Fifty Glorious Years : A tribute to the pioneers of Akashvani Imphal

Seram Neken *

Golden Jubilee Celebration of All India Radio (AIR), Imphal at MFDC Auditorium, Imphal on 26 October 2013 :: Pix - Arunkumar Thongam

But for certain lapses on the part of arrangers, the All India Radio Imphal beautifully organized its Golden Jubilee Celebration function on 26th last at the MFDC Auditorium in Imphal. The significance of that very celebration has been the pledge of the Chief Minister to erect a dedicated power line for the AIR transmitters in the state. Radio listeners around the globe must praise the commitment of Manipur Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh in his acknowledgement of the importance of this medium.

This article is a tribute to the pioneers of AIR Imphal who had put their extra-efforts in glorifying the last fifty years of Akashvani Imphal, and whose names were missed during the golden jubilee celebrations of AIR Imphal on 26th October last.

udagi chaoba khong-nang ni,
mana pungba heinouni,
heinouna mullaga,
tenawana haraoba,...... Uuuuuuu Uuuuuuuu.....

In fact, Akashvani Imphal has become a big fruit-bearing tree with bushy branches under which lakhs and lakhs of its listeners reap the fruits and its shade. From being a small sibling fifty years back, All India Radio Imphal has indeed become a university imparting a variety of knowledge on art, music, literature, culture, tradition, current affairs etc. pertaining to Manipur. It has got innumerable students of its own irrespective of topographical, communal, racial, social and economic barriers. It also serves as the biggest and valuable archive of Manipuri art and culture.

"Glory" is indeed the most suitable terminology for the fifty years of radio service in Manipur. 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. Imphal station of All India Radio has dearly nursed, nourished, preserved and enriched the composite Manipuri culture and literature.

Innovative programmes such as news analysis during bulletins, educational programme 'Atoppa Mangal', live Phone-in Interviews, Good Morning Manipur etc. have become feathers on the already enriched cap of AIR Imphal. At the national level too, programmes produced and broadcast by Akashvani Imphal could earn laurels. Introduction of news analysis with experts during morning news bulletin is a very thought provoking programme of this station. May the AIR Imphal continue its smooth sail in the vast sea of waves.

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.

'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. Hundreds of beautiful lyrics and lyricists have been continuously born to AIR Imphal and attained maturity on its lap. Lyricists like B. 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'.

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.

No other medium can challenge efficacy and popularity of this cheap audio medium. Who were the imminent personalities behind this unprecedented growth ? On its Golden Jubilee celebration, officials of Akashvani Imphal honoured the pioneers of this Radio Station with gifts and gestures.

As a radio listener, I was lucky to witness the seven Radio Icons including Khumanthem Prakash and B. Jayantakumar Sharma who were escorted on the stage to receive the valued gifts from the Chief Minister. One thing that struck the minds of the audience was that the other personalities like Chandam Gopal and Khaidem Nabakumar could have also been honoured posthumously by just inviting their living family members on the stage. Their names were not even mentioned in the speeches during the whole function.

Akashvani Imphal could have mentioned a number of other popular personalities who have so far contributed to the so-called "Glorious Fifty Years". Other popular figures such as Sagolsem Indrakumar, Chongtham Kamala, Nongmaithem Pahari, Lalagopal Singh, Thokchom Govind, Thoudam Imomacha, Aiso Sharma, Bimola Devi, Guruaribam Yaimabi, Biramangol Sharma, so on and so forth might have put their extra-efforts in glorifying the Akashvani Imphal during its fifty years. But for the valuable inputs of these eminent radio celebrities of the yore, Akashvani Imphal would not have been where it is today. Just a mention of their names during the celebration could have satisfied the audience and radio listeners. However, it was not so.

VOICE OF THE WEEK

Considering the importance of women representation in the various issues and the availability of numerous resourceful women in Manipur, the Regional News Unit of AIR Imphal may invite women experts in its morning News Analysis programme. The women news anchors may also be entrusted to moderate the analysis. The voices from women resource persons will be a great contribution to empowering women of the state.