Tuesday 29 May 2012

चौथा अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय रेडियो फोरम समारोह और 12वां अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय रेडियो फेस्टिवल, र्इरान - प्रतुल जोशी



मर्इ का महीना रेडियो से जुड़े विश्व के तमाम प्रसारण कर्मियों के लिए उत्सुकता और उम्मीद भरा वाला होने लगा है। कारण है कि पिछले एक दशक से मर्इ के महीने में र्इरान की प्रसारण संस्था इस्लामिक रिपब्लिक आफ र्इरान ब्राडकास्टिंग ¼IRIB½] र्इरान में एक अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय रेडियो फेस्टिवल का आयोजन कर रही है। कुछ वर्षो पहले IRIB ने एशिया पैसिफिक ब्राडकास्टिंग यूनियन ¼ABU½ के साथ मिलकर एक अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय रेडियो फोरम की शुरूआत भी की है। पिछले 16-17 मर्इ को र्इरान की राजधानी तेहरान से लगभग 400 कि मी दूर, उत्तरी र्इरान में कैस्पियन सागर के तट पर सिथत जि़बाकेनार ¼Zibakenar½ कस्बे में 12 वें अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय रेडियो फेस्टिवल और चौथे अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय रेडियो फोरम का कार्यक्रम सम्पन्न हुआ। सौभाग्य से, मैं भी उपरोक्त कार्यक्रम में सम्मिलित हुआ। मेरा चयन अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय रेडियो फोरम में एक वक्ता के रूप में हुआ था। मुझे वहां सम्पन्न हुये सेमिनार में एक पेपर पढ़ना था। पेपर का विषय था- वैश्वीकरण की चुनौतियाँ : रेडियो द्वारा प्रसारित होने वाले बोलियों के कार्यक्रमों पर इसका प्रभाव।
       र्इरान मैं दूसरी बार गया था। पहली बार र्इरान 2009 की मर्इ में गया था। उस वर्ष दसवें अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय रेडियो फेस्टिवल में मेरा एक रेडियो कार्यक्रम प्रतियोगी वर्ग में चयनित हुआ था। दरअसल IRIB के इन समारोहों के दो पक्ष हैं। पहला पक्ष है कि रेडियो फेस्टिवल हेतु रेडियो र्इरान, पूरे विश्व से विभिन्न संवर्गो में रेडियो कार्यक्रम आमंत्रित करता है। यह संवर्ग होते है रेडियो फीचर, रेडियो नाटक, रेडियो उद्घोषणायें, क्रियेटिव प्रोग्राम आदि। इन रेडियो कार्यक्रमों का दो स्तर पर चयन होता है। पहले स्तर पर र्इरानी रेडियो विशेषज्ञों का पैनल, विश्व भर से आमंत्रित कार्यक्रमों में से स्तरीय कार्यक्रमों का चयन करते हैं। इन कार्यक्रमों को प्रत्येक संवर्ग में प्रतियोगिता हेतु नामांकित किया जाता है। दूसरे स्तर पर विशेषज्ञों का एक अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय पैनल इन नामांकित कार्यक्रमों में से प्रथम और द्वितीय पुरस्कार हेतु कार्यक्रमों का निर्णय देते हैं। जिन रेडियो प्रस्तुतकर्ताओं के कार्यक्रम र्इरानी ज्यूरी द्वारा प्रतियोगिता हेतु नामांकित किये जाते हैं, उन्हें रेडियो र्इरान अपने यहां भाग लेने हेतु बुलाता है। प्रथम और द्वितीय पुरस्कार प्राप्त कर्ता को क्रमश: 1500 और 1000 अमेरिकन डालर के पुरस्कारों से भी नवाजा जाता है। वर्ष 2009 में मेरी प्रविष्ठि सपने बन्द आँखों के, (जो कि नेत्रहीन व्यक्तियों द्वारा देखे जाने वाले सपनों और उस प्रक्रिया पर आधारित रेडियो कार्यक्रम था) को फाइनल में पहुचने का अवसर मिला था। इस अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय रेडियो फेस्टिवल का दूसरा पक्ष, रेडियो फोरम नाम का कार्यक्रम है। रेडियो फोरम का मुख्य उद्देश्य, दुनिया भर में रेडियो के भीतर हो रहे परिवर्तनों को रेखांकित करना होता है। साथ ही पबिलक ब्राडकास्टिंग के सामने आ रही चुनौतियों और रेडियो का भविष्य जैसे मुददे भी फोरम की बैठकों में प्रभावी तरीके से उठाये जाते है।
