Spotlight
Tune
in
Italian inventor Marconi probably never imagined that one-day his creation
would captivate the world. Yes, we are talking about the radio, a device
that has become indispensable to the human race since its conception.
Radio was born with
the sole purpose of relaying news and information. Now it has opened
up a huge realm of entertainment what with talk shows, dramas, musical
and sports programs, literary discussions, and let's not forget the
big world of advertisement.
A radio is so important
that it is almost everywhere. Every new car, whether stratospherically
expensive or dirt-cheap, comes fitted with a radio. It is so deeply
entwined with a nation's culture that it almost becomes the messenger
of information.
Radio
culture in Bangladesh
The audiences really do not have to allocate valuable time dedicated
to the radio. Anyone can access the programs from any place using a
portable unit. It helps provide aural entertainment even when you are
busy with work or lying in bed due to an ailment. It provides a tune
you can enjoy without putting in too much effort. Sometimes it can be
a nostalgic experience, momentarily taking you away to a different time
altogether.
Radio audience can
be divided into segments based on both social class and age groups.
It is a universally recognised fact that the young and the not-so-young
never agree upon the same type of programs. The only thing that brings
all sorts of people together to some extent is sports. Of course they
beat each other senseless by favouring opposing sides, but at least
the program is listened to by all.
Before the launch
of Bangladesh Betar, people of this country used to listen to the foreign
stations especially those of our neighbouring countries. BBC and Voice
of America were the top favourites throughout. These stations still
enjoy huge audiences, consisting mainly of the people who have not yet
been completely bewitched by satellite television.
Past
and present audience
It is a humid summer afternoon and the heat is unbearable. The grownups
of the family are taking a respite from the heat by lying on the beds
and gossiping. The radio is humming atop the dining table. Any moment
the weekly drama aired from the Calcutta 'Ga' station will begin. The
children have been put to sleep so they do not interfere during the
show. At 2:30 there is pin-drop silence as the drama unfolds through
the speakers.
This is a scene
taken out of life a couple of decades ago. In 1960, Nasima Islam of
Calcutta was married to engineer Nurul Islam who was at the time studying
in Calcutta's Shibpur Engineering College. In their long married life
there were few disagreements. The biggest similarity they had was their
choice of some particular radio programs. They regularly tuned into
the stations that aired the favourite dramas and request music shows.
It was a difficult move for Nasima when she came to Bangladesh. The
one thing that helped ease the pain of leaving her country was the radio.
Programs of her country lessened the distance. At 55, she never forgets
to tune in every day.
A large portion
of the local audience still wake up to the 7 o' clock news on Dhaka
Betar. Housewives often dial in to listen to the music channels in the
afternoon. The young generation have their long running favourite World
Music. Then there is the BBC and VOA for those interested in world affairs.
Sports fans can be seen travelling to their destinations with a mini
radio plugged into their ears.
New
Wave Metro Radio
Radio Metrowave, established in 1999 created a flurry of excitement.
Their aim was to present news and entertainment in a different manner
to attract people back to the radio.
Director Imran Mahmud
believes that music is very powerful media to get messages across. Hence
the importance of music to human life is immeasurable. It has the power
to soothe like nothing else can.
The airtimes are
7:30 to 10:30 in the morning and again from 12:30 in the afternoon till
3:00. A large segment of the audience consists of people travelling
by cars. There are also plans to start off drama serials in the near
future.
The roots of radio
in our country go very deep. During the Liberation War the radio was
the indispensable companion of the Bengali people. It is a source of
entertainment for the people in the rural areas. If nothing else, these
people will at least be the proud owners of single-band radios. It helps
them keep abreast of news regarding food and health as well.
Many say that radio
is an outmoded device, but it happens to be something so entwined with
our culture that its influence will never diminish.
