A talking Portrait...

Are all writers so confused before they start...???
If they are not.. at least I am.. but yes the confusions have to end- only then can I start writing.. hmm???

It's 10 of December tomorrow.. The HUMAN RIGHTS DAY. I know most of us do not know what our Human Rights actually are.. so definitely, I am not planning to ask any. But yes, for tomorrow I do have other plans. Means k.. I think I have a surprise (don't worry.. i am not getting married). Actually it's my boss's birthday tomorrow. So all I could think is to write something for him.. something that describes him whole heartedly.

So... I met him at the Tadka Studios, Kota..(6:25 in the evening..approaching spring) In a white shirt and blue jeans, he was a frail man. Hairstyle achcha tha. Personal Height around-6 feet and Zubaan ki length- mat hi poocho. I think he needed no makeup..as- he was all too sunk in strictness ki chaashni; discipline ka powder sprinkled thereafter. Perfect boss they.

We sat in the backup studios where he came with his companion. He begun, "So.. is the whole team here?? No..?? OO.. office hours over?? Ok then. who-so-ever is here.. let them know that I have been sent as your head.. your programming head. Before I begin. who changed da songs in the playlist...?? (NOBODY REPLIED) Who-so ever has done it.. don't expect.. it will be tolerated any more. (Next line) We are 4 Rj's here?? Right?? Shona.. Guru.. Saavi.. Esha.. I came listening to all da stations.. And to be frank enough... the other stations are much better than you.. Esha.. you have a voice much similar to that of vidhi-my fm.. but you are too slow.. Shona.. I wasn't able to listen.. Guru.. I heard him then, he was fine.. and for the afternoon slot... the other station aanchal is doing good... she has a good flow.(ohh no.. kahani to shuru hone se pehle hi khatm ho gayi..afternoon slot mein karti thi)... Two lessons... No more easy working..and yes.. only we.. no body else.. ONLY TADKA.. NO MY FM.. NO BIG FM.."
Meeting khatm hui 42 mins mein, but asar gehra tha mere dost.

Thereafter, each time I met my boss, I knew he was our boss. One of our co RJs left and we two female jocks thought.. males were too different... Rather.. too indifferent.. they made groups.(males being -my boss and my co jock Guru). We talked less. But mind.. work utna hi tha.. jitna work.. work mein utni hi problems. He was rather a man of much expectations. Perfection desired.

Once he decided for a small ground activity. Told us.."Tomorrow evening at 7.. it's all decided. We have to go". My morning jock said,"I can't go.. it's not in my office hours.." AND I KNOW SHE MADE A BLUNDER. I remember his expression till today... he was so furious.. that even BIG B had to improvise. oooooooo my my. I sat next to him. For the first time I spoke to him as I felt, "Boss.. agar aapko bura laga to aapne bola kyo nahi.. " His anger pelted like raindrops. He replied, "That's it... I know what to do.. you guys don't wanna work.. I'll see". I know he was correct. I told my co jock the same matter; but sometimes matter ought to be longer than descriptions. The activity was cancelled. He left for his hometown for another weekend. We thought nothing.

When he returned, we together planned something for the morning show.(I wonder unka gussa thanda kaise hua... any ice cubes) He told us... " u'r doing nothing.. raise your standards... do something on your show. let the people feel you are onair." Mazdoor diwas exclaimed to be our first show types activity an OB..WITH KACHORIS TO MAZDOORS. Frankly speaking, till this moment also I felt- he made special efforts for the other two shows- except for mine. I really felt, he disliked me as an RJ.. As a human being. But sometimes you have no solutions (jab ques hi nahi maaloom ho.. answer kahan se aayega.. RJing was a big question mark.. I was simply a speaker who came to an FM STATION). He kept telling me.. do a ladies show.. but Iwasn't one.. kaise karti.. things are so blank. (Are you readers feeling that my story is too tragic.. if yes.. the major tragedy is yet to arrive.)

