Imelda Dias passed away on 8th August 2011. The feature below appeared in Gomantak Times dated April 13 2011.
--------------- Prior to the radio launch of her fourth book 'Reminiscences of my Radio Days: The Birth and Progress of Radio in Goa', popular radio presenter Imelda Dias (in her early eighties today), chats with LISA MONTEIRO --------------- Hello there, are you listening in? Imelda Dias’ mellifluous voice invaded the homes of Goans in the state and beyond, first with Radio Goa and lastly with All India Radio. An octogenarian who will turn 83 in December this year, Imelda Dias’ mind and spirit still manage to overpower her frail body. It is simply heartwarming to sit by her and engage in a conversation, about the old days of course- for those are the most interesting - whether it is about her days in the radio, the pranks she played as a school girl or her marriage trials. And leave the talking, rather relating to her. She has lots to tell and very rarely, considering her age, does she fumble for names, dates or details of an event in her life. "My life is an open book", she says frankly. After quitting the radio in 1985, Imelda wrote a book of original short stories ‘Shattered Lives’ published by Third Millennium Publishers. This was followed by two personal memoirs ‘How long is Forever- An Autobiography of a woman ahead of her Times’ and its sequel ‘To Love and Live Again.’ And a few years ago when Third Millennium Publishers approached her yet again to write a book on her days in the radio, this woman ahead of her times went a step further and consented. Armed with beautiful memories of her days in the radio, ‘Reminiscences of my Radio Days: The Birth and Progress of Radio in Goa’ will see a radio launch sometime next week. "The job satisfaction that I experienced at All India Radio sustained me through difficult times in my life," she confesses. Her stint with the radio happened over a cup of coffee. It was a move she welcomed because of the difficult situation that she found herself in at the time. With three children to fend for and a husband who wasn’t helping the situation economically, she had to pull up her socks and find a solution. She began attending stenography classes. "I knew I had to take responsibility for myself and my children, among whom I included my football crazy husband. I walked to class to save on bus fare," she writes in her first autobiography. Then one day, sitting at Café Moderna talking with Fernando, Augusto’s (her husband’s) cousin they met Mr Martins, owner of the café and director of Radio Goa Commercial Service. Lets just say that their meeting ended with Imelda being taken to the Radio Station for a voice test, which she passed of course. "Fancy learning stenography and landing in a Radio Station as an announcer," she writes in her book. But this new opportunity proved to be the first silver lining in the dark clouds for her. She remembers recognition and praise coming in immediately from her listeners who heard her across the borders of Goa. The same year Panjim Municipality decided to start musical programs at Garcia de Orta Municipal Garden in the evenings and she was offered the opportunity to be the presenter. In a nutshell, Imelda began her stint with Radio Goa as an announcer and continued working till Radio Goa became Emissora de Goa, a state-owned radio station in Panjim. At Emissora she was an announcer, newsreader and translator and even presented request programs like ‘Your Favourites’ and ‘Your Choice’ that became very popular. Then in 1961 during the freedom struggle she fled to Portugal where she worked for Emissora Nacional handling broadcasts for Europe and Africa. "At that time, listeners in Africa were making enquiries about me. They had heard and recognised my voice," she remembers. In spite of offers from the Overseas Ministry to stay on at Emissora Nacional, Imelda desired to return to Goa. Back home her post was being held for her. By this time Emissora de Goa was re-christened All India Radio. "Those were the years when families didn’t own television sets.They only had the radio for entertainment and this was switched on most of the time," recalls Imelda. This factor contributed to her popularity. Ask Imelda today, what made hers such a popular name among her listeners and her son, Luis butts in. "I think it was her calming and comforting voice." "Voice quality is something that you need to be born with. You cannot paint it or make it more likable. You can of course enhance your presentation and I would try different methods to present programs in a better way to my listeners," Imelda says. But probe further and she reveals that she put her heart and soul into her job. "I always thought of my listeners." What does she think of the new breed of RJs today? "I haven’t listened to them a lot. But somewhere I feel that something is missing. Perhaps the human element. It feels a little artificial, almost like someone is talking for the sake of talking," she observes. And what makes her a woman ahead of her times? Luis again tries to explain, "It’s every step that she has taken. She married for love, against her parents’ wishes and later due to certain circumstances found the courage to leave her husband. This was a very bold step in those times." Imelda also brought up five children while maintaining her job in the radio. "I used to walk up the hill to Altinho when I worked at Radio Goa. Taxi drivers would shout out to me ‘bai ya, montir ya’ but I couldn’t afford a taxi with the salary that I was getting at the time." Imelda who has penned down her experiences frankly and fearlessly in her two autobiographies admits that people’s criticism never deterred her from living and loving her life. On the contrary she treasures feedback she has received like 'Imelda, you really have guts!' Imelda retired from All India Radio as Transmission Executive in 1985 and radio aficionados till today remember her cheery voice. "Hello there, this is truly yours, Imelda forever." ---------- The author, Lisa Monteiro, can be contacted at <lalisamonteiro at gmail dot com>. =====
