The conversation is so etched in memory – I can replay it as if it happened three minutes back and not over three decades ago. Actually, now that I write this, I realize that I would not be able to replay the conversation if it took place recently – given how my short-term memory tends to abandon me un-apologetically these days! 😉
It was an hour before midnight and the radio was playing as I did my Math problems. A breeze wafted in through the open window and I could hear an occasional wave crash into the rocks. My little hometown Okha sat on the tip of a peninsula on the Arabian Sea. The local folklore was that Pakistan was a mere three minutes away at fighter-jet speed. Adapting to the environment in the 60s and 70s, the dogs in our town apparently had learnt to howl like the sirens warning of an air raid.
The radio programming I enjoyed most was All India Radio’s Urdu Service. It enriched my vocabulary with words like “awaam” (public) and “mustaqbil” (future). Every night the smooth talking deep-voiced host played songs requested by fans on both sides of the border. Bollywood melodies that were cherished by millions of listeners. Tonight, as I labored on my not-so-favorite Math, he announced the songs would be “Meri Pasand” (my choice). I reacted and wondered out aloud “Meri pasand?” to which he promptly replied “Yes ma’am… meri pasand”. It was almost as if I had a real conversation with my favorite radio host and my teen heart was all pumped up! I swept through the Math problems in no time, humming the tunes all along 🤩
The voices on AIR (All India Radio) faded away gradually past teenage, but Bollywood melodies remained strongly woven into the fabric of life. Etched on magnetic cassette tapes, digitized on CDs and now streaming on apps – creating joy, making camaraderie and love blossom along the way.
Trivial as it may seem for folks with nimble thumbs, I almost felt a sense of accomplishment recently as I created my first playlist on Spotify! I thought about sending a ‘like’ to my favorite AIR host and named my playlist Meri Pasand-2020.
~AK Irvinekar
Archana – as always you touched something close to heart and mind. On Saturday, Rahul and I were doing some cleanup and alongside was Caravan playing Geetmala. The work seemed less burdensome with the songs from the playlist taking us back in time to bring nostalgic happy memories. Very well written. Keep sharing your insights. Love it!
Glad you enjoyed the post Shilpa – and coincidentally were in the same mode over the long weekend!
Wow. Nice one
Thanks Shailesh!
Went back in time with this one. Studying late into the night with radio for company sounds so familiar. Good one Archana, for a
Trip down memory lane
Yes…a common theme for us through high school and college! Who knows Sampada we may have been listening to the same program some night in college, in two parts of town 🙂
Very nostalgic Archana! We try to relive those limited but sweet memories with Carvaan now 😊.
It is interesting how many of us hark back to old times and try to recreate them! Enjoy your Carvaan some more Neeta 🙂
Your words gave me goose bumps and put a smile on my face. Very nicely penned Archana
😊 thanks V!
Nostalgic subject – took me down memory lane too! We did not have TV or cassette player. My only entertainment was radio. So as I studied for me exams, I took my break around my favorite programs – fauji bhaiyon ki Pasand – one was around 3pm, I think there was one around 7pm and the last one was “Bela ke phool” at 11.30. Nicely depicted Archana! Keep writing!! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Padmini – and it does feel good to reminisce occasionally! Now with multiple media options and programs to choose from, having a favorite is harder that before 😅
Very cool memory. Well written, professional. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it Sudhanwa!