Radi-oh! is about the effervescent careers and lives of the Radio Jockeys, those gifted, garrulous people who unobtrusively take their place beside us in our cars, living rooms, kitchens, offices and gyms as we drive, work, walk and jog about our lives.
We begin the series with a self-profile by the beautiful and very talented Radio City RJ, Archana Pania, who’s been with the network for several years now, is herself a gifted singer who’d made it to the last shortlists of Indian Idol some years ago, and who had presented one of the most memorable series of drive prime interviews with top Indian singers years ago on Radio City. Impressively, this lovely RJ says she’s never heard anything unbecoming from listeners who call her, because, as she puts it, Listeners will behave with you the way you present yourself on air…. Wise too. Read on. – Pavan R Chawla, Editor.
The city is my friend: Archana Pania – RJ, Radio City
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I was born and brought up in Kuwait, where the radio as a medium was a far better and “personal” friend as opposed to the newspapers that were filled with thousands of Arab Sheiks’ names, or the tv filled with British and American actors who held no semblance of connection with my Indian-ness, being, lifestlye et al But when the rj spoke on the radio, somehow, it totally felt like â€?that was for me wasn’t it!’
This is why radio was, is and shall continue to be the most powerful one-on-one medium that truly touches your heart and enters your home like it were a family member!
For me, it’s fantastic being a Radio Jockey primarily for five reasons:
1– I’m constantly surrounded by music.
2– My profession demands that I be abreast of everything that’s happening, so I’m almost always well informed.
3– From Bollywood stars to the Governor or Chief Minister, everyone instantly warms up to me as they feel an RJ won’t rip them apart like someone from TV or the press! And meeting and chatting with them is your job.
4- It brings me closer to my local happenings, as I keep up with the stuff that’s making a difference in our city, and
5– I have the entire city as my friend. Now which other job gives you that?
But my job does have its share of pressure, so I have to basically keep my wits about me, and especially when, as an RJ, I’m right in the midst of pouring out my heart on air. Yes, the responsibility of what you say, how you say, and what you don’t say, is the very art of Radio. But I guess what’s worked for me over the years is being honest about who I am, both on and off air What I mean is, if you’re something on air that you’re not really who you are when you’re off air, then it does slip through and show, and I’d guess most often not to one’s advantage.
Sometimes listeners do get offended by the jokes cracked on personalities or about incidents close to their heart, but then you realize that you cant keep everyone happy. All we then focus on is whether we were true to our Radio Station ka personality. If yes, then that’s what really makes the difference! Also, we make it a point to speak with our listeners and tell them our perspective, and most times, they are gracious enough to accept our points of view.
One question I’m asked more frequently is: Are the listeners’ calls you receive actually genuine calls from listeners? The answer is a firm yes! All calls are genuine, and of course the numbers increase even more when we run contests. Does any listener make indecent proposals on the phone? To tell you the truth, they almost never say anyting unbecoming, because listeners will behave with you the way you present yourself on air. And at Radio City, it’s all about being a friend who’s like family.
As a person, I am someone who looks for creative outlets for self expression, loves sharing a good thought, having a good conversation, gathering information of use and being a listening ear to people.
So over all, my family and friends tell me my personality is fittt for radio 🙂 and I’m glad to hear that, because I truly believe this about radio and me, that Radio chose me, I didn’t chosse Radio simply because even if I try doing anything else, Radio is what comes right back. And once a Radio person, always a radio person. Yeah!