So finally, It was for the Royal Breakfast- my sunday show- a client had to be recorded. The client came and yes- as per the English medium arrogance I retorted, "WHAT'S your name...??..I'm saavi..". The interview ended and the client left. I went to ask boss.."Boss...What now??" He didn't answer. I re asked. And then did I face my career's biggest scolding. He shouted.."Do you ask names to your clients?? You have these nill reserves of etiquette.. Thinking as if you are a celeb. And he a fool." Donno y but I cried hard.. half an hour.. I had no reason to stop. I did not know my mistake (I was brought up that way na.. so). The same day I completed my works in office and went home. I realized I was wrong. BUT I FEARED BOSS NOW. I talked still lesser now. And did the most I could. I asked him things, but I knew he wouldn't take it wise. (sorry but I'm crying now..). When I asked him things He told me, But I could read it in his eyes.."this girl doesn't even know this much.??"

Boss.. if you are reading.. I literally knew nothing of RJing... our training was only 8 days old and we were taught almost nill. I was left alone from the batch. least learned. I wasn't a born RJ either. but in you words.."no excuses"

Days have to pass.. and so do the events. My boss.. a strange man.. he suggested us jobs we could leave for (ajeeb hai na..). But I realised.. he wasn't selfish.. he was cruel at teaching, but a good human. He taught us out of his experiences.. told us to be natural.. heartfelt.. but he didn't like me.

Finally things weren't actually too good, till he himself started RJing in Kota. Out of his motivation, our morning jock attained a better job.. and he was on air. The day he started RJing.. I think Rjing in kota got new definitions. The things, feeling, disasters.. that we never thought could be on air went. Can you imagine- we saved a girl's life by collecting funds on air. Humne gaddhe khode.. shaheedo ko shraddhanjali di.. paid lagaye... shaheed ajay ahuja park ki safai ki... cyle chalana.. and what not... we went as the socially interactive radios. We were the visual radio.. just because of him. Hats off to him! The more i heard him.. the more i felt.. mahaan hain wo.. jo achcha sochte hai.. boss you are great. His ideas have been more than inspiring.

But amongst all this.. I think on an Fm station I was lost. I thought... being good like him.. can help.. inspiration was my problem. I was immature.. and I made a mistake on air. meri life ki doosri badi daant.. I cried for two days..(meena kumari part 2) But I still knew I was wrong. I immediately changed. And this change was what I re-learn t from my boss. (re-thanks boss..!) After this.. i tried to be genuine enough... on air also.. and otherwise with ideas also.

Amongst all this.. he asked me to write regarding one of our event Press releases. I wrote it. fine. He asked for a proposal. I wrote.. my second proposal was what he liked.. I remember,, in the studios.. he patted me and said.."yaar tu likhti bahut achcha hai.." I was the happiest person on this earth... !! boss ne kaha achacha.. . That was the day.. I think I have been generously rewarded with writing material and my office mates now know it well. In between he liked a few scripts that I wrote.. and ideas were also rewarded.

For SARA JAHAN AHHAA NAACHE NAACHE.. I remember,.. I was on air for many continuous days.. I cried.. he wiped my tears and said.."pagal hai kya..?" We did many works together.. and I learnt a lot. And meanwhile, ek din he asked... "toone chutti nahi li na.. count kar how many shows..?" By God's Grace I could count.. and I told him on line.. "boss.. kal shayad 500 ho jaayeinge.."
The next da ek promo on air hua..."RJ SAAVI COMPLETES 500 CONTINUOUS SHOWS.." i WAS WONDERSTRUCK.. i THINK IT WAS HIS BENEVELONCE..HE MAILED THE WHOLE PATRIKA FOR MY ACHEIVEMENT... THERE WERE WISHES POURING..
BUT I KNEW. HE MADE MY DAY i wrote back to him
Respected Boss

People might know you as RJ , and surely they miss you at the
Jaipur site. But the gradual fact is that, they are unknown to one
who's my boss.... though too much for words, but you are the best
person as well as a boss I' v seen and met.programming... events...
thoughts... execution...BRANDING....!!

ye baat main apne poore hosh main keh rahi hoon...
baaki zyada senti hone ki nahi rakhi...!!

and possibly as an RJ I might not be that good for your
expectations... but till I am here, I'll work harder.

