AN INTERVIEW WITH SHRI. R. SUDARSAN IN AN ICONIC TAMIL JOURNAL ‘KALKI’, DATED 27.8.17
Interviewer:Smt. G. Meenakshi, Photography: Shri. Prem Shankar
The Prime Minister broadcasts to the nation every month on All India Radio and this address which is in Hindi is being translated into all the regional languages for the benefit of listeners of non Hindi speaking citizens and those who listen to the Prime Minister’s address would be amazed, I am sure The reason is that it makes every Tamil feel as if the Prime Minister himself is addressing the audience in Tamils The man behind this magic is Programme Executive of All India Radio, Shri. Ramaswamy Sudarsans. Shri. Sudarsan who has been working in All India Radio for more than 28 years has a bountiful voices If we were to close our eyes and listen to his voice, it would lead one to believe that the Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi himself is talking in Tamils And we happened to meet the man whose voice has touched the hearts of Tamils ‘’As far as All India Radio is concerned, it is important that all those employed here need to know about all the fields of broadcasting And All India Radio provides a sound platform for this. I can present any programme and modulate my voice based on its specific requirements. For instance, if the programme demands presenting about nature, then one would have to describe the scenes and setting of the script in a pleasant manners If I am required to present news, there is no scope of any emotion or feeling at all. My experience is my Gurus And the voice is the boon of the Divines For some 15 years, I have been translating and presenting the addresses to the Nation of various Presidents, Governors and now the Prime Ministers Generally, the President addresses the nation on the eve of Republic Day and Independence Days And the Governor addresses the people on the occasion of Republic Day and Flag Days It is not a general practice to translate and present the Republic Day Address of the Prime Ministers However, after Shri. Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, since the year 2014, we have been translating and presenting the address of the Prime Minister too. The very thought that I am lending my voice to a patriot Modiji is itself a great inspiration’’, expressed Sudarsan with great happiness and satisfactions. Sudarsan is well versed in all the three languages of Tamil, Hindi and English. He has translated a lot of books in all the above languages Soon after the broadcast of the Prime Minister’s address to the nation every month end, the regional versions follow and the audio and script are uploaded on to the Mann ki Baath website and that of the PMOs If one were to dial 1922 on our mobiles, we can listen to the address in the regional language we wish to listens
Well, what is the background of this?
‘’Soon after the address of the Prime Minister is recorded, the transcription in Hindi is dispatched to all the Regional Stations. Not all can lay their hands on this embargoed scripts Only those who are empowered to view it can download its As soon as the script arrives, I go through it and immediately begin translating and typing it on my laptop simultaneously. Then I would cross check with my Hindi announcer, subsequently record it and send the same to Delhi” described Sudarsans When quizzed as to what is the reason for your voice sounding like Modiji, he just smiled. ‘’In other regional translations, one person translates and another lends his voice, probably. However in AIR, Chennai I do both the tasks. That’s why the Prime Minister’s address seems as if the Prime Minister himself is speaking in Tamils I am pretty aware of the fact, where the Prime Minister would raise his voice and tempo, where he would pause, thus I would reflect his intricate modulations. In Ramayana, service to Lord Rama was rendered by a humble squirrel; similarly I consider myself just a small humble instrument in taking home to the people, the thoughts of the Prime Minister’’, says Sudarsan, who had translated and presented in Tamil, the Farewell speech of Hon’ble President of India Shri. Pranab Mukherjee too.
Has the Prime Minister ever appreciated your voice?
“Prime Minister in one of his address had stated, ‘I have listened to some in the regional languages who are speaking like me. I am surprised that there are such artists in Akashvani, my appreciation to all of them’. I do not know whether he meant me, there could me many others whom he could have meant. However, I take those words of the Prime Minister as an appreciation for me’’, smiles Sudarsan with warmth and happiness.
Few letters, which are reactions to the Regional version in Tamil, Manadhin Kural, of PM's Mann ki Baat. These appreciation letters show how much listening the radio get during Mann ki Baat and also for the regional version.
I listened to the Address of the Prime Minister broadcast from your staton. I was astonished at the Tamil translation of the speech. The prowess of the presenter is praiseworthy. It continued to evoke a feel in me, as if the Prime Minister himself presented it in Tamil. Besides, the translation was splendid – a mellifluous usage of Tamil language and it filled my ears with nectar. The same would apply if both the translator and the presenter are one and the same. In recognition of the marvelous work performed by the person, I am herewith enclosing a cheque of Rs.300/- (Rupees Three Hundred only) as a humble token of my love. I would be pleased if you could inform me of the name of the person.
Thanking you,
With love,
Sd/-
Dr. K. RAJAN
The Tamil version of the Prime Minister’s address broadcast today afternoon was very emotional. I truly feel that Ramaswamy Sudarsan should be given Presidential Award for his excellent contribution. He has very keenly observed the address and his performance is truly praiseworthy. Where the Prime Minister raises his pitch and where he would jest and where the Prime Minister fumbled have all been perfectly and beautifully reflected in the Tamil version. May my love and appreciation go to him.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
Sd/-
Padmavasan, Kottivakkam, Chennai.
Contributed by :- Shri. H S Ganesh, Pex, Social Media, AIR, Chennai.
airchennai@gmail.com