LONDON
Europe’s first and sole Konkani FM radio show, ‘Konkani Uloi London Fuloi’, presented on Saturdays on Awaaz 99.8 FM in Southampton-UK, marks its seventh anniversary on November 2 in its mission to promote and spread the use of Konkani language in the UK and EU.
Hosted by RJ Roque Vaz and co-presented by its creative director RJ Bihula Vaz, the ‘Konkani Uloi London Fuloi’ radio show features different genres of Konkani music, community engagement news, cultural discussions, general knowledge and community updates across the UK.
THE PRESENTERS
Roque, who hails from Fatorda-Goa, began his broadcasting career when he was offered an opportunity to present a Hindi show, ‘Friday Ki Shaam, Aapke Naam’, consisting of Bollywood songs.
He was trained by Ali Beg, the station director and CEO of Awaaz Community Radio Station in Southampton, the port-of-call for thousands of Goans employed in the cruise and cargo shipping industry.
Awaaz FM is a community radio station in Southampton, known for its multicultural programming that reflects diverse communities in the city. The station provides a platform for numerous languages and cultures, including Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Tamil, Russian, Filipino, Arabic and Konkani, among others.
“Both Ali and I have been friends for over 15 years. It was Ali who suggested to me to start a radio show in Konkani language,” said Roque. “I am immensely grateful to Ali, who has stood behind us like a rock, supporting us tremendously throughout our broadcasting journey.”
“My wife, RJ Bihula, lent her support by being the creative director and by adding the wit and humour element to the show. She has been the robust backbone and has been an inspiring presence on all our shows. She is truly the most important reason for the astounding success of our radio show,” acknowledged Roque.
THE MISSION
Roque said the main purpose and mission of producing the radio show was to promote and spread the use of Konkani, Goa’s official language, in the UK and EU.
“The two-hour non-stop show, without any commercial breaks, presents classic and latest Konkani songs, recitation of poems, reading of articles, humorous anecdotes and recipes and focuses on current issues, local, national and international.”
Roque said the radio show is a hub for the Goan diaspora to stay connected with their roots. “The show’s global reach is spread to several countries via the official website (www.awaazfm.co.uk), Facebook (Konkani Uloi London Fuloi), the UK Radio Apps, Facebook LIVE streaming networks via numerous online groups, making it a truly international platform for Konkani culture and international interaction,” said Roque.
Roque said the Konkani radio show serves as a cultural bridge for the Goan and Konkani-speaking community residing in the UK and the overseas diaspora, offering a taste of home through music, stories, and lively discussions with an online audience.
“The show supports the teaching and preservation of the Konkani language among younger listeners, often featuring language tips, vocabulary familiarisation and educational snippets,” said Roque.
“Another important aspect of the radio show is that it highlights several socio-cultural issues, raises awareness and builds connections. For example, the show has successfully launched a five-series programme on the social evil of alcoholism via the medium of songs, poems and articles, titled ‘Bebdo Koso Zalo, Poilo Boro Aslo’.”
“The radio team also contributes in the community as volunteers at various community events both in Southampton and other parts of England. The show also collaborates with many Goan community events as a radio and media partner. We use these opportunities to compere events primarily in Konkani.”
THE PARTICIPANTS
Roque said award-winning Konkani writers and poets have been regular participants on the show.
“Seasoned and eminent literary personalities like Pandharinath Damodar Lotlikar (Margao), Ashok Raghuvir Chodankar (Vasco), Lino Baptista Dourado (Utorda), Vincy Quadros (Raia), Manoj Narendar Kamat (Ponda), Cezar D`Mello (Panaji), Mariano Lucas Diniz (Canacona), Armando Fernandes (Navelim), John Aguiar (Verem), Annie De Colvale (Tivim), Rui Coelho (Vasco) and Sonali Suresh Pednekar (Vasco) have been regularly contributing quality content both in prose and poetry form.”
“Famous Konkani personality, the late Anthony Correia Pienkar (Candolim), was a staunch contributor and supporter of the show, and his published literary works continue to be showcased.”
“Prominent actresses of the Konkani stage like Valency De Calangute, Maria Lourdes Fernandes and Meena Goes have lent their powerful voices to poems composed by leading Konkani poets. The show also welcomes novices and children to recite poetry and offers them all support and advice in their broadcasting journey.”
THE MILESTONES
Over the years, there have been many milestones involving the ‘Konkani Uloi London Fuloi’ radio show.
Roque was invited to speak about the success story of his radio show at the annual Community Media Festival in 2023 in Leicester City, the birthplace of local radio in the UK.
Roque, along with the radio show, also organised the ‘London Kovita Tinsanz Kovi Som’melon’ (Konkani Poets Meet) for the first time in the UK in collaboration with the Youth Goan Association UK in Southall.
He also founded the first Konkani Kovita Academy of UK with support from the radio show on May 6, 2023.
Roque was also felicitated by former Goa chief minister Digambar Kamat and former Fatorda MLA Damu Naik at Ravindra Bhavan, Fatorda-Margao, on January 27, 2024, for community work in the UK and promoting Konkani as a radio presenter.
Roque also felicitated all worldwide participants of the show at the Kovita Utsov ani Puroskar Suvallo literary event organised by him at Ravindra Bhavan, Fatorda, on February 18, 2024.
THE FUTURE
Roque hopes to have more involvement of youngsters as active participants on his radio show.
“The future of Konkani language is in their hands. Parents should encourage children to speak and promote our language. Konkani is the vehicle for the promotion of Goan culture and traditions. We make every effort to bring in more young people on our show, especially in the field of Konkani poetry,” he said.
