Somewhere at a little distance is the CEO’s plush cabin filled with artefacts and overlooking a buzzing street. Nobody ever gets to meet him because he is forever in a meeting either in the boardroom, his cabin, and five-star hotels, in a different city or out of the country. His presence looms large in the atmosphere though as the team goes about their routine, day after day, year after year, 24×7…

I was introduced to the world of the web by my friend Indranil Maitra that time Vice President, Digital Services. Indranil asked me to do Hindi film reviews on their website. I said yes and I was exposed to a new world.  I learnt that unlike the radio where I’m granted 45 seconds to process my thoughts on the web I’m allowed longer duration. Also while chatting on the radio is about communication, on the net, it is about narrating what you have written effectively.

In the end, both the mediums are about voice projection and befriending the microphone and because I recorded for the net from home I had to be careful about controlling surround sounds, I had to  switch off all electrical gadgets in the room, shut the windows  and keep lose sheets because turning paper is invasive as well. Last, check your breathing patterns, because of the microphone like the camera, is very sharp and captures everything, your flaws and strengths, your highs and lows!

Concluded

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There is no written script for these regular shows and all the chatting you listen to driving in your car is extempore.  All the RJs do their preparations practically without any assistance. Post the show they edit and post editing they have to get ready for their next show. They have little or no social life especially the morning RJ because he has to go bed early in order to make it to the studio at 6 the following morning.

There are executive producers for every show who are facilitators for the RJs and they report to work before the RJs to make certain that everything inside the recording room is in order. The producer is closely connected to the Program head and so any changes in placement of news/ songs/ announcements are in order to not take the RJ by a surprise.  The producers observe crazy hours often without a break and in desperate situations even do double shifts.

You can never make out from their voice but the RJs face more challenges than they can cope so the next time you find your favourite RJ not up to the mark, don’t complain, empathize! Things are not always as demanding and despite the pressures, they have a lot of fun too. Some take respite chatting with a colleague in between links, some call up beloveds; some order a strong cup of coffee.

The office has a great atmosphere, informal, invigorating and vibrating with music. The air-condition temperatures are hysterical and the girls are always wrapped in shawls, but they are all the time to smile and singing too. It means they are happy! Mobiles are always on silent and they hop from cubicle to cubicle ideating in one meeting after another, always on the move and energetic.

To be continued…

@bhawanasomaaya

Gradually I got accustomed to my weekly visits to the channel office and meeting more and more people. The program team worked out a schedule for my film reviews and very soon a new show aptly titled Big Bollywood Chaat was introduced for the Sunday listeners. One show led to another and then another and more till I was fully consumed by the magic of the broadcast. Earlier I was recognized as a byline now people associated me with my voice and style of speaking, it was all very interesting.

Now that I have spent a couple of years before the microphone I thought it was time for me to share my observations on the medium. I discovered for instance that radio is faster than television or print medium even though it is a showcasing of the word, thought and voice. I’m granted 40 seconds to process and articulate my thoughts on a film before the RJ moves on to the next link and song.

The medium of communication is Hindi in order to reach out to a wider audience and all conversations have to be topical and engaging. Songs by themselves can become monotonous and that’s where the RJ comes in. Every RJ has his/her unique style of connecting with their listeners. At BigFM Siddharth is our morning host, Rani comes in the afternoon and Dileep arrives in the evening.

On the surface what they do appears very simple but talking is not the only job RJs do.   Sitting inside a freezing cold studio in front of a gigantic machine the RJs juggle with multiple tracks like music, advts, endorsements, slogans and teasers. It is a tough job because the slightest mistake ruins the links and overlaps the shows. What’s further commendable is that all of them edit it on the spot.

To be continued…

@bhawanasomaaya

Sometimes when I am questioned about the other media my mind wanders back to the year 2009 when I first got exposed to a radio channel.

Eight years ago when Tarun Katial, CEO Reliance Media World asked me to review films for his radio channel 92.7 BigFM, I was not sure if I was capable for the job and what the process entailed. The first time we recorded the review of Paa I think over the telephone but the sound quality was not up to the mark and so we agreed to do future recordings in their studio.

The BIG Studio is situated inside the Infinity Mall, Andheri and has a separate entrance from the shopping area that takes you directly to the fourth floor. Two security guards stand outside the door and entry is only by punching of cards. If there is a visitor, the staffer has to come out personally and escort the guest inside and repeat the same exercise when the meeting has ended.

There are big banners of the channel all over the place and the office is a large circular space comprising innumerable cubicles. A narrow corridor with sparkling floor leads you to the recording studios where radio jockeys, young boys and girls in the age group of 20-25 headphones over their ears are engrossed in soliloquies. It is a treat to watch them laugh, sing, emote and chat behind the glass partitions. There is a long black sofa outside the studios overlooking the Food Colour at Infinity Mall, this is the main meeting area for the programming team and where the RJs hold impromptu meetings.

To be continued…

@bhawanasomaaya

The fourth day is referred to as Yama Dvitiya (also called Bhai Dooj) and on this day sisters invite their brothers to their homes. It is a day of celebrating sibling relationship when the brother visits his married sister with his family and shares a meal with her  extended family.

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The day after Diwali is celebrated as the New Year and also as Giovardhan puja in the villages and in the small towns where they worship the cows with a special offering.  It is a day of good conquering over evil and rising from darkness unto light — the light that empowers us to commit ourselves to good deeds which brings us closer to divinity.

During these four days, lights illuminate every corner of India and the scent of incense sticks hangs in the air, mingled with the sounds of fire-crackers, joy, togetherness and hope. The illumination of our courtyards and our homes is an expression of obeisance to the heavens for the attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace and prosperity.

@bhawanasomaaya

Historically, the origin of Diwali can be traced back to ancient India, when it was probably an important harvest festival. However, there are various legends pointing to the origin of Diwali or ‘Deepawali.’ Some believe it to be the celebration of the marriage of Lakshmi with Lord Vishnu.

In Bengal, the festival is dedicated to the worship of Mother Kali, the dark goddess of strength. Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed God, the symbol of auspiciousness and wisdom, is also worshiped in most Hindu homes on this day. In Jainism, Deepawali has an added significance to the great event of Lord Mahavira attaining the eternal bliss of nirvana.

Diwali also commemorates the return of Lord Rama along with Sitaand Lakshman from his long exile and vanquishing the demon-kingRavana. In joyous celebration of the return of their king, the people of Ayodhya, the Capital of Rama, illuminated the kingdom with earthen diyas (oil lamps) and burst crackers.

It is on the third day of Deepawali — Kartika Shudda Padyami that Bali steps out of hell and rules the earth according to the boon granted to him by Lord Vishnu.

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