| 'We
need to break the perception that only prime time slots have bulk listeners' |
|
| Posted
on 19 January 2008 | She
is 30 years old, married with a three year old kid, but those who have heard RJ
Archana on Big FM Hyderabad may not connect any of this to the bubbly, young voice
that loves to talk of a myriad things on air.
Archana loves hanging around
at Necklace Road in the city of the Char Minar, and also loves to spend time with
her family at some peaceful place. Radioandmusic.com's Aaishwari Chouhan
engages the talented RJ Archana in conversation.
Excerpts:
You did your
graduation along with a four years certificate course in music. What were your
career options when you studied music?
Right
from childhood, I had a passion for cultural activities, be it music or dance.
My parents were extremely supportive and let me study music full-fledged for four
years, along with B Com in correspondence. While I studied, I sang for All India
Radio and for a few private albums at my studio. I never thought I wanted to be
a musican or a singer or anything specific. My only goal was to be a part of the
cultural field and do something in music.
You
cleared your company secretary (CS) exams in the first attempt. Then why did you
take up RJing?
I
would have got any corporate job had I studied further. But then I gave importance
and priority to music in my life and so, I am where I am today. No regrets! How
does your experience at AIR help you now?
With AIR, I got the chance
to enter the radio sector in 1998. Earlier, RJing on radio was termed as compering.
I did Yuva Vani - the English programme on AIR. On the technical end, AIR has
an altogether different system than Big. The console and everything I use at Big
is so different that there is absolutely no comparison on this end.
| Your
show Shubharambham won you the 'Best RJ' title from the Rotary Club of Secundrabad.
What was so special about the show?
Well,
instead of picking up stuff that people already are aware of, I pick up those
unusual things from the devotional end that are interesting and knowledgeable.
I do a lot of research, read a lot of books and pick up stuff that is not spoken
about earlier and engage the listeners.
With Shubharambham, I try to
be as different as I can and that's special about my show.
|
| Where
does a RJ head to once s/he is the best at his job?
The
RJ can head to become a producer, programming head etc. within the radio station.
But any RJ can be the best only after s/he has truly satisfied his/her listeners
and given them stuff that they wanted.
What
is the difference between the other RJs and you?
I
can modulate my voice very well. I change my voice as according to the format
of the show. I have voiced for all the Telugu ads on Big Hyderabad. My assets
are my voice and perfection in language. And I think this is what makes me different
from the other RJs.
Who
according to you makes a successful RJ?
When the RJ has researched enough
on his listeners' likes and dislikes, their interests and demands and satisfies
the listeners completely - only then does s/he become successful! And that's the
only success mantra for any RJ.
Does
hosting prime time shows matter to you?
People
listen to slots that don't fall in the prime time too. We need to break the perception
that only prime time slots have bulk listeners. So it doesn't really affect me
to host a show at any time of the day. Should
RJs be regulated for what they speak over the radio?
Of
course they should be because people now tend to admire and follow what the RJs
speak. So everything that a RJ talks on air makes a huge difference to his listeners
and the RJs shouldn't forget this and hence, I think regulation to an extent is
mandatory. Anyone
you take as your mentor or guru?
I
would say everyone in my team here is my guru. But I would like to express my
heartfelt thanks to my parents because without their support, I wouldn't have
been here today. | 
