Click to play videoDoordarshan's enigmatic newsreader Salma Sultan who had been the face of DD for a number of years was in the CNN-IBN studios on the special occasion of 50th anniversary of glorious days at DD.
CNN-IBN: You are coming to a television studio after quite some time, I presume. You were at Doordarshan for 30 years as a news reader.
Salma Sultan: To your studios, yes.
CNN-IBN: Fair enough. To our studios. You read a last bulletin in 1997. Do you want to read the bulletin today? Is it much easier than reading the bulletin in your days when all you had were pieces of paper at times, before you?
Salma Sultan: Yes. I was watching you and I was thinking, I wish we had such luxury. You were talking and you could have easily also had a cup of coffee in the meanwhile. But no, the way we read the news was I think quite different. We were in front of the camera for I think 15 to 20 minutes. Some times there were films (footage of news) and at times there were none. Therefore, it was very difficult then to have even a sip of water.
CNN-IBN: Also, in the initial days I am told, you did it by reading completely from papers. There was no auto-cue or a machine scrolling down to read from.
Salma Sultan: No, no. Initially there were only papers. When we did switch over to auto cue, it was very difficult because we were used to looking down or looking up. But later on we had to get used to the machine that used to give us a lot of trouble.
CNN-IBN: Did you have to memorise a large part of your scripts?
Salma Sultan: No, no. We would look down and read out from the paper sheets.
CNN-IBN: A colleague of mine who had worked with Doordarshan was telling me that if you went to any public places, people would give you gifts? You had a huge fan following, I believe. You were the most recognised face for a long time.
Salma Sultan: No. Your friend is a lucky one. At least I did not get any gifts. But yes, we used to get a lot of fan mail and letters appreciating or criticising.
CNN-IBN: A particular style statement that everyone remembers is the rose you strung in your hair-do. Was it a thing you decided to do right from the beginning or was a thing you just picked up along the way? Also, the peculiar style you wore your saree. and a lot of people remember it even today
Salma Sultan: Should I disclose all my secrets today?
CNN-IBN: Yes, please do. Tell us the secret about of the rose. Were you trying to attract the attention of any particular individual by telling him that you would be wearing a rose or what is it?
Salma Sultan: The rose story is a very interesting one. I used to love flowers and roses a lot and had very beautiful flowers in my garden. One day, I was wearing a pink saree and when I looked around there was a very beautiful pink rose. So, I just put it on and read the news. There were a number of phone calls appreciating it. I felt very nice. The next day also, I put on a rose. But later on I did not care about it and there were many phone calls and letters asking why I did not wear a rose. So I began wearing the rose and it just became a habit, a part of me.
CNN-IBN: Today, when you see television news channels, there are anchors who can really frighten you.
Salma Sultan: They do, I already am scared.
CNN-IBN: Anchors like me are accused of speaking loudly, interrupting and doing all the wrong things of television. Do you believe that there has been a decline in standards or do you believe that there has been a decline in standards or do you believe that now that was another generation and now the nature of news has changed?
Salma Sultan: I would not use the word 'decline'. Change is very essential and this is a part of that change that we are all going through it. It has become a lot faster and it is a very good change.
CNN-IBN: It is all 'Breaking News' now. You had no 'Breaking News' then.
Salma Sultan: Oh no, we had no Breaking News but we did have the Rukawat ke liye khed hai (We are sorry about the interruption). But yes, I guess were very calm. We did not raise blood pressures of people the way you people do now. But I guess, with changing times, this is what people want or maybe this si what you want to give to the people. This is a dilemma. I have not been able to solve this one: whether you are giving that kind of style to people or people want I guess that one you will have to answer.
CNN-IBN: You know, if you ask me these tough questions, I am not going to be able to answer that. Today I am going to ask you the questions. On another day, another show, you can ask me those questions.
Salma Sultan: Okay.
CNN-IBN: DD (Doordarshan) did have a role to play, madam. many felt that it was the voice of the state. But I think all programmes on DD were family viewing. I think no family sitting and watching a DD programme never felt uncomfortable in that sense. Today I am not sure how many families can say that.
Salma Sultan: I think times have changed. The world is coming closer. I think that is reflecting on television also. So, whether people like it or do not like it, they have to bear with it.
CNN-IBN: But you know the shows of that generation, particularly in the eighties, Humlog, Buniyaad, a number of fine serials came. But at the same time of course, it was government controlled so it perhaps did not really allow the talent to come through in the way that the private television channels have allowed. Do you believe that it was necessary for the monoploy of Doordarshan's monopoly to end. Do you beleive that DD'd monopoly had to end if broadcasting was to end in India.
Salma Sultan: No, I do not subscribe to this notion. I think that there was a lot of talent and there is a lot of talent. With due respect, I can say that this is the Doordarshan talent that is ruling the roost in other channels.
CNN-IBN: Sure.
Salma Sultan: So, it is a mother institution and it will remain a mother institution. Yes, I agree that there has been a decline and we have missed the bus somewhere but I can say one thing about Doordarshan, that there are many people who care about Doordarshan. All I can say is : Yeh lau bachalo, yahin se uthegi zindagi phir babula banker. Yehi se uthega koi kirdar phir unhi roshniyonko lekar. Kahinto ummeed hai jushtaju ki, phir milenge. Abhi na parda girao, thehro, dastaan aagey aur bhi hai.
CNN-IBN: Wonderful. My final question. Do you have a favourite moment that stands out for you, any news that you read or any day in particular. I do not know whether you read the news on October 31st when Mrs Gandhi died or do you remember any meomorable news which to you was your biggest day?
Salma Sultan: The memories are so many, but I think for us at that time, everyday was a celebration. We looked forward to going there. Atmosphere was so charged up with energy.
CNN-IBN: Were there flies in the studio?
Salma Sultan: Yes, there were many. And there were lizards too that the people did not see. But the flies thing, I think was horrible. But there were glrious days and I am sure the glory will come back.
CNN-IBN: Well, I think it serves its role as a public service broadcaster and not a government service broadcaster which is really the key role.
Salma Sultan: I think that to a very large extent it is serving that purpose which private channels are not doing.
CNN-IBN: Fair enough Madam, today is Doordarshan's day and we will not complain.
Salma Sultan: Thank you.
CNN-IBN: Do you want to read the news Madam, and we can both go?
Salma Sultan: No. I can do it on one condition that you read out the way I used to read and then I will read the way you do.
CNN-IBN: Okay Madam. I cannot do that and since I cannot do that...
Salma Sultan: Nor can I.
CNN-IBN: Thank you very much for joining us today. Pleasure to have you in the studios.
Salma Sultan: My pleasure.
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