{"id":1504,"date":"2011-08-02T06:08:01","date_gmt":"2011-08-02T11:08:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=1504"},"modified":"2011-08-02T06:08:01","modified_gmt":"2011-08-02T11:08:01","slug":"china-radio-international","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2011\/08\/china-radio-international\/","title":{"rendered":"CRI’s growing Tamil audience"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>(Source: The Hindu<\/a>)<\/p>\n

S. Pandiyarajan was fiddling around with his shortwave radio set one hot summer evening at Villupuram, Tamil Nadu, when he stumbled upon a strange station.<\/p>\n

At first listen, it was a language he couldn’t identify. It sounded like Tamil, but spoken in an accent he could not recognise. He listened on, straining his ears. To his surprise, he discovered that the voices were coming from faraway China.<\/p>\n

\u201cI could hear two Chinese people speaking in perfect Tamil!\u201d he said. \u201cAnd this was Sentamizh [classical Tamil], which you never hear anywhere, anymore, even in Tamil Nadu.\u201d<\/p>\n

That evening, Mr. Pandiyarajan became the latest member of China Radio International’s fast-growing overseas fan base. The station, run by the Chinese government, has, for more than six decades, been tasked with carrying news from China \u2014 from politics to arts and culture \u2014 to boost the country’s image overseas.<\/p>\n

[…]Remarkably, CRI’s Tamil station enjoys the widest reach of all its channels. Its popularity underscores the quiet success China’s \u201csoft power\u201d push is having in unlikely locations. The Tamil station, which broadcasts every day from a modest 12th floor office, has more than 25,000 registered listeners \u2014 besides thousands of others who tune in casually every day \u2014 in Tamil Nadu and the rest of India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, Germany, the United States and Japan.<\/p>\n

The Tamil station started broadcasting in 1963. Since then, it has continued to beam its shows uninterrupted, building up an almost cult following overseas, with its fans even organising themselves into a network of listeners’ clubs.<\/p>\n

[…]This month, the station invited the heads of some of its listeners’ clubs in Tamil Nadu to visit its Beijing headquarters, part of an effort to engage more with listeners.<\/p>\n

S. Selvam, head of the All-India Listeners’ Club, said the station’s popularity was driven by its novelty. \u201cThe first thing that strikes you is, why are these Chinese people learning Tamil, and speaking perfect Sentamizh?\u201d he said. \u201cYou think, if they are making such an effort, we have to reach out to them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr. Pandiyarajan agreed. \u201cThis is something completely new,\u201d he said. \u201cWe have Villupuram Tamil, Chennai Tamil, Puducherry Tamil. But I never thought I would discover that there would also be a Cheena [Chinese] Tamil.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Read the full article at The Hindu.<\/a>\u00a0Also, read about CRI’s broadcasts in the local US radio market<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(Source: The Hindu) S. Pandiyarajan was fiddling around with his shortwave radio set one hot summer evening at Villupuram, Tamil Nadu, when he stumbled upon a strange station. At first listen, it was a language he couldn’t identify. It sounded like Tamil, but spoken in an accent he could not recognise. He listened on, straining […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[56,3],"tags":[141,429,506,507],"class_list":["post-1504","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-broadcasters","category-news","tag-china-radio-international","tag-cri","tag-tamil","tag-the-hindu"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-og","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":31016,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/03\/tamil-nadu-state-disaster-management-authority-plans-shortwave-weather-broadcasts\/","url_meta":{"origin":1504,"position":0},"title":"Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority plans shortwave weather broadcasts","author":"Thomas","date":"March 1, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: The Hundu via Mike Hansgen) After facing criticism for its failure to warn fishermen at sea during Cyclone Ockhi, the State government plans to use shortwave radio broadcasts to provide vital information. The Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority (TNSDMA) will soon hold a meeting with the Regional Meteorological\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/SX-99-Dial-Nar.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/SX-99-Dial-Nar.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/SX-99-Dial-Nar.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/SX-99-Dial-Nar.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10377,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2014\/07\/the-straits-times-western-radio-broadcasters-tuning-out\/","url_meta":{"origin":1504,"position":1},"title":"The Straits Times: “Western radio broadcasters tuning out”","author":"Thomas","date":"July 27, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Richard Cuff, for sharing this article from The Straits Times which interviews our friend Victor Goonetilleke. This is one of the first articles I've seen in the international press which gives a\u00a0listener's perspective\u00a0on recent cuts to shortwave broadcasting. (Source: The Straits Times) For 67-year-old\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Analog Radio Dial","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/swdial.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":24801,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/03\/vatican-radios-english-shortwave-service-to-asia-ends\/","url_meta":{"origin":1504,"position":2},"title":"Vatican Radio\u2019s English shortwave service to Asia ends","author":"Thomas","date":"March 24, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: Vatican Radio\u00a0via London Shortwave) Vatican Radio\u2019s English SW broadcast to Asia come to an end Vatican Radio\u2019s English shortwave broadcast for Asia has come to an end, with its last transmission going out Friday evening, after nearly 60 years of service.\u00a0 However this does not mean it has disappeared\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/dial-analog.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/dial-analog.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/dial-analog.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/dial-analog.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10779,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2014\/09\/incredible-band-openings-tonight\/","url_meta":{"origin":1504,"position":3},"title":"Incredible band openings tonight","author":"Thomas","date":"September 10, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"After an X class solar flare that caused a serious HF radio black-out earlier today, we've been rewarded with superb radio conditions this evening in North America. This is, perhaps, one of the best temporary band openings I've experienced this year. \u00a0Unfortunately, there's a good chance an incoming CME could\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"X1.6 Solar Flare, sunspot 2158 (source: Solar Ham)","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/SolarFlare.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/SolarFlare.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/SolarFlare.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":56920,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2023\/05\/reach-beyond-australia-tom-notes-excellent-reception-and-jeff-white-interview\/","url_meta":{"origin":1504,"position":4},"title":"Reach Beyond Australia: Tom notes excellent reception and Jeff White interview","author":"Thomas","date":"May 24, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, TomL, who writes: Propagation is very good. Reach Beyond Australia is now picked up with regularity from my noisy Northern Illinois Condominium. I find it fascinating to hear the different 15-minute language programs, including indigenous music, in Hindi, Tamil, different Burmese dialects, etc. Of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "International Broadcasting"","block_context":{"text":"International Broadcasting","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/international-broadcasting\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/ReachBeyondAustaralia.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/ReachBeyondAustaralia.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/ReachBeyondAustaralia.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/ReachBeyondAustaralia.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":18344,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/04\/all-india-radio-considering-shutting-down-shortwave-service\/","url_meta":{"origin":1504,"position":5},"title":"All India Radio considering shut down of shortwave service?","author":"Thomas","date":"April 18, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: Sunday Guardian Live) AIR mulls shutting down soft power short wave units By AREEBA FALAK\u00a0 The Prasar Bharati Board is contemplating shutting down the short-wave service of the External Services Division (ESD) of All India Radio (AIR) even as a proposal to switch to an affordable internet-based radio service\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"All India Radio (AIR) Headquarters in Dehli, India. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/01\/newdelhi90zu.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1504","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1504"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1504\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1504"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1504"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1504"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}