Alright so, I was in 9th grade and my father(a teacher by profession) comes to me saying there is this advertisement going on, on radio saying they need some radio jockeys regarding which a student's parent came to him asking for his signatures on some form. I was like "ok, fine so ?".
He said "I too have filled that form for you. Sign it."
Because I am very practical person and just don't believe in wasting time and hoping for something which is not possible, I said, "there's no point."
And my father being so optimistic, he always finds his calculations saying "Atmost 50-60 people will apply, amongst them 35 will actually get interested into the selection procedure, many of them will not do it seriously, 20 will try for writing exam, 10 will go for final voice test, its simple!"
I was not actually convinced, but his previous track records of these calculations somehow forced me to sign the form and I did.
Next, after some days we got a letter for a General Knowledge Examination at AIR(All India Radio).We went there, there were some 50-60 people, yes 60 people and I was like "Papa, leave it, its tough competition", because I just didn't think these much people are going to be interested for this, may be because if you get something easily you don't understand its worth.
I gave that exam. It was pretty good, I am quite nice at General Knowledge. Papa enquired what's the next procedure, the person there told, some 30-35 are going to be selected from these and they will go for final voice test. I wasn't completely hopeless as my paper was good, but still not very confident.
Some one week later we got the letter saying, you have cleared the Writing Test, now you have been called for voice test (personal interview). I felt fine, till writing test it was ok, but next "Papa I am not expecting anything, please you too do the same." On this he told "Arrey, I know what to expect. Just be ready."
Till then I never knew what radio jockeys actually speak like, because we didn't had a Radio in our house. I was like clueless. But I wasn't nervous because I knew I can speak well, may be more better than others but Radio Jockey ? I don't know!
We went for voice test. And we got to know 33 candidates have been selected and all these will appear for voice test and then top 6 will be the final Radio Jockeys.Someone said, go and prepare with your script and then he handed me some 5 pages written material. It was a written show, it looked interesting to me. Everyone was preparing, after hearing them I said, ok these are some really good orators man. And top 6 out of 33, not happening, let me just take this experience with me.
And voice test/Interview started, they were sending the candidates somewhere inside, where no one else was allowed, it looked different not like normal rooms. I was curious to know, where are they actually going.
And then my turn came, I looked at my mother with a nervous expression as this was my first ever interview. She smiled and said "Don't worry and all the best". They directed me to that room.
This was a recording studio. I was expecting some bunch of people might be sitting there who'll be asking me some questions. To my surprise there was no one, but just a normal mike. I went and stood there.
2 minutes over, nothing is happening, I don't know why I am standing there.
And suddenly a voice comes, something like Bigboss, asking me what's your name good girl ? And then I realised this is a Bigboss wala Interview :P
I was not at all nervous now. I told him my name and some more details as he asked about my hobbies and what all I do at my school. Then a different voice comes asking me to read a specified material from the script in my hand. I read it as if no one is watching or listening. So far really going good from my side. I was happy with my performance.
Now Mr.Bigboss asked me to sing that song written on page 3. Because it was a famous Marathi song they might have thought everyone would know the lyrics but I didn't. And only two lines were printed on it. I started that song, sang two lines and kind of paused, letting them know I don't know the lyrics. Suddenly a woman appeared on the gate peeping, I couldn't hear her but I could understand she was saying, don't stop, just continue. I said fine, and repeated that line some 3 more times, I thought Mr.Bigboss will ask me to stop. But no. And for the next 2 minutes, I sang those lines for like 7-8 times, everytime expecting Mr.Bigboss will interrupt. But I guess he was enjoying, by the way I was singing really well :P. That was the longest time ever. Finally he interrupts and asks me to read some other part of the script. And then with a remark you have a nice voice, he asks me to leave.
Because of the top 6 criteria plus this singing drama I didn't had any hope of getting selected. I wasn't expecting at all. They told us within 10 days you'll get a letter if selected.
15 days over, nothing came. I even forgot that I tried something like this.
My father too pretended that he is not expecting but he was somewhere.
On 16th day, my father comes from his school, asks my mother where is Ritu(that's my nick name). I was in bedroom. He suddenly comes and hugs me. I am like WHAT ?
He said, we got the joining letter, you are one of the top six candidates and you are a Radio Jockey now. It was a total shock for me. The happiness on his face because of me, I 'll never forget and my journey as RJ Rachana started!
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