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Tune in Akashavani remains numero uno as it talks to a wide spectrum

In the good old days, radio was the time keeper guiding the routine of every member of the house, when people timed their daily routine to the programmes that were broadcast on All India Radio.

The national news in Kannada indicated it was exactly 7.35 a.m. while Hindi news meant it was 8 a.m. “My mother used to keep breakfast ready when Kannada news started and my father used to leave home for office by 8 a.m. when Hindi news started. Now I too follow radio programmes to pack my children off to school,” reveals Rekha Kotian, a home maker.

Those who have remained faithful to radio over the years still vouch for its multiple roles as time keeper as well as medium to the outside world. As Rekha puts it “radio keeps me company while performing my routine chores and also keeps me abreast of events. Even if I do not get time to go through newspapers in the mornings I am well informed”.

The advent of cable television has relegated radio to the background, albeit temporarily. People found the visual media more attractive.While youngsters danced to MTV grown ups were hooked to soaps till the FM revolution brought people back to radio with vengeance.

Despite the euphoria of the FM wave All India Radio has been able hold on its own thanks to the role it essays as an informer, educator and entertainer with mass appeal. Even today Yakshagana on Akashavani every Wednesday is a very popular programme.

Noted Tulu scholar Professor Amrutha Someshwara feels that the role of All India Radio in preserving our unique culture and tradition is unparalleled and cannot be challenged.

“Credit should go to radio for safeguarding, promoting and upholding local culture. Visual media has its own limitations. Listening to radio can be done even while performing other errands and it acts as a soothing balm performing its role without storming or burdening the mind,” he points out.

At the recently concluded All India Kannada Sahithya Sammelana in Udupi, singer-composer C. Ashwath lauded All India Radio for promoting folk, classical and light music in a big way. Apart from music, informative and educational programmes of All India Radio have their own fan following. There are programmes for farmers, youth, women, children and old people in all the four languages like English, Kannada, Konkani and Tulu. Mangalore being a mélange of people speaking different languages, only Akashavani has been able to reach each person in their own language.

As we all know competition improves efficiency and for Akashavani competition from FM channels has brought in new listeners. A barber recently commented that people listening to Akashavani is on the rise as people never used to switch on their radio sets earlier. But FM channels have compelled them to turn their sets on and while tuning, they are amazed at the quality of the programming from Akashavani. Working within the parameters set up for the public broadcaster Akashavani has been striving hard to balance its programmes catering to different sections of the society. As Someshwara puts it despite competition from private channels it is gratifying to note that Akashavani has remained true to its original motto of catering to the masses. “People seek and look for programmes which identifies with their cultural ethos. They want something to listen to in their mother tongue and that is where Akashavni scores.”

Rama Rao of Kottara, an ardent listener of Akashavani programmes and who plans to form a “radio listener’s forum” contends “there is no communication media that can vie for the position Akashavani enjoys. It offers a sea of information and entertainment making it a true companion who never fails in its duty”.

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