Akashvani Imphal : A unique vanguard of Manipuri Culture & Literature

Seram Neken *

Folk Music Concert in connection with Golden Jubilee year celebration of AIR Station Imphal at MFDC on 19 Jan 2013
Pix Credit - Bullu Raj

What else or who else has been patronizing these valuable social assets for the posterity of Manipur?
Akashvani Imphal still remains identified with the cultural and literary icons such as Khumanthem Prakash, Chandam Gopal, Khaidem Nabakumar, Jayentakumar Sharma, Sagolsem Indrakumar, Nongmaithem Pahari and Chongtham Kamala. But for the valuable inputs of these eminent radio celebrities of the yore, Akashvani Imphal would not have been where it is today. During the last fifty years, Imphal station of All India Radio dearly nursed, nourished, preserved and enriched the composite Manipuri culture and literature. Besides feeding its listeners with news, views and entertainment, Akashvani Imphal has served as a unique institution for preserving the rich art, culture and literature of different ethnic groups in Manipur.

Akashvani Imphal's endeavor for preserving the dying age-old folk music of various ethnic groups is worthy of appreciation. The keynote speech of Moirangthem Kanankumar, the head of Akashvani Imphal during the opening of recent Folk Music Concert at Imphal clearly manifested the social obligation attached to All India Radio Imphal in nourishing the Manipuri culture and tradition. His observation that various folk music of the state are more ritualistic than entertaining thereby hampering its popularization is acknowledgeable to the modern musicologists.

The portrayal of a variety of folk music performances of multitude of ethnicities on a same platform is ample proof that radio can well bring about emotional integrity of a composite Manipur. As a mark of social obligation, Akashvani Imphal has organized a number of important out-of-studio ventures in recent times. Shumang Lila Festival, Music Concert for peace integrity and harmony, Kabi Sammelan and the recent Folk Music Concert are its gestures towards preserving the Manipuri art, culture and literature.

In its fifty years of tuning, the All India Radio Imphal has progressed tremendously. From a mere single kilowatt radio service born on National Independence Day in 1963, it has now grown to become the most popular mass medium reigning as the only vanguard of Manipuri culture and literature. The various informative and entertaining programmes transmitted through the waves of Akashvani Imphal are themselves the precious artistic and cultural elements of the various social groups of Manipur.

Khongjom Parva, Pena, Khunung Esei, Khulang Eshei, Wari Liba, Lairik Haiba Thiba etc. which are highly aesthetic and otherwise dying in the contemporary Meitei society have been under constant care and nourishment of Akashvani Imphal.

Nat Sankirtan, Khubak Esei, Shumang Lila, Epom, Meitei Pung and so many other folk arts of numerous communities residing in the state have been being preserved and popularized by the Imphal Radio Station during the last half-a-century of its existence. What else or who else has been patronizing these valuable social assets for the posterity of Manipur ?

'Manipuri Matamgi Esei' might not reach its present popularity and fame in the absence of Akashvani Imphal. Music pioneers such as Laishram Birendrakumar, Gurumayum Robindro, Shyam Sharma, Pahari, Iboyaima Sharma, Ashem Bimola, Bilasini, Kamala, Sanatombi Devi, Tombisana Sharma and a host of other artistes have deep-seated relations with Akashvani Imphal.

Their uninterrupted growth and fame opportunely coincided with the progressive expansion of Akashvani Imphal. Hundreds of beautiful lyrics and lyricists have been continuously born to AIR Imphal and attained maturity on its lap. Lyricists like Jayentakumar Sharma, Jodhachandra Sanasam, Thangjam Kora, Soraren, Dasendra Oinam, KC Nanda and many others could well express their emotions and pangs through the waves of Akashvani Imphal and in the tunes of 'Matamgi Esei'.

The erstwhile voice rendering of Thokchom Govind and Yengkhom Jugeshori in the guise of 'Mani-Mala' still remains extraordinary to radio listeners. Even today, Akashvani Imphal is still producing quality anchors of their likes. The highly literary verses in the form of questions and answers in 'Chithi-Pokhum' still endear listeners. Besides music, short plays, talks and discussions, reading of short stories and poems in youth programme has been a source of inspiration among the young generation. Akashvani is an unparallel treasure of music and literature.

When a listener from Thanga Karang of Bishnipur district once expressed his feelings of alienation through the 'Good Morning Manipur', I could well grasp the power of this oral medium in empowering the ordinary citizens. He could freely inform the world of the unique geographical isolation of 'Thanga Karang'. Listeners of 'Good Morning Manipur' surely imagined how the land exclusively lies on water and is connected through water-route only. He drew the attention of the authorities for a land-connectivity of his locality with the rest of the world. In addition to entertainment, the Good Morning Manipur discusses social, political, ethnic, educational, economic and environmental issues of the state in presence of millions of citizens through the waves.

Radio becomes closer to its listeners. Akashvani Imphal has successfully produced radio enthusiasts from among the millions of its listeners. Names of RK Upendra, Lucky Jaya, Ibohalbi Mangang, Faler Kom, Tilotama, Vivekananda, Laishram Hemanta, Biren Kongba, Inaobi Wahengbam, Ema Ahanbi etc. are frequently heard in the radio sets. Nowhere is it heard that radio listeners have spontaneously leagued themselves and are constantly monitoring the radio programmes. Thanks to the hundreds of radio fans who continuously feed inputs for further development.

Other innovative programmes such as News Analysis during bulletins, educational programme 'Atoppa Mangal', Health Tips, Healthy India, Live phone-in interviews, Science Magazine, English learning etc. are serving the information needs of the contemporary listeners. Live phone-in programme broadcast in Khonjel Nachom with the intelligent anchoring of Heigrujam Debendra is also a very popular interactive session highly beneficial to the radio admirers.

Introduction of news analysis with experts during morning news bulletin is a very thought provoking programme of this station. Overall, the Akashvani Imphal has now earned the reputation of being the best and most popular mass medium which caters to the varied information needs of Manipuris. It is the only medium that can counter the negative influences of foreign visual media on young minds.

All sections of people reap the benefits of radio programmes. From the illiterate farmers and housewives to scholars and intellectuals, from the toddling kids to the aged genre of the society; none is left out and unattended by the varieties of radio programmes. Radio is inexpensive, its programme production being cheaper than those of television.

Elaborate arrangements for materials, setting, costumes, make-ups etc. are not required. Radio is a mobile medium which one can listen to even while working in the fields or driving a vehicle. Messages through radio are instantaneous and suitable to both literates and illiterates.

Considering the added advantages of the radio, many private and public agencies use it as messengers to the huge masses. Meanwhile, the officials and staff of Akashvani Imphal have been sincerely steering the mission ensuring that no amount of unfairness should be on the air.