Link to Part 1
The radio transistor was my constant companion for more than eight years, until I joined my first day job. Taking the transistor to the workplace would not have been appropriate, so I had to look for another option. In keeping with the great technological advancements of our times, I summoned Google for online radio streams and stumbled upon a radio station from the UAE airing popular Hindi songs. Although great for entertainment, this was no different than any other popular Indian channels as its listeners were mostly young Indians (South Asians) emigrated on a temporary work permit. However, it still is one of my favorite radio stations whenever I am in mood for some Bollywood gap-shap.
The Caribbean
My love for cricket, which accidentally took me to Russia once, opened up more exciting doors. There was a game being played in Guyana and I was in a mood to listen some radio commentary. I searched for online commentary feed, and Voila! Guyanese national radio was broadcasting it. The game finished, and all of a sudden a Hindi song started playing. I curiously stayed tuned. There was another following that, and another... they just kept playing Hindi songs. I started listening to the station more often, and observed that they largely played Indian music. There is a large population of Indian origin in parts of the Caribbean, Guyana hosting a significant number. Although they have migrated more than a century ago, their taste in music, seemingly, remains unchanged.
With my curiosity piqued, I explored stations in Trinidad & Tobago next. There were many available online, a significant number dedicated to religious content. Yes, they discuss Hindu mythology, spirituality and so on. It was a shock because I had never come across such dedicated channels in India. It's even surprising considering the fact that the people have migrated way back in the Colonial era from the states such as UP and Bihar and have long forgotten Indian languages. Their new found interest in Hindu scriptures or Indian music perhaps has to do with India's rise in global standing. That's a topic for another discussion though. Indo-Trinidadians are also taking a keen interest in learning Hindi and Sanskrit. It's quite funny to listen to RJs from popular music channels trying to translate lyrics of Hindi songs in their undulating Caribbean accents.
Another peculiar observation I had with Trinidadian radio was that they gave a lot of air-time to the regional politics. On one instance, there was a by-election in a city and almost every channel covered all election rallies and reactions of the people in the days leading to the poll. I can't imagine music channels in India talking politics at all.
There is a very popular form of music, called Chutney music, where artists from the Caribbean either create songs with Indian beats or just re-record popular Bollywood songs in their vocals. I found this music a bit awkward though, maybe because my ears were more tuned to Indian accents. I observed that the folks in the region totally adore the likes of Kumar Sanu and Udit Narayan. One was so inspired by Kunal Ganjawala (yes the artiste who never was a big star in India) that he made a complete song as a tribute to him. While listening to radio in the Caribbean, I got exposed to new forms of music such as Calypso and Soca. More than the music, which undoubtedly was great, I was really moved by lyrics of some of the songs. They talk of issues such as national integration while keeping the mood upbeat throughout. Sample the following number: my favorite! Among other things, they are predicting, in 2000, a black president for America.
Another peculiar observation I had with Trinidadian radio was that they gave a lot of air-time to the regional politics. On one instance, there was a by-election in a city and almost every channel covered all election rallies and reactions of the people in the days leading to the poll. I can't imagine music channels in India talking politics at all.
There is a very popular form of music, called Chutney music, where artists from the Caribbean either create songs with Indian beats or just re-record popular Bollywood songs in their vocals. I found this music a bit awkward though, maybe because my ears were more tuned to Indian accents. I observed that the folks in the region totally adore the likes of Kumar Sanu and Udit Narayan. One was so inspired by Kunal Ganjawala (yes the artiste who never was a big star in India) that he made a complete song as a tribute to him. While listening to radio in the Caribbean, I got exposed to new forms of music such as Calypso and Soca. More than the music, which undoubtedly was great, I was really moved by lyrics of some of the songs. They talk of issues such as national integration while keeping the mood upbeat throughout. Sample the following number: my favorite! Among other things, they are predicting, in 2000, a black president for America.
Fiji
Before I explored Fiji radio, I knew that a minority in Fiji still spoke Hindi. What I realized after listening that it was almost 50% who spoke it fluently and maybe more people understood it. Their dialect, however, is another matter. If I have to describe it, it would be some combination of Hyderabadi, Bhojpuri, and Gujarati. It's altogether different, in short! Indian culture has a big influence, and a station I frequently listen largely covers Bollywood gossip, Indian TV, and Indian fashion. To see the influence of Bollywood, check the following amusing video.
