How do you feel when all of a sudden you hear the Sartaj Geet of 70s, Dum Maaro Dum sung by Asha Bhosale and Usha Iyer? DIL KHUSH HO GAYA , MADE MY DAY or simply put NOSTALGIC. Exactly. Thats the
magic element of RADIO. SURPRISE!!!!.

Same thing happened with me when I started using the new found website link for online FM Radio(Mumbai). Talking about Radio, after a long time, felt like coming back to my favourite way of spending time. Listen to any crap on Radio and you will realise, no its not actually CRAP. Its all information, a sextillion(21 zeros besides 1) times better than all the REAL Rona Dhona, Pakavu ones. At the same time, there is nothing to complain about the programs on TV like Discovery and National Geographic.

Coming back to Radio, may be its because of my parents’ interest that rubbed on me who used to listen to Radio all the time which used to start with Sanskrit news followed by news in Hindi, English and local language. This was the start of the Rastriya Prasaran Seva starting from 5.30 am till 1.30 am night(Vividh Bharati Madhya Raatri Kaaryakram).

All India Radio is one of the widely listened to Radio station even today(at least in India). Although BBC is more popular by statistics due to its reach all over the world. Not because of English language only, but due to their knack of tying up with the local radio stations and then bringing out programs that will appeal to the local community at the same time broadcasting some really innovative and interesting talks in between.

Why Radio?:(Some Advs. over Print and Television)
Multi Tasking
Radio had served the purpose of several of the common individuals who had to keep doing their tasks without having to pay continuous attention for amusement(Multi Tasking). A barber’s shop with a Radio is the best example these days.
Save your visit to Eye Specialist
Unlike the Idiot Box/Couch Potato(true to its names), eyes can be safe even if you keep staring at the Radio for hours (although you need not:-) ). Many people argue that more and more children (as small as 4 years old) in India use Spectacles because there is awareness among parents about their child’s care. Arey ab kaun samjhaye ki thats due to the excessive watching of TV, online Games and not having enough nutritious food.
Time Constraint
In today’s times, when you need to do your daily chores without having to spend time for the loss of keeping oneself updated with the happenings around, Radio comes to your rescue. Shaving, Cooking, etc can be done while listening to Radio. :-)
Surprise
As I mentioned before, there is nothing more exciting than a pleasant surprise. And with songs on Radio, the old farmaish ones (especially from places like Jhumri Talayya,etc), you just instantly dive into Nostalgia.
Affordable
Whoa. Even in the age of iPod, Walkman, Disc Man, Mp3 drive, Blu Ray,etc Radio is still affordable at the same time dependable. What I mean by dependable is when there is a power outage in the middle an interesting cricket live telecast on TV, even today am sure most of us switch to Radio. But even otherwise, I can never forget the thrilling expereince I had listening to the commentary of Gavaskar’s 236 not out in West Indies along with my grandFather.
Not seen/heard could be more beautiful.
Radio lets you imagine about an event, incident, song picturisation instead of somebody else’s imagination, not that the other person’s imagination is unwatchable. It gives you freedom to think your WON way. Also, you can listen to new music/learn about new culture which have never been heard of before. SANGAMAM( a tamil movie) is the only movie for which AR RAHMAN used ONLY classical music, although experimenting a bit with Saxaphone. I came to know about it on Radio during my Chennai visit, an amazing album. Its a prized possession with me till now. Thanks to Radio.

Here go the Programs on AIR which I feel have been some of the Best during my school, college days.
News (Every hourly starting at 6 in the mornig)
News at every hour English followed by Hindi. Although each language news last just 10 minutes,the content is comprehensive yet to the point. Previously there used to be more political coverage but then it diversified its content into other areas like latest inventions/discoveries. For me, initially what mattered with the news was the Sports section where we came to know about the scores of Test Matches from the previous day’s play as TV coverage was minimal to null.
Bhoole Bisre Geet(7 am to 8 am)
Its like Rangoli on TV. You might get a chance to listen to some of the forgotten numbers like the ones of Albela, Aah, etc movies. A one hour program with no or minimal interventaion of credits.
Chitralok(8 am to 9.30 am)
Who does not remember this program? Chitralok was so popular that after every two songs, there used to be a commercial, which was kind of rare on Radio. Anyways, this program used to be aired in the mornings between 8 and 9 where one could listen to the top rated songs from the forthcoming movies.
Aaj Ke Fankaar(9.30 to 10.30 am(?))
This program is a collection of some forgotten, classic, popular numbers of one particular fankaar daily. You can get lots of information about the ups and downs of a Fankaar’s career in here. This is where I came to know about most of the small time actors/actresses. Tun Tun’s(Uma Devi) program is one that I will remember forever. What an amazing voice she had? She had sung songs like Afsana Likh Rahi Hoon Dil-e-Bekaraar ka and was destined to become one of the lead singers of Bollywood. But had to take up comedian’s role to survive in the Industry later on. Anyways, another hour of masala information. But yes, it did create a special place for the small time performers in my heart.
Binaca Geet Mala and then Cibaca Geet Mala (8 pm to 9 pm)
Amin Sayani made it so popular that Vividh Bharati in truth seemed to be Saptarangi Kaaryakram. (Rainbow program). Its one of the most awaited, long running weekly commercial countdown on India Radio. It became so popular that even today if you listen to audio cassettes, you can feel the enthusiasm of Amin Sayani in tact. His usage of Urdu words were so gracious. Amin is synonymous with Cibaca/Binaca geetmala. Aur Bhaiyyon aur Behno, Iss hafte ke Paidaan number ek yaani ki Paidaan number one ka Sartaj Geet Hain...(music) and then song.

I know if you are reading this revu, probably you need not go for a Radio RADIO. :_0. Instead listen to many online ones on smashits, raaga, musicindiaonline, desimusic, rhapsody, dishant, etc. Do drop in your comments if you felt Nostalgic(unknowingly smiling to oneself, like Woh Bhi Kya Din ththey), and do switch on the Radio once in a while. It will be somewhere in your house or go, buy one, should cost you less than Dhoom 2 ticket price. Believe me, it would be worth it.;-)

On a lighter note, Radio is far better when you have the only option of Listening(especially for married people).:-)

Happy New Year @Sarvesh
A Man Of Quality Is Never Threatened By A Woman For Equality.(Again, heard on Radio....)