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Then and NOW The Radio Ceylon office in Colombo

This 280-page-book in Hindi is an account of how perfect pronunciation and language helped him become a star on the airwaves. It is also a guide for aspiring broadcasters.

Even at 75, Sharma still has that charismatic voice that glued listeners to Radio Ceylon. He popularised Hindi film music and instrumentals. So much so that once when legendary shehnai player Ustad Bismillah Khan met Sharma, the former kissed his hands saying, “You make crores of listeners listen to my shehnai with these hands.” The book is replete with several such instances and makes one realise the power of radio, particularly in the days before entertainment options proliferated.

Recalls the veteran, who has interviewed almost all the reigning actors, “My weekly programme comparing the music and songs of old and new times, ‘Kal Aur Aaj’ (1958-1959) would make the likes of Dev Anand, Raj Kapoor andO.P. Ralhan write to me. Once Raj Kapoor asked me, ‘How do you get so much time to research on topics like how film music was started?. I am amazed at the details you provide.’ This compliment was enough to keep me going.”

Gopal Sharma.

But there were brickbats to begin with. Bijnor-born Sharma committed a blunder in his first programme, what with the excitement of getting a job after an excruciating struggle. He recounts, “I said ‘ab aap suniye film ‘Mukesh’ se gaya hua ye geet, gayak hain ‘Andaaz’…’ when I meant to say Mukesh sang the song from the film ‘Andaaz’! Similarly, the second time, for ‘Bolo Beti Tabbassum’, I said Boto Beli Tabassum, . I got several letters asking the producer who the announcer was. My producer warned me.”

But, Radio Ceylon swore by his innovative programmes later. He was the only one to get a Dilip Kumar interviewin 1961. He reminisces, “Dilip’s film ‘Gunga Jamuna’ was due for release. The music of the movie was very good. He was in Colombo. So, I cashed in on the opportunity and told him, ‘If you don’t give me an interview, I won’t play your songs.’ He said, ‘You are blackmailing me.’ But he gave me the interview. After that the Radio Ceylon producer decided to felicitate him . He arranged a function to be attended by 15,000 people. The interview was going to be aired that evening. But Dilip didn’t turn up, nor did he apologise. I felt so humiliated that I edited out the ‘Gunga Jamuna’ portion while broadcasting it. Dilip is still angry with me for that.”

Today, as a freelance announcer for stage shows as well as AIR’s Vividh Bharati, Sharma doesn’t mince words. “Today’s announcers follow no code of conduct. Vulgarity has crept into their language, which is already bereft of content. Pronunciation is miserable.”

Thus speaks the voice of experience.

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