       र्इरान रेडियो द्वारा आयोजित यह फेस्टिवल इस मायने में खास है कि सम्पूर्ण एशिया महाद्वीप में यह एकमात्र ऐसा समारोह है जो पिछले एक दशक से नियमित रूप से आयोजित किया जा रहा है और जिसमें पूरे विश्व के रेडियो प्रस्तुतकर्ताओं को खुले आमंत्रण के द्वारा भाग लेने के लिए निमंत्रित किया जाता है। इस वर्ष भी इस फेस्टिवल में जापान, कोरिया, आस्‍ट्रेलिया, इन्डोनेशिया, मलेशिया, सिंगापुर, नेपाल, ग्रेट ब्रिटेन, पोलैन्ड, यूक्रेन, स्लोवाकिया, यमन, लेबनान, टयूनीशिया जैसे न जाने कितने देशों के प्रतिनिधि शामिल हुये। इन प्रतिनिधियों में बहुत से ऐसे थे जिनके रेडियो कार्यक्रम प्रतियोगी वर्ग में नामांकित हुये थे और जिन्हें बाद में प्रथम या द्वितीय स्थान भी प्राप्त हुआ। भारतीय दल में हम सात लोग थे और हमारा दल विश्व के अन्य देशों के मुकाबले सबसे बड़ा दल था। हमारे दल में हमारे चार सहयोगी प्रतियोगी वर्ग में थे। अर्थात उनकी प्रविष्ठियों को फाइनल में पहुचने का अवसर प्राप्त हुआ था। इनमें दो आकाशवाणी जालंधर के हमारे सहयोगी थे सर्वश्री नवदीप सिंह और सोहन लाल और दो आकाशवाणी त्रिवेन्द्रम के सर्वश्री बीजू मैथ्यू एवं श्रीमती लीलिमा। एक साथी आकाशवाणी चेन्नर्इ से थे श्री सुदर्शन रामास्वामी जिन्हें मेरी तरह ही फोरम में अपना पेपर प्रस्तुत करना था। हमारे वरिष्ठ सहयोगी थे श्री ओ. आर. नियाजी जो अब आकाशवाणी से सेवानिवृत्त हो चुके है और जिन्हें रेडियो कार्यक्रमों के पुरस्कारों के निर्णायक के रूप में रेडियो र्इरान ने आमंत्रित किया था।
       17 मर्इ की रात्रि, जब जि़बाकेनार के आलीशान प्रेक्षागार में अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय पुरस्कारों की घोषणा हो रही थी तो हम सब की खुशी का ठिकाना न रहा] जब हमारे साथी और आकाशवाणी त्रिवेन्द्रम के कार्यक्रम अधिशासी बीजू मैथ्यू को लघु रेडियो फीचर (अवधि 5 मिनट) हेतु प्रथम पुरस्कार की घोषणा हुयी।
        अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय रेडियो फेस्टिवल में पिछले कर्इ वर्षों से आकाशवाणी के कार्यक्रम लगातार पुरस्कृत होते रहे हैं। हम लोगों को खुशी थी कि यह परम्परा इस वर्ष भी बरकरार रही। अगर देखा जाये तो मीडिया की दुनिया में रेडियो सबसे लोकतांत्रिक माध्यम है। यह सीधे जन-जन से जुड़ा होता है और अन्य माध्यमों के मुकाबले, रेडियो में आम जनता की भागीदारी सबसे अधिक होती है। र्इरान में प्रतिवर्ष सम्पन्न होने वाला अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय रेडियो फेस्टिवल, दुनिया भर में रेडियो की वर्तमान सिथति को बड़े ही खूबसूरत तरीके से एक मंच पर प्रस्तुत करता है। इससे अगर यह पता चलता है कि कोरिया जैसे देश में विजुअल रेडियो बहुत लोकप्रिय है (विजुअल रेडियो अर्थात ऐसा रेडियो सेट जिसकी स्क्रीन छोटे टेलिविजन सेट की तरह होती है और जिसपर आप स्टूडियो में चल रही गतिविधियों को बखूबी देख भी सकते हैं) तो यह भी पता चलता है कि कैसे ब्रिटेन और अन्य विकसित देशों में आज कम्युनिटी रेडियो बड़ी संख्या में असितत्व में हैं और कैसे विविध किस्म के रेडियो कार्यक्रम अलग-अलग कम्युनिटी रेडियो स्टेशनों के मार्फत प्रसारित होते हैं।
       इस्लामिक रिपब्लिक आफ र्इरान ब्राडकासिटंग द्वारा प्रतिवर्ष आयोजित किये जाने वाला रेडियो फेस्टिवल न सिर्फ दुनिया भर के रेडियो कर्मियों के लिए उत्सुकता का विषय होता है, बलिक खुद र्इरान के रेडियो कर्मियों को वर्ष भर इस फेस्टिवल का इंतजार रहता है। कारण, इस फेस्टिवल का एक बड़ा हिस्सा र्इरान रेडियो के विभिन्न केन्द्रों द्वारा निर्मित किये गये रेडियो कार्यक्रमों को पुरस्कृत करने के लिए तय होता है। जैसे ही र्इरान रेडियो के लिए पुरस्कारों की घोषणा होती हैं, पूरा हाल तालियों और सीटियों से भर जाता है। हाल में बैठे र्इरान रेडियो के सदस्य, अपने पुरस्कृत प्रोडयूसर को सिर आँखों पर बैठा लेते हैं। र्इरान में रेडियो बहुत लोक प्रिय है। इसका एक कारण सम्भवत: यह है कि र्इरान में रेडियो और टेलिविजन पूरी तरह सरकारी नियंत्रण में हैं और वहां के रेडियो को प्रार्इवेट चैनलों की प्रतिद्वंद्विता का सामना नहीं करना पड़ता। दूसरा कारण यह भी है कि र्इरान सरकार रेडियो के लिए एक बड़ा बजट आवंटित करती है और रेडियो, र्इरान सरकार की प्राथमिकताओं में है। हमारे देश के उलट,  र्इरान में पबिलक ब्राडकासिटंग को जितनी इज़्ज़त और प्राथमिकता प्राप्त है, वह अनुकरणीय है। रेडियो और रेडियो से जुड़े आयोजन को लेकर र्इरान आज पूरे एशिया में नर्इ रौशनी का प्रसार कर रहा है, इसके लिए र्इरान सरकार और IRIB निशिचत रूप से बधार्इ के पात्र हैं।      

