Konkani Awaaz FM Radio marks 8 years in Europe

First hitting the airwaves on November 2, 2018, the socio-cultural programme has built an enduring legacy as a vital cultural bridge for the Goan diaspora and the Konkani-speaking people across the United Kingdom, Europe and the world over.

Broadcast every Saturday from 10 am to 12 pm on Awaaz 99.8 FM Community Radio Station in Southampton, the iconic weekly show has transformed from a local community broadcast into a global lifeline for the Konkani language, the official language of Goa.

The milestone mark represents eight years of dedicated efforts by its producer and host, RJ Roque Vaz, who hails from Fatorda-Goa. Alongside creative and live broadcast director and co-presenter RJ Bihula Vaz, the team set out with a clear mission: to promote, protect, and spread the use of Konkani in a foreign land.

To celebrate the occasion, a special show on Diwali and the Konkani Palk (Konkani Stage) is scheduled on November 7.

“For many Goans and Konkankars living in the UK and continental Europe, maintaining a connection to their roots can be challenging. ‘Konkani Uloi London Fuloi’ solves this by delivering two hours of non-stop, high-energy cultural immersion every weekend,” said Roque.

“Fully supported by Awaaz FM Station Director and Project Manager Ali Beg, the show has navigated the intricacies of community radio to become an institutional success across the seven seas.”

Recently, both Roque and Bihula secured the honour of being the chief guests as a mark of recognition of their broadcasting journey during a special charitable staging of former Superintendent of Goa Police Sammy Tavares’ superhit Konkani Tiatr ‘Hi Avoi Kosli?’ at Featherstone High School, Southall, London on October 11.

During his speech, Roque made a clarion call to the large audience, especially to the parents, to help the young generation to talk and write in Konkani so that Goan culture, particularly the Tiatr, has a bright future.

Bihula said the popular radio show is meticulously curated to cater to all facets of Goan community life.

“A typical Saturday broadcast seamlessly weaves together various genres of vibrant Konkani music, traditional Kantaram, AI-generated songs, Konkani poetry (Kovita), Goan recipes, rich anecdotes, articles by renowned Konkani writers and current affairs,” explained Bihula.

“The Konkani Kovita segment showcases local and global poetic talent, fostering a deep appreciation for the language's literary beauty.”

“Beyond entertainment, the show functions as an essential news hub. It offers community engagement updates, regional UK news, general knowledge, and cultural discussions that keep the Goan diaspora well-informed.”

What makes the show distinct is its ability to adapt to special occasions.

"Whether celebrating Teachers' Day, Valentine’s Day, Gandhi Jayanti, Workers’ Day, Independence Day, Good Friday, Easter, Dussehra or Christmas, hosting thematic segments, or honouring religious milestones like the Ruzari Saibinni (Our Lady of the Rosary) feast, both Bihula and I ensure that traditions are kept alive and respected. Furthermore, the production team maintains high ethical broadcasting standards, actively refusing to air content that compromises human dignity or goes against community standards,” said Roque.

While anchored physically in Southampton, the show’s reach has expanded dramatically through digital adaptation.

“By simultaneously broadcasting Live on the ‘Konkani Uloi London Fuloi’ Facebook Page, we have managed to unite viewers not just in the UK, but across time zones—stretching from Europe to Kuwait, Dubai, Australia, Canada, Africa, and back home to India,” Roque added.

Reaching its eighth year of continuous operation on November 2 highlights the endurance and critical relevance of ethnic broadcasting.

Said Bihula: “For a diaspora navigating life away from home, we have provided more than just radio programming. We have built a vital educational resource and an essential sense of belonging through music, poetry, speech, direct interaction, unwavering dedication and passion coupled with commitment.”

Roque, Bihula and their team at the Konkani FM radio show ‘Konkani Uloi London Fuloi’ have proved that Konkani language does not just survive in Europe – it flourishes in a beautiful way.

Awaaz Radio wins Community Radio Award in Birmingham

Awaaz FM Station Director and Project Manager Ali Beg, along with Awaaz Radio, which broadcasts the Konkani FM radio show ‘Konkani Uloi London Fuloi’, won the Community Radio Honours Award for services to community radio on October 24 at Gas Street Central Venue in Birmingham.

The prestigious award was conferred upon the radio station by UKCRN (UK Community Radio Network) at the Community Radio Awards event. This national organisation represents, supports, and develops Ofcom-licensed community radio stations across the UK.

Song in tribute to Konkani Awaaz FM show

Anthony Clessy Dias, a Goan songwriter and musician hailing from St Estevam in Goa and residing in Swindon, UK, released a Konkani song, ‘Konkani Uloi London Fuloi’ on November 3 as a tribute to the popular Konkani radio show on Awaaz FM in Southampton hosted by RJ Roque Vaz.

Vailencia Christina Menezes from Divar island is the co-singer, while music has been provided by Voller D'Costa, and videography is by Anthony Miranda.

The new track recognises the efforts of RJ Roque Vaz and RJ Bihula Vaz in promoting Konkani language via the medium of songs, poetry and also for introducing new talented singers and promoting their music to Goans worldwide.

“I have always been a great fan of the popular Konkani radio show on Awaaz FM hosted from Southampton. Different topics are chosen every Saturday to make the programme interesting and enriching,” said Anthony.

“It is a great privilege that RJ Roque broadcasts my compositions on his show, and I strongly felt that composing a song about the radio show will be my gesture of gratitude and goodwill.”

Anthony’s inspiration to compose songs comes from listening to his parents, Ana Dias and Mateus Dias, and his brother Anjliu Reniy Dias. Both brothers are active in the Konkani devotional and cultural music scene.

The song can be found on the YouTube channel (Ana Mateus Production) and is being circulated on social media platforms like Facebook.