Thank you boss.
In paanch sau episodes main 499 aapke... ek mera...!!!

thanks
saavi

SO BOSS.. you are an amazing personality.. who inspired me for
1. your rjing... good rjs make good station heads
2. your feelings.. genuine feeling
3. your talent response
4. your non selfishness
5. your statement, "kisi ke jaane se koifarq nahi padta.."
6. your love towards us.
7. your management skills
8. your dominance
9. your pursuit for changes..
10. your dedication towards tadka (sleeping in back up..) etc.

but yes ... I hate you for going from here.. I hate you for this.. you have stopped all learning processes.. 4th January 2010.. i'll never forget this day.. (ek maheene ke liye.. double shows karwaaye hain aapne mujhse...heheh) bad boss..

ACHCHA YOU GUYS MIGHT LIKE TO KNOW.. WHO'S MY BOSS??

HE IS..RJ SANJAL..
HAPPY BIRTH DAY BOSS...!

JAB WE MET....My first meetings...!!

Originally, I guess... each hindi film ka director exclusively works on the concept of "how to introduce your actor in the movie..".
subah 10 baje ka time, bikhra sa kamra.. bed par 8-9 pink cushions... barbie alarm clock on the left side... 24*43 ki khidki par purple colour ka parda... and parde se jhaankti... sooraj chachu ki dhai kilo kiranein...and uspar bhi shot OK ho jaaye.. to well and gud...! Sahi bhi hai..first impressions do caste last impressions.. so all I have to do today is- describe my first meetings with the people I know, or to put it better who either- are in my call logs last week.. in my friend list.. or in my office.. or in my memories..:)

So beginning from the very beginning.. my footprints in Tadka.. 95 fm Tadka..
8 of us from Kota up for a training in Jaipur Tadka Office. Jhalana Building at JLN Marg. After entry formalities we reach the Tadka Wing. Alike other offices- glass doors, A saraswati maa ki moorti at the entrance (right side). Ek thought board at the same sight side with an FM Types thought.. (i seriously liked this one..!) We are asked to wait in a 'khopcha' on left side. Chairs are less.. we are asked to pull a few from the office.. By the time the STAR JOCKS OF JAIPUR ARE YET TO COME.. we spend our time watching the cards etc. And for me- feeling like- KAUN AAYEGA...?? YE KYA BALA HAI??

Any ways, after Vikas Sir.. entered two more people.. leaving no space for even a cat to accommodate... N now as the others presented...Presenting..

1. RJ SUFI- With a yellow jacket and payjamas on, entered looooonnng hair waala banda called Sufi.(Please don't mess up with the name SUFI- For though, it sometimes may sound like a female name.. it wasn't one). My co trainee muttered-" Yaar.. ye to RJ hi hai..baal dekh iske... " I think she wanted to compare the hair to a 'ghonsla' but she drank the thought after she noticed others' expressions. Finally, a hand pulled itself out.. and SUFI with a handshake spoke.."AUR LAALE DI JAAN.. KOTA KI TEAM...??" We smiled. He smiled back. Vikas sir introduced him as the 'record holder... non stop Sufi..28 hrs!' WOW..!(But frankly speaking.. Sufi- if you r reading... RJing hi samajh nahi aati thi.. 28 hrs??? wo kya hota hai..!:). But yes..you are really an awesome voice.. and we felt the same. Intelligence tumhari nazro se tapak rahi thi...! N bless us.. we were wiping our tears..hehehe
Ek shikayat: Why did you always search triggers for your show at the training meeting.??
Ek Tareef : RJs payjamas main bhi office aa sakte hain...your payjamas gave u da Rj type look. Coooool!!