Indian soap operas are very popular in Fijian households. I remember how they gave a huge coverage to a visit by few TV actors from an old Indian soap that was being re-run on Fijian television.
Hourly news on Fijian radio reminds me of their Indian counterpart because of the broadcasters' style of delivery. It feels odd, however, when it comes to sports coverage. Because Cricket is never mentioned in Fiji, instead they cover Rugby, the most popular sports there by far. Being an Indian, it's really strange to hear Rugby commentary in Hindi.
Indian soap operas are very popular in Fijian households. I remember how they gave a huge coverage to a visit by few TV actors from an old Indian soap that was being re-run on Fijian television.
Hourly news on Fijian radio reminds me of their Indian counterpart because of the broadcasters' style of delivery. It feels odd, however, when it comes to sports coverage. Because Cricket is never mentioned in Fiji, instead they cover Rugby, the most popular sports there by far. Being an Indian, it's really strange to hear Rugby commentary in Hindi.
Other notable mentions
Similar to the Caribbean islands and Fiji, a huge number of Indian sugar plantation workers were shipped to Mauritius by the British rulers in the nineteenth century. These people dominate the population of the island nation. Bollywood music is a big seller here as well. Interestingly, the voices on the radio, be it the RJs or the people calling in, all seem to be multi-lingual and well-versed in all as well. They all seamlessly transition among Creole -- their native language --, English, French, and to some extent, Hindi. Whatever little Hindi I heard was, unlike in the Caribbean, fluent. Both Hindu and Islamic religious content finds a significant presence on the Mauritian radio.
The UK was an interesting experience. There are no dedicated Indian channels, they are all South Asian over there. You see. Most of the radio hosts are fluent speakers of Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi. It's mostly because they cater to a large community migrated from the Punjab region of British India. The best part about radio in this part of the world to me was listening to some fascinating debates. For instance, there was a call-in show organized to discuss implications of a peace treaty India and Pakistan were discussing. Most of the callers sounded very intelligent and very up-to-date with the political scenario in the South Asia. I had similar experiences with the callers in music-related programs. There were people, for instance, who had connections with Bollywood legends calling in to share their experiences with the host.
Quite contrary to my experience of the stations in the UK, my impression of the Indian (yes, not South Asian) stations in the US is not that of thought-provoking or insightful. For instance, a station in the bay area of California largely catering to young software professionals produces a number of sponsored programs on mortgage, finance, medical consultation, and so on. This, however, is not the reason for my perception. It is the other shows -- again sponsored -- on astrology, numerology, vaastu-shastra and several such pseudo-sciences; it is astonishing to see a large participation of the so-called "best brains" of India on these shows.
I am currently traveling to Africa, of course by the means of radio. As the exploration continues, I will keep posting to this blog. Thanks for tuning in. :-)
Addendum: Adding a map of the places I have travelled so far.
The UK was an interesting experience. There are no dedicated Indian channels, they are all South Asian over there. You see. Most of the radio hosts are fluent speakers of Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi. It's mostly because they cater to a large community migrated from the Punjab region of British India. The best part about radio in this part of the world to me was listening to some fascinating debates. For instance, there was a call-in show organized to discuss implications of a peace treaty India and Pakistan were discussing. Most of the callers sounded very intelligent and very up-to-date with the political scenario in the South Asia. I had similar experiences with the callers in music-related programs. There were people, for instance, who had connections with Bollywood legends calling in to share their experiences with the host.
Quite contrary to my experience of the stations in the UK, my impression of the Indian (yes, not South Asian) stations in the US is not that of thought-provoking or insightful. For instance, a station in the bay area of California largely catering to young software professionals produces a number of sponsored programs on mortgage, finance, medical consultation, and so on. This, however, is not the reason for my perception. It is the other shows -- again sponsored -- on astrology, numerology, vaastu-shastra and several such pseudo-sciences; it is astonishing to see a large participation of the so-called "best brains" of India on these shows.
I am currently traveling to Africa, of course by the means of radio. As the exploration continues, I will keep posting to this blog. Thanks for tuning in. :-)
Addendum: Adding a map of the places I have travelled so far.
