Shortwave Radio and the Anglo-Indian Sense of Belonging
This article was featured live on the Netherlands based Shortwave radio station Radio Delta International as well as on their website. Read it here
The life of the English listener in India has, until very recently been a rather lonely one. Due to its Colonial history, the language has become a sort of lingua franca in a country with such vast linguistic diversity. Yet today, only 10-15% of the country speak the language and the percentage of people who are fluent in it is even lower, with generous estimates typically pegging it at around 2-5% of the population.
However, even among this tiny sliver of fluent English speakers, it is a primary second-language at best, with the populace most comfortable speaking their affectionately titled ‘Mother-Tongue’, the language of their family’s place of origin. Across mediums, all of the content we experience in India, reflects this preference as well.
For a small monolingual English-speaking community like mine, the Anglo-Indians (People with mixed British and Indian descent), a sense of seclusion has always weighed heavy on our tiny 400-year-old existence. To say that your “Mother-Tongue” is English, the language of the Colonizer, would always raise eyebrows and leave people silently questioning your ‘Indian-ness’, leading many to migrate abroad over the years.
As I’m sure you’re now asking, how is this relevant to an article about Shortwave Radio? Well, at a time when access to English content – radio, television, film and music – was almost impossible (India only opened up its borders to foreign investment and media in the early 90’s), how did this tiny community manage to preserve its fragile sense of belonging for the last hundred or so odd years?
For the many who lived outside the big cities, with no local English media present or any access to foreign cassettes or records in the market, Anglo-Indians had but one avenue to listen to their language spoken or sung – Shortwave Radio. For families that had the means to afford them, a Shortwave Radio was the centrepiece of every household.
Stifled by an environment of chatter that was not their own, on the bus, in the office or at the movies, every opportunity to experience media in your ‘mother-tongue’ was a breath of fresh air, a sense of freedom, of not feeling so alone.
I have always been charmed by this facet of my parents and grandparents existence. Long before the age of television and the internet, every evening like clockwork, they’d huddle around the family radio and hope they were lucky enough to catch a good signal of ‘The Voice of America’ or ‘The BBC World Service’ or ‘Radio Ceylon’.
They knew every frequency, every broadcast time for every channel, which day of the week it came on, who the presenter was, how long they’d be presenting, which songs played last week, and the week before that and so on. I remember my darling Mum, fondly sharing all these stories and me sitting there fascinated by this idea of listening to a world far far away.
In those days, the English Service of Radio Ceylon (Sri Lanka), had the strongest signal due to its proximity and catered to a fledgling English-speaking audience and many Anglo-Indians in India and abroad. You could write them letters and if you were lucky enough, they’d read out your name, where you were from and a wish to a family member. With everyone tuning in at the same time, this was as connected as we got, our own sense of belonging.
This was our escape, our out, from the constant feeling of otherness our countrymen, not always subtly mind you, afforded us. What a beautiful thing it was.
Being a child born in the 90’s (India’s MTV generation), I grew up in a rapidly liberalizing India, suddenly open to the world, starkly different from the one my parents and grandparents inhabited. If you lived in a metropolis like Bombay, you had English music on FM 24/7, MTV and popular British and American shows on television. Then obviously came the internet.
These were all things I simply took for granted, ignorant of how special and preciously anticipated they once were.
Years later, while I was pursuing my Graduation in Media and Communication, I learnt more about Radio. All of Mum’s stories came flooding back, this sense of charm, wonder and nostalgia filled me up and out of a learned love for the medium, I ended up specializing in Radio Production, despite Radio’s apparent imminent demise.
I remember how puzzled my Uncle was, visiting us from the US back in 2014, when I asked him to get me a Shortwave Radio. You see, by then, the age of the internet, India like many other countries, had no more fascination with Shortwave and sets were impossible to come by. Luckily though, he did oblige.
The whole family found it quite quaint really, that this boy in the modern age, was so thrilled by something they had put to sleep years and years ago. I never had the vocabulary then to express how connected to my roots it made me feel. How in whatever small way, it made me a torchbearer of a long tradition of finding joy in something the world around me never could understand. As obtuse as it may sound, it made me feel Anglo-Indian.
