Rishi Gulati
Mintu Brar
Gagan Hans
Dalvir Halwarvi
Gajjanwala Sukhminder
Amrik Singh Phalora
Dr. Paramvir Singh
Displaying items by tag: 2007
Friday, 18 June 2010 16:59
Background
Harman Radio was established in June 2005, in Sydney by Amandeep Singh Sidhu, a successful farmer and an entrepreneur. It is named after his eldest son Harmandeep and name suits channel's popularity as well.
Amandeep was voluntarily running first and only weekly Punjabi program in rural region of Coffs Harbour (NSW), famous as Woolgoolga, the village of first Punjabi/Indian settlement in Australia. The program was a huge success in distributing information, entertainment and running community programs.
Since year 2000 Australia is experiencing a huge migration boom from Indian subcontinent especially from Punjab. The streets of big cities like Melbourne and Sydney never seen a big number of Indian youth ever before. For the large population of Indians in foreign land there was a need of community based radio channel. Amandeep tried his best to convert this need into an opportunity to serve the community and mother tongue . He started working on this bigger goal.
There was 3 stage plan to start 24 hour broadcasting in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. There were number of limitations at first stage. The biggest was lack of spectrum availability in major city for specific language broadcasting(and it still is). After lot of research, side band of FM channel was chosen which is more commonly known as 'chip radio' in Canada and subscription model was chosen. Teams were formed which took various responsibilities such as studio building, instrumentation, quality control, advisory, etc. Program structure and content was discussed and planned. The first 24 hour test broadcast covering Sydney was conducted on 3rd July 2006. The official live launch was on 29th September, 2006. Programs improved day by day and more concepts were launched.
Amandeep was voluntarily running first and only weekly Punjabi program in rural region of Coffs Harbour (NSW), famous as Woolgoolga, the village of first Punjabi/Indian settlement in Australia. The program was a huge success in distributing information, entertainment and running community programs.
Since year 2000 Australia is experiencing a huge migration boom from Indian subcontinent especially from Punjab. The streets of big cities like Melbourne and Sydney never seen a big number of Indian youth ever before. For the large population of Indians in foreign land there was a need of community based radio channel. Amandeep tried his best to convert this need into an opportunity to serve the community and mother tongue . He started working on this bigger goal.
There was 3 stage plan to start 24 hour broadcasting in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. There were number of limitations at first stage. The biggest was lack of spectrum availability in major city for specific language broadcasting(and it still is). After lot of research, side band of FM channel was chosen which is more commonly known as 'chip radio' in Canada and subscription model was chosen. Teams were formed which took various responsibilities such as studio building, instrumentation, quality control, advisory, etc. Program structure and content was discussed and planned. The first 24 hour test broadcast covering Sydney was conducted on 3rd July 2006. The official live launch was on 29th September, 2006. Programs improved day by day and more concepts were launched.
Programme Bouquet
Harman Radio was the channel which exclusively targeted Indian audiences for 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Having studio and corporate office in Sydney, studios in Melbourne and Muktsar (Punjab), we broadcasted all across Sydney and Melbourne in Punjabi and Hindi. We also feel proud for being the first ever to live broadcast of Sports, Cultural and Religious activities of Indian origin in Australia. Being pioneers within the industry, we also contributed to the Indian community businesses by promoting their products and services on our Radio.
Harman Radio was the channel which exclusively targeted Indian audiences for 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Having studio and corporate office in Sydney, studios in Melbourne and Muktsar (Punjab), we broadcasted all across Sydney and Melbourne in Punjabi and Hindi. We also feel proud for being the first ever to live broadcast of Sports, Cultural and Religious activities of Indian origin in Australia. Being pioneers within the industry, we also contributed to the Indian community businesses by promoting their products and services on our Radio.
Day at Harman Radio would start with Gurbani at 4 am with Asa Di Vaar, followed by morning Gurbani, Shabad Kirtan and Katha till 8 am. 8.00 to 9.00am was Bhajan followed by the morning program which includes live news from Australia and India, Traffic, Weather, requests, etc. During day, theme based programs such as "Apni Saanjh" based on northern India's History, Literature and Poetry, "Heer Majajan" based on Punjabi Boliyan, "Matinee Masala" based on Bollywood Commentaries and Stories, etc were very popular.
