Radio: A communicator and a votary of national integration
Thoudam Imomacha Singh *
According to well-known experts, music is said to be one of the oldest as well as the finest form of human expression. The commonly accepted classification of music is as follows:
1. Western (Classical);
2. Hindustani (-do-);
3. Carnatic (-do-);
4. Folk;
5. Jazz;
6. Pop;
7. Fusion etc.
The splendid coinage "Unity in Diversity" is the motto of India's national conglomeration. Among All India Radio, (AIR) stations in the North-East, AIR Imphal although, tiny structurally and technically ill-equipped due to a number of unavoidable deficiencies, it has always been the fore-runner in preserving the socio-cultural ethos of India, which is also known as "Bharat" in the ancient religious texts of the vedic-period. Being a connoisseur of music AIR Imphal had started organizing All India Radio Sangeet Sammelan popularly known as "Radio Sangeet Sammelan" in Manipur as early as the 1960s.
The first "Radio Sangeet Sammelan commenced under the aegis of AIR Imphal in the month of December, 1968. It was performed on the stage of a makeshift auditorium which was then constructed with materials liked bamboo, plank, CI Sheet and others.
The exact location of the auditorium was the Polo Ground (the site of the present day Saheed Minar).
The benevolent artistes who participated in the first ever "Radio Sangeet Sammelan" performed in Manipur were:
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan (Sarod),
Ustab Affaques Hussain Khan (Tabla),
Ustad Sarafat Hussain Khan brothers (both vocalists),
Pandit A.T. Kanan and his spouse the renowned Malavika Kanan (both vocalists).
The programme of "Radio Sangeet Sammelan" began at the tick of 6 in the afternoon of a chilly winter. At the time of the marathon musical concert Ustad Amjad Ali Khan did a legato with his masterly rendering of raag "Bageshri" and the same was followed by his enchanting acrobatics on the sarod which aroused a thunderous applause from the multitude of spectators.
The diligent accompaniment on the Tabla by Ustab Affaque Hussain Khan was also identically captivating. The rendering of every piece of raag by any of the performers was remarkably pleasant and the enthusiasm of the audience was visibly euphoric.
Among the audience who were at the show of music, there were also a few music enthusiasts and even musicologists. Their (the audience) exuberant applause was an inspiration to the musical entertainers.
AIR Imphal's musical extravaganza settled the whole chilly night of that winter till the crack of dawn of the morrow. The audience in general braved the extreme cold and some of them in particular fought back the torrid sleeplessness of the small hours of the night as the concert prolonged itself, being mesmerized by the gusto of the artistes with their poignant rendering.
The entire audience, in fact, glued to their seats being overwhelmed by Ustad Sarafat Hussain Khan brothers' concluding piece of raag "Bheiravi".
The stupendous programme of music came to its conclusion in the twilight of the dawn. Organizing such a mellifluous show of music like "Radio Sangeet Sammelan" in those initial days of broadcasting in India was nothing less than a programme of Cultural and Social exchange in between the small units of the Republic of India for the conglomeration of ideas, thoughts, knowledge and experience that each of these small Indian entities possesses as each one's own.
The credit for materializing a musical magnum opus must certainly go to the broadcast planners of the station of the bygone days, who were professionally proficient as well as dedicated to the job assigned. Thus, the state broadcaster (All India Radio) also known as AIR, has a singular role in strengthening India's nationhood.
* Thoudam Imomacha Singh wrote this article for Hueiyen Lanpao
The author was a former broadcaster of AIR Imphal and he may be available at imomachasingh(at)gmail(dot)com
This article was posted on February 23, 2015.
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