A seventeen-year-old boy in blue pants and red shirt has met with an accident near Podanur. He has been admitted to the Government Hospital...
This announcement on Radio as a part of Service Show helped a gypsy couple trace their injured son. When environmentalist M. Yoganathan heard about this real life incident it struck him how the radio reached out to the common man. The result was a short film Radio.
The short film begins with the accident scene at Podanur. Then, it captures scenes at the Government Hospital where the patient is admitted for treatment. The news about the boy is circulated in the media in the hope some relative would hear it and come to the hospital. The shot moves to a weary gypsy couple drinking tea at a small shop. “ If you have noticed, the gypsies always carry a radio with them. That is their only source of information and entertainment. In the film too, the couple listen to Kaalai Thendral show which is on air. This is followed by announcements about EB’s shut down and the news snippet about the boy who met with an accident,” narrates Yoganathan. The shocked couple realise it is their son and they rush to the hospital and find him there.
Actor Chella has played a vital role in the film. Subramaniam and Hari Hara Sudan, professors of Visual Communication department of Hindustan College helped him with the camera. Vicky has done the editing, dubbing and music.
“One finds the radio being a constant companion to communities of people, such as weavers and others who keep it on as they work. The radio does not come in the way of their work, yet provides them with some companionship. Radios are omnipresent, on buses, rickshaws and petrol stations... it helps take away the stress of those who listen to it and provides information too.” K. Chitralega of AIR released the short film.
A bus conductor by day, Yoganathan is beter known as a green crusader who has planted over three lakh trees across Tamil Nadu. “ I recently bought a machine that helps me dig about 100 pits in an hour’s time. It has made my tree plantation drive quite easy now,” he says. Besides environment work, he also made short films on social issues. For example, his first short film Thaagam focussed on water scarcity. He recently made another film titled Ka. “ Ka is a silent film. It shows four children stepping out their school. They spend a few minutes in silence in front of a pit where a tree has been uprooted. Then, they plant a sapling in the same place and then go away. Anyone can easily get the message.”
Over the years, Yoganathan has received many awards for his work, including an Eco Warrior Award, State Environment Department Award, a CNN-IBN Real Heroes Award and a Periyar Award.