Radio Sarang 107.8 is the first FM Radio channel in coastal Karnataka is a campus-based community radio, which has been an innovative communication tool for education, information and social empowerment ensured to the immediate neighbours of Aloysius College, Mangaluru.
Radio Sarang Website:
https://www.radiosarang.com
Radio Sarang 107.8 FM is came into existence in the year 2009 under the leadership of Rector, Rev. Fr Joseph Rodrigues, SJ and Principal, Rev. Fr Swebert D'Silva, SJ. It was inaugurated on 23rd September 2009 by the Hon’ble Governor of Karnataka, Sri Hamsaraj Bharadhwaj. Most Rt Rev. Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore Diocese, Sri Nalin Kumar Kateel, M.P. and Sri U.T. Khader, MLA of Ullal Constituency were present for the programme.
It is a brain child of Rev. Dr Richard Rego, who was the first Director of Radio Sarang. It was started basically to engage with multi-cultural local community and help fulfill the media related needs of subaltern communities.
Radio Sarang 107.8 FM, the community radio reaches out to the surrounding areas of Mangalore for 16 hours a day in four different local languages – Kannada, Tulu, Konkani & Beary through several programmes promoting and spreading awareness on local culture, language, health & hygiene, economic and social aspects of life.
Directors of Radio Sarang:
- Rev. Dr Richard Rego, SJ (2009 - 2012)
- Rev. Fr Swebert D'Silva, SJ (2012 - 2014)
- Rev. Fr Marcel Rodrigues, SJ (Associate Director) (2014 - 2017)
- Rev. Dr Melwyn Pinto, SJ (2017 till date)
The community radio has been able to reach out to thousands of rural, poor and uneducated people of the coastal districts of Udupi, Dakshina Kannada and Kasargod.
Radio Sarang has evolved through phases of struggle and pain. Now It stands tall as a voice of the people of Mangaluru. Unlike other community Radios in India, Radio Sarang has to cater to multilinguistic, multi-cultural and multi religious groups like, Christians, Hindus, Muslims, Kannadigas, Tuluvas, Bearis, Konkannis, Konkanas/Malayalis, etc. This gives Radio Sarang an immense opportunity to be unique in the community Radio sector. It promotes awareness on human rights, legal awareness, and constitutional education, Job opportunities for SC/STs, minorities, the differently-abled and other marginalized groups.
Radio Sarang continues to bring various communities together and showcase their talents in local culture-drama yakshagana, music and festivities. It also addresses the environmental issues and health for women & children. It facilitates appreciation, respect and celebration of cultural diversity.
Thematic focus: Radio Sarang focuses mainly on social, economic, cultural, health, legal issues and many more.
Signature Programmes: ‘Nimmoorige Namma Sarang’ (Live field-based coverage programme), ‘Hrudaya Raga’ (Live inerview with local achievers), ‘Aadu Aata Aadu’ (Live - interactive question-answer show with listeners), ‘Makkaledege Sarang’ (children's programmes), ‘Sarang Sangama’ (live feedback sessions).
Yakshagana is one of the most popular traditional art of Tulunadu. Radio Sarang is the only Radio channel to produce yakshagana on all the 365 days.
'Antharabelaku' - (Live Programme for the Visually Impaired)
‘Ooru Keri’ (fortnightly feature on streets of Mangalore and its surroundings)
Innovations in Format:
Radio Sarang is a popular platform for local artistes and achievers to voice their concern and talents without any inhibitions. Local government officials and people come face-to-face, based on issues raised on radio. Once a week our radio team goes to people and airs their issues and cultural richness through live phone in sessions. Socially relevant issues are tracked by our RJs and made public on radio regularity. Weekly feedback sessions are conducted with people sending their comments live on phone, SMS or through letters. Less recognized local Tulu, Konkani and Beary film makers are roped in to familiarize our listeners on local contributions to cultures and cinema. Tulu live programmes are creatively modified time to time with a combination of recorded, live and even phone in interactions with Tulu achievers.
The Radio is well known for its impact based programmes like JANADANI and NIMMURIGE NAMMA SARANG and OORU KERI where several listeners have changed their life style and changes have happened with regard to social and development issues in several areas in and around Mangaluru.
Radio Sarang 107.8 FM, the community radio reaches out to the surrounding areas of Mangalore for 16 hours a day in five different local languages through several programmes promoting and spreading awareness on local culture, language, health & hygiene, economic and social aspects of life.
Radio Sarang – 107.8FM Community Radio station is the integral part of the ethos of the College. The community radio has bagged multiple National Awards for promoting local language and culture.
The community radio has been able to reach out to thousands of rural, poor and uneducated people of the coastal districts of Udupi, Dakshina Kannada and Kasargod.
It continues to bring various communities together and showcase their talents in local culture-drama Yakshagana, music and festivities. It also addresses the environmental issues and Health for Women & Children. It facilitates appreciation, respect and celebration of cultural diversity.
It promotes awareness on Human rights, legal awareness, and constitutional education, Job opportunities for SC/STs, minorities, the differently-abled and other marginalized groups.
Radio Sarang 107.8 is the first FM Radio channel in coastal Karnataka to encourage a transgender Radio Jockey (RJ). On November 21, 2017, 27-year-old RJ Kajal, a transgender from Maharashtra, started her stint as an RJ at the radio channel. Her show is called Shubhamangala and airs every Tuesday from 5pm till 6 pm from St Aloysius College, Mangaluru.
Inauguration of the Renovated Radio Sarang Studio
The Radio Sarang 107.8 has been upgraded on 18 August 2018. Rev. Fr Ravi Santhosh Kamath inaugurated and blessed the renovated studio. Rev. Fr Dionysius Vaz SJ, Rector of St Aloysius Institutions, inaugurated the 'Station ID' - Radio Sarang jingle. Rev. Dr Leo D'Souza, Director of Applied Botany Lab inaugurated the 'ON AIR' Studio and Rev. Fr Pradeep Sequeira SJ, inaugurated the' Recording Studio'.
