12 Feb 2023  |   06:13am IST

Yet again, “All we hear is……

The first electronic mass medium, Radio, is a powerful medium that reaches out to a generation of listeners. Keeping up with the changing times and competition of other electronic sources of entertainment, the radio still connects people. As World Radio Day 2023 will be celebrated on February 13, All we hear is… ‘Radio Gaga’

Dolcy D’Cruz

Q

ueen’s everlasting and immortal ‘Radio Gaga’ was what was called the nostalgic defence of radio. It was on television overtaking radio’s popularity and the connect Radio had with our lives. And yet Roger Taylor who wrote the song had hope as he said :You’ve yet to have your finest hour”.

40 years later, Radio indeed seems to be having its finest hour, winning back listeners and audiences in a connect which is beyond the music.

Growing up in Goa during the 80s and 90s, one jingle that was constantly played on the radio was, ‘Herald with your coffee, Herald with your tea, Herald with your pao and chapatti.’ A song that remains etched in the mind of people with its catchy tune. Such is the charm of music and one of the most important mediums to share this music is the radio. From holding your breath as every ball was played by the Indian team in a distant land to tuning in to the favourite shows right on the dot or waiting by the cassette player with a blank cassette to press the record button just before the song begins and then immediately on the last beat to stop the recording. Now with the choice of music at the tap of the finger, this essence is long lost.

At the global level, radio remains the most widely consumed medium. In Goa too, the radio stations have various programmes throughout the week that interacts with its listeners. Right from dial-in shows, request shows, to sharing their comment on a hot topic, then lines to the radio stations are always open. Keeping up with the changing trends, radio stations are now also available on Whatsapp messages, Instagram and Facebook. The theme for the 12th edition of the World Radio Day, to be celebrated on February 13, is ‘Radio and Peace.

Savio de Noronha, former channel head at FM Rainbow has been a part of the radio industry for more than 30 years. A distinctive radio voice, Savio always kept the young in mind while working on his content for the radio. “None of the platforms has a monopoly but they complement each other. The personality of radio or radio space is very present in everyone’s life and the biggest trump card of the radio is that it disturbs anyone. You can listen to the radio while driving and even when conversing with someone,” says Savio.

Earlier, listeners had to send in postcards and letters to request for their songs. Surprisingly, people still do it in Goa and it is not just the Goan listeners but people living in Sawantwadi as well as Karwar. “Once the request show would begin, the lines would be busy. Before the telephones, it was postcards and inland letters. We still receive these postcards and these are from regular listeners who have also created rubber stamps with their addresses as well as the radio station’s address. As they have to do is add their song request,” says Savio.

RJ Alfwold Silveira who is fondly called RJ Alfie has been on air for 22 years. He is now showing the way to the younger generation by introducing the functioning of the radio. He was one of the few RJs who would be o air throughout the week and on all the shows of the channel, playing different genres of music for his avid listeners. “I now teach a course in Music Appreciation, for students of Dhempe College of Arts and Science, Miramar as well as Goa College of Hospitality and Culinary Education. I teach them the different aspects of the radio from broadcasting, newsroom, control room, and the other functions. Youngsters might have Spotify and newer means to listen to music but the radio will always continue as a non-intrusive medium. It can be heard anywhere and it will always have a surprise element of your favourite song being played next,” explains RJ Alfie.

RJ Joed Almeida’s love for being on radio is so strong that he quit his comfortable banking job to be on air. After two failed attempts while working as an intern for six months, he finally got through to be a radio jockey and it is a joy for him to connect with youngsters. “Just before going on air, I say a silent prayer to God to put a smile on someone’s face through the show. My listenership keeps changing and I can understand this through the people who send in their requests and connect to me through different social media. I plan a playlist with contemporary music as well as old hits that are still enjoyed,” says Joed.

Whether you want to listen to a different genre or language, with the several radio stations in Goa for listening pleasure, the radio is still very much alive.