Daily writing prompt

What TV shows did you watch as a kid?

View all responses

Hello dear friends,

I hope this blog finds you in a cheerful mood. Today’s writing prompt is fascinating: “What TV shows did you watch as a kid?”

Well, here is my truth—when I was a child, there was no television in our home, or even in our neighborhood.

In those days, life was very different. Entertainment came through radio dramas, storytelling under the stars, or village fairs where folk songs and street plays entertained the masses.

Children like me grew up listening to elders narrating episodes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. These tales, spoken with such passion, had more magic than any flickering screen.

But then came a turning point—the day when the first TV finally entered my home. That day remains etched in my memory like a festival.

The Day of Arrival

Today, we depend on television for everything—entertainment, news, education, culture, weather, sports, and even music. But back then, it was a rare luxury.

I remember it vividly. The date was 25th January 1987—a date etched in my heart forever because it was the very day the legendary serial Ramayana was first telecast. And that was the very day I brought home my first television set.

Our excitement centered around a bulky, box-shaped contraption, carefully carried in by two men. It was a color TV, and to us, it felt like a miracle. The wooden cabinet, the round knobs, the big screen—it was nothing less than a window to another world.

At that time, I was posted in Sheoganj, Rajasthan. I lived alone there, away from my family, and this newly purchased television soon became a companion, a friend, and a source of joy.

Every morning, neighbors would join me to watch the iconic Ramayana. Later, together we enjoyed the Mahabharat as well.

A Neighborhood Festival

Owning a television in those days wasn’t just a family affair—it was a community celebration. Since Sheoganj was a rural area, every evening our home transformed into a gathering space.

I can still picture the scene: children sitting cross-legged in the front row, women chatting in hushed tones at the back, and our neighbor Sharma ji on the roof, adjusting the antenna with all his energy.

Sometimes the screen would flicker, dissolving into static. Immediately, a chorus of voices would rise—“Zyada left, thoda right!”—until the picture reappeared. The joy when the screen cleared was no less than the thrill of winning a cricket match.

The Changing World

That television didn’t just bring shows—it brought the whole world closer to us.

Through it, we witnessed live events like the Football World Cup and the Cricket World Cup. We watched patriotic programs on Republic Day, the melodious Rangoli on Sunday mornings, and of course, the unforgettable sagas of Ramayana and Mahabharata.

I vividly recall how Sunday mornings became sacred. Streets would fall silent as families sat glued to their screens.

In our homes, the living room turned into a mini-temple, with elders folding their hands as Ram, Sita, Krishna, or Arjun appeared on the screen.

More Than Just Entertainment

Looking back, the arrival of television was not merely about entertainment. It changed our lifestyle, our rhythm, and even our perspective. It became a source of education, awareness, and unity.

Farmers received agricultural guidance, students gained exposure to science, and families discovered cultural festivals from faraway states.

For someone like me—who grew up in the era before television—it was like stepping into another dimension. It didn’t erase the magic of the radio or the charm of bedtime stories, but it added new layers to our imagination.

Final Submission

Today, at 67, when I see the endless options on smart TVs, OTT platforms, and digital screens in every pocket, I cannot help but smile.

Children today may never know the thrill of waiting all week for a Sunday movie or the joy of fifty people huddled together in a small room, sharing laughter, awe, and wonder over a single screen.

That first TV in my home was more than a gadget. It was a storyteller, a teacher, a unifier, and above all, a symbol of shared happiness. It taught us patience, togetherness, and the joy of simple things.

So, while I cannot answer the question “What TV shows did you watch as a kid?” in the usual sense, I can proudly say this: I grew up in the golden age before television, and I witnessed the magic of its arrival.

And that experience, my dear friends, was more memorable than any single show could ever be.

✨ Dear friends, what about you? Do you remember the first TV in your home, or the earliest show you watched? I would love to hear your stories too.

“The first television in our home was not just a box with a screen—it was a festival of togetherness, a teacher of patience, and a mirror of joy.”

BE HAPPY… BE ACTIVE… BE FOCUSED… BE ALIVE

If this post inspired you, show some love! 💙
✅ Like | ✅ Follow | ✅ Share | ✅ Comment

 www.retiredkalam.com

Categories: infotainment

Tags: #Entertainment, #Life, dailyprompt, dailyprompt-2042, featured, television, tv, writing