Music to the ears!. Review on AIR Vividhbharathi

Back in the days when television didn't exist, many of the elders in our country were tuned in to the magical voice of Ameen Sayani of Binaca Geet Mala fame. His command over the language and powerful expression, gripped the best of a number of people in that generation. Sad, that many of us in the generation next, missed out catching the great man in action, live on radio.

But there is no need to fret. The Vividhbharathi channel on the All India Radio channel, airs some phenomenal programmes on old Hindi film songs. Three of them have held my attention in all my growing years for the best part of two and a half decades - Manchahegeet at 1.30p.m.Aap ki Farmaish at 2.30p.m. and Chayageet at 10 p.m. And they have only gotten better with time. The most striking features of these three great programmes for me, would be:

1.Excellent choice of songs.

2.Fantastic sense of occasion

3.Very, very Indian and nationalistic

4.Anchors have such a soothing voice that it cools the best of tempers, almost!

5.The geographical reach for these programmes is quite unparalleled have heard people sending in requests for songs from as far as Arunachal Pradesh!

6.Requests for songs come through postcards and letters,even in this day of ''digital energy'', though there are traces of emails, these days, but not significant enough.

7.The recordings and songs played are all original track and not hashed with remixed flavours.

8.People of all ages send in requests.

9.The timing of these programmes matches anybody's requirements, but I like it best on a Sunday afternoon at 1.30p.m,lying down in my bed with the Manchahegeet programme on, right after an early lunch! But Vividhbharati understands the stress of modern working lives and hence offers Chayageet at 10p.m. everyday! Its so soothing to hear the songs at this time of the night, after a hard day's work! Who says AIR doesn't understand its customers needs?

10.The sound quality is universally good either on a big stereo, a Dolby, a pocket radio or a walkman with radio.

These 3 programmes provide a fantastic opportunity to revisit, revel and regale audiences who truly appreciate old Hindi music of the legends. I mean, just imagine a Salil Chowdhury musical composition with Lata Mangeshkar's voice on a nice, warm Sunday afternoon! Or for that matter, anytime!

The programme, Aap ki Farmaish, goes a a step further than requests, by sequencing the context in which the songs are to be played, with apt quotes and polite anecdotes by the anchors.

For those music lovers who value old Hindi songs, especially of the period 1950-1990,listening to these terrific programmes on Vividhbharathi, will surely satiate the appetite. I have begun to carry my pocket radio to office now....! These 3 magical programmes really are, music to the ears!