An eeriely familiar tune starts playing on the harmonium in true rustic style every morning at 9:00, as I near my office. And then the tune dies down to random comments in the back ground, expounded in thick north Indian accents. And then the growl....GROWFFF...Babbarrr Sher (pronounce ’Share’).
Oh yeah, this is the most psychadelic 3 minutes on FM radio in Mumbai (dunno if it airs elsewhere in the country). A concept so ludicrous I congratulate Radio City for passing it on and letting it air, for it is truly outstanding entertainment.
In simple terms, it is just a guy (a different one everyday) who recites a ’SHER’ (kind of a short verse, for the uninitiated). The SHER, needless to say is hilarious to the point of making giggling babies out of formally dressed corporate executives sitting cooly in their cars, as one pans a view at any traffic signal at the time. The humor, is simplistic, and effective. Sample this :
’’ Mein Chahata Hoon, Aaap Hurdum Muskurate Rahe...
Mein Chahata Hoon--Aaap Hurdum Muskurate Rahe...
(almost apologetically said): Mera kya jata hai..log aap hi ko pagal kahenge....’’
(Pardon me for not translating for all those who cannot follow hindi, but translation would be superfluous)
And then the background voices reak out ito wah wahs galore, as the harmonium starts playing again, a bhopu goes off, and general pandemonium rules. The ambience generated is really something else..and all this on radio!!
Again, outstanding work, Radio City. Kudos!
I suggest all you guys in Mumbai (and elsewhere in the country too?) tune into Radio City at 9:00 a.m. for a first hand account..
And do temme what you think! Happy listening!
Growffff
Cheers