My friends in America have been tuning into City1016 since a long long time and swear by it. It's the only one I know that broadcasts the same content they do on radio - also online. So while they sit in America, they are listening to radio of Dubai - with content about another city / country etc - but seem totally ok with it! So why do people keep talking about local content, importance of the city or town or whats happening around them?
When I shifted to Bangalore, of course I met people here in the radio industry. I wanted to check out the possibilities. But when I thought of going on-air, I double checked with myself. I could have done it easily since I have done it before and it comes naturally to me. But should I do it? It bothered me that I did not know the city well enough. In fact, what if I pronounced the area name wrong while giving a traffic update? Marathalli is pronounced differently even by locals here. What is KR Market? what is sold there? - later get to know its kind of like Crawford Market - but have I been there? Have I had the coffee at Brahmin Coffee Bar? And I decided, its just not fair. It is unethical to go on-air with half baked information and just faff around about how great Bangalore is and how lovely the weather is.
When I was in Mumbai, I saw a lot of these RJs who were from various parts of the country - and somehow never thought of this then. People from Delhi, Jaipur and Raipur - could easily get away with a 'kasa kay' or a 'bhidu' - which is ok. Also, Mumbai as a city is very cosmopolitan. It does not belong to anyone or any particular language is not spoken there. It is also very tolerant. Oh my, before I get emotional over the city - what I am trying to say is that the profession of a Radio Presenter needs to be given more respect and due credit.
As of today, we are happy yapping about anything from silly Bollywood gossip (I wanted to give an example but thankfully I am totally out of touch and have no clue whats going on in that world) to stupid contests with even stupid-er give-aways. I was frankly not ready to do the same thing again. When I began doing radio - this is not what it was about. It was about your spontaneity, language, love for music, love for the people, wit, humour and personality. YOUR personality - not something you make up for 4 hours of the day. It was about connecting with the people in your city. It was all about the company. It was about going ga-ga about the poha sold outside Vikhroli station, the sea breeze at Bandra Bandstand (and the couples enjoying it).
But then, if I only have to talk about Ranbir's next movie and Preity Zinta's third dimple - I think I can do it anywhere in the world. I really don't need to belong to the city. But my question is - if you don't belong anywhere, how would you make the listeners get a sense of belonging?
As for, can a jock be from another city.. I haven't made up my mind about it. I have given myself 2 years to know the place and the people before I even think about going on-air in Bangalore. Wasted my time? May be. Worth the wait? Will only know if someone offers me the mike again ;) Getting to know the city - Priceless.
When I shifted to Bangalore, of course I met people here in the radio industry. I wanted to check out the possibilities. But when I thought of going on-air, I double checked with myself. I could have done it easily since I have done it before and it comes naturally to me. But should I do it? It bothered me that I did not know the city well enough. In fact, what if I pronounced the area name wrong while giving a traffic update? Marathalli is pronounced differently even by locals here. What is KR Market? what is sold there? - later get to know its kind of like Crawford Market - but have I been there? Have I had the coffee at Brahmin Coffee Bar? And I decided, its just not fair. It is unethical to go on-air with half baked information and just faff around about how great Bangalore is and how lovely the weather is.
When I was in Mumbai, I saw a lot of these RJs who were from various parts of the country - and somehow never thought of this then. People from Delhi, Jaipur and Raipur - could easily get away with a 'kasa kay' or a 'bhidu' - which is ok. Also, Mumbai as a city is very cosmopolitan. It does not belong to anyone or any particular language is not spoken there. It is also very tolerant. Oh my, before I get emotional over the city - what I am trying to say is that the profession of a Radio Presenter needs to be given more respect and due credit.
As of today, we are happy yapping about anything from silly Bollywood gossip (I wanted to give an example but thankfully I am totally out of touch and have no clue whats going on in that world) to stupid contests with even stupid-er give-aways. I was frankly not ready to do the same thing again. When I began doing radio - this is not what it was about. It was about your spontaneity, language, love for music, love for the people, wit, humour and personality. YOUR personality - not something you make up for 4 hours of the day. It was about connecting with the people in your city. It was all about the company. It was about going ga-ga about the poha sold outside Vikhroli station, the sea breeze at Bandra Bandstand (and the couples enjoying it).
But then, if I only have to talk about Ranbir's next movie and Preity Zinta's third dimple - I think I can do it anywhere in the world. I really don't need to belong to the city. But my question is - if you don't belong anywhere, how would you make the listeners get a sense of belonging?
As for, can a jock be from another city.. I haven't made up my mind about it. I have given myself 2 years to know the place and the people before I even think about going on-air in Bangalore. Wasted my time? May be. Worth the wait? Will only know if someone offers me the mike again ;) Getting to know the city - Priceless.