Friday 25 May 2012

Radio and Virtual Media - Biju Mathew


Fourth International Radio Forum, May 16 -17, 2012 – Zibakenar, Iran
16th MAY 9.00 a.m.
Session -  Radio in the Age of Digital Media
Opening Speech of the 4th IRF 2012

Radio and Virtual Media
by
Biju Mathew, All India Radio, India

Dignitaries on and off the dais; radio professionals from around the world; colleagues and dear brothers and sisters of Iran.  Good morning to you all -   sobh be’kheyr
I am indeed happy to be here at the Fourth International Radio Forum organised by ABU and IRIB.  The topic of discussion in this morning session is Radio in the age of Digital media and I will be sharing some views with you on Radio and Virtual Media.
The traditional radio medium has seen significant changes in recent years with the current global shift toward multimedia content, with both digital and FM making momentous use of new technologies, including mobile communications and the Internet. I would like to focus on the important role these new technologies play—and will play as radio continues to evolve.
The Gutenberg era is over. A new digital communications technology has emerged. An electronic superhighway is beginning to girdle the globe; as voice, video and data- converge, bringing in their wake a new basket of digital, multimedia and interactive communication technologies.
But it is not just the technologies that concern us. It is the social change that accompanies the technologies that must be our prime concern. The new technologies are doing much more. They are changing the way we live-the way we work, relax, manage our money, trade and communicate with each other. The new technologies are changing the way we perceive people, cultures, countries and our expectations of them and also our expectations of ourselves.
With blurring of geographical boundaries, thanks to the distance insensitive Internet, majority of business and individual are becoming part of a high-speed networking fabric which will enable secure digital communication of voice, data, and video to or from anyone, anywhere and anytime.
Till recently, it would have sounded like science fiction;  fortunately, the technology now exists to deliver it. Customers now want to pick and chose from narrowcast and broadcast. In other words, this means the availability of multiple technology choices to fulfil the customer's desire for anytime access to people, information, and entertainment.
But convergence does not necessarily sound the death knell of age-old-technologies. In fact, it leaves enough room for many technologies to co-exist and one will not replace the other outright. This is because no one technology can meet all the requirements of the market-place. Hence, each technology will find its niche and redefine new and old classes of service and user terminals. In this context one can safely assume that there will be a rash of new user terminals that will let us communicate in ways we dream. 'Convergence ' has become a cliche of the information age.
I am coming from a country which is considered as an emerging nation - India.  All India Radio is the national broadcaster with a rich tradition and a vast network of stations covering 97 percent of the country geographically and catering to 99 percent of the country’s population.
FM radio listener ship in India has grown over four times in the last three years. A study conducted by ORG-MARG’s Indian Listener ship Track (ILT) reveals that FM radio listener ship in Mumbai and Delhi reached 34 per cent each from 8 and 19 per cent, respectively, in 2000. Another research by comScore says that India has the world's youngest internet population with 75 per cent of all users under the age of 35 years.
Let us look at the latest trend; that is smart phones. Studies say that Indian smart phone users are way smarter than their Western counterparts. And they are heavier users of social networking sites too.
Fifty-six per cent of Indian smart phone users go online multiple times a day (more than thrice) compared to 53% in the west. In fact, 94% of Indians connect to the Internet at least once a day compared to 88 per cent elsewhere. The survey had a few surprises in store revealing that the usage of smart phone in the age group of 18- 29 is the highest. Further, a third of India's total online population is between 15 to 24 years.
In comparison to India, the world's average of under 35-year users stood at 52 per cent and 55 per cent in Asia Pacific region. This shows that the case with most nations is similar. The reality is that young people today live their lives online and on digital platforms. These platforms represent powerful avenues for us to connect with our audience, inform them, amplifying their voices and empower them.
Thus I must say that a Radio 2 movement is the need of the hour. By this I mean the convergence of radio and virtual media.
Culturally, even beyond the well-educated, mainstream people are technology curious and device savvy. We believe that the Internet, like telephony did, is making the leap from wired internet to mobile, and hundreds of millions of youngsters will go online on their mobile devices.