Time from 3.00 to 5:00pm was set for afternoon programs with different themes everyday. At five, the live news bulletin was much anticipated by the listeners. 5:30 to 7:00pm was the most listened time slot in which we had evening Gurbani program which included Rehras Shabads, Dharmik Geet, Viakhia, Hukamnama Sahib and Religious announcements. Following Live news were evening Programs which included "Mix it Up" for youth, Bollywood mix, Deson Pardes, Patari, etc. Talk back programs such as "Baatan te Bhujartaan", Current affairs during weekdays, Fulwari on Sunday morning, Gupp Shupp, etc. "Khed Tarag" sports program were designed to give voice to community and were very successful.
Repeat programs from weekdays were also played during the weekends.
People joined in for their presentations. Harman radio provide a platform for Local Australian Punjabi youth to show their talent and capability as presenters, newsreader and in technical support. Extensive training was provided by experienced presenters of Harman radio to new presenters willing to contribute for community and our language. Harman Radio also set a stage for intellectual people in community to share their wisdom and knowledge with audience. Harman Radio also conducted live interviews of famous Punjabi and Hindi singers, writers, religious and political leaders from India, Pakistan and around the world visiting Australia.
Car radios and online listening was added in January, 2006 along with interactive website(www.harmanradio.com). Melbourne was connected in mid 2006. Subscribers grew to more than 600 in Sydney and 350 in Melbourne by end of 2006.
Unfortunately, Amandeep Singh Sidhu(Director of Harman Radio) announced suspension of its operation during "Lalkaar 2007"due to sudden and severe family problem. The decision was made after consultation with the advisory committee. At the time of suspension, three staff and 80 volunteers were actively participating, presenting and helping day to day procedures of broadcasting.
Harman Radio is now back with its originality and is planned to be launched Australia wide in October this year.
Community Contribution
Advertisements and sponsors used Harman Radio to promote their product and reasonable cost. Announcements for non-profit organizations were broadcasted free of cost. Harman Radio's. live coverage of community events was in full demand such as annual Sikh Games, Kabaddi tournaments, Seminars, Lectures, Katha and Kirtan from Gurdwaras, Nagar Kirtans, Fairs, etc. Production studio at Harman Radio was used to produce high quality audio tracks for various groups, performers and actors participating in community functions.
Stage Productions
Harman radio was also producing meaningful scripts and performances for the different cultural groups on the different stages of Sydney, Melbourne and Griffith. All stage performances produced and directed by Harman Radio are highly appreciated. These performances included the comic scripts " Bhayia Kuttiya 1 and 2",based on racism in India and other parts of the world. Also there were performances like “Talwaar Punjabi” based on ‘Gatka’ the Martial art of Punjab. Harman Radio was also involved in producing sound tracks and technical support to such events. Harman Radio art team produced these popular items for other Punjabi cultural organizations in Australia. Introduction of Malwai Giddha at Griffith function organized by team itself with help of Melbourne team.
"Lalkaar 2007", play dedicated to 100th birth anniversary of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, played at Riverside Theatre, Paramatta(Sydney). The presentation of stage play based on the last days of Bhagat Singh. It was considered as a landmark achievement on Australian Punjabi Culture scene.
In 2009, Harman Radio founded Wirasat Inc. Wirasat has supported the games committee in the events and conducted first “Australian Bhangra Championships” where teams of boys and girls from very state of Australia participate in this competition. Art team of Harman Radio presented “Lalkaar 2009” dedicated to the martyrs of Sikh History. Stage play “Sikhi Siddak” was specially produced for the purpose of Sikh Games. We are getting huge demands to present this play in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and New Zealand.
In Dec. 2009 the enthustic team of Harman Radio under Wirasat Inc. Australia worked together to make success story of Live in concerts of Satinder Sartaaj’s in Australia.
By Gagan Hans
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