The Hindu Business Line : Let's talk... music!

Until a decade ago, a disk jockey (DJ) was, by and large, an unknown entity. But today, some DJs have attained near-celebrity status. The clubs that hire them pay salaries that are, well... music to the ears. Little wonder then that more and more youngsters are flocking hither. Their enthusiasm is, however, somewhat curbed by the lack of resources to learn the trade. Even in the metros, one can learn DJ skills only at the odd workshop that comes to town from time to time.

However, as Kolkata-based DJ Sanjay Dutta would tell you, "DJing is 99 per cent perspiration and one per cent education." Classroom teaching can take the aspirant only around the edges of this skill, but to get to the centre of it, he would have to sweat it over the turntable. Not surprisingly, many DJs are self-taught.

DJ Kary, who plays at the Flame Le Club in Chennai and is the city's first resident female DJ, learnt to wiggle turntable keys only after she found employment at `Temptations', a club in Gold Regency, Delhi!

Many aspiring DJs, therefore, buy the DJing equipment, consisting primarily of a twin-CD player, mixer and a turntable, and acquire the skills and `expertise' required to play at big clubs. However, one need not lose heart at the first failed attempts to get a club to employ you. Bangalore-based DJ Sean, who conducts workshops through what he calls the DJ University, says an aspirant could play at private parties, pick up DJing tricks, build up confidence and then take a shot at the high-paying jobs.

Another prerequisite for this job is an all-consuming passion for music and a willingness to explore new sound. Successful DJs have their ears to the `dance-floor' and update themselves on the latest dance music releases. DJ Chubby, who plays at the Sparks, Chennai, surfs the Internet every Monday, when many dance music sites list new albums. And London-based DJ Sophie goes a step further. She travels around the world in search of new sounds.

Rule the `air' space

Radio jockeys (RJs) came into their own around the same time as the DJs. RJing skills cannot be developed in an organised educational set-up; they can be acquired only thorough experience. If someone talks nineteen to the dozen and still makes sense, can mouth clever lines without much effort and enunciate words with clarity, he is halfway through the RJ lane. Niladri Bose, who came into prominence with his FM programmes on All India Radio and conducts an RJing workshop every year, says RJs are selected not so much for their voice as for their personality.

This partly explains why Nikhil Chinnappa started off as a successful RJ and still nurtures the idea of setting up his own Radio station someday. A good RJ would, invariably, be a people's person... someone who responds actively to what's happening around him. "An RJ is often expected to don a reporter's role, ferreting out information to share with his listeners," says Suchitra of Radio Mirchi, Chennai.

Even when they are off air, RJs need to spend a lot of time updating themselves by browsing the Net, or reading books and magazines. What's the upside? Today, RJing is no longer restricted to cash-strapped students or those who want an additional income. The job is lucrative enough for anyone who packs a good voice, clear pronunciation and a sharp intellect.

Virtual demand

With words delivered a mile a minute and great poise, VJs, many believe, do something that's second nature to them. But VJ Craig of SS Music once remarked that VJing is tough business, and one that calls for great effort. And the effort begins even before a VJ faces the camera. VJs have to develop presentation skills, a good voice and learn grooming techniques. These days, institutes offering courses in acting cover these topics. In fact, even graduation programmes like mass communication teach such skills.

Model-compere Sapna joined SS Music after a mass communication course. A VJ never stops learning... knowing "there are a hundred others waiting in the wings, hoping to take your job".

"Not a day passes without someone turning up for a screen test," says Bryan O. Peppin, who is in charge of programming and production at SS Music. With a great demand for fresh faces and an even greater supply, VJs, by and large, have very short careers. That should not be of any concern if you can talk flawlessly and have people turning around to watch you when you stroll into a restaurant.

For VJs, as for RJs, a willingness to learn new things helps. Nikhil Chinappa once said this of Cyrus Broucha: "He is definitely not the most good-looking guy around. But he certainly has got his mind around many subjects. That is his biggest strength."

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