Draft:Manohar Mahajan

• Comment: Very carefully read WP:VERIFY. Qcne (talk) 14:45, 4 May 2024 (UTC)

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Manohar Mahajan

Manohar Mahajan (12 August 1942 – 16 April 2024) was an Indian broadcaster and voice artist, recognized for his extensive contributions across various media platforms, including radio, television, and film. He was known for his versatility as a writer, commentator, producer, director, and voice artist. He had a longstanding association with Radio Ceylon, a renowned radio station dubbed the 'King of the Airwaves' in South Asia during the 1960s. After relocating to Bombay in 1974, he established himself as India’s first complete freelance commercial Hindi broadcaster.

Early Career and Radio Ceylon

Manohar Mahajan's broadcasting career found its roots at the iconic Radio Ceylon, which played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of Indian radio. During the golden era of radio broadcasting, Radio Ceylon emerged as a beacon of excellence, captivating audiences with its diverse programming and talented personalities.

His tenure as Chief Announcer at Radio Ceylon marked a significant chapter in his career, providing him with invaluable experience and exposure in the broadcasting world. His work there is fondly remembered by those who grew up listening to his voice, making him an integral part of the golden era of radio broadcasting in South Asia.

Radio Ceylon's influence extended far beyond the shores of Sri Lanka, reaching millions of listeners across the Indian subcontinent. Its innovative programming and high-quality content set new standards for radio broadcasting, inspiring generations of broadcasters and entertainers.

Career: Radio

Manohar Mahajan's career in radio broadcasting was marked by significant innovation and popularity, particularly during his tenure as Chief Announcer at Radio Ceylon. He is credited with introducing and popularizing several novel concepts in radio programming.

Radio Programs

His radio programs included "Santogen Ki Mehfil," which became the second-longest-running program in the history of Indian radio. "Dharkan" for Exide Batteries in Hindi (Drama Format) won the Ad Club's Award in the Radio Category for the Best Sponsored Program. "Eveready Ke Hum Safar" for Eveready Batteries in Hindi (Drama Format) won the RAPA Award.

He also produced a variety of thematic radio programs tailored for specific audiences and purposes. These included "Radio Patrika," a radio magazine for the Maharashtra Rajya Lottery Board in Hindi, and "Ek Dhaage Ke Moti," a drama format for Maharashtra Small-scale Industries. Another program for the same industry, "Tejaswi Kahaniyan," also utilized the drama format to engage listeners. "Sargam," produced for Y.G. Agarbatti Works in Mysore, presented a year-wise history of film music in Hindi.

He created "McDowell’s Hit Parade" for McDowell’s, a chartbuster program in Hindi, and "Asoka Ki Adalat" for Asoka Biscuits in Hyderabad, which was presented in a court drama format. Another innovative program, "Kissa Tota Maina" for the Life Insurance Corporation of India (L.I.C.), featured a folk-based musical format, further showcasing his ability to adapt and innovate within the realm of radio broadcasting.

Radio Commercials

He conceptualized, wrote, produced, and voiced over 15,000 radio commercials in multiple Indian languages for prominent companies. Notable campaigns included "Reliance Triple Option Debentures," in multiple languages such as English, Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Kannada, Marathi, Gujarati, Punjabi, Telugu, Malayalam, Oriya, and Assamese. Similarly, "Eveready Batteries" was marketed across the same range of languages. He also developed advertisements for "HMT Watches," "Life Insurance Corporation of India (L.I.C.)," and "General Insurance Corporation of India (G.I.C.)," each available in Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Punjabi, Malayalam, Marathi, Gujarati, and Telugu.

Radio Programs featuring blockbuster Bollywood Feature Films

Manohar Mahajan extended his broadcasting expertise to presenting radio programs for over a hundred blockbuster Hindi feature films. His work covered a wide array of cinema classics including the legendary "Sholay," the dramatic "Roti Kapada Aur Makaan," and the action-packed "Qurbani." He also featured programs for films like "Pratigya," "Razia Sultan," "Dostana," "Main Intaquam Loonga," and "Alibaba Aur 40 Chor," enriching the radio listening experience with insights and highlights from these popular movies. Through these programs, he brought the excitement and drama of Bollywood closer to a wide audience, further showcasing his versatility and deep connection with the world of Indian cinema.

Career: Television

In television, Manohar Mahajan hosted popular programs on Bombay Doordarshan, such as "Phir Wohi" and the children's show "Khel Khilone." He also created "Music Millennium" for Zee Music, which explored the history of Indian film music.

He produced, wrote, and conceived TV commercials for a range of well-known products, showcasing his versatility in the advertising field. His portfolio includes campaigns for Topaz Blade, Pyramid TV, and Arvind Mills, each known for their distinct market appeal. He crafted promotional content for S. Kumars and Kalpa Soap, enhancing their brand visibility. His creative expertise also extended to commercials for Gazab Lotion, Oasis Soap, and Vision Guard Magnascope, each tailored to highlight unique product features.

