Veejaying

Likki Maisnam *

MTV VJ Nonie Tao - Source: Facebook

As a kid, I remember I saw Nonie Tao. She was an iconic figure. She was very cute. If she wasn’t cute, no one would have noticed and cared to listen to her voice and her gimmicks.

As I grew up, I switched to watching Komila Jagtiani (Kim). She would read out mails that she picked up on that particular day. And how exciting it was for us viewers when she read out and showed us those cards, letters, gifts, collages that the viewers sent. She came as a breadth of fresh air. Everything about her was so refreshing. She was awesome.

And many other Veejays came and went. Then enter Isaac of Arirang. She too has the unmistakable charm too. She made us the Arirang generation want to learn the Korean language. I am an unabashed admirer of the Korean Wave.

Some sceptics would like to call it as the cultural imperialism. Whatever, Korean Wave has hit the hegemonic China, economic power Japan and many other countries. I have picked up some of the words and I love flaunting it.

The VJs are the youth icons. They make veejaying so fashionable and cool. As a VJ, they have to be part of the limelight and partying for a living. They are so articulate and sensible. To be a VJ, one does not require to have a very high qualification. One needs to have a strong linguistic skills.

One should have the ability to grab attention when one speaks. Having the right attitude is important. One needs to be observant and be aware of the surroundings. As a VJ, one should be able to think on their feet.

The VJs run the show entirely on their own shoulder. They cannot falter. They have to feel good and have a lot of positive energy to enjoy their job. On top of it, they have to natter non-stop for a living. They get to meet lots of people. VJs need to be well-versed in the music they play. They love to belt out witty one-liners for effects.

Veejaying is a thrilling one. He/she gets to entertain and interact with a very large viewers. Television has its own set of followers. The success of a show depends entirely on how talented the VJ is. He/she also gets to meet and interview a wide range of celebrities on the tube.

A good VJ needs to engross people with a sense of humour, creativity, attitude. He/She should be sure of the subjects he/she speaks about. A VJ is a skilled conversationist and he knows how to hook his audience. For any discussion, the VJ must make the conversation appealing by complementing it with humorous and witty remarks. A VJ’s anchoring skills can make or break a certain show.

The concept of veejaying in Manipur is in a nascent stage. We have a programme called Pure Passion hosted by our local VJs. We need more refined and polished Veejays.

Further, we need more articulate youngsters to take up this as part-time job. This will surely instill confidence and develop his/her personality. In the radio, we have the Tabiningba ishei khanba. We get to hear the selection of songs and dedications along with it.

VJs are expected to be appropriate and sensitive to the viewers. They are not expected to be smug and clothehorses. They shouldn’t offend the viewers. If you love to natter non-stop, love interacting with people and are passionate about music, then veejaying may be just right for you.

Veejaying has definitely caught up as a big career in India. The world of Veejaying is intriguing, exciting and engrossing. I wouldn’t mind taking this up as my career. Had I just passed out of my sophomore, I would love to take up Veejaying. The younger the better.