Robin Bhuyan (Editor)
Naba Sharma – Enigmatic Horizon Staff (Staff Reporter)
Among the listeners of All India Radio Guwahati, Nilu Chakravarty is quite a popular name. Along with being a popular radio personality, he was also an actor and an assistant director. Enigmatic Horizon recently had a conversation with him, regarding his life and his career. Let us take a look at it.
EH: First of all, tell us how did you make your entry into the world of radio?
NC: During my early days, I was employed in the Public Relations Department of the Assam Government. During this time, I was quite interested in drama. I was invited by the in-charge of the drama section of All India Radio Guwahati – Shillong – Narayan Bezbaruah, who invited to me take part in radio plays. I decided to take up the opportunity and occasionally, I did radio plays. After three years, they were quite impressed with my work, and they decided to give me a permanent job in All India Radio.
EH: During your entire career, how many radio plays have you produced in total?
NC: During my entire career, I had produced as well as acted in around 20,000 plays, ranging from short 1 minute plays to 30 minute plays.
EH: How many radio stations have you worked in during your career? Could you name some of them?
NC: During my career, I had worked in All India Radio Guwahati, All India Radio Jorhat, as well as All India Radio Dibrugarh. I took my retirement from All India Radio Guwahati in the year 2000.
EH: How many plays have you acted in during your entire career?
NC: During my career, I have acted in several movies of the Assamese industry. One of them include Bibhrat, where I not just played one of the characters, but also served as the assistant director. I had also acted in several films such as Kazirangar Kahini, Srimati Mahimamayi, Adalat, as well as other films such as Agnisnaan, Itihaas and Horu Buwari, which were directed by Bhabendranath Saikia, renowned filmmaker.
EH: Can you name some of the well-known actors alongside whom you had acted in radio or cinema?
NC: Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha, Natasurya Phani Sharma, Lakshadhar Chowdhury, Bhupen Hazarika, Satyaprasad Baruah, Ishaan Baruah, Sarveshwar Chakraborty, Amarjyoti Choudhury, Girish Choudhury are some of the respected personalities amongside whom I had acted with. The voice and dialogue delivery of Bishnu Rabha were incomparable, and can be considered as among the best in the industry.
EH: In your opinion, what do you think is the reason behind the decline in radio listeners today, as compared to a few decades ago?
NC: Yes, radio used to be quite popular at one time. However, with the rise of more and more television channels, smartphones, internet etc. the popularity of radio faded away over time. However, recently, in order to revive the interest of the people, All India Radio is trying to include newer and contemporary programs, hoping that it will attract more listeners. This is why I feel that the lost interest in radio programs can be seen to be reviving again among the people.
EH: In your opinion, what is the main difference between radio dramas and other kinds of dramas?
NC: When it comes to radio dramas, you need to attract and impress the listeners using just your voice. So one’s voice plays a very important role. This is a bit difficult compared to other kinds of plays, as there, your makeup, costume design as well as facial expressions also play a role.
