Media and I
After all today's 'radio talk', I thought of looking back into my life and see
the roll media played in it.
I can not exactly say what the first radio program I liked. But I remember when I was little I loved Amaradewa sing (or rather chant) a Buddhist poem* at end of the transmission of 'Ruhunu Sawaya' (Sothern Chanel). I guess that is my very first love with radio. I didn't knew the meaning of it then - but that was simply sound divine. I still love that small poem.
I had old "made in Sri Lanka" Unic AM Radio. There was a children program at 4pm - I can not remember the name of it - all I can remember that is a program hosted by a lady. I loved it. Then there was Sunday Buddhist Jathaka Story - I like that same way I liked fairy tales. They both still look similar to me - even now. I didn't like any of 'none-children' programs when I was a kid. I didn't found any tastes in it. That is why I still won't buy the argument adult contents can damage children. Children are not simply interest in Adult content. Their have different taste buds. Anyway as I get older I started to develop interest in electronic side of the dam thing and I bused it.
I loved newspapers more than Radio. The first newspaper I can remember is 'MeePeni' (Bee Honey). I don't have very much memories of it. Afterward I switch to Mihira and Vijaya. 'Mal Mama' - a story of a man with a flower on top his nose was the first page I read. That bugger tries all sort of different ways to take that flower out without success, a brilliant children's story.
As I grow old I switch to Vidusara. I have couple of other memories also attached with this newspaper or rather to that time period, the song 'Tarzan Boy', JVP era and STF camp next to my school. Vidusara was my first peek to outside world. After long successful run, Vidusara turn in to junk. I stop reading newspapers altogether after that. Now I read newspapers only if an beautiful airhostess hand it over it me.
Before I broke the AM radio I found more interest in TV. There was Astro Boy, Smurfs, Knight Rider, Tarzan and most of all Titus Thotawatha's series. I'm belonging the generation who grow up with Thotawatha's programs. That man made me happy more than chocolate. I can still recall his black and white photo of lovely face with a smile.
Next FM come to town. I remember City FM. But I'm a fan TNL Radio. Those guys won international excellence award. Right now time to time I listen to Gold FM and other oldies when I'm driving but I never listen to any of Sinhala Radio stations because I find nonstop female yapping on radio very irritating and most of content are tasteless.
Like most of you, I also was push to listen to Sinahala radio in private buses. I found them as unpleasant as the nonstop screaming and scolding of the conductor. Couple of times I have request conductor to low the radio down - they respond to that positively - I thank them with a smile.
Unofficially I hold record for broadcasting first Sinhala filthy words on air. We broadcast school radio station on FM103. We was manage to get powerful transmitter from SLBC than what they usually offer to schools. After couple of weeks of sleepless nights we got perfect soundproof studio and the setup. One night the DJ - my friend - fall asleep behind the mic. I got so mad and scold the bugger with utter filthy words. Mic was on. It broadcast from Colombo to Awissawella. Good old school days.
Right now I'm lucky enough to access all different type of media from all over the world. I can even blog rubbish. I can record cable TV in my media center PC and download from any where in the world. In that case Sri Lankan Media freedom or quality doesn't play a big roll in my life anymore. But Sri Lankan media helped me when the time I did not had the luxury I have today. I'm grateful for it.
* Sabba Papassa Akaranam, Kusalassa Upa Sampadha, Sachittha Pariyo Dapanam, Eatham Buddhanusasanam.." (Keep away from all evil, Cultivate good, Purify ones mind, that is the advice of all Buddhas.)
I can not exactly say what the first radio program I liked. But I remember when I was little I loved Amaradewa sing (or rather chant) a Buddhist poem* at end of the transmission of 'Ruhunu Sawaya' (Sothern Chanel). I guess that is my very first love with radio. I didn't knew the meaning of it then - but that was simply sound divine. I still love that small poem.
I had old "made in Sri Lanka" Unic AM Radio. There was a children program at 4pm - I can not remember the name of it - all I can remember that is a program hosted by a lady. I loved it. Then there was Sunday Buddhist Jathaka Story - I like that same way I liked fairy tales. They both still look similar to me - even now. I didn't like any of 'none-children' programs when I was a kid. I didn't found any tastes in it. That is why I still won't buy the argument adult contents can damage children. Children are not simply interest in Adult content. Their have different taste buds. Anyway as I get older I started to develop interest in electronic side of the dam thing and I bused it.
I loved newspapers more than Radio. The first newspaper I can remember is 'MeePeni' (Bee Honey). I don't have very much memories of it. Afterward I switch to Mihira and Vijaya. 'Mal Mama' - a story of a man with a flower on top his nose was the first page I read. That bugger tries all sort of different ways to take that flower out without success, a brilliant children's story.
As I grow old I switch to Vidusara. I have couple of other memories also attached with this newspaper or rather to that time period, the song 'Tarzan Boy', JVP era and STF camp next to my school. Vidusara was my first peek to outside world. After long successful run, Vidusara turn in to junk. I stop reading newspapers altogether after that. Now I read newspapers only if an beautiful airhostess hand it over it me.
Before I broke the AM radio I found more interest in TV. There was Astro Boy, Smurfs, Knight Rider, Tarzan and most of all Titus Thotawatha's series. I'm belonging the generation who grow up with Thotawatha's programs. That man made me happy more than chocolate. I can still recall his black and white photo of lovely face with a smile.
Next FM come to town. I remember City FM. But I'm a fan TNL Radio. Those guys won international excellence award. Right now time to time I listen to Gold FM and other oldies when I'm driving but I never listen to any of Sinhala Radio stations because I find nonstop female yapping on radio very irritating and most of content are tasteless.
Like most of you, I also was push to listen to Sinahala radio in private buses. I found them as unpleasant as the nonstop screaming and scolding of the conductor. Couple of times I have request conductor to low the radio down - they respond to that positively - I thank them with a smile.
Unofficially I hold record for broadcasting first Sinhala filthy words on air. We broadcast school radio station on FM103. We was manage to get powerful transmitter from SLBC than what they usually offer to schools. After couple of weeks of sleepless nights we got perfect soundproof studio and the setup. One night the DJ - my friend - fall asleep behind the mic. I got so mad and scold the bugger with utter filthy words. Mic was on. It broadcast from Colombo to Awissawella. Good old school days.
Right now I'm lucky enough to access all different type of media from all over the world. I can even blog rubbish. I can record cable TV in my media center PC and download from any where in the world. In that case Sri Lankan Media freedom or quality doesn't play a big roll in my life anymore. But Sri Lankan media helped me when the time I did not had the luxury I have today. I'm grateful for it.
* Sabba Papassa Akaranam, Kusalassa Upa Sampadha, Sachittha Pariyo Dapanam, Eatham Buddhanusasanam.." (Keep away from all evil, Cultivate good, Purify ones mind, that is the advice of all Buddhas.)
Labels: My Life
posted by Sam at
6:42 AM
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