O.P. Sharma
Noted broadcaster, who joined Radio Station, Jammu shortly after its inception in December, 1947. Mr. Bodh Raj Sharma reminiscences about his rich experiences and talks of his contribution through this important medium of mass communication. He narrates the story of enrichment of Duggar language and culture as also social awakening by the broadcasting media in this part of the country.
In an exclusive interview with me, Mr. Sharma narrated the interesting story of his over 40-year service in broadcasting and listed his major achievements and the rich experiences. Asked about his main contribution to Radio Station, Jammu; Mr. Sharma asserted “Identifying and projection of Dogri folk songs and Duggar’s language and culture” are a matter of pride and satisfaction for him.
Born on January 2, 1931, he studied at Vishav Bharti School, a co-education institution in Jammu. He vividly recalled that even during the student days he participated in a Sangeet Samelan at Srinagar (Kashmir) wherein his performance on Jal Tarang in Shastriya Sangeet was highly applauded and also he was awarded a gold medal and certificate by then Maharaja Hari Singh administration. Subsequently, he got admission in the Prince of Wales college (Now GGM Science College, Jammu) and alongwith his studies he took part in cultural activities as well.
He fondly reminiscences his association with Jia Lal Basant, a towering musicologist and expressed his gratefulness to him for inspiration and being a model in his life. He learnt classical music from Mr. Basant and his music concert in Rawalpindi (now in Pakistan) won him high applaud which he still fondly remembers.
Good Beginning
Answering a question, he informed that he joined Radio Station, Jammu on its very inception in 1947. S.Harbants Singh, who was then incharge took his audition, later exclaimed “Kaka Wah-Wah”. At that point he earnestly commenced his broadcasting service with these words always ringing in his ears.
Questioned about his most memorable movements, Mr. Sharma pointed to his live broadcast of running commentary on radio about Lal Bahadur Shastri’s ashes from Airport Jammu and subsequently from Raghunath Mandir Chowk as one of his proud achievement. His professional performance was always highly valued for unique style, modulation of voice, chaste Urdu and Dogri languages and accuracy in his broadcasting work. Till very recently, much after his retirement, he was writing the prestigious ‘Waqt Ki Awaaz’ in Urdu and also participating in other special programmes.
Sharpening Skill
Mr. Sharma still cherishes the memory of his undergoing a broadcasting course in Australia under Colombo Plan in 1973 where his hard work and professional skill won him appreciation. He recalled that at Introductory Session of this course in Australia, when he introduced himself as coming from India, a trainee from Pakistan pointed out that Bodh Raj Sharma is from “disputed” Jammu and Kashmir to which I replied ‘We are not here to discuss any dispute. This brought calm in the atmosphere. This professional course always stood as a great source of strength throughout his life”, he added.
It goes to the credit of Mr. Bodh Raj Sharma that for a long period he was incharge of Grahmeen Bhaio Ke Liye (a programme for farmers) which gained much popularity and brought about many changes in the agricultural practices in this part of the country. These broadcasts were couched in simple language exhorting the agriculturalists to adopt modern technology for higher productivity in the fields and also popularised other allied jobs like dairy, sheep and fish farming to supplement their income.
High Standards
Commenting on the quality of present day broadcast programmes, Mr. Sharma opined that it is certainly on the much improvement side. The Radio has much more relevance as well as reach in the remotest corners of the country. The technological advances too, setting of over hundred All India Radio Stations alongwith a chain of FM Radio channels have brought about revolutionary changes. Despite coming in of television, print and other media, the Radio broadcasting firmly holds its ground maintaining its high graph of listenership.
Though born in a Brahmin family, but he pointed out his family’s tradition of military services his great grand father Kashi Ram had won Victoria Cross, highest military decoration for his dauntless fight during Afghan War. He pointed out that his parents-in-law too were associated with military affairs as Major General, though his father was a Tehsildar. But he stressed his interest was with art, culture and literature.
He recalls memories of N Iqbal Singh, the first Station Director, Jammu after it became part of Information and Broadcasting Ministry in 1954. Subsequently a number of Station Directors were posted in Jammu and though he went on well with all but he particularly has liking for P. Mathur and A.S. Grewal who later rose to be Additional Director General.
Towards Professional Excellence
From amongst his collegues, Bodh Raj Sharma had proud memories of talented persons associated with Radio Station, Jammu like Jatinder Sharma, Ved Rahi, Krishan Smailpuri, Yash Sharma, Krishan Dutt Padha, Baldev Chand Dubey, Lajya Devi, Shakuntla Devi, Bimla Devi and few others. He made particular mention of Mahmood’s “Nagara” programme as well as his dramas in Punjabi. He rated high “his finds” folk singers Gulam Mohammad and his father Chiraz Din who gained high popularity.
Asked about happiest moment of his life, Mr. Sharma’s reply was “I am proud of my promoting / folk singers and musicians of Duggar”. To a question what he should have done but could not do, his prompt response was “promotion of art and culture must go on from generation to generation and in it I had put my drop in the vast ocean”. To the young budding artists and broadcasters, his advice is to put in their best and be devoted to professional job for excellence.
(Starline Syndicate Service)
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