DD Malayalam is an Indian Malayalam-language free to air television channel operated by Doordarshan, India's national broadcaster. Originally known as DD4, the channel was rebranded as DD Malayalam after 1995. It serves as one of the 11 regional language channels run by Doordarshan, catering specifically to the Malayalam-speaking population.
The channel operates from its headquarters located in Kudappanakunnu, a suburb of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala. As a regional broadcaster, DD Malayalam plays a pivotal role in disseminating information, entertainment, and educational content tailored to the cultural and linguistic identity of Kerala.
The channel broadcasts through satellite in the name DD Malayalam and through terrestrial in the name DD Malayalam. The channel has its main studio in Thiruvananthapuram and an auxiliary studio in Kochi. In terrestrial mode, DD Malayalam is available to 99.2% of the population of Kerala. The satellite broadcast was started in 1994 and the High Definition version of this channel started on 23 September 2025 through GSAT-17 satellite.
History
Though television made its entry in India on 15 September 1959, it took a quarter of a century to speak the language of most literate state of India - Kerala. The television broadcast in Malayalam -the language of Kerala - under the legacy of Doordarshan was formally launched by the then Chief Minister of Kerala K. Karunakaran on 1 January 1985 at Tagore Centenary Hall, Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala.
The first ever television programme in Malayalam was a children's play entitled Oru Koottam Urumbukal-ഒരു കൂട്ടം ഉറുമ്പുകൾ (A Group of Ants) presented by Rangaprabhath Children's Theatre, Venjarammoodu, Kerala under the leadership of Kochunarayana Pillai. The play was written by writer and academic in Malayalam Drama, G. Sankara Pillai. This first ever television programme in Malayalam was directed and produced by A. Anwar. Oru Koottam Urumbukal was aired at 6:30PM on 2 January 1985. The duration of this children's play was 15 minutes.
Initially there was a broadcast in Malayalam for just 70 minutes daily from 6:30PM to 7:40PM. The first ever news bulletin Malayalam (വാർത്തകൾ) was aired live at 7:30PM on 2 January 1985. This live bulletin was produced by T. Chamiyar and presented by G. R. Kannan. The text and visual contents were edited by Baiju Chandran, A. Anwar and P. K. Mohanan.
There were a score of programmes in a week specifically targeted to special audience as well as general public. Among them the most popular were Vaarthakal-വാർത്തകൾ (News in Malayalam), Chithrageetham-ചിത്രഗീതം (Malayalam Movie Songs), Malayala Chalachithram-മലയാള ചലച്ചിത്രം (Movie in Malayalam), Poomottukal-പൂമൊട്ടുകൾ (Children's Prograamme), Arogyavedi-ആരോഗ്യ വേദി (Health Magazine), Sindooram-സിന്ദൂരം (Women's Magazine), Padavukal-പടവുകൾ (Development Program), Kalikkalam-കളിക്കളം (Sports Magazine), Yuvadarshanam-യുവദർശനം (Youth Magazine) and Rainbow (English Magazine).
The premier band of Programme Producers in Malayalam Television comprise T. Chamiyar, G. Sajan, C. K. Thomas, John Samuel, S. Venu, Baiju Chandran, M. A. Dilip, A. Anwar, R. Shyamaprasad, P. K. Mohanan, G. Jayakumar and T. N. Latha Mony.
The first ever tele-serial in Malayalam was a joint production of Doordarshan and UNICEF entitled Oru Poo Viriyunnu-ഒരു പൂ വിരിയുന്നു (A Flower Blossoms) which went on air in 1989. The serial was written and directed by Eravi Gopalan, A. Anwar and P. K. Mohanan.