There lies the catch - as most of them depend on the FM service available on their mobiles for entertainment too. So if we converges our traditional medium with the modern technology we can develop our listener base considerably, thus bringing the medium the most sought after one. Thus I say a RADIO 2 movement is the need of the hour.
 Gadget makers are also coming up with radio integrated ideas. Soon Zune owners will be able to download a new version of the software that will allow users to tag songs heard on the device’s FM tuner for purchase in the Zune store. Such facilities are coming up just because they could smell the possibility of Radio 2. We should also take advantage of this milieu to upgrade and deliver the needed.
Apple has offered a similar feature through HD radios, allowing users to tag songs from bookshelf systems like the Polk Audio I- Sonic Entertainment System 2.  Apple most recently announced the addition of an FM receiver in the fifth generation of the iPod nano. In response to this announcement, Emmis Communications CEO Jeff Smulyan stated, "Apple clearly recognizes that Radio is the number one source for new music acquisition and has made it simpler and easier for today's listeners to access the audio entertainment they value so highly.” The ability to bring a live listening experience together with digitally stored music will have a dramatic impact on listener involvement.  
Another example of is the success of Radioplayer. The BBC worked closely with commercial radio to develop the technology that enables audiences to access content from hundreds of UK radio stations in a single player. And they succeeded in that venture. As a next step  BBC Online, is trying to develop a Radio and Music Product that will improve their prominence on all digital devices. It will bring all BBC Radio together in one place, available on all mobile, tablets, desktop computers, digital radio and digital TV. This can definitely be taken as a model for all broadcasting networks.
The impact of digital technology on radio is becoming clearer. Radio is thriving in the digital world because it offers unique and unmatched content and works hard to take advantage of digital opportunities.  I firmly believe that Radio 2 should make this medium an agent of change.
The radio industry finds itself in a familiar yet uncertain position today — traditional revenues are sustainable enough to continue with decent returns, but to strive forward and win more listeners and revenue, virtual media convergence is essential. The result is that the emerging trends will not be revolutionary as much as evolutionary, and the key will be finding those points where traditional methodologies and digital extensions converge most effectively. 
As you all know, Radio these days is not just in your vehicle or in your room. More than ever before, radio is available everywhere, whether it be on your cell phone or online. So Radio stations are also adapting to the times by renovating their facilities and providing much of their content through different mediums.
As such a Radio 2.0 is the need of the hour. It is heartening to note that such a movement continues to gain momentum around the world with a number of inspiring people, projects & ideas rising to prominence over the last year or so.
Radio programmes should converge with social media networking platforms and provide speedy, trendy and innovative options before their listeners. People in the radio industry always lament of youth moving away from radio. By making our radio trendy and techno savvy, by making it accessible to more young listeners through their handhelds and internet, by converging it with popular SNPs (Social networking platforms), the so called divide can be bridged.
Many radio stations have already established their presence on internet with live streaming and archived podcasts. I feel that all stations should follow suit. Stations should be regular bloggers. Their pages on the social media networks should be packed with posts of latest information about their programmes. The interactive pages on SNPs should serve as an active feedback forum.
For all these, the world’s most popular and useful SNPs can be used. We can integrate with platforms like SeeClikFix, Ushahidi, Last.fm etc with other similar interactive social media networks.
We all know that in times of crisis radio is the most dependable medium. At such situations crowd mapping sites can be integrated with radio programmes. Ushahidi crowd mapping site has proved to be radio friendly when BBC successfully used it in 2010 during the tube strike and also when ABC used it successfully during the 2011 January Queensland Floods.
Broadcast organisations can take up community services integrated with virtual media as part of their social responsibility. A good example for this is Singapore based Mediacorp’s  ilovebooks initiative. Here, visiting their exclusive ilovebooks site you can download ebooks  and ebook reading apps. Kalyani project of India is also doing wonders in the field of rural health development. In fact we can compare this with seeClickFix initiative.
The question still hovers around. Does radio have a future in today’s society? The answer is yes. Radio has reinvented itself before and it will do it again, it certainly has a future. This time converging with the state of the art technology, catching the attention of young listeners.