Additionally, he worked on advertisements for Neha Toilet Soap, Pransudha, and Zalim Lotion, effectively communicating their benefits to consumers. His advertising acumen further covered campaigns for Johnson Tiles and the State Bank of India, strategically positioning them in their respective markets. Moreover, he developed commercials for Chandan Agarbatti and Popular Bread, further diversifying his advertising contributions.

Career: Film and Dubbing

Manohar Mahajan's contributions to film included writing the feature film "Dial 100" and acting in several others. Manohar Mahajan made his mark in the film industry, acting in feature films such as "Dhoomketu," "Main Sajan Ki Sajan Mere," and "Akarshan." These roles underscore his reach and versatility beyond his broadcasting achievements.

He was a prolific dubbing artist, lending his voice as a narrator to over 300 episodes for the Discovery Channel and over 150 episodes for the National Geographic Channel in Hindi. His extensive career in voice artistry includes dubbing for a variety of films and series, often voicing the main lead. Notable dubbing works include iconic projects like "Rambo: First Blood," the Indian animated series "Bible Ki Kahaniyan," "Kurukshetram," "Yayati," and "Blood Stone." These projects were dubbed from various languages into Hindi, showcasing his versatility and skill in bringing characters to life through his voice.

Career: Van Publicity and Audio Visuals

Manohar Mahajan was extensively involved in producing, presenting, and voicing over 1500 episodes of Van Publicity and Audio Visuals in a variety of local Indian languages. His portfolio includes campaigns for a wide range of products, each tailored to multiple linguistic demographics. These campaigns included promotions for H.M.T. Tractors, Kalpa Soap, Oasis Soap, Eveready Torches, and L.I.C., each produced in 14 Indian languages. He also worked on projects for Oriental Insurance in 8 Indian languages, HMT Watches in 7 Indian languages, and BSA Deluxe Cycles in 3 Indian languages. This breadth of work demonstrates his capacity to reach diverse audiences across India, showcasing his versatility and command over regional language content.

Books

Manohar Mahajan was an accomplished author, having published several books that reflected his deep engagement with broadcasting and Indian cinema. His literary works include "Yaadein Radio Ceylon Ki," "Awaazon Ke Afsaane," "Yaadein Mere Daur Ki," "Bikhre Hue Panne," "Gaanon Ke Anjaane Afsaane," and "Bharatiya Cinema Ki Dharohar." These books encapsulate his vast knowledge and personal insights into the entertainment industry, offering valuable historical context and engaging narratives for readers interested in these subjects.

Over the years, Manohar Mahajan lent his voice to numerous acclaimed audiobooks for Storytel India. His ability to convey emotion and depth through his voice made him a beloved figure in the audiobook community.

Other Contributions

Manohar Mahajan interviewed top personalities of all time, including Pandit Ravi Shankar, Dilip Kumar, George Harrison, Neil Armstrong, Indira Gandhi, Amitabh Bachchan, Sunil Gavaskar, Mohd. Rafi, Bhimsen Joshi, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhonsle, Kishore Kumar, Alla Rakha, Mukesh, Manna Dey, Talat Mahmood, Ustad Alluaddin Khan, Dr. Jayant Narlikar, Mehdi Hassan, Noor Jehan, Sitara Devi, and many more.

He compered the 'Malhar Festival' (a seven-day program) and 'Jugalbandi' (a four-day program) organized by the Indo Occidental Symbiosis at Kalamandir and Science City Auditorium in Kolkata. Eminent music personalities like Pandit Jasraj, Kishori Amonkar, Ustad Shahid Pervez, and others performed at these classical music shows.

His voice and writing skills earned him a +A Grade on the Films Division of India panel of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (India). He voiced and wrote over 500 documentaries and newsreels.

He presented the longest-running radio commentary on man's first moon landing (Apollo 11) for seven days and nights.

He introduced the concept of compering fashion shows and beauty contests/trade shows in Hindi in India.

He served as the President of the Association of Voice Artistes (AVA), affiliated with the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), for two consecutive terms.

Beyond his primary career, Manohar Mahajan ran a Voice Training Institute, authored five Hindi books, and produced numerous audio-visuals and van publicity episodes in various Indian languages. He remained active up until his later years, engaging with audiences through his YouTube channel and a weekly Facebook Live program.

Awards and Recognition

Manohar Mahajan received numerous awards, including the American Clio Award for his voice role in a radio-sponsored program "Modi Ke Matwale Rahi" and a national award for Best Documentary Writer for the documentaries "Thirst" & "Cancer" from the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, India. He was also honoured with the 'Rajasthan Shiromani' award on Rajasthan Day (3rd March 1992) for promoting Hindi through his work in radio, TV, and stage.

He won Radio & TV Professionals Association (RAPA) Awards for his work on radio commercials for BSA Deluxe Cycles, Maya Magazine, and Eveready Battery. His radio commercial for H.M.T. Tractors and L.I.C. earned him accolades at the Ad Club of India Awards. Notably, his radio-sponsored program "Dharkan" for Exide Batteries was also awarded, highlighting his exceptional skill in creating impactful radio content.

Legacy

Manohar Mahajan's diverse body of work across various forms of media and his contributions to the development of broadcasting in India are remembered as integral to the cultural and entertainment landscape of the country.