I was hooked immediately, and 10 years on, I am still an avid listener. The beauty of Shortwave is that you never know what you’re going to catch when you sit to scan the airwaves. It’s a treasure hunt almost. Most days you find very few new English broadcasters, but every now and then, you come across absolute gems.
The other day while scanning the airwaves, I came across a station broadcasting in English out of the coastal town of Elburg in the Netherlands, Radio Delta International. Brilliant music, hosted beautifully by a gentleman named Aart. As I was sitting there with my sister enjoying the music, we found a way to send them a message via the internet and request a song. Long shot, but hey, what the hell.
Aart replied immediately!
You can’t imagine what It meant to the both of us, firstly to connect with someone so far away, have them respond, then a few minutes later hear our names live on the airwaves and our song played! Is this what it felt like all those years ago?
These days, every time I catch the Voice of America or the BBC World Service, in some inexplicable way, across space and time, I feel connected to Mum. From where I am now in the 2020’s to the porch of that Old Bungalow in 1970’s Deolali that she’d sit out in, across all this distance, we’re both together, scanning the airwaves for sounds more familiar than the ones we’ve had to endure.
I can’t imagine a history of Anglo-Indians in India that doesn’t pay homage to the sense of solidarity that Shortwave granted us and I hope we never forget that.
As long as stations like Radio Delta International exist, manned by people as generous as Aart, there’s hope for us to relive what it once was to be so close yet so far away from a sense of belonging.
52 thoughts on “Shortwave Radio and the Anglo-Indian Sense of Belonging”
Excellent reading young man . So well written. It’s the first time I’ve read a different take on radio importance & well woven into our community. Happy to read about your darling Mum .
Thank you 🙂
An excellent article. I remember I won Rs. 25/- in the Binaca Hit Parade contest. I was at Bilaspur in the year 1978. We could be glued to the radio at 7.30 am on Sundays.
Thanks Bernard!
The BBC World Service presented the news in India at 7.00 pm. Children were impatiently shushed if talking. Radio Ceylon presented the Binaca Hit Parade and an advertisement ” put a Tiger in your tank. Stanvac Mobil oil”. Birthdays were announced and song requests played.
It’s amazing these things we remember, thank you for sharing 🙂
A wonderful article that I can relate to. The same sense of nostalgia came to me last year so I bought a short wave radio but I have not been able to catch any overseas programs which is quite disappointing. I live on the Gold Coast in Australia. The set cost about $120 from Amazon.
Thanks Errol,
Try tuning in after sundown,…you’re likely to get better reception then.
Here’s a website I use to find my favourite stations and when they’re broadcasting:
http://www.short-wave.info/index.php
What radio are you using?
Beautiful article and brilliantly written.
I’m born in the 50s seen 60s, till date and very fond of the Radio, till I went to Boarding School. My fav was Friday’s Date with you. Yes the entire family got together to listen. Great time till the Mobile took over.
Thank you Susan!
Super article.
Brings back
Wonderful memories.
Thank you!
WOW Nikhil , Absolutely Blown away by this Amazing walk down Memory Lane explained so Intricately & Intelligently .( Inspired by the Briiliant & Beautiful Lady … Your Darling Mum , who introduced You to the Joys of Radio that was the essence & Link to the World of Every Anglo Indian Family.) All of Us Gathered together around the Radio to Hear the News,Listen to Music & Take us on a mental Journey around the World. One special Memory is When Apollo Eleven Landed on the Moon. We were all mesmerised & Transported to the Exclusive Event by the Excellent Radio Presenter & could visualise so clearly in our Mind’s Eye when the Astronaut Neil Armstrong took his first step on the Moon.
Such was the magic of Radio.
Thank You For Bringing this to Light & Everything You’re doing to bring Radio active waves to the Forefront that was the Go to of Anglo Indian Glory Days .
Forever Grateful & So Proud of You Nikhil . Keep Progressing in this Quest & Keep Shining ,
Very well done Mate
Thank you so much!!!!
So well written Nikhil. So true every word. Radio Ceylon used to be the highlight of the day. Wish you all the very best in your future endeavours and work. God Bless.
Thank you!
