NATIONAL BROAD CASTING DAY

On the occasion of National broadcasting day today the July 23^rd.  I would like to share my experiences with AIR.

Radio is the first medium to broadcast news and music.  The first broad cast was made in 1927. Then at a later stage, commentaries and dramas were introduced in the stream. In those days Radio was not affordable to everyone.  Radio was available at Panchayat office or at the Sarpanch’s house. The people of the village gather to hear the news and other programmes. Government also used Radio to make Official announcements. Weather report, Political news and entertainment updates were provided through Radio only. The biggest medium that attracted many as it reached almost to the nook and corner of the country.

Our family enjoyed and benefitted a lot because of AIR. AIR CHENNAI is one among our family till to date. Both AM and FM are being heard by us.

My father often recollects his melodious memories of Binaka Geet mala in Radio Ceylon  in the year 1960 which came on wednesday nights. The Radio (NATIONAL GEC Radio) was available in one of his friend’s house, where the teenagers of the neighbourhood gathered to have a hearing treat. Then after some time our family’s first Radio- a big radio- NATIONAL Echo was bought.

 Eldest of my uncles, had the privilege of singing in the Radio station of Vijayawada, ANDHRA PRADESH. It was a Carnatic vocal performance way back in the year 1960.

My Maternal grandfather was always stick to his transistor operated by batteries. (1985-2002) He will carry it along with him. It roams around the house along with him to the dining hall, on the walls of the well while taking bath and washing clothes and near his easy chair when he relaxes. He never allowed us to touch it. He always listened only to Carnatic or instrumental music, dramas and News AIR CHENNAI &TRICHY. No filmy music allowed. We will try to tune it for VIVID BHARATI Chennai, whenever we find a chance to operate it or use it in his absence.

Now a days my maternal uncle is following his father’s path. Always on AIR CHENNAI, that too only AM, News, dramas and some music. Some-how or the other me and my siblings had the chance of listening to AIR from the younger age.

 During our school days my sibling and my cousins had a chance of presenting a (choir) by school children in the academic year 1990-91 at TIRUPATHI Radio station for local FM.

I have once given a talk in AIR CHENNAI Hindi during Deepavali on the topic DEEP SE DEEP JALAVO in the year 2005.  From 2008, I was part of MOZHI PAYIRCHI program of AIR CHENNAI which aims to teach Hindi. I translate the Hindi lessons into Tamil and write a script basing on the lesson. Then a teacher and a student will present it for recording in the studios of AIR CHENNAI, then that will be broad casted at a scheduled date.  I have also participated in the quiz program organised by AIR CHENNAI and reached up to level 2. (TMM) in the season 2 and 3 in the years 2017 and 2019 respectively.

One of our family member participated in the NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM OF POETS 2019 organised by AIR, CHENNAI.  At that time I was lucky enough to meet N. V. Subbaraman of “Envius thoughts”……his blog!    https://nvsr.wordpress.com/

He in between our conversation, quite simply stated that he writes a blogpost every day for the past 4 years. Not missing a single day. He created a record and got many awards too. Highly inspiring for fellow bloggers!

After that discussion I follow his blog regularly and after lot of thinking and planning I decided to write at least a small blogpost every day. The first step in this regard was on 1st November 2019……………..

So, AIR has given me and family a lot of support, encouragement, awareness and inspiration.