There were many classic productions in Malayalam television was born under the banner of Doordarshan - the Public Service Broadcaster of India. Among them the following are the productions that still persist its dominance in the small screen: Venalinte Ozhivu-വേനലിൻ്റെ ഒഴിവ് (Telefilm, Story-Madhavikutty, Directed by Shyamaprasad), Peruvazhiyile Kariyilakal- പെരുവഴിയിലെ കരിയിലകൾ (Telefilm, Directed by Shyamaprasad) Blood-stained Allies of the Yore (Documentary, Directed by Baiju Chandran) Uyarthezhunelpu-ഉയർത്തെഴുനേൽപ്പ് (Telefilm, Directed by Shyamaprasad), Viswa Vikhyaathamaaya Mookku-വിശ്വവിഖ്യാതമായ മൂക്ക് (Drama, Story-Vaikom Muhammad Basheer, Directed by Shyamaprasad), Snehathinte Mullukal-സ്നേഹത്തിന്റെ മുള്ളുകൾ (Telefilm, Story- N. Mohanan, Directed by A. Anwar), Ragging - Crime & Punishment-റാഗിങ്: കുറ്റവും ശിക്ഷയും (Documentary, Directed by A.Anwar)'Ithente Mannu, Ithente Thaalam'-ഇതെൻറെ മണ്ണ്, ഇതെൻറെ താളം (Musical Feature, Directed by A.Anwar), Hamlet of Mountain Monarch-വരയാടുകളുടെ ലോകം (Documentary, Directed by A.Anwar), Golden Dream-സുവർണ്ണ സ്വപ്നം (Children's Programme, Directed by A. Anwar), Prathiknjaa-പ്രതിജ്ഞ (Telefilm, Story- P. Kesavadev, Directed by A.Anwar), Madhuram Madhuram-മധുരം, മധുരം (Patriotic Song, Written by Rafeeq Ahamed, Directed by A. Anwar) and Sooraj ke Pahale (Patriotic Song, Written by K. J. Singh, directed by A. Anwar).
While private channels are set their target to gather more commercial earnings than any other parameters of social development Doordarshan had relentlessly shown its social commitment for human development. DD Malayalam is no exception in this regard.
As part of public broadcaster Prasar Bharati’s nationwide strategy to wind up stations operating on the obsolete technology, Doordarshan shut down 11 analogue transmitting stations in Kerala.
Programs DD Malayalam has entertainment serials, infotainment programmes, news and current affairs, social programmes and film programmes as its major content. DD Malayalam news Varthakal from its inception in 1985 was popular among the viewers for its crisp and 'to-the-point' presentation. 'Varthakal' speaks the 'best Malayalam' among the Malayalam TV Channels.
List of programmes broadcast on DD Malayalam
Thavalam serial by Sunil Krishnan, Thiruvathira Tele Film Makers, Cast - Ashokan, Ratheena V. Raju Vaitharani (1986)-First Malayalam tele serial to broadcast in the history of Malayalam television Mikhayelinte Santhathikal (1993) Ambalakkra U.P. School Appooppanthaadi Arabikkadalinte Rani Aruna Ashwathy Diana (2000) Deshadanapakshi (1997) Orikkal Oru Venalkala Raathriyil Happy Nammal Oru Team Paliyatthacchan Muttathuvarki Kadhakal Melapadham (1996) Vinodashala (1995) Ezhu Mukhangal (1994) Rohini Kadha Parayunna Kannunkal Kallanum Kandakashani Kumilakal (1991) Samaganam Devamanohari Nee Iniyum Varum Pookkalam Rajaveedhi Karunalayam Koodumattam Naalukettu Kunjayyappan Mandan Kunju Maranam Durbhalam Koodaram Oru Kudayum Kunjupengalum Ladies Hostel Laksharchana Nilavariyunnu Pattolaponnu Indulekha Punnaykka Vikasana Corporation (1998) Oru Poo Viriyunnu (1987) Kairali Vilasam Ladge (1990) Pulari Velu Malu Circus Verukal (1996) Manasaputhri Indraneelam (1996) Draupadi Balyakal Smaranakal Manikyan Manjukalam Mohicha Penkutti Marmaram Jwalayayi (2000–2002) Detective Anand (2000) Manasi (1997–2000) Snehaseema (2000) Valayam (2001–2004) Sadasivante Kumbasaram Snehatheeram (2000) Scooter (1998) Seemantham (1998–1999) Thamarakuzhali (1998) Inakkampinakkam