Minnal FM
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Minnal FM, formerly known as Radio 6 and Radio Malaysia Saluran 6 (Radio Malaysia Channel 6) is a Malaysian national Tamil radio station operated by Radio Televisyen Malaysia, the government broadcasting service under the Malaysian Ministry of Information.
It was the first 24-hour Tamil language broadcast service in the world. It serves as a source of information and entertainment not only to Indian Malaysians but to people of Indian origin worldwide as well as Tamil enthusiasts.
Minnal FM broadcasts on the 92.3 mHz frequency in Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley from its headquarters in Angkasapuri. Currently the new director of Minnal FM is Mr Raja Sekaran.
[edit] History
Tamil language broadcast in Malaysia started in 1938 together with the three other major languages spoken, namely Malay, English and Mandarin. Initially the programmes were aired from Singapore, Penang and Kuala Lumpur. A well-known broadcaster Mr. Tanjai Thomas supervised Tamil Broadcast from Kuala Lumpur.
- 1943 - 1945: During the Japanese occupation, the broadcast was known as JMPK. Mr T.S. Shanmugam was then the head of Tamil Broadcast. Oriental Building in Mountbatten Road (now Jalan Tun Perak) housed the broadcasting station then.
- 1948 - 1960: When Emergency was declared during the Communist threat in British Malaya, a special broadcast called “ Emergency ” aired along the normal broadcast.
- 1951: A ward in Hospital Tang Ling converted into recording studio.
- 1956: Federal House in Kuala Lumpur became the official Radio House.
- 1957:
- Audience shows were introduced, during which “ Kalappadam ” made its debut. The format of the programme is retained till this day because of its popularity. The first “Kalappadam ” was broadcast from KL Town Hall (now Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur).
- A special stage programme dedicated to Bapa Malaysia Tunku Abdul Rahman was held in Taman Tasik Perdana, Kuala Lumpur, as part of the celebrations of Malaysian Independence.
- News was aired from Singapore, while programmes such as regional news, classical music, radio plays were produced in Kuala Lumpur and Penang. Mr Tanjai Thomas, Mr A. Peter, Mr S. Swaminathan, Mr A.R. Iyer, Mr. Rama Iyer, Mr Haneef and Mr Sunder Raj were the pioneers in Tamil Broadcasting in Malaysia.
- 1961: Mr R. Balakrishnan became the Head of Indian services. During his leadership, the Indian service bloomed. Air time was extended. Tamil broadcast then changed its name to Bahagian India.
- 1970: The name was changed again to Rangkaian Merah and the unit system was introduced.
- Mid 1970’s: Kamala Desigan became the first lady to head the service. The service underwent further expansion under the leadership of Mr Ganapathy and Mr Appadurai. During this period the unit system was abolished and Rangkaian Merah was renamed as Radio 6.
- 1994: Mr V.Poobalan took over as the controller of Radio 6. During his leadership, Radio 6 went fully on FM transmission and became the first 24-hour Tamil language broadcast service in the world. The new look and feel of the service was launched on July 1, 1997. The station became very popular among listeners and sponsors as it became more commercial to appeal to a broad base of audience.
- 2001: Universiti Sains Malaysia graduate Mr B. Parthasarathee became the new head of Radio 6. Among new programmes introduced were Kuralamutham, Vetriyalar Or Arimugam and Ennanggal Vananggal.
- April 1, 2005:
- Radio 6 was rebranded to give a new outlook. Mr Parthasarathee played an important role in the rebranding process as the head of the section.
- Minnal FM was the new name given and it was launched in the Grand Auditorium of Angkasapuri, Kuala Lumpur by Malaysian Minister of Information, Datuk Seri Kadir Sheikh Fadzir.
- A new head for the section (Minnal FM), Mr Raja Sekaran came to the post in the same year.
[edit] External links
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