Nostalgia of Radio set ……

                            Main Radio transmissions

For a sufficient long span of time, the monopoly of “Aakaash vani” and “All India Radio Urdu service” people witnessed and enjoyed profusely. In parallel to these two prominent transmission services, an another transmission relayed through a popular Radio station. It was renowned, “Vividh Bharti” ( Indian diversities.) It continuously relayed programs in multi colored aspects of life. This was the Station with colorful, melodious and light classical programs. It too began, the advertisement facilities to promote the sell of goods, through it programs in shape of  commercial break. Up to certain degrees, still this station exists with FM facility, but not with the same popularity, it once happened to enjoy.

Later on, in the ninetieth of the last century, the time of  FM radio came into vogue.  In this drive, so many Radio stations at local level, got introduced in the market. But none of them could achieve the acme of popularity, once attained by the old popular stations. This had some reasons. With the change of time, new innovations in shape of audio, visuals segment, entered in the market. These were, in the name of Tape recorder, TV channels, mobile hand set loaded with internet facility, all these at once captured the market. The new entertainment gadgets, pushed Radio service in to the back stage.

                                               Question mark

Whether, in reality Radio-set placed in the back stage position? Answer is, though, it looked as such, but even on today, Radio services are being enjoyed by people widely! Though, Radio listeners, we don’t find visible in the same fashion, as it happened to be in the bygone era. Still on today, every fourth house is in the possession of a traditional Radio set. May the shape and size of the set vary. This is apart from the FM facility provided by the mobile hand set. Why for, I used the term traditional Radio set.

This kind of traditional Radio sets may be of a cheap or of high cost value. So many reasons are there for its being survived. Firstly, still that old generation survives in ratio, who in the name of ‘complete entertainment,’ enjoyed the Radio transmission service. Deep down, in the heart of that generation, a soft corner is alive for this conventional entertainment. The another reason is, in the  name of modern gadget, every motor car is decorated with FM Radio set. Whether needed or not, man keeps playing with the on- off knob of the FM set.

                                       Old era of Radio set  

Let us move back into the old era of Radio set. There was a time, when a house owner in possession of a Radio set, was subject to envy of neighbors. It occupied the place of iconic symbol of “status.”As much as larger size of Radio set a man owned, in the same it helped counting his status. This was akin to, as at present a man owns a high cost motor car. Radio still is a nostalgia.

People of old generation immensely recall those “all time popular services” of once upon a time.  “The All India Radio Urdu service” is not heard today. It had had a vast popularity, specifically for its  musical hit numbers relay of cinematic songs. In the mid of every day, the popular program, by the name “Aapki Farmaish” ( The choice of listeners), it used to relay. Still the melody of those songs resonates in the ears of old listeners.

At the evening time, when a person was about to go on to his bed, again the program of “listeners choice” with a different flavor happened to relay. Amid these programs, bits of news and edited commentary about the important events of the day, too got relayed. The “Vividh Bharti” was popular for its multi choices relay. It’s said, it still relaying the transmission with FM facility, but the charm it hold once, been diminished.

The old time ‘s ‘ Radio program’s team,’ liable for selection of songs and other events, had extra- ordinary caliber.  They deeply comprehended the liking or disliking of Radio listeners. To get acquainted with the mood or psyche of listeners, basically they relied upon the ‘letters of fans,” received by the Station. Such fan letters, in those days arrived in bulk. After going through the contents of  these letters, ‘program selection team’  helped to choose the “right choice.”  I think, still in the ‘archives’ of Radio stations, the heavy bundles of such fans letters can be discovered.

                                        BBC Radio service 

  To obtain the authentic news of inside the country and of the World, BBC Hindi service relayed the service. This station had had an outstanding position regard the Authenticity of news. The accuracy and impartial vision of BBC Radio was non- controversial.  It had no government censor ship over it. But despite of the liberty, it maintained its high ethical standard.  Never it misused  non censored freedom unduly.

Even on today, Radio set has its own pleasure. During the relay of hit cine songs, when one chanced to listen, an unexpected old time song (he longed direly for that, for days.) It provides a melodious magical impression. With the resonance of musical waves of the song, a bygone  era begin to reel before his eyes. It gives a feeling, as if, came across to a marooned ‘sweet heart’ of that time.

Even on today, when some one speed past of some construction site, and melodious song emitted from laborer’s Radio set, come to ears, it gives a thrilling sweet feeling. Amazingly, the songs attuned on the Radio set of neighbor, always sound more romantic to us . It’s alike to the phenomenon, “Wife of neighbor always looks more attractive and charming than your own wife.”  Penned by — Vinay Pharasi …