Warmest Congratulations! dear Nikhil.Am so impressed with your work.You now have one more fantastic chapter to add to the book of your life.
Thank you!
Dearest Nikhil, may I be one in a long line of fans to congratulate you on a fantastic article, so beautifully and sensitively written, awakening dormant memories, so close to our hearts and heritage and evoking so much love and pride in family, our resilient Anglo Indian community and a sense of wondrous belonging and connectivity to a wider world at a time before media and telecommunication have shrunk it.
Your darling Mum would be so proud of you, as we all are.
With much love and respect ❤️
Thank you!
Hi Nikhil,
Reading your article filled me with so much nostalgia, too much to record in this comment.
Suffice to tell you that I was a dear friend of your grandparents in Deolali after your grandpa had retired, when I was a very young teacher and taught your Mum Sally and Uncle Eric Jr in 1976-80 in Barnes School. What made your article even more interesting was because I bought the latest Bush transistor Radio with my very first salary, for Indian Rupees 150/-, (a princely sum in those days and half my salary) such was the importance of SW Radio to us, to keep in touch with the news of the outside world, listen to music, and very importantly the cricket commentary!
Thanks for making my day.
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Hello! I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your article! Your choice of words and the clarity of information is outstanding, especially for someone like me, outside the Anglo Indian community. Each point being so well-articulated, made it not only interesting but also an absolutely pleasure to read! Looking forward to many more!
Thank you Merlyn!
Excellent one Nikhil, for one like me, born in the 60s, SW radio was a lifeline. For music, news and ahhh, cricket commentary. Brands like Bush, Murphy, HMV and Pine were highly sought after and discussed like we do on cellphone brands these days
Thanks Marlon, all of these brands have become highely sought-after collector’s items now, but worry not, Shortwave is still alive!
Thank you Nikhil for this brilliant article. You might find it interesting to know that many Goan parents like mine spoke English to their children. So my mother tongue too is English and Konkani which was supposed to be my mother tongue was spoken to our grandparents since they spoke only Konkani.
My dad would listen to BBC world news on radio when he worked in Qatar. And we knew as children the signature tune because after that we had to be silent so that my dad could listen.
So brought back childhood memories.
Such beautiful memories of mum Sally, so precious to you.
Please continue writing.
Thank you for your kind words and encouragement!
Thank you Nikhil for this brilliant article. You might find it interesting to know that many Goan parents like mine spoke English to their children. So my mother tongue too is English and Konkani which was supposed to be my mother tongue was spoken to our grandparents since they spoke only Konkani.
My dad would listen to BBC world news on radio when he worked in Qatar. And we knew as children the signature tune because after that we had to be silent so that my dad could listen.
So brought back childhood memories.
Such beautiful memories of mum Sally, so precious to you.
Please continue writing.
Thank you 🙂
You have a gift Nikhil, and you have captured the essence of what it meant to listen to the radio in days gone by. In saying that, radio today is still very popular and people of all ages tune in to listen not only to the news but also music – modern and olden days, opinions, latest events, health, weather updates, politicians and the list goes on. Radio was heaven sent and I remember my eldest brother rushing hone from church to listen to Binaca Hit Parade.
It’s wonderful that your treasured memories of your mum have played such an important part in your writing. Keep on honouring her, well done Nikhil.
Thank you for your kind words!
Thank you Nikhil for everythingburby.com, how apt. Brought back precious memories of the mid sixties with the Burbys at Sainik School, Trivandrum. Golden days . Radio was big those days. Vijay Corea of Radio Ceylon, Pat Gates, and Phillip Irwin of VOA were outstanding. Would never miss The Breakfast Show with them on VOA, and also Housewives Choice on Radio Ceylon. Awesome. The vinyl collection the Burbys had were a major influence too. I could go on and on about those days with the Burbys. The memories are endless, and the friendship pure, and simple. Thank you once more Nikhil. Promise to read more. God bless you.
Thank you 🙂
Hi Nikhil
Like all your other fans, I am very impressed with your article on shortwave radio.
I too grew up in India and delighted in the Binaca Hit Parade! Used to rush home from Sunday Mass
and glue myself to the radio to listen to it!!
By the way, I am also your long lost 3rd cousin and live in the same town as your Uncle Peter!
