Noted media personality and Deputy Director General Radio Kashmir Srinagar; Bashir Arif is a Noted poet and broadcaster.
In an exclusive interview with ‘The Kashmir Scenario’, Mr. Bashir Arif talks to Rameez Makhdoomi.
In the wake of growing Internet culture and rampant growth in Satellite Channels on Television, what role does “Radio” have in contemporary times?
This trend will continue and has continued since very beginning. A large number of mediums like TV channels and Internet have come up but they are mediums of ‘affluent class’ while as Radio is a medium of ‘common public’ and it requires just ears to listen to radio and as a medium of mass communication would continue to play a prominent role.
How do you envisage the growth of “Radio Kashmir” when compared to other radio stations?
Radio Kashmir has achieved great excellence and has been a great training center for globally acclaimed programmers and studio Directors. Radio Kashmir has the credit to have talented and internationally famed personas like M M.Chawla , Prem Nath Dhar, Prem Nath Pardesi, Mir Ghulam Rasool Nazki, Babar , etc. I have been fortunate enough to work with these famed personalities that helped me to reach to this stature.
You recently revealed on a television programme that once renowned radio feature in Kashmiri, ‘Zuni Dab’ is being revived. How do you view its prospects?
As you must be aware, that this programme was highly popular and had created a big audience. This programme has also played role in making radio Kashmir popular. Therefore we want to grow it with a new dynamics and it would be definitely loved by the audiences.
Critics say private radio stations have eaten into the audience base of Radio Kashmir. Your take?
I would like to state that Radio Kashmir continues to have firm holding and is a fatherly figure among the other coming up private radio station. Nothing can compete with the programmes of Radio Kashmir in terms of overall content, presentation and pronunciation.
Any planned innovations in the FM station of Radio Kashmir to meet the desired expectations?
I think innovations for the sake of innovations have no meaning. We believe in making positive changes and not those innovations wherein programmes are broadcasted in a nonsensical manner, as is the case with some private radio stations were one listens to non-stop and often meaningless presentation, pronunciation and music.
Many say Programmes like “AAJ KI SURKHIYA” has lost its track. Your take on this?
In this regard, I would like to say that now we are addicted to listening sensation and here at radio Kashmir we are not for spreading sensation. The programme is presented in a manner so that it fulfills its objective of building the morning mood of the listeners and also provide information in correct form.
You are a known broadcaster. Will audiences hear you in any future programmes?
Inshallah you would listen me in Zuni Dab. But, we would be definitely giving more chance to young and talented broadcasters like Azhar Hajini, Masood Muntazar, Rayees Mohiuddin.
What are the main challenges posed to radio in current times?
Radio in itself is a challenge to the corrupt and inefficient people, as the ears and eyes of radio are always alert and ever ready to highlight the problems faced by the masses. Yes, we would have to revive our archives and train our future to maintain efficiency.
What is your message?
I would just like to say that we at Radio Kashmir would continue to broadcast sensitive, catchy and simple programmes and will never ever broadcast anything that is even slightly vulgar in nature. We believe in maintaining high standards of broadcasting as a leading public broadcaster.
Exclusive Interview with Mr. Bashir Arif
