Dignitaries with participants of workshop on Voice Culture and Articulation in Kohima on August 28
Kohima, August 28 (MExN): A two-day workshop on “Voice Culture and Articulation” jointly organised by National Academy of Broadcasting and Multimedia (NABM) Delhi, the apex training institution of India’s Public Service Broadcaster- Prasar Bharati and Akashvani Kohima got underway today at Akashvani Kohima.
The workshop aims to improve the presentation skills, diction, news reading abilities and effective use of intonation among programme announcers comprising of Dialect Presenters, Radio Jockeys and News readers, while promoting clarity, authenticity and professionalism in dialects and language broadcasting.
Head of Office Akashvani Kohima, KK Rengma formally inaugurated the workshop during an inaugural function held at the conference hall of the office of Angami Students Union Kohima. ADG (Training), Prasar Bharati Rehan Ahmad Warsi and DDG & Head of Office, NABM, Delhi, Sunil Bhatia also virtually attended the inaugural session.
In his address, Programme Executive NABM Delhi, Dr. D.K Mazumder stressed the need to preserve the purity and authenticity of dialects broadcast by Akashvani Kohima.
Mazumder said dialects are more than a means of communication, as they carry the history, customs, emotions, worldview and collective identity of communities.
He said dialect announcers have a special responsibility, adding that they are not simply an announcer of Akashvani but are also the custodian of linguistic and cultural heritage.
Highlighting diction, articulation and intonation as three fundamental pillars, Mazumder called for authentic word choices, clear pronunciation and appropriate modulation while presenting programmes on air.
Emphasising that dialects and languages must evolve, he cautioned that increasing linguistic mixing in the age of social media and digital communication should not dilute the essential identity of dialects.
He also emphasised that incorrect pronunciation and careless articulation could gradually distort the original character of a dialect.
Mazumder further said Akashvani Kohima’s dialect broadcasts are an important expression of Nagaland’s linguistic and cultural diversity.
He described dialect announcers as brand ambassadors of Akashvani Kohima, stating that their voice represents not only their respective communities but also the professionalism and credibility of Prasar Bharati.
He urged participants to use the training to improve pronunciation, preserve traditional expressions and consult elders, scholars and eloquent native speakers to build linguistic resources for future generations.
He also reminded the participants that while broadcasting technology and platforms may continue to change, the responsibility of public service broadcasting to preserve, inform, educate and connect society remains unchanged.
Mazumder expressed confidence that the training programme will sharpen the professional skills of the announcers, deepen their understanding of dialect purity and contribute towards broadcasting excellence.
Head of Programme (HoP) Akashvani Kohima, Ella Kayina said a similar workshop was organised 25 years ago in 2001 at Akashvani Kohima, in collaboration with the NABM, then known as the Regional Training Institute.
She said organising such a workshop is particularly significant for Akashvani Kohima, which broadcasts the highest number of dialect programmes in India.
The HoP said announcers, radio jockeys, news readers and presenters are the voice of Akashvani Kohima and serve as an important link between information and listeners.
Kayina expressed hope that the training would enrich the participants and contribute towards taking Akashvani Kohima’s broadcasting to a higher level.
Dialect experts from tribal literature boards are participating in the workshops as resource persons for programmes in 15 dialects.
