The Wide Smile behind the Favourite Voice
As Mr. Sasikumar takes a short break from going on air with his programme ‘Morning Bells’, he settles down for a small chit-chat with dayofdubai about his journey as an artist.
Dayofdubai: Today, RJ Sasikumar is a popular name in the UAE. But not everybody knows how you started off your journey, we would like to know that.
RJ Sasikumar: I have always been interested in art, right from childhood (with a nostalgic smile he continues). I was an enthusiastic competitor in arts fests back in my school days. I had an overwhelmingly staunch attraction towards stage art. During my school days, I used to participate in almost all stage items, bagging prizes in mimicry, mono-act, drama and more. This love for performing art grew with me as I grew. While at college, I used to assure my participation in various arts fests. Later on, my love for performing art took me to the world of drama. I was always enticed by the power and impact of drama. I have performed professional dramas as well as amateur ones. For almost 5 years I was engaged in drama. These were my starting years.
Sasikumar is a multifaceted personality who had a clear vision of his path right from childhood, opting the road he had to take to reach his goal. He has participated and won prizes at renowned cultural arts fests such as Keralotsavam and Municipal Kalamela, to name a few.
Dayofdubai: We are also aware of the dubbing artist Sasikumar, what are your experiences as a dubbing artist?
RJ Sasikumar: Yes, you might have come across my voice in many movies and television serials (unable to restrain the friendly laughter, he recounts) I have worked as a dubbing artist, continuously dubbing for different films as well as television serials for 2 years. It was back in 2000. And technology was not as good as now during those times. This meant that dubbing was more of a difficult task then. We used to do analogue dubbing during those years when technology had not spread its wings yet. Analogue dubbing demanded sharp and accurate lip sync as there were no means to correct these, like how we have now. We used to dub in reel during those times.
During the earlier years dubbing was not an easy task. It required great effort and concentration from the dubbing artists. The analogue dubbing had no room for correction of errors. Today, with the digitalization of dubbing, the task has been made easier and faster.
Dayofdubai: Actor, mimicry artist, dubbing artist and now the favourite RJ of millions. How did you end up as a Radio Jockey?
I started my career as a Radio Jockey in Radio Asia back in 2002, I was here in the UAE then. I found this job, attended the interview and joined Radio Asia on 8 December 2002. Currently, I handle a number of programmes here, including ‘Morning Bells’ and ‘Rajanigandhi’. I am the Programme Producer as well as Presenter here.
Radio Asia 1269 AM is a part of Radio Asia Network and is also the first Malayalam radio station in the Gulf. Radio Asia has come a long way after it was first aired in 1992 and is today one of the most preferred Malayalam AM stations in the region with listeners from Qatar, Oman and other GCC.
Dayofdubai: It is heard that your voice is heard on almost all radio channels despite you working only in Radio Asia, how is that possible?
RJ Sasikumar: (Sasikumar lets outa hearty laughter before he begins) Very well, I must admit that it is true. This is because I also do voice over for numerous radio commercials. You get to hear the UAE Etisalat and Du ads’ Malayalam version in my voice. Also, I have been doing voice over for commercials of Lulu Group GCC, Amalia Perfume UAE, Al Rawabi UAE and others. This is probably the reason why you hear me everywhere.
Apart from these, Sasikumar is an excellent theatre artist. He is into stage show direction as well. Being a highly skilled stage show anchor he has successfully carried out compering at a number of shows previously.
Dayofdubai: Radio aside, what are your passions and interests otherwise?
RJ Sasikumar: Being an art aficionado, I am avidly interested in movies. Acting is always a passion for me. Acting and films is also a dream that I still treasure, although an established RJ today with almost 20 years of experience. I still can’t let go of my obsession for acting. If not art, the second thing I would say I am interested in is food (the husky voice lets off an admitting chuckle). I especially love seafood, which is why I’ll eat any fish that wouldn’t bite me back!
Dayofdubai: A slight sneak-peek into your personal life, tell us about your family.
RJ Sasikumar: A small happy family, with my beloved wife Ranjini, who works as a Shadow Teacher at RAK Academy and my son Indhuchoodan, 11 years-old, studying in 6th standard, Indian Public School, Ras Al Khaimah. I am a proud Keralite, all the way from Aattingal, Trivandrum.
Sasikumar’s amazing voice has won him the Asiavision Radio Award for the Best Male Voice in AM category twice in the UAE. Also, for 6 years, when famous films stars, singers and other artists from around the world came together for the Asiavision Movie Awards Night to the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, the same voice, on live, invited all these celebrities as they walked up the red carpet.
Sasikumar is a fun-loving person and talks in a tone tinged with a good sense of humour. Apart from his powerful and persuading voice, this is the reason that sways many ardent listeners to tuning into his channel every day. His cheerful attitude enables him to easily spark a healthy conversation in a highly engaging way with anyone around.
