DD Malayalam

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 23rd September 2025 through GSAT-17 satellite.

WWW Official Site

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 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 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, Chithrageetham-ചിത്രഗീതം, Malayala Chalachithram-മലയാള ചലച്ചിത്രം, Poomottukal-പൂമൊട്ടുകൾ, Arogyavedi-ആരോഗ്യ വേദി, Sindooram-സിന്ദൂരം, Padavukal-പടവുകൾ, Kalikkalam-കളിക്കളം, Yuvadarshanam-യുവദർശനം and Rainbow.
The premier band of 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 which went on air in 1990. 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 most astonishing productions still persist its dominance in the small screen: Venalinte Ozhivu-വേനലിൻ്റെ ഒഴിവ്, Peruvazhiyile Kariyilakal- പെരുവഴിയിലെ കരിയിലകൾ Blood-stained Allies of the Yore ''Uyarthezhunelpu-ഉയർത്തെഴുനേൽപ്പ്‌, Viswa Vikhyaathamaaya Mookku-വിശ്വവിഖ്യാതമായ മൂക്ക്, Snehathinte Mullukal-സ്നേഹത്തിന്റെ മുള്ളുകൾ, Ragging - Crime & Punishment-റാഗിങ്: കുറ്റവും ശിക്ഷയും 'Ithente Mannu, Ithente Thaalam'-ഇതെൻറെ മണ്ണ്, ഇതെൻറെ താളം, Hamlet of Mountain Monarch-വരയാടുകളുടെ ലോകം, Golden Dream-സുവർണ്ണ സ്വപ്നം, Prathiknjaa-പ്രതിജ്ഞ, Madhuram Madhuram-മധുരം, മധുരം and Sooraj ke Pahale''.
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 -First Malayalam tele serial to broadcast in the history of Malayalam television
Mikhayelinte Santhathikal
Ambalakkra U.P. School
Appooppanthaadi
Arabikkadalinte Rani
Aruna
Ashwathy
Diana
Deshadanapakshi
Orikkal Oru Venalkala Raathriyil
Happy
Nammal Oru Team
Paliyatthacchan
Muttathuvarki Kadhakal
Melapadham
Vinodashala
Ezhu Mukhangal
Rohini
Kadha Parayunna Kannunkal
Kallanum Kandakashani
Kumilakal
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
Oru Poo Viriyunnu
Kairali Vilasam Ladge
Pulari
Velu Malu Circus
Verukal
Manasaputhri
Indraneelam
Draupadi
Balyakal Smaranakal
Manikyan
Manjukalam Mohicha Penkutti
Marmaram
Jwalayayi
Detective Anand
Manasi
Snehaseema
Valayam
Sadasivante Kumbasaram
Snehatheeram
Scooter
Seemantham
Thamarakuzhali
Inakkampinakkam
Sethuvinte Kadhakal
Mohanam
Veendum Jwalayayi
Suryodayam
Sagaram
Narmadi Pudava
Aparichitha
Angadipaattu
Alakal
Chandrodayam
Purappadu
Vrithantham
Mohangal
Innathe Special
Marmaram
Deepanaalangalkkuchuttum
Shararaanthal
Sasneham
Anuyathra
Amma
Niramala
Shyamambaram
Nizhalattam
Thapasya
Thalolam
Yathra
Sthree oru Punyam
Pranayam
Moonnumughamullakkannadi
Chathurangam
Anantham
Agneyam
Marubhoomiyil oru Pookalam
Neela Viriyitta Jalakam
Vamsham
Agnishalabham
Ishtam
Thoovalsparsham
Manjuthirum munpe
Eeran Nilavu
Vazhvemayam
Ganga
Avalariyathe
Pambaram
Pakida Pakida Pambaram
Mothiram
Rachiamma
Olakkuda
Manassammatham Thannatte
Yudham
Oru Manushyan
Poovapazham
Lambo
Sreeparvathiyude Paadham
Makal
Gagarajayogam
Kurumthottikkumvatham
Shesham Kazhchayil
Thyagam
Kunjikkoonan
Charulatha
Radhamithram
Magam
Gandharvayamam
Nadodikalyanam
Neelamala
Gopika
Padavukal
Hamsageetham
om nama shivaya
Oru nimisham
shaktimaan
sankda mojak jay hanuman
ORITHAL

Upcoming serials

Dheera
Mazhamukil pakshi
Onningu vannenkil

Non fictional shows

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, a public interest TV serial with 87% viewers' participation. Aired during late 1980s, in 13 weekly episodes.

Vaitharani ', - 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 - A tele serial
Chithrageetham - film songs related show Giant Robo, a Japanese TV series of the 1960s was aired as Giant Robot during 1990–91 in weekly episodes.