2. RJ SANJAL: Sanjal...! oye hoye.. humne suna tha ladkiya iss awaaz par marti hain...ooooooo.!! Thadi par girls.. NOT ALLOWED!!
Another morning we sat thinking " aaj kaun sunega links..?" And then- We were told.. Aaj class SUFI nahi lega.. no intros were given to the new companion who sat besides us. Baadaami+ orange.. that was the colour of his T Shirt.. and yes he wore a locket with a star..ek bracelet bhi tha.. We kept talking of the shows. He told "Ek contest tha Sufi ke show ka.. ladko ko shaadi shuda dikhana ho to kya karein??.. Mangal sootr bhi nahi pehante wo to.." One of us asked.."are you shaadi shuda?" He asked "Why?". Co trainee said," ye locket.. ye aapka mangal sootr to nahi??" He immediately put da locket inside..."o sorry yaar... main to bhool hi gaya..!" And there we met Sanjal..Naam to suna hi hoga.. Ultimate humor, darata kam tha.. extremely practical..and near to heart. Socks bech diye they unhone apne on air.. sorry.. pahte socks! Almost all of us said.."Yaar...ye sahi hai.."

Ek shikayat: Why did you always say da opposite of what Sufi said.?? (And personally- RJ Sanjal Kota kyo nahi aaya.. Kota to Station head Sanjal aaye they..:( )
Ek Tareef : Haven't met an RJ such down to earth..that's your strength.Coooool!!

3. RJ JIA: Hmmm... Jia...? Beautiful voice.. par miley to sahi.. tadka ke office mein training sirf male Jockeys dete hain.. Aisa laga humein. Ne'er mind.. wo kehte hain na.. jab aap kisi cheez ko shiddat se chahte ho to poori kaaynaat use aapse milane mein lag jaati hai.. SO I SAW JIA.. For the first time, it was from the khopcha itself.. studio dikhta tha wahan se... Sufi.. dressed in red.. told his co RJ.. "Kya kudiye.. kitne dino baad.. ye kaali salwaar pehni hai toone...ha..JIA..??" "ooo To ye Jia hai..?? Jaisi awaaz.. vaise hi darshan...aaye haaye.. ladikyo ka dil chura le.. ladke to kya cheez hai.."- I felt. The girl in white kurta-black salwaar-danglings.. and a khankhanaati voice.. she was JIA THE JINNIE.. SONE KI GINNI..! No training lessons so.. sirf darshan se kaam chalaya.. ye hai,, radio ki maha maaya.. waah!

Ek shikayat: Why didn't you train us...??
Ek Tareef : RJs khoobsoorat bhi hote hai.. match voice with beauty. Jia..!!

4. VIKAS SIR (2008..PROGRAMMING HEAD, JAIPUR Tadka)
Purple colour ki shirt.. with a half jacket on..such solemn personality. It felt as if- iss chashme ke peeche kitni creativity hai re.. phone humesha silent par n ek minute mein hi 15 missed call- that was Vikas Sir.. His best par.. chashme ko centre se press karna.. and yes.. how so humble..! His words, "tu nahi jaayegi.. are ones that I remember the most.." (this was regarding who was to stay back.. finally at the Kota Station as an RJ). Yaar..'puchka'.. bada achcha word hai.. kuch ho skta hai ispar..dekho zara.."
Ek shikayat: mmmm.. pata nahi..
Ek Tareef : Silent creativity..!!.. a good idea comes from a bad one.. keep thinking!

5. VIJAY SIR: (Present Technical Head- Tadka Kota)
Dressed in a skin coloured T shirt.. one couldn't have even imagined, that this man is so... i mean.. he was 36.. but didn't even look like 26.. it was good. Shook hands in his first meeting with a short intro himself, "hi.. I am Vijay Singh Gaur.." Gaur sahab.. tab aur ab to different hain... Then I thought of him.. "so simple.." n today.. "ussey bhi simple..bus.. thoda'khat laga se' hi hai wo.." Thin, clear at heart.. and a 'bana'.

Ek shikayat: Why do you always have that paan masala with you.??
Ek Tareef : Aap achche ho.. bhala hi sochoge.!!

I think I can still write for others but time shall fall short.. readers..comment zaroor dena..!