Dialing Back the Years: How Kolkata’s Radioman Keeps Vintage Waves Alive

Amidst the hustle and bustle of Kolkata's center is a small workshop with a nostalgic air to it, courtesy of the city's favorite "Radioman," Ashoke Mukherjee. Mukherjee has spent decades restoring and fixing old radios, bringing radio's golden era back to life for future generations.

 

Key Highlights:

 

•⁠  ⁠Ashoke Mukherjee, now in his late 60s, has mended and refurbished more than 2,000 radios since the 1970s, ranging from vintage Murphy and Philips sets to unusual valve radios.

 

•⁠  ⁠His workshop is a treasure trove, full of radio components, glowing meters, and the warm hum of AM frequencies—a museum in living color for radio buffs and curious browsers alike.

 

•⁠  ⁠Mukherjee became fascinated as an adolescent when his father was a radio hobbyist. Nowadays, he provides complimentary services for pensioners and students since he feels radio is a "bridge between generations.". He also holds workshops for schools, teaching the science and history of radio technology, and has assisted in establishing community radio stations in rural Bengal.

 

Prospects: In the era of streaming and podcasts, Mukherjee's dedication is a heartwarming reminder of radio's classic charm. Thanks to Kolkata's Radioman, the city's retro radio culture still inspires, connects, and broadcasts on.

 

Source: The Hindu, Times of India