Thank you, Khoda hafez

Biju Mathew, All India Radio, India.
bijumathewbiju@gmail.com

Wednesday 23 May 2012

12th International Radio Festival of Iran at Zibakaner

Presentation of R. SUDARSAN, Programme Executive, All India Radio, Chennai at the 4th International Radio Forum during 12th International Radio Festival of Iran at Zibakaner   on 16th May 2012.


Salaam Iran.....

Man Khobam. Hale Shoma Chetour ast?
(I am fine. How are you?)

Moto Shakker.
(Thank You)

Distinguished dignitaries and my dear fellows of the same broadcast feather,                 I represent PRASAR BHARATI, ALL INDIA RADIO, the largest public service broadcasting networks in the world which meets a hugely challenging task of serving a pluralistic society. And I am privileged with the twin pleasures of not only representing the premier broadcaster, but also sharing some of our experiences with this international audience of eminence. Equally important is the fact that despite market demands, AIR has a public service broadcasting policy and it can be confidently said that it is the only public service broadcaster that has various radio formats including drama, which is a wonderful literary expression too. Focusing my presentation on radio-drama and social values, I would like to draw your attention to the countdown that has already begun. Yes, Radio Drama, born in 1920 at the studios of BBC would enter its centenary year in 8 years time from now. For 3 years after its birth, BBC only staged Shakespearean dramas. Having grown tired of these under the garb of radio plays, John Reith gave a form to the radio play in 1923. Thus was born the RADIO EFFECT and Richard Hayes satisfied the thirst of Reith by producing a humorous play titled COMEDY OF DANGER that was broadcast on 15.1.1924. It is pertinent to note the remark of Lawrence du Garde Peach, a renowned playwright for radio, stage and screen who said – Nothing to see at but something to think about. A lot of experimentation and evolution took place in the subsequent years. And quite a few renowned names like Dylan Thomas and others contributed for radio drama. In India too, brilliant innovative efforts of Chiranjit and Satyendra Sharath as Chief Producers deserve mention. Similarly there have been equally brilliant efforts all over the country, the enumeration of which would be monumental. Now with this very brief peek into the past may we get on with the specifics of radio, drama and social values?