I don’t surf the airwaves like you do but I love listening to ABC Radio National in Australia.
Keep writing, you wonderful young man!
My warmest and very best wishes to you.
Thank you Jill 🙂
Congratulations Nikhil on your very well written article featuring on Radio Delta International and their website.
As a child in the sixties in Kharagpur I remember listening to the roar of a tiger on the radio and wondering how on earth it got in there. All-India Radio played a big role in the life of the Redden family in Calcutta well into the eighties. One of its local music anchors was an Anglo-Indian named Grenville Daunt. Radio Ceylon, Voice of America and the BBC were popular as well. Family and social life took a big turn in India with the coming of cable tv in the eighties. But the radio continued albeit with a reduced audience. My mother in law continued with her love of Radio Ceylon till her passing in 2001 in Barnes School, Deolali. I can well imagine your Mum, her family and the radio in the Devlali of the seventies.
Thank you for the trip down Memory Lane. I wish you every success in your future literary endeavours. God Bless!
Thank you 🙂
Dear Nikhil tks for yr article on the AI community so well written brings back many memories of our childhood. All the best for yr future articles
Thank you 🙂
Hi Nikhil
Congratulations on your excellent article, which I thoroughly enjoyed. You have captured and articulated our sentiments exactly, and in some small way brought us all closer together. Super proud of you. I wish you all the very best in your future endeavours and keep on writing. God bless you.
Love
Uncle Peter
Thank you 🙂
Thanks Nikhil for the wonderfully written article. I don’t belong to the Anglo Indian community but English is my language. You have a superb gift. Carry on writing. God bless.
Thank you Rita!
Thank you Nikhil. A very interesting article that too from a nephew of my better half Tina (nee Peters).
We used to listen to radio channels for English music, specially Radio Ceylon. It gave us so much pleasure.
Strange as it might sound when I was training for the Army in IMA, Dehradun, there was a Cadet Fernandes from Sri Lanka (called Ceylon then) training with us. He told me he was a trainee with Radio Ceylon before joining IMA. He told me how that station used to function.
Thanks for kindling fond memories.
Thank you for sharing 🙂
A brilliant article Nikhil,full of good old memories of listening to Radio Ceylon,even if school exams were on,not that I bame my results to that!! Those were the days ,which like many other memories like the telephone, might never return.
Great reading pal,keep up the good work.
Thank you Vinay!
You have an ease and talent with the language Nikhil. Your article is so from the centre of your heart. I love other languages but what does that matter to a guy who so excels in his mother tongue and your English is utterly delightful. Hoping you keep on with this writing. I was also so happy to recognise friends in the comments. Good wishes from me always.
You have an ease and talent with the language Nikhil. Enjoyable read, even if I’m not completely English centric. But like your sweet Mom Sally you have the lightest touch and humor. Shashi Dutta sent me your piece. Its always good to write from the centre of your heart and be real. Kudos.
Thank you!
Nik, your article makes me reminisce about the days when we were dependent on radio to keep abreast with the latest world news. Our old Bush transistor radio served us well.
Before the flickering screens of televisions entered our lives in the mid 80’s, it was radio that ruled the airwaves. The 70s and 80s were a golden age when sound, rather than visuals, connected us to the world. For us, especially those tuned into SW radio, it was the primary source of the latest news music and events from overseas. These channels were more than just broadcasters; they were lifelines to a world beyond our borders. Radio Ceylon VOA and BBC became trusted sources for global news.
One memory etched deeply in my mind is from July 1969. I was a boy of 11 or 12, sitting beside my father, our ears glued to a live broadcast on VOA. The world was holding its breath as Neil Armstrong made history by stepping onto the moon. I can still hear his voice: “One small step for man, a giant leap for mankind.” Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that years later, I would meet Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the lunar surface. Hearing first-hand about the Apollo 11 mission was a surreal experience that bridged the gap between a boy’s awe and an adult’s privilege of witnessing history through someone who lived it.
The radio era was a time when sounds painted vivid pictures in our minds, and voices carried the weight of an entire world. That era may have passed, but its echoes remain, a testament to a simpler yet profoundly impactful time.
Loved your article.