Monsoon of Memories: When A Transistor Radio was the Star Attraction of the House
As a utilitarian gadget, it was our main interface with the world. But it was so much more when you consider the magical entertainment of Akashvani and its programs like Binaca Geetmala, live cricket commentary, classical music, and Bollywood songs.
It was the sole electronic device that every Indian household owned with pride and joy. The harbinger of news, both good and bad. The perfect companion for everything from morning routines to rainy evenings. The one sound device in the home that entertained, informed, and educated every member of an Indian family. The asset that, in the rare times when not in use, Ma ensured stayed covered with an ornate, chikankari piece of cloth.
Hit rewind in your mind and listen carefully to that period piece with two round knobs and that all-important vertical red line that had to be set just right to tune in to the station of your choice. As you do, you’ll find yourself transported to an era when homes were filled with the sounds of all things beautiful—good old Bollywood songs, unopinionated news items, and yes, of course, the voice of the likes of Ameen Sayani. Close your eyes and you may hear the Binaca Geetmala too—that weekly countdown show of top songs from Hindi cinema.
The enviable transistor played a different role at different points of the day, and the best part was that it kept every member of the family happy. The grandmother would close her eyes and listen to the bhajans and spiritual discourses. Nobody disturbed her during that hour! The grandfather would tune in for his fix of Indian classical music, and the father relied on it to keep up with national and world news, but even more so for the live cricket commentary. On weekends, neighbors too would join in to listen to the match.
The radio was a shared experience that brought people together in their homes. While one can hit pause on a Spotify playlist, radio broadcasts meant there were no second chances or opportunities to pause or rewind! This factor added a sense of immediacy and excitement to the experience. The listening experience is now available on apps and portals with a choice of hitting “record,” but imagine the charm of working one’s schedule around to ensure that we didn’t miss the film music, skits, short plays, and more on Vividh Bharati! Or waiting for that right moment to sing the Akashvani jingle.
If you were to sit down with the senior members of the family, they’d regale you with nuggets of how when Nehru made his historic speech, it was the radio waves that allowed many to celebrate the country’s Independence. Yes, there are many moments of the golden age of radio. The listeners kept coming back for more—from variety to serialized radio shows. It was also a primary source of music discovery and radio shows featuring live musical performances and new artists. Jingles and catchy slogans were often used to promote products and services.
While technology has evolved and we now consume audio content through the internet and streaming services, the good old days of listening to the radio continue to hold a special place in the memories of those who experienced the medium during its heyday. It was the radio that brought cultures and communities, education and entertainment, together. Play a sound clipping from the radio of yesteryears and you’ll be surprised how easily your elders will recognize each voice they hear.
Purva Grover is an author, journalist, poet, playwright, and stage director. A postgraduate in mass communication and literature, she is the founder editor of The Indian Trumpet, a digital magazine for Indian expats in the UAE. She can be reached at grover.purva@gmail.com. To comment on this article, please write to letters@khabar.com.
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