Zindagi means “life” in Hindi, and talk and Indian music radio station Radio Zindagi 1550 AM has been bringing life to Indian-Americans of the Bay Area since it started broadcasting in 2012.
According to Sehba Shah, director of sales and operations, “Radio is a way of life, so the name just fit. We have community shows where we talk about things people don’t usually talk about in the community like domestic violence or LGBTQ issues.”
The station offers a wide range of talk show topics, like film reviews, news, astrology, personal development, community events and technology, which are broadcast in a mixture of Hindi and English. One of the most popular shows is a retro show called “Purane Panne,” which means “Old Pages” in Hindi. It’s a ride down Bollywood memory lane.
On April 4, Zindagi launched their new FM radio station, Suno 87.7 FM. Suno means “listen” in Hindi and this station will be more music based than the AM station. Hoping to attract a younger audience, Suno will broadcast modern Bollywood music that incorporates Bollywood rap, rock and pop.
In Zindagi Radio’s press release Taresh Anand, CEO of Radio Zindagi Group, expressed his excitement about the new launch. “We are incredibly happy to introduce Suno 87.7 FM to the Bay Area,” Anand said. “This new venture is truly a feather in the cap for our network, and we are excited to bring fresh, engaging and thrilling content to our listeners. With Suno FM, we are redefining the way Bollywood music and entertainment are experienced in this region.”
Zindagi Radio also hosts community events like the upcoming Splash-O-Mania celebrating Holi, known as the Festival of Colors. Holi symbolizes the arrival of spring, the triumph of good over evil, and the celebration of love and unity. Celebrations include throwing colored powders at each other, dancing and feasting.
“It’s like a unity festival where everyone is colored in the same colors so there is no skin color difference. We just color each other and play nice,” said Vedika Ojha, aka RJ Vedika, host of the popular morning show on the AM station.
All of the colors used at Splash-O-Mania are organic and are supposed to be washable, but even so this is not the time to wear your best clothes. It’s traditional but optional to come dressed in white so colors show up brightly. Holi is increasingly celebrated by non-Hindus, and everyone is welcome to revel in the colors at Splash-O-Mania.
Radio Zindagi
Splash-O-Mania
Saturday, April 19
11am–4pm
Ohlone College, Parking Lot G
43600 Mission Boulevard, Fremont
408.262.1171
radiozindagi.com/sanfrancisco/splashomania/
Tickets: $16.07 (individual) or $12.91 (for groups of 4 or more)