RADIO, DRAMA AND SOCIAL VALUES


Understanding Social Values is essential if we are to put to effective use the tools of change – Radio and Drama. Social values are what we consider to be important in social interactions between people; they are a certain qualities and beliefs that are shared within a specific culture or group of people. Typically such a value has a limited shelf life – anywhere around 50 years. Having said that, there are more permanent “all time values” that seldom change. For instance, respect to elders or issues related to honour of women and its protection, the institution of family and related values do not change. On the contrary, certain stereo type values, what can be called “changing values” presenting women as home makers, child marriage, girl child feticide and infanticide could be cited as some of the instances wherein the change of values is taking place. However, this may not apply to extremely rigid and compartmentalized societies, which may end up resisting changes for longer duration of time or even endlessly. But, generally changes may occur due to –

-      Scientific discoveries
-      Evolution of religious beliefs
-      Changes in moral values
-      Zeal of the reformers
-      Intervention of Media
-      Changes in the economy
-      Technology influx
-      Shift in demography, etc.,

Radio being the poor man’s medium is also known for its simplicity and lucidity. And any change taking place in the society can be reflected through the medium and vice versa. As carriers of the message, they have the immense potential to influence the decisions of the people at large. And Drama being the Emperor of all Formats has played monumental roles in effecting a change in the lives of the people, for the good or bad. 

Speaking of Social Values, in the Indian context, building up a solid and substantial social capital as the basis of civil society and ensuring harmony amidst a multi religious, multi cultural community have been the twin aims, which All India Radio has handled with panache.  All India Radio has been maintaining a very healthy convention in not promoting smoking, violence, drinking alcohol or in indulging in un-parliamentary, obscene, disrespectful and derogatory usages in all its programmes; it is religiously committed to the maintenance of harmony and upholding of values. Promoting a universal culture has always been the ethos of the organisation and in the name of independence; universal values and ethics are seldom given a go by. As a responsible public service broadcaster, AIR has always promoted decency, refined broadcast and remained neutral at all circumstances, in the face of fierce onslaught by fellow commercial media. Equally remarkable is the harmony present, in all its stations across the country, against the background of a multi cultural, multi religious, multi linguistic milieu prevalent. More significant is its role as a national broadcaster that presents a national perspective against the narrow, parochial and crass commercial orientation of the private broadcasters.
Classical Thamizh speaks of Iyal, Isai and NaatakamProse, Poetry and Drama. Classical Sanskrit too speaks volumes on these formats. Bloody revolutions to more subtle, yet radical social changes have been influenced by Drama.  The biggest potential of Radio Drama lies in the fact that the common man who may not be able to appreciate the nuances of poetry and prose, not only understands complex concepts with ease but also identifies himself with the characters of the Drama, thus imbibing the values and suggestions diffused, faithfully.

#  Play skit on advaita.

Characters become icons to be eulogized, thus making way for effective influencing of public opinion. This is more true in the case of the developing countries, wherein not just social values, but also information on a host of other issues like public health, sanitation, primary education, right to information, vaccination etc., can be disseminated most effectively by exploiting Radio Drama, probably the most powerful societal tool.

# Play skit on polio.

Every society has this concept of street plays, dance dramas, folk plays or variations of these prevailing and the reason as to how they have withstood the test of time and yet survive is because of the fact that be it the common man or the erudite, one identifies easily with the characters, theme, plot being portrayed and the dialogue spoken. He travels through the character, with the character and in the character, making the identification complete. In my personal experience, I have realized how drama as a format is more effective as a tool than even prose, poetry and music, in reaching out to the masses.

