Konark & Surya Televisions, a nostalgia via print ads
All these print ads taken from the Odia magazine Sucharita, between 1979 to 1990. The most prominent Television brand originated in Odisha was Konark TV. Established in 1973 Konark Television Ltd. was Govt. of Odisha enterprise. Konark TV was once a pride possession in almost every Odia household. Read more about Konark TV here.
These ‘With Best Compliments from…’ ads lists all the initial models offered by Konark TV in late 70s & early 80s.
In initial days Konark TV were made in technical collaboration with HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited), yes the same HAL which is in news these days for all the wrong reasons. Featuring here is Konark Supreme.
The above ad explains collaboration of Odisha’s rich workmanship skills (silver filigree) with technical expertise of HAL in the making of finest Televisions.
Konark Televisions were capable of producing rich quality sound. The above ad highlighting this feature.
The rich quality sound combined with the vivid picture clarity in Konark Televisions.
With changing demands Konark TV collaborated with Grundig AG of West Germany replacing HAL as technology partner. This ad highlighting the rich workmanship skills of Odia people which goes in making of Konark Televisions. Featuring model Konark Rainbow Premiere.
With change of technology partner, Konark TV gone hi-tech. Each TV was a home entertainment powerhouse with best of technology & features.
New models were introduced to compete with other market players. Featuring Konark Senator Colour TV models.
More models in Senator series were added. Notice Deepika Chikhalia (a popular TV star in those days) featured in Konark TV ad for product endorsement. I remember watching TVC of Konark Senator in Doordarshan in 1995 taking potshots at Onida KY Thunder.
This was probably the peak time for Konark TV. It introduced Konark Galaxy 7 Systems. This TV was compatible with all 7 television broadcasting standards in world. Having truly export potential, this TV was exported to European countries. Proud moment for Odisha.
Konark Galaxy 7 Systems had set a new benchmark for other TV manufacturers. This ad boasts about it.
Konark Galaxy 7 Systems was a world class TV model with best of German technology. This ad presented Konark Galaxy 7 Systems as a lifestyle choice for upper class.
This ad proudly acknowledging the origin of its name & fine workmanship of Odia people.
The ad describes quality Colour Television from the well-known B/W TV maker Konark, with technical know-how from Samsung, S. Korea and Grundig, W. Germany. (Image @TaraniTrotter)
This product literature featuring various portable B/W Konark TV models. Image taken from here.
In 80s when Television sales started booming, private players jumped into manufacturing television sets. Besides state owned Konark TV another television brand originated in Odisha, Suryo Udyog Pvt. Ltd.
Surya TV, introduced their Colour & B/W TV sets in Odisha, in technical collaboration with NEC Corporation, Japan.
Surya TV ad explaining the quality of its product & reasons why to choose it over others.
Surya Colour TV ad explaining brilliant picture quality & sound.
Can a ‘handsome TV’ with best of features can compete with your partner?? Apparently both the Wife & Husband think so in this brilliant TV print ad by Surya.
The obsession gone to next level… almost extra-marital affair with ‘handsome’ & ‘featureful’ Surya TV.
Many wouldn’t be aware of this another private TV manufacturer from Odisha. Vikrant TV which highlights its German & Korean components.
These TV brands were once part of our life. Every Odia who grew up in 80s & 90s would remember those days when owning a TV set was prestigious. Konark TV was pride of Odisha and it would be remain so in our memories.
