The radio, today’s travel companion and pick-me-up during mundane chores, has always had a special place in the heart of many Bengalureans.
On World Radio Day (February 13), well-known Bengalureans share their memories of the radio with Metrolife.
‘My best buddy’
Hindustani classical singer Sangeetha Katti says the radio contributed to important milestones in her career.
“Right from childhood, the radio has been my best buddy. As a child prodigy I was featured on many programmes from Akashvani in Dharwad,” she says. Her memories include lingering signature tunes of morning broadcasts and programmes like ‘Sangeet Sarita’, ‘Chayageet’, and ‘Bhoole Bisre Geet’.
“I remember how the newsreader read the ‘Pradesh Samachara’. I also listened to regional Marathi songs played from 5.50 to 6 pm,” she says.
Sangeetha never missed the show ‘Sangeet Sarita’, and adds, “Ragas were introduced with a classical piece and a Hindi film song based on a raga.”
‘Binaca Geetmala’ from Radio Ceylon with Ameen Sayani as the host was another favourite. She recollects the brown box with knobs from yesteryears, which needed to be nudged a bit to play smoothly, and its shift to the more compact, stylish version.
She still listens to Akashwani, Vividh Bharati and newer FM stations. “FM radio comes up with innovative concepts, but I wish they would cover all genres of music and not just film,” she says.
‘Unannounced clock’
P D Sathish Chandra, who has worked with different FM stations, is also an actor and director of theatre group Prakasam.
“I come from a joint family with classical musicians and we listened to the radio every day. Radio mesmerised me as a child,” he says.
Satish recollects the iconic tune of ‘Hawa Mahal’, ‘Chayageet’, ‘Bhoole Bisre Geet’, and ‘Nandana’ in Kannada.
“Radio was like an unannounced clock,” he says. “We used to plan many things according to the shows on radio.” He says radio suffered neglect with the advent of the Internet. “I love the charm of AIR though. I listen to Vivid Bharathi and FM Rainbow when I am in traffic. I also listen to talk shows and interviews,” he adds.
‘A family member’
Film director, producer and actor B Suresha recollects the radio as a family till 1985.
“AIR had bhajans in the morning to which we got up, the Sanskrit news in the morning was the cue for us to leave for school, and old film songs played at night reminded us to retire to our beds,” he recalls.
Sundays were exciting with the broadcast of film soundtracks. “If it was from a film which we had watched, we would easily be able to connect with it,” he says.
Running commentary of cricket matches were a lot of fun, and “we used to celebrate each boundary”.
Suresha tunes in during drives. “It is soothing to hear Kannada on Vivid Bharati and Rainbow, and it isn’t the same feeling as with other stations,” he says.
Kannada film actor Sudharani and her parents were avid radio listeners.
“We owned a limited-edition Philip series with a radiogram, which cost my parents an arm and a leg and was a prized possession,” she says.
Right after coffee, her father would tune in and the radio would be on for a long time. “My mother listened to music and my father was into cricket commentary,” she says. Sudharani’s love for music grew because of the radio. “I listen to the radio when I drive and sometimes at home I just play it loudly,” she says.
‘Travel buddy’
Actor-politician Upendra recollects listening to songs by Dr Rajkumar and S P Balasubrahmanyam.
The beauty of content on AIR was that names of the music director and lyricist would be announced. With private FM channels, it is now just the song. “Listening to songs was my favourite pastime. Talk show ‘Ondu Maatu’ by A S Murthy was another favourite programme,” he says. Radio is a travel buddy now. “We keep swapping between channels, looking for melodious and interesting songs,” he says.
‘Stage for music’
Tabla artist Vishwanath Nakod, whose father Arjunsa Nakod and brother Pt Raghunath Nakod played on the radio, has been working as a staff artist with AIR for 30 years.
“The radio was the only good platform to listen to good music. It is the best stage to promote music,” he adds.
Film songs and cricket commentary used to be his favourite programmes. “I like listening to devotional and classical music and old Hindi songs across channels.”
An A-grade artiste with AIR, he rues content on radio is deteriorating.
“It is not up to the mark and many channels promote talent which wouldn’t have made it in the past,” Vishwanath says.