Sethuvinte Kadhakal (1999) Mohanam (1999) Veendum Jwalayayi (2006–2009) Suryodayam (2006) Sagaram (2005) Narmadi Pudava (2007) Aparichitha (2007–2008) Angadipaattu (2002–2004) Alakal (2003–2005) Chandrodayam (2004) Purappadu Vrithantham Mohangal Innathe Special Marmaram Deepanaalangalkkuchuttum Shararaanthal Sasneham (2009) Anuyathra Amma (2006) Niramala (1995) Shyamambaram (2005) Nizhalattam Thapasya (1995) Thalolam (2005) Yathra (2005) Sthree oru Punyam (2003) Pranayam Moonnumughamullakkannadi Chathurangam Anantham (2005) Agneyam Marubhoomiyil oru Pookalam (2000–2001) Neela Viriyitta Jalakam (1997) Vamsham (1997–1998) Agnishalabham Ishtam Thoovalsparsham (2014–2015) Manjuthirum munpe (2011) Eeran Nilavu (2015) Vazhvemayam (2015–2016) Ganga (2015) Avalariyathe (2015) Pambaram (1999–2002) Pakida Pakida Pambaram (2002–2006) Mothiram (2006-Telefilm) Rachiamma (2004-Telefilm) Olakkuda (1996-Telefilm) Manassammatham Thannatte (Telefilm) Yudham (Telefilm) Oru Manushyan (Telefilm) Poovapazham (1991-Telefilm) Lambo (1991-Telefilm) Sreeparvathiyude Paadham (Telefilm) Makal (Telefilm) Gagarajayogam Kurumthottikkumvatham Shesham Kazhchayil Thyagam (Telefilm) Kunjikkoonan Charulatha Radhamithram Magam Gandharvayamam Nadodikalyanam Neelamala Gopika Padavukal Hamsageetham om nama shivaya Oru nimisham shaktimaan sankda mojak jay hanuman ORITHAL (tele film)
show name First aired Lastaired Episode countjwalayay20002002500+Manasi19972000240 Narmadipudava20072008390Aparichitha20072008390Nizhalattam20072008390kudumbam20072008390Sasneham20072008390Chandrodayam20032005520valayam20012004560Angadipaattu20022004400+Manjuthirum munpe2014201595Thoovalsparsham2014201595Eeran nilavu20152015100+Ganga20152015100+Vazhvemayam20152015100+Aval ariyathe20152015100+
Upcoming serials
Dheera Mazhamukil pakshi Onningu vannenkil
Non fictional shows
Paithrukam -167 Weekly Eps Arogyavedi -501 Weekly Eps Poomottukal -603 Weekly Eps Arogya Bharatham -60 Weekly Eps Kaalpanikam -204 Weekly Eps Vartha Chithram -256 Weekly Eps Beauty Clinic -102 Weekly Eps Movie Mix -60 Weekly Eps Pranaya Mazha -26 Weekly Eps Bold and beautiful Beat the floor Foot print 4Gen Kilivathil Sargasangamam Krishidarshan Sutharya keralam Megha Ragam En Swaram Sallapam Sangeethika Chayakoottu Kasavutheeram Paithrukam Ruchi Malayalam Cinema Weekly Chithrageetham Cinemax Chembai Music Festival Kathakali Movie mix the most wanted Sahayi Crispy Bytes DD Thriller DD Music Plus Veettuvishesham Koottukari Rhythm of cookery Haritha vidyalayam Mayilpeeli Thiranottam Smrithilayam Arogyabharatham Ayur rekha Samoohyapadam Rangoli
Legacy shows Oru Poo Viriyunnu (, meaning: A Flower Blossoms), a public interest TV serial with 87% viewers' participation. Aired during late 1980s, in 13 weekly episodes. Vaitharani (1986) ' (, meaning: ), - It is the first ever full-fledged story based serial in Malayalam. Kairalivilasam Ladge (), a satirical series aired in the early 1990s in 13 weekly episodes. The serial starred M. S. Thripunithura and Nedumudi Venu. Jwalayayi (2000–2002) - A tele serial Chithrageetham (1985–2019) - film songs related show Giant Robo, a Japanese TV series of the 1960s was aired as Giant Robot during 1990–91 in weekly episodes.
See also List of programs broadcast by DD National Akashvani Ministry of Information and Broadcasting DD Free Dish List of South Asian television channels by country Media in Chennai
References
External links Doordarshan Official Internet site Doordarshan news site An article at PFC