For over 35 years, Kumud Merani has been the voice of the Indian Community in Australia. Her journey as a Hindi Program Journalist/Broadcaster began in SBS Radio in 1985. She became the first lady of Indian origin to be appointed as an SBS TV News Anchor for a period of two years. Soon, she found her niche as the Executive Producer of Hindi Programs on SBS Radio leaving an indelible mark on the minds of Indian listeners for over three decades. Her balanced and objective broadcasting and journalism have brought her many laurels and recognition, with innumerable awards to her credit.
As she completed 35 years of journalistic excellence and bade adieu to SBS Radio, Indus Age spoke to the media doyen in an exclusive interview. Read on…
By Nidhi Kumari
Life is a journey, not a destination, how you would like to remember your journey at SBS. Also, tell us how do you see yourself today, since you started working there 30 years back?
Life is indeed a journey; the destination of this journey lies in the hands of one’s destiny. My journey with SBS has not been a “part” of life but life itself because when you’ve worked in a place for more than 3 decades it becomes life itself. More than the journey itself, I shall always remember my co-travellers who made this journey most exciting. Having vacated the driver’s seat – as I look out of the window I also visualise, the stations that made me laugh, stations that made me cry, some stations that I’d like to sit again and again and this the final halt, as I stand smiling through tears.
As to how I view myself today, well I certainly look wizened and hopefully I am also wiser. I have learnt a lot and I am most grateful for it.
How did you motivate yourself to work every day with the same enthusiasm – leaving indelible marks that will be remembered for generations to learn from?
We are all unique individuals and motivated by different aspirations. Some are motivated by power, influence, and fame. For me, that’s never been the case. I have never been inspired by power or control. My enthusiasm arises from wanting to develop and grow, in order to succeed in informing, engaging and entertaining my audiences. My enthusiasm throughout my media career which began with Doordarshan Bombay has been to do my job well and satisfy my listeners/viewers.
I feel so honoured that you think that I leave behind indelible marks for younger generations to learn from. On the other hand, I think, I have a lot to learn about the wider horizons of Digital platforms from the bright young generations.
Being an Indian origin lady, to be working in an absolutely foreign land and thriving for so long, who do you credit for this success and also, this must not have been so easy, were there any challenges initially?
Life is never without challenges. They help you persevere and make you resilient. In 1986, as the first woman of South-Asian origin to be an SBS TV News Presenter, while I was accepted with open arms by SBS, some viewers were a bit shocked to see an Indian woman in a sari presenting ‘News’ in English. Some loved it and called my accent the Queen’s English, whereas others were surprised by my saris.
On Radio, it has been a smooth upward trajectory.
In a span of 30 years, there came a time when radio started losing its sheen, and saw many ups and downs; with the advent of TV and internet, how do you see its (radio) future?
I think, the future for radio is even brighter now, because you can listen to your favourite programs on so many more devices. Podcasting and streaming assist audiences to tune in as and when they want. They can also choose to listen only to the segments of their choice and preference. Technology, innovation and various platforms are in fact making radio more popular.
In your three decades journey at SBS, there must have been memories both good and bad, please share a few with us that has stayed.
Life is made of moments, and moments collectively give rise to memories. The love of my listeners across Australia is something that I shall never forget. The gratitude of some listeners whose issues were brought to the wider community is something, I shall never forget. How can I forget, the student who was stabbed in Adelaide during the peak period of International students woes? I garnered community help and assistance for him and the young man survived. The community took food to him and gave him other forms of help. He still writes to me.
I shall never forget an incident when my program used to be on air at 9:00 am on Sundays. I had to be in the studio by 6:30 am. We had just returned from a trip to Europe and in two days I had to broadcast, the Sunday morning program. By 6:00 am, I prepared most of it except the News. My husband went to the airport to pick up our son. I was in a cotton nightie and chappals and stepped out in the backyard to stretch out and get some fresh air. The house door banged close with a gust of wind! I had half an hour to reach work and be on air. I did not have a phone in my hands, was wearing a nightie and chappals, what could I do.
To cut a long story short, I had to go – knock on my neighbours door at 6:00 am. They were frightened to open the door but ultimately did so. They helped out with the rest. Now, I never step out in the backyard without the house key or a phone.
Many have been a fan of your voice and work both, do you recall any compliment from a fan – may the best one that is special to your heart.
My listeners have always inspired me and been appreciative of my work. There are a few young people who have told me that they have been inspired by me to join the media.
Once we were raising funds for Fiji, as it was going through a very rough drought and listeners broke down crying as I implored them to donate, by tracing the difficulties that the farmers and people were going through. I take that as a compliment!
Of late, we had been running live interviews on FB, these became extremely popular and when I was hosting these shows the audience engagement and appreciation spilled well beyond the duration of the videos.
Finally, what are your future plans?
Finally, I’ll be doing things that I like the best, and do them at my pace. I hope creativity does not desert me ever. I am writing a stage play and acting in upcoming plays. Most importantly, I am to continue acting in the TV series Five Bedrooms which is gearing up towards Season 3 on a special new OTT platform.
Who is the last person you think of before going to bed?
Of the Supreme being, who created this world.
What is the first thing you do, after waking up in the morning?
Check the latest News.
Your favourite book:
All the books in my little personal library
Your favourite food
Dhansak
Favourite personality for his/her voice
Melville De’Mello
Secret of your beautiful voice
That, I attribute entirely to the auditory modality of my dear listeners
| AWARDS | Kumud Merani has the rare distinction of receiving the NSW Premier’s Multicultural Media Awards in three different years by three different Premier’s of NSW. Winner of the NSW Premier Kristina Keneally’s Award 2011 for contribution to Arts & Culture in NSWRecipient of Premier Barry O’Farrell’s Award for Best Radio Reporting – 14th Feb 2013 ‘Winner of the NSW Premier Mike Baird in 2015 for the best Radio Documentary “The Story Untold”. A documentary tracing connections between ancient Indian tribes and Australia’s First peoples.Winner of PECOSA Award for being a Community Idol. March 2013.Journalist of the Year Award 2014 for Multicultural Media Awards from the Parliament of NSW.Winner of the prestigious International Australia Pacific Broadcasting union award for best External broadcast 2005 for radio documentary “Sweet Sorrow” on Fiji Indians which included a week’s training at BBC London.Winner of the international Asian Award for best Radio documentary ‘Jumping the Fence’. This sensitive documentary was about the dying race of Anglo-Indians.Recipient of several community awards in recognition of my contribution and maintenance of Indian Art and Culture in Australia.IABCA Award in 2014 for Radio Documentary, “The Story Untold.”The New York Festivals World’s Best Radio Programs-Finalist for, “The Story Untold.”FEFA Lifetime Achievement Award 2015.Outstanding Achievement in Hindi Award 2011 by Sur Sangam FM Radio |
“I hope creativity does not desert me ever,” Kumud Merani added by Indian newspaper Sydney on
View all posts by Indian newspaper Sydney →