Lost Waves: Tracing the History of Radio Licensing and Its Impact on Society

Ghulam Mohammed Ansari

Everyone needs some license in their life. Then whether it is a matter of driving license, a matter of shop license or a matter of obtaining a license from the concerned government or department for a specific item or product. A man has to get a license sometimes.

If we talk about entertainment resources today, it can be seen that its world has become very wide and is getting wider and wider. Today we are not only sitting at home but also enjoying entertainment from all over the world while walking and waking up. We are surrounded by a plethora of modern resources. A small example of which is that if a mobile phone is taken away from our life today, we may not only be restless for a while but it seems as if a part of our body is missing! Unknowingly, with such resources, it is the culmination of our emotions.

But there was a time when entertainment was a limited resource. While on the one hand, people started to be entertained by storytelling, on the other hand, singing and dancing on the occasion of marriage or any other occasion attracted his heart. Similarly, some people would sit around the narrator and enjoy the stories told in his particular style. Then whether it is ghost stories, "Udan Khatola" or Alif Laila's series of stories, or the program of singing "Kajri" in the moonlit night in the village. Such programs provided great opportunities for the mental entertainment of a tired person. The stories of Dadi and Nani Amma also fall into this category.

Similarly, the distant visit of Qawwalis can also be seen. It used to be that if it was heard from somewhere that there was a Qawwali program at such and such a place, then the whole neighbourhood would come out to listen to Qawwali. Not only that, but a large number of people would come from the suburbs as well.

At the same time, where people started going to watch movies in the cinema hall, the radio also had its grip on the public life. In today's times radio, FM or television have specific timetables but they can be watched and listened again with the help of internet and modern resources. They can be recorded but it was not like that at that time.

Radio news and his songs used to have a specific time. "Hawa Mahal" program also had its own craze. At 9 o'clock in the night from every house (or the houses that had radios) the special music of "Hawa Mahal" program started playing which was its distinctive feature. And everyone would realize that now "Hawa Mahal" is going to start. It will not be an exaggeration if it is said that through "Hawa Mahal" there was an opportunity to understand life closely!

Similarly, among other radio programs, Ameen Sayani's unique voice cannot be forgotten. Rather, if it is said that he was Muhammad Rafi of Radio, then it may not be wrong!

Among all these things, radio had its own importance. Today, we buy radios, televisions and mobile phones from shops, but we do not need any license for this. But today, very few people know that at one time, that is, forty, forty-five years ago, along with buying a radio, one had to go to a post office to get a license for the radio.

Whereas the fact is that a license book was issued after submitting the receipt for the purchase of the radio to the post office. On which "Radio/Television License" was printed. The top of the sheet showed a radio tower and a circle of small and large radio beams. Interestingly, this license was issued by "INDIAN POST AND TELEGRAPH" and the logo of this institution was also printed on the lower left side of the cover. Which was a proof of his subordination in a circle.

When we come to the first page of this license book, we find a line in bold in parentheses in Hindi and English to this effect. On which (ISSUED UNDER THE INDIAN TELEGRAPH ACT 1885) was written. The details can then be viewed. So the registration number was issued by the post office. As can be seen on this page 6693 is written as registration number. This is a license taken by my father at the time for two band radio. After that the full name of the person in whose name the radio was purchased was written as Name and address of licensee and after that the address of the licensee with pin code was entered.

In those days there were two-band or three-band radios. After all, our father had a two-band radio. So, with that description, what company does the radio belong to? It was also written on the same page. We had a Murphy company radio. After Dad's initial details you can see "Murphy" written on this page as the name of the radio's company. The matter does not end here. It is a surprise when our eyes stop at the Chassis No. of the radio.

Today, when we buy vehicles from the showroom, the vehicle's Cheches number is recorded on the vehicle receipt itself, which is an important and unique number for each vehicle. So, on this page 172611 can be seen written as the Cheches number of the radio. Importantly, Cheches number is a number that plays an important role in locating a vehicle after it is lost or stolen. It is not difficult to imagine how important radio was in those days!

The stamp of the respective post office can be seen on the same page. Which is recorded on this page as AHMEDABAD RAKHIYAL. Postmaster's signature and “Issue Date” can then be viewed to indicate when it was issued.

Then when we come to the second page of this license book or booklet, it can be seen here that a special post office stamp was used as an annual fee to keep the radio going. Hence a post office ticket of Rs.15+2=17 has been affixed and stamped by the concerned post office on payment of annual fee by the licensee and as date 27-3-78 is written in blue pen.

If we compare that era with today's economic conditions and inflation in the country, seventeen rupees in 1978 was a lot!

As far as post office stamps are concerned, it can be said that the Indian post office has the distinction of issuing coloured stamps with unique designs and images till date.

As with stamp duty tickets, these tickets were meant to be affixed to radio license books, just like ordinary envelope stamps. These tickets used to have the price ie B.R.L.FEE meaning radio license fee printed on them and in a special font "Bharat" in Hindi and "India" in English were written at appropriate places.