But the million dollar question is - whether it is done…………?                            I personally opine that nowadays radios world over are not unduly bothered about exploiting this powerful tool crying to be used. And the reasons are far too many to be enumerated, but one thing that can be said for sure is that drama as a format is lacking serious patronage. If used judiciously, unobtrusively and subtly, drama can effect very significant changes in the lives of people and the future of societies. Any format has an element of drama in it, be it a documentary or an interview or even a talk; drama is the one that gives colour, warmth, affinity, the “we feeling” as sociologist Sumner would have it. It then becomes our sole responsibility to put it to use for effective public good or not. Taking cue from Shakespearean To be or not to be - To use or not to use, it is for us to come to a meaningful conclusion.

Man Ashege Iranam
(I love Iran),

Moto Shakker,
 Thank You.


12th International Radio Festival of Iran at Zibakaner - 2


RADIO & CHALLENGES OF GLOBALIZATION
IMPACT ON DIALECT PROGRAMMES
(Paper presented at the 4th International Radio Forum on 16-17 May 2012 at Zibakenar (IRAN) on the occasion of 12th International Radio Festival  of Iran organized by Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting by Sh.PRATUL JOSHI, PROGRAMME EXECUTIVE, ALL INDIA RADIO , LUCKNOW INDIA. E-mail:   pratul.air@gmail.com. Mob. 919452739500)

Dear Friends,
          I am Pratul Joshi , working in All India Radio, Lucknow. Lucknow is the Capital of Uttar Pradesh, which is most populous state of India. The population of Uttar Pradesh is around 200 million as per census of year 2011.

          Friends, Globalization has been defined in different ways for different purposes. Here I would like to refer one definition according to which, “Globalization is detradionalizing. It tends to strip away the value of traditional ritual & symbols & that of  course includes way of speaking” (Ref:Coupland.N Introductions “Sociolinguistics & Globalization” journal of Sociolinguistics p.p.465-472)

         
The transformation of language and identity is taking place in different countries in different manners. The Impact of Globalization can be felt if one analyses how Radio Programmers have transformed in recent past in India.  In India, the process of Globalization intensified in the last decade of 20th century when in the realm of trade & commerce   the doors of the country were wide open for the whole world. This process has its impact on the electronic media too where the monopoly of state owned Radio and television started breaking. All India Radio, which was the only electronic media for decades, started facing tough challenges from private T.V. Channels in the initial years of Globalization. Later, through a decision of court, private Radio Stations were also allowed in the late nineties of last century. All these events changed completely the scenario of B’casting  in India.    Today we have a very complex picture of B’casting. So on one hand, still All India Radio is the biggest Radio network of country which has got reach over 99.14% of the population and covering 91.79 % of the total area through its 277 Radio Stations. On the other hand private FM Channels are also very popular in cities and metropolis supplying urban centric programs. The third category is of    community  radio stations which are being operated either by the NGOs or through educational institutions.  




    
Place of dialects in the age of Globalization
All India Radio is the only organization in the country which b’cast programmes in dialects. Only exception to AIR is a few community Radio Stations which are serving in remote or interior areas.

          AIR b’cast in 146 dialects apart from 26 languages. These dialects are spread across the length and breath of the country. But a major part of these dialects are either in hilly areas or in areas were still tribal culture is very prominent.

Dialect Program b’cast         
Since the inception of b’casting in India, dialect programmes has been identified with the rural folks or with tribal people.It was the thinking of then b’caster that rural people and tribals understand more easily in their dialects.So in the majority of programmes which are rural areas oriented,the presernters speak in dialects.Stock characters were used to be very popular in these programmes. These stock characters would adopt some humorous and popular nick names and these nick names would identify that programme. Now the stock characters are part of Radio history.I would like to mention two such characters.One stock character who became very popular in AIR Patna(i.e.capital of Bihar, a state of India) was LOHA SINGH.The literal translation of this name is Iron Man.So this Iron Man used to speak a language which was very humourous as it was a mix of a number of languages and dialects. Loha singh is a myth now because he invented a new kind of language. In seventies and eighties of last century,  this  made him hero among the audience.  Not only people of rural areas were his fan but people living in urban areas liked him equally.

