How many FM radio stations are there in your city? Chances are that you'll know the 'non-stop prattle' entertainment channels. Namma Bengaluru hosts Radio City, Radio One, Radio Mirchi, Radio Indigo, Big FM, Red FM, Fever, of course Vividh Bharati (it doesn't seem to have changed from eons. You can hear the distinct 'coooo' tone when an ad segment begins or ends :-D), AIR FM Rainbow and the lesser known Amritavarshini (AIR classical music). There is one hidden gem, Gyan Vani (or Gyaan Vaani to be phonetically right) which is usually skipped over by the majority or never tuned into. (Disclaimer: depends on how you look at it. It is a gem to me, at least)
Gyan Vani is an educational FM radio station transmitting at 106.4 MHz (the frequencies have changed multiple times in the past few years, but looks like the transmit frequency is being rationalized throughout the country) under the aegis of the IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University) and programmes developed by its Electronic Media Production Centre. Almost all the Indian metros have this station active. The broadcast programs are an eclectic potpourri !!!. Collegiate lessons across different majors, PUC lessons and preps for exams, history, current events, spiritual talks, classical and semi-classical music, scientific talks, health awareness programs, sociology, radio programs from other countries (at times) and vernacular programming.
These days, I am jogging my memory lane on my morning/evening commutes on the war of Indian Independence like Cripps mission, Quit India movement et al and also brushing up on DNA/RNA, nucleotides, Watson-Crick model etc. Some programs are brilliant and some so-so, but the aim is to educate and most of it is definitely worth a hear.
Tune in, if you haven't and have a good time if it interests you. :-D
(the title is taken off a Tamizh saying, 'செவிக்குணவில்லாத போழ்து சிறிது வயிற்றுக்கும் ஈயப்படும்', which translates to 'Nourishment for the tum is when you aren't aurally nourished for your soul')
11 comments:
Too bad you are not blessed enough to listen to suriyan FM !
Seems like a great idea to use FM in education. Wish I could listen to.....
Hmmm a subject close to my heart. Thanks for the intro into Gyaan Vaani - didn;t know it existed. But I have a rant against the other channels
When I left Bangalore 3 years ago, FM was great. Everybody listened to Radio City. The RJs became mini celebrities. The music was great. The prattle wasn't to much.
I come back and what do I hear. Every channel except Radio 1 plays only Kannada music. With all due respect - that's not what I want to listen. No other choice at all. And the music at Radio 1 is awful and the prattle non stop.
HELP !
FM was my most fav. companion when I used to travel all those 17 kms to work and back again. Miss those days :P
@zeno-Maybe I'll like it for the first few days for novelty's sake. :-)
@RS-It does aid in a good recall, if done interestingly. :) I think there are some portals that stream these radio channels. Not sure if Gyan Vani is amongst them. Maybe not, no entertainment value. :(
@Ramesh-Uh Oh! I thought you had a fair choice and variety here. Radio One and Vividh Bharathi with FM Rainbow in certain times airing Hindi songs, Radio Indigo for English, Amrutavarshini for Carnatic (or shaastriya sangeet. Amrutavarshini is very calming at times, I must say). No escape from the prattlers though, on the others! :-) It is worse in Chennai, maybe. No languages other than Tamizh. zeno could update. Anyway, the only other option is to load up CDs or MP3 players with your choice and override FM. :-)
@Swaram-:-P :-P How is it now? Short distance from work to home? I get tired of switching channels these days. Ellaadhrelluu adhae kathae, adhae gohluu. :-) Eegellaa baari janagaluu kiviyalli headphone haakskondu road madhyae nadeethaarae! No use honking. :-(
education on radio... never !! Kabhi nahi !!
@R-ambam-Have you ever experienced that once you pass an exam, you are not inclined to look back at it and also that subject feels relatively easier? Maybe it is like that. The topic on the radio doesn't have a bearing on what you do day-to-day and hence easier to hold interest and digest. :-) [Oru line commentukku ivvlo periya re-comment. :-)]
Thats very kind o you :)
Mine was sarcastic :)They have the worst RJ's you can ever imagine except for those who play good melodies at midnites!
i dont listen to FM stations here.. i gives me headache.. i only stick to radio while at home- vividh bharati stuff... like "sadaabahaar nagmein", "aap ki farmaaish" n all...
anyway.. u'r post reminded me of 2 beautiful programs in my dear old Doordarshan!
1) Turning Point- hosted by the legendary Girish Karnad! It was a really great show.. keeping in mind the true purpose of "education"! Brilliant show!
2) Surabhi- hosted by Siddharth Kak and Renuka Shahane. I still remember the starting piece of music.. every sunday night we used to assemble in front of the TV to watch this amazing show.. I remember getting a prize also when my letter came out on that lucky draw! :)
We really need such shows today.. but thinking again.. we actually need people to watch such shows!
Thanks for bringing this up.. it s a great post!
@zeno-Anything new is okay at first. As time goes by, it is out of your memory, :-) So I said, I may like it the first few days. I won't hear Gyan Vani always. I might land up with Gyan Vani fatigue. :-)
@Matangi-Thanks. :-) I remember more of the latter than the former. :-) I thought you are from a generation that never had a clue to edutainment programs like that. ;-)
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