Hyderabad
Numaish means the same to everybody. It’s a place full of life, full of fun, and lots to eat. From the inviting aromas of kebabs to time-tested chat shops to popcorn, candy, stalls from different states – it’s an experience that one wants to enjoy year after year.
In fact, many love the fact that it is all the same so that they can come back to the same nostalgic experience year after year. And one thing that one cannot miss is the songs that are played in the background. Starting at 5 pm with a prayer song, the songs are played throughout the evening till the last light is switched off. And the last song for years has been, Chalte chalte..koi mil gaya tha... from Pakeezah. It’s also a hint to the shopkeepers that the day is over.
The exhibition’s radio station is a huge draw for people who come shopping and to enjoy the mood. Songs of Lata Mangeshkar, Mohd Rafi, Manna Dey, Kishore Kumar keep floating through the air as people bargain with the shopkeepers. And the man behind this beautiful collection is Ajay Kumar Jaiswal who manages the radio station carefully picked from his collections of thousands of songs.
And Ajay Kumar happens to be the third-generation person from his family to be associated with the radio station. He says at least half a dozen songs of Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar are played at the radio station every day. People love them and sometimes they go to the radio station to make requests. Mostly those above 50 thoroughly enjoy the music.
The radio station is managed by a few announcers and other support staff. It also airs short commercials apart from making announcements about lost children so their parents can track them.