NEW DELHI: Over the weekend, Doordarshan National, telecast a programme by the Delhi kendra of Doordarshan in the form of a lyrical tribute by artistes to the martyrs of the 1965 war.

The programme- ‘Smarananjali’ – A musical tribute to Martyrs by Doordarshan was held on 30 October, on the occasion of 50th anniversary of the 1965 War in the presence of their families, the Defence Minister, and the Chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force and Chiefs of Paramilitary forces.

It featured renowned artistes like violin maestro L. Subramanium, and renowned singers Kavita Krishnamurthy, Pankaj Udhas and Suresh Wadkar. The musical tribute was interlaced with specially choreographed dance performances of memorable patriotic songs by Manjula Parmesh and Group.

An additional attraction was the on the spot painting by renowned painter B.S. Verma and a dance by soldiers from the Madras Engineering Group (MEG) who performed to the song “Ma Tujhe Salaam”.

Smarananjali is the concept of Doordarshan Additional Director General, Mahesh Joshi, who had commenced such programmes when in the Bangalore Kendra of Doordarshan and has now initiated the programme in Delhi.

Dr Mukesh Chandra who is a Special Police Officer for Delhi Traffic Police is an amateur flutist and also performed at the event.

Two Param Vir Chakra Awardees - Hony Capt Bana Singh (Retd), 8 JAK LI and Sub Yogender Singh Yadav, 18 Grenadiers – were also honoured on the occasion by the three Service Chiefs. Prasar Bharati Senior Advisor Brig. V A M Hussain was also present at the event.