A refreshing voice with a charming personality, that's what comes to our mind when we think of RJ Rachana.
A versatile vivacious multitalented person who endeared the ardent fans of radio FM in Kuwait as “Rocking Rachana”. She pioneered the Hindi segment of the channel 98.4 U FM and drew thousands of listeners to the radio with her enchanting voice, diction and resourcefulness.
Rachana is undoubtedly a master anchor who has an extraordinary gift for transforming the occasion into unforgettable experience of life. Be it corporate’s Open Day Event/ Get-together or live concert, award ceremony, wedding anniversary or birthday party she adds a dash of color and unbridled mirth. Her warm and friendly tone mixed with lively chit chat teases the folks while she moves in the crowd which keeps audience in a trance.

IN AN EXCLUSIVE CHAT WITH GULFNRIS.COM, RACHANA SHARES HER EXPERIENCES 
EXCERPTS: 

GulfNRIs: When did your journey to Kuwait begin?
Somewhere in our life we all have to say good bye to our old place and make way to the new one. It’s always exciting to know you are going a level up but at the same time there is always a fear in our head, what if we won’t fit in? I came to Kuwait with this fear two decades ago.  Yea it is a long time (but goes by way too fast).

Let’s talk about your education? Where did you complete your studies from?
Hailing from Surat, Gujarat, I am a Nutritionist and specialized in Food Science and Nutrition.

How did your journey as a Radio Jockey began?
Music is probably the only real magic without tricks I have encountered in my life. It's pure and it's real. It moves, it heals, it communicates and does all these incredible things. Somehow I always wanted to be surrounded with music all the time every time, and being RJ helped me to reach enchanting music to the people.

I just happened to know through a friend that they were looking for a Hindi RJ in a Malayalam Radio Station 98.4 U FM. I dropped in for the audition. Although I do not have any formal training but by the grace of God, I was selected. Apprehensive about my performance, they put me in the slot of 10.00 pm to 11.00 pm. But within a month it gained so much popularity that they gave me the peak hour slot that was 7.00 pm to 8.00 pm.

Which were the shows you were handling with 98.4 U FM?
I had four shows. Bollywood cocktail which was my favorite show as I was interacting with people live on air. I also loved Chandani Raatein, as it comprised beautiful gazals and shayaris. Box office which covered the latest Bollywood and Hollywood movie release and collection. And Top 20 -  comprising top 20 Bollywood songs.

Share with us one of your most exacting incident on radio while you were on air?
Oh well, there were lot many. But I still remember this one which was really very funny. It was just a week I had been on air, I played a beautiful shahrukhan song “Kabhi alvida na kehna” in my show Bollywood Cocktail. The song started and it kept playing only the instruments; I waited patiently for the words to follow, but alas!!! 1 minute on air and it kept on playing only instrument (the karaoke version). I was new to the mixer- console (set of instruments to control various attributes of radio) and I got real nervous and confused with so many keys and switches like a cockpit in the airplane. For the first time I felt like I am flying an aircraft. Somehow I reduced the voice of console for music and whispered to the listeners that looks like the winter air is effecting mic and it has a sore throat that’s why you can’t hear the singer but only the instruments. Taking quick action I told them I am going to play another Bollywood hit song and when I played it, the console jumped to a Malayalam song… I giggled again brushing my nervousness and started to sing live and handled the situation. Oh boy I tell you, what an evening it was.

Radio and live audience, there is so much difference in it. Tell us about the events you have handled up till now as an Anchor/Master of ceremony?
Anchoring is my passion. I believe either you do things with passion or you don’t do it at all. Apart from association celebrations, wedding and birthday parties, I have anchored for Kalabhavan Kuwait, Al-Mulla Exchange, Coolpex, BEC Exchange, Malabar Gold and Diamonds, Indians in Kuwait, Kuwait Steel, Grand Hyper Market, The Dancing Divas, The Indian Community School, Carmel School, Coolex, Live in concert for celebrities like Amardeep Singh Natt, Benny Dayal, Salman Yousef Khan, Shakti Mohan, Gutthi and Dadi of Kapil Sharma Fame, Mubarak AlRaseed, Ishq Bector, Sanam Johar, Toshi Sabri to name a few.

Tell us about your favorite: hangout place, Vacation spot, Shopping destination, traditional food in Kuwait.
Hangout: I love sea. I like the sharp salty smell of air and the vastness of  horizons bounded only by a vault of azure sky above. It makes me feel tiny, humble, inspired, salty and free.

Vacation Spot: Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.

Shopping destination: I don’t have a favorite shopping destination. But you may find me in Debenhams, H&M, Forever 21 or Salmiya Street. Shopping is not necessarily about labels. It’s not about brands. It’s about what comes from within you. I have always believed that clothes aren’t going to change the world, the women who wear them will…

Traditional Food in Kuwait:  I have a plain tongue and colorful soul.  I am not a foodie and being vegetarian makes choices very limited. I love Fatteh - a Levantine dish of crumbled, toasted pita covered in warm chickpeas and cool, tangy yogurt sauce.

What are you afraid of?
I am claustrophobic. Even a scene related to the same situation in movies disturbs me.

Is there anything you are addicted to?
I love Music. Whether I am busy or at leisure, I need music around me. For me music is morning coffee. It’s mood enhancer. It’s pure magic. A good song is like a good meal – I just want to inhale it and then share a bite with someone else.

If you have a magic wand what is that one thing you want?
Well, here are many things that I would want, but one thing that would mean a lot to me is to end world hunger, in a world where there is more than enough food for everyone than why should someone stay hungry.

How much do you miss India and what do you miss the most?
I personally feel, daily life in India is so colorful and vibrant. The smell of rain, people gossiping at the road side, cows, dogs moving around, horns honking everywhere, chai walas, road side eateries, people wearing beautiful vibrant colors, Mix of different cultures and seeing how peacefully they live and so on... and of course your family (especially mom). I am a highly sensitive person, and the festive times still brings tears to my eyes as it makes me realize that smart tech can just help you connect to your loved ones but you still can’t touch them, feel them or smell them.

How do you feel about residing in Kuwait? What do you like the most about Kuwait?
Feel privileged to live in Kuwait. I like the pollution free environment here. Quality food with no risk of adulteration. Also it gives us lot of free time to pursue your various passions and hobbies.

Apart from Kuwait, if you had to live in any other country, which one would it be?
Switzerland. It is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Vast landscapes, majestic peaks piercing the clouds and lush deep valleys.

I always marvelled when I use to watch Yash Chopra’s movies. He produced or directed ten movies in Switzerland, turning its mountains and meadows into symbols of a pristine and picturesque life beyond South Asia.

What according to you are the major hurdles that NRIs face when managing their Indian Investments?
Frequent change of rules and regulations, unclear policies, unattractive returns and hassles of KYC up dation.

Do you have any message you that would like to share with other like-minded NRIs across the globe?
“Bloom where you choose to plant yourself”