Two tickets of Rs 7-50 show a mother of a big house with her children enjoying the radio which is kept in a special cabinet. The beauty of this picture is that everyone's faces are curiously focused in the direction of the sound coming from the radio! The Post Office is to be commended for its selection of images for the seriousness it felt under radio. However, this picture also portrays the customs and mood of the time. Also, the two rupee ticket has the symbol of "Akash Vani" which represents its popularity. Another ticket features a mic used to record on the radio along with drums, sitar, guitar and other musical instruments.

This license booklet consists of 16 pages. Obviously, if you take a license for something, you have to abide by its constitution and rules. In this license book 13 terms and conditions of total rules and regulations are listed first in Hindi and later in English. If we look at the first condition, it is very surprising that this can happen. Today we are going through the noise of DJ. In such a case, the interesting thing about the first rule of playing radio is that it can be used only for residential place or home. But a place that is home and a part of it is being used for business, radio cannot be played in that place!

In the second condition, it is made clear that it will be mandatory to show the license at the request of the concerned officer. "This license must be produced for inspection on demand by any officer authorized by the Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs." After which it has been made mandatory to refer to the post office for amendments and additions regarding the license. Not only this, but if you change the address written on the license, you will have to approach the concerned officer with strong proofs. Conditions number three and four also revolve around these rules.

As far as terms are concerned. The fifth condition is also very interesting. Under this fifth condition, the date of expiry of the license of the radio license holder under the INDIAN POST AND TELEGRAPH ACT 1885 has been fixed on December 31 of every year and the license has to be renewed by the last date of the next month i.e. January. It means that to keep the radio going, it has to be paid annually. Otherwise, "The possession of a wireless receiving apparatus without a valid license is also a punishable offense under the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933".

The sixth condition is also very interesting. Under this, if the electrical source i.e. the radio breaks down during its annual life or the radio becomes unplayable. In these circumstances it must be immediately referred to the concerned office along with the radio to reject it! Like today, we sell even a good TV for free without asking anyone. That was not the case at all.

The seventh condition is also strict. The radio can be used only at the specified address and on the death of the "licensee" the name of the "licensee" will continue till the end of the license. Later, after his family proves his relationship with the "licensee", the radio license will be issued in his name.

Now comes the eighth rule. Under this clause, if this "equipment" is sold to anyone, a petition in this regard has to be given to the concerned office. And this license can be issued in the name of another person only after submitting the application based on the consent of the parties.

The ninth point emphasizes the safety of the radio and, according to the conditions of the time, emphasizes that if there is a live wire or similar wire passing through and there is a danger of the wire falling on the "equipment". So, in any case, the responsibility of protecting this equipment will be on the "License Holder".

As a tenth condition, it is stipulated that the licensee shall not misuse any material broadcast over the radio. And similarly, the eleventh condition has also been placed that any content or message broadcasted by radio cannot be published in any press.

The twelfth condition also lays down its principle in relation to copyright. However, rules have also been set regarding noise.

The thirteenth and last condition is also interesting which states that "These sets have been licensed at a concessional rate so that the set will be used only for programs broadcast by "Akash Vani" stations."

In addition to this, some more instructions have been published in the same booklet, according to which annual tax must be paid on radio or television set even when it is switched off. Moreover, you should note the license number in another diary so that if the license book is lost, a new license book can be re-issued from this number. Moreover, you should pay your "tax" within the time limit so that the post office does not face any problem.

The last page also deals with the license and insists on renewing the license. However, a rate has been published whereby if the "licensee" pays the fees for three years at once, four years at once or five years at once, then the benefit is directly half of the amount as per the table. That is, if the total fee for three years is 42 rupees, then only 21 rupees will have to be paid for one installment. And in this way, the concerned institution has also taken care of itself and a common man in this era, if it is said, it will not be wrong.

Time passed and over the years such licenses were withdrawn from two bands and later such licenses were discontinued altogether. Because the age of advertising had arrived. So the sources of income of "Akash Vani" had now expanded. I still remember that I always used to go to the post office in Rakhiyal area of Ahmedabad to fill up the annuity with my father. I have kept this license book in my storage ever since and all these updates are based on this saved book.

However, modern technology and resources have reduced the importance of radio but 'Akash Vani' or All India Radio continues to broadcast. Along with this, FM has tried to add freshness to it and it would not be an exaggeration if it is said that Narendra Modi is the first Prime Minister of India who has re-popularized radio and 'Akash Vani' with the masses through the program 'Mann Ki Baat'.

When BBC Radio was completely shut down a few years ago. The continuation of "Akash Vani" is a historical example in itself. I still listen to the radio but on mobile, Murphy Radio is gone, I am very sad to see that many of the "Akash Vani" programs don't get the same advertisement they used to. And often during the commercial breaks, the work is done only by playing music!!

….. Author is Assistant Editor : “Asasa”  an Urdu Quarterly, Ahmedabad. He can be mailed at : gulamansari1948@gmail.com