She is 30 years old, married with a three year old kid, but those who have heard RJ Archana on Big FM Hyderabad may not connect any of this to the bubbly, young voice that loves to talk of a myriad things on air.
Archana loves hanging around at Necklace Road in the city of the Char Minar, and also loves to spend time with her family at some peaceful place. Radioandmusic.com's Aaishwari Chouhan engages the talented RJ Archana in conversation.

Excerpts:

You did your graduation along with a four years certificate course in music. What were your career options when you studied music?

Right from childhood, I had a passion for cultural activities, be it music or dance. My parents were extremely supportive and let me study music full-fledged for four years, along with B Com in correspondence. While I studied, I sang for All India Radio and for a few private albums at my studio. I never thought I wanted to be a musican or a singer or anything specific. My only goal was to be a part of the cultural field and do something in music.

You cleared your company secretary (CS) exams in the first attempt. Then why did you take up RJing?

I would have got any corporate job had I studied further. But then I gave importance and priority to music in my life and so, I am where I am today. No regrets!

How does your experience at AIR help you now?

With AIR, I got the chance to enter the radio sector in 1998. Earlier, RJing on radio was termed as compering. I did Yuva Vani - the English programme on AIR. On the technical end, AIR has an altogether different system than Big. The console and everything I use at Big is so different that there is absolutely no comparison on this end.

Your show Shubharambham won you the 'Best RJ' title from the Rotary Club of Secundrabad. What was so special about the show?

Well, instead of picking up stuff that people already are aware of, I pick up those unusual things from the devotional end that are interesting and knowledgeable. I do a lot of research, read a lot of books and pick up stuff that is not spoken about earlier and engage the listeners.

With Shubharambham, I try to be as different as I can and that's special about my show.

Where does a RJ head to once s/he is the best at his job?

The RJ can head to become a producer, programming head etc. within the radio station. But any RJ can be the best only after s/he has truly satisfied his/her listeners and given them stuff that they wanted.

What is the difference between the other RJs and you?

I can modulate my voice very well. I change my voice as according to the format of the show. I have voiced for all the Telugu ads on Big Hyderabad. My assets are my voice and perfection in language. And I think this is what makes me different from the other RJs.

Who according to you makes a successful RJ?

When the RJ has researched enough on his listeners' likes and dislikes, their interests and demands and satisfies the listeners completely - only then does s/he become successful! And that's the only success mantra for any RJ.

Does hosting prime time shows matter to you?

People listen to slots that don't fall in the prime time too. We need to break the perception that only prime time slots have bulk listeners. So it doesn't really affect me to host a show at any time of the day.

Should RJs be regulated for what they speak over the radio?

Of course they should be because people now tend to admire and follow what the RJs speak. So everything that a RJ talks on air makes a huge difference to his listeners and the RJs shouldn't forget this and hence, I think regulation to an extent is mandatory.

Anyone you take as your mentor or guru?

I would say everyone in my team here is my guru. But I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to my parents because without their support, I wouldn't have been here today.