile Sur Mera Tumhara” and can sing every line of “Ek chidiya anek chidiya” with this much enthusiasm now.

The thoughts slow down a little, I wonder what this cable addicted generation is missing out on? Sometimes too many choices don’t generate lifelong memories.

The lights come on…. I snap back to reality…….. The lift moves upwards…. stops on my floor……I step out……I am humming “jungle jungle baat chali hai pata chala hai…….”
I smile and vow never to take the stairs again…