You have the ideas, the talent and the intent to share them with a lot of people. How do you do it? Television is one such option, but another medium that reaches many is the radio.
With the popularity of commercial radio stations going up in recent years, so has the demand and interest in Radio Jockeying, or in short RJ-ing. BIG FM recently launched the Little RJ Hunt 2011, a platform to identify young RJs and give them an opportunity to do a programme on air. After several rounds that tested the spontaneity and knowledge and general awareness of the children about the city, 20 were shortlisted, out of which five were chosen to take part in the finals held at Express Avenue recently.
A big crowd
The finals coincided with the audio launch of the Dhanush-starrer “3”, and hence saw the presence of the lead actor, his wife and director Aishwaryaa, co-star Shruti Hassan and music director Anirudh Ravichander. The huge crowd gathered at the venue, served to test the confidence levels of the young finalists and their ability to perform under pressure. And they sure did.
Judged by BIG FM's RJs Balaji, Muthu and Ophelia, and the audience, the finale saw Lakshmi Priya, a Std. X student of Our Lady's H.S. School, Thiruvotriyur, emerge the winner. Divya Prabha, a Std. IX student of Adarsh Vidyalaya came second, while Yuvraj came third. All three of them won an opportunity to co-host shows on air.
Lakshmi Priya, Std. X, Our Lady's H.S. School, Thiruvotriyur: I listen to the radio a lot and have always wanted to become an RJ. I heard about the contest on air and immediately participated. The modulation and confidence came naturally to me. This is what, I think, helped me win the RJ hunt.
I got to co-host the show BIG Vanakkam with Muthu. It was a different experience as I had been used to the television only. While on the television you address everybody, on the radio you have to create the feel of addressing only one person because it's a very personal medium. Hence you have to talk briefly and comprehensibly. I had a great time recording it.
Divya Prabha, Std. IX, Adarsh Vidyalaya: Knowing my ability to talk fluently in Tamil, it was my school teacher who suggested that I take part in the RJ hunt. In the preliminary round I had to speak for and against the need for schools. Then on, it was straight to the finals where we were asked to talk about actor Dhanush. I really like him, so it was easy for me to do it. I wasn't scared at all of speaking before a huge crowd.
I have taken part in many debates in school and so it was easy for me. The only thing I was very scared of was my exams the next day. The show that I did with BIG FM's Balaji was fun.