By
Sultana Yasmin
Translated By Ehsanur Raza Ronny
Recipe
Special
recipe by Sanjeev Kapoor
Jal
Pari Kabab (Tandoori Promfret)
Ingredients Measurement
Promfret Fish 300
Gram
Salt as per taste
Lemon Juice 2 tblspn
Yogurt ¾ Cup
Egg 1 pc
Ginger/Garlic Paste 1 tblspn
Carom Seeds (Ajwain) ½ tspn
Gram Flour (Besan) 2 tspn
Turmeric Powder ½ tspn
Garam Masala Powder 1 tspn
Butter/oil 2 tblspns
Method
of Preparation
1. Wash, clean and apt dry the fish. Make diagonal slits on either side
of the fish using a sharp knife. Rub salt, lemon juice inside and outside
of h fish. Keep aside for half an hour preferably in the refrigerator.
2. Combine all the ingredients of the masala and grind to a smooth paste,
using little water if required.
3. Apply the paste on both the sides of the fish and keep aside for
fifteen minutes preferably in the refrigerator.
4. Cut the onion & other soft vegetable into roundels and then separate
into rings. Keep aside to serve as accompaniments.
5. Arrange the fish in north south side on a skewer and cool in the
preheated oven at 250 degree centigrade for fifteen minutes basting
occasionally with butter.
6. Serve Hot with onion rings and mint chutney.
Tukra
Shahjani (Chicken Leg in Chandi Kaliyan Style)
Ingredients
Measurement
Chicken
two leg portion (medium size 300 grm)
Fresh Cream 4 tblspn
Yogurt 1 cup
Ginger/Garlic Paste 2 tblspn
Olive oil 1 tblspn
Cashew nut paste 1 tblspn
Almonds paste 1 tblspn
White pepper ¼ tspn
Besan (gram flour) 2 tbslpn
Green Chilly 4 pieces
Method
of Preparation
1. Trim, wash and cut chicken legs Make diagonal slits on each sides
if the chicken.
2. Grind Garlic Ginger & green chilly into fine paste.
3. Heat oil in a pan and mix all the paste with besan and heat till
golden colour & cool it.
4. In a large bowl combine all the brown paste, hung yogurt, fresh cream,
ginger garlic paste, garam masala powder, salt. Add chicken & mix
well and allow to marinate for one hour preferably in the refrigerator.
5. Skew the chicken leg in the skewer and cook in the preheated oven
at 250 degree for fifteen minutes basting with butter.
6. Server hot with ring onions and mint chutney.
Chef's tip: to make hung yogurt, tie up fresh yogurt in a muslin cloth
and hang it with a bowl underneath, preferably in a refrigerator, so
that the excess water is drained away completely.
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Check
it out
Tetley
tea
A
lot of great moments are normally associated with tea, around the
world. Keeping this in mind, famous tea company, Tetley, is offering
20% extra tea with its 200gm and 400gm packs. This promotion shall
be effective around the country till the end of February. Tetley has
been a globally famous brand when it comes to tea, and it has over
5000 tea gardens around the world. With this new attractive offer
in Bangladesh, it is definitely worth trying out.
Hanging
Out
Candyfloss
One place that's
remained a popular hangout both for the young and old, is Candyfloss.
With one branch in Gulshan and the other one in Uttara, these little
food shops have been selling fast food items for quite a long time.
The outlets of
Candyfloss might be small, but their food is prepared in a hygienic
way and taste great too, and above everything, the stores charge very
reasonable prices for their products.
If you pay a visit
to Candyfloss, try their hotdogs, which their consumers admit, are
mouth-watering. Besides, they also serve flavoursome coffee, which
you can try as well.
The Uttara branch
of Candyfloss also sells fresh and crispy popcorn. Each paper cone
of this popcorn will cost you tk.10. Besides all these, you can obtain
burgers, pizzas, sandwiches, lassi and many more yummy foods at the
branches of Candyfloss.
The best thing
about Candyfloss is the fact that the quality has not wilted over
all these days. This fast-food joint has been around for ages and
yet the burgers taste pretty good. This maintenance of quality seems
to be the key behind its success as a food shop.
So if you are
ever in a mood to crunch crispy popcorn, delicious coffee or tasty
hotdogs, set your feet inside Candyfloss.
By
Wara Karim
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