          The other stock character which is still remembered even after 30 years of his death and whose old recordings are still popular among the audience is "Bahre Baba" The literal meaning of  "Bahre Baba" is “the deaf  grand uncle". "Bahre Baba" used to pretend as if he was suffering from some kind of hearing loss. So he would be taking a different meaning from every word which used to be said to him. But it has to be phonetically near to the original word.
          These stock characters made Radio very popular among the masses though they used the local dialects only. The masses identified themselves through them. These stock characters shared the joy and the sorrows of the local people. Wherever AIR stations were presents and were b’casting rural programmes, one or two or more stock characters made their presence felt among the audience. With their unique nick names and use of dialects in interesting manner they have created history.

Advent of Globalization and disappearance of stock characters.
The last two decades of globalization has witnessed the gradual weaning away of stock characters from Radio sets. One main reason is that the new generation of b’casters is derooted from the traditions and culture of rural areas. They have been born and brought up in cities and their connection with the villages is very nominal. Secondly the needs of rural areas have also changed.  Now the rural areas have transformed a lot. People love to watch different T.V. channels. The children are studying in English medium schools even in villages. And the rate of migration to cities is very high. Inspite of all these, the rural programes are still b’cast in local dialects and craving for folk songs is still there. The people in rural areas tune to AIR for their popular folk songs as well as to get information about the availability of seeds, manures, irrigation facilities, new technologies for agricultural production and many other things like this. 
      
Multinational Companies and Dialect Programes
With the increase in purchasing power of rural people, multinational companies have found a big market in rural areas of India. According to the Census of India 2011, the percentage of population living in rural areas is around 69 % which would be around 833 millions. This vast market could be captured by the MNCs only if they communicate in the popular dialect of the area and are getting it b’cast from AIR under sponsored programme category. The MNCs are mounting programmes   in local dialects. Even if programme is not in fully local dialect, a major part of programme would be of folk songs. Thus there was a marked shift in the programme content of AIR. Just contrary to yesteryears when sponsored programme used to be very less in number, now there is a heavy influx of programmes produced by the MNCs.How dialects are still powerful in the rural areas of India, can be understood by the case study of MNCs sponsored programmes.

Dialects still hold sway in the North-Eastern part of India         
North-East India is a group of eight states which are situated in  the North- Eastern part  of India. These are Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Tripura and Sikkim. These states are mostly dominated by the different tribes. So they have got a unique tribal cultural identity. Secondly, the terrain of these states is hilly. Third, because of geographical location and impact of tribal culture, the  influence of mainstream India (particularly of bollywould films) is very less in comparison to other parts of India. Thus the dialects play a very important role in this part of country. AIR is b’casting  programmes and news in more than 50 dialects in this small region. For most people of this region, AIR is the only medium of communication through which they receive news and other informations.  Besides spoken words, the other attraction of these programmes is folk songs.
         
AIR directorate gives special emphasis to this area. A NE special software package is released every year which have special grants for production of Radio programmes. So the producers of AIR visit far flung areas, which are sometimes can be reached only through by on foot journey (sometimes it takes 2 to 3 days to reach some of these places). This exercise of giving special emphasis for preserving tribal culture has given new colours to b’casting in this area. Thus every year Hundreds of programmes are being produced in different dialects which are showcase of this unique tribal culture.

The future of Dialect programmes
It is often said that Globalization leads to standardization of the languages and in this process, dialects are bound to vanish. It is also true that sweetness of any culture is exhibited in the language and dialect of that culture. So to preserve the sweetness and uniqueness of different cultures,  to preserve the cultural identities, it is necessary that there should be intervention from the side of Government. School curriculum should include local dialects in their syllabus. The children should be motivated right from their early days to speak in their dialects, to understand the dialects of their parents rather of their grand parents. Public b’casting centres should have one of their departments which are completely devoted for the researches and promotion of dialect culture. Local level, State level, National level & International level festivals of folk dances and folk music may be organized by the governments of different countries. If proper and timely intervention is not taken, we are bound to live in a world where we would find Mcdonald, KFCs, Pepsi, Hollywood movies everywhere but  will not be having our language, our dialects, our folk songs, our culture in our families. I would conclude with the famous saying – “when a language dies, the culture it supported dies alongwith it, erasing the culture who created it”.


THANK YOU.