05-07-2025
Enjoyable unpredictability
'Why do you still listen to the radio,' asked a friend, when you can tune into playlists and podcasts available. It is almost like, you name it, and we have it. At the snap of a finger, music is available on demand.
That question really made me think and what I probably like about radio is the unpredictable nature of it. You never know which song will play next and that anticipation is indeed a pleasure. I still remember the good old days of the 1980s, much before TV came into our lives. My grandfather used to play radio mostly for film music, and All India Radio, Kozhikode did a good job of mixing new releases as well as reminding us of the black & white era songs. The only other source of listening to a song was by standing outside Lakshmi Talkies, which fortunately had no soundproofing then and standing at the gates one could clearly listen to the movie dialogues as well as the songs. Of course, there were vinyl records and cassette players, but you buy only a select few for your collection.
Same holds true when TV was introduced in the mid-1980s in Kerala. Which Hindi movie they would screen on a Sunday evening was something we looked forward to. There was also a regional movie slot on Doordarshan and one would wait as to which language and culture to listen and watch. Will I have Jabbar Patel's Marathi or Girish Kasaravalli's Kannada movie? Or will they pick my home language Malayalam this week. That anticipation was a source of joy for the 12-year-old in me. Then came Chitrahaar, Chitramala and the joy was waiting in anticipation of which song is next. Will they play my favourite Amitabh Bachchan song or take me to the K.L. Saigal days.
Fast-forward 2025 and we live in a much predictable world.
We want the food items delivered in 15 minutes, we decide which movie to watch on streaming platforms, playlists are organised based on artist and singer.
But then if you look around closely, what keeps you engaged in the information age is the unpredictable nature of it!
Who will win this match? Will it be Gukesh or Carlsen?
Where is this movie heading? What will the climax be? Is there a surprise waiting for us?
I have worked hard for the exam. But how will the question paper be? What grade and marks will I get?
Will I reach the airport on time for the flight?
Can I learn this musical instrument? Will I be able to master it?
I could go on and on. The point is this: while we have made many things predictable for a convenient life, you will always derive pleasure from the unpredictable nature of it.
So, what are you waiting for, go switch on the radio and you never know, your favourite genre is probably playing there.
