The radio is an absolute source of serendipity. Serendipity is a beautiful feeling and hence must be enjoyed sans compromise.

It didn’t take too long for me to give up television-viewing — for watching TV means loss of multi-tasking abilities. Event he advertisement slots that are supposed to give you a break from viewing, turns into a magnetic fixation to the couch — getting us to watch the ‘cinema-style’ advertisements. Surfing other channels, or worse, tuning into the ‘pre-channel’ mode also promote ‘couch-potatoism!’ Breaks in each of these previously set channels are apparently timed in such a way that when one channel decides to takes a break, the other is still on — quite complementary!

This, by the way, is no way a rant against TV, but a tribute to the humble radio. Over the years the radio has only changed for the better, with more FM stations being aired — not to mention the radio mobile app and internet radio. Luckily, the periphery hasn’t changed much unlike TV. By and large, the radio has been the best ambassador of music. While the visuals of the songs do the trick on TV, the radio is any day a better equivalent when it comes to promoting music — it reinstates the focus on the beats and lyrics, something quintessential to music. With the Prime Minister’s Mann Ki Baat gaining popularity, it feels as if we are getting back to those lessons taught in school years ago — of how the radio has mass reachh, especially in the deeper pockets of India.

Our radio turns out to be even simpler with programmes on Vividh Bharathi remaining unfettered. Thanks to a few FM stations too, playing their partwell by consistently serving daily doses of entertainment.

To me, radio is an absolute source of serendipity. Serendipity is a beautiful feeling and hence must be enjoyed sans compromise. Which is why I have a transistor through which I can even get medium wave and short wave stations. Even as I write this, I am tuned in to the radio — listening to Mandolin U. Shrinivas on medium wave.

Most of the Carnatic ragas are familiar to me, thanks to the programmes on MW and FM; all you need is the right tuning. The announcements are consistent, with of the raga, tala and composer announced ahead of each song.

With all the technology at our disposal, we could have our own play list to our heart’s content. But that doesn’t amount to serendipity! When the song you longed for is played on the radio, it is inexplicably blissful. When the ‘RJ’ announces any one of my favourite songs, I wonder what runs through their mind when the song is being played — are they enjoying it along with us, or are they busy lining up the next set of songs, or are they just not in their seats for some reason?

Whatever it is, they, I feel, are magnanimous — only because they spread so much cheer and joy in the minds of their listeners at different points of the day. I experience child-like delight when I phone in to these stations, requesting for songs — I thank them profusely and almost forget why I called. That’s exactly what serendipity can do to you!

 

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