For Nanda Nagarajan, a visual communication graduate from Rathinam College of Arts and Science, multi-tasking is like a cake walk.  He is anchor, master of ceremonies, programme producer, and radio jockey in community radio of Ratnavani.

The enterprising 19-year old told Covai Post that he was working with a vision to scale new heights in a creative field. “I felt very happy when I got the national honour while working at Rathinam College community radio as radio jockey and producer. The programme ‘Phothumada Samy’ that was presented by anchor Shabnam was chosen as the most innovative creative award. But for the guidance of former AIR and Doordarshan director M.S. Perumal, this would not have been possible,” he said adding that M.S. Perumal gave a new identity to ‘Ratnavani’ after he took over the radio.

Nanda also gained much from the seasoned broadcaster. M.S. Perumal was the story writer for veteran director K. Balachander for the movie ‘Aval Oru Thodarkathai’.

“It was really fascinating for me to work with 69-year old Perumal sir as it gave me tremendous opportunity to learn and improvise my skills in radio programming. I feel I am lucky to be associated with him as he brought out my innate talents. It was great to learn from a broadcaster who had gained rich experience in both All India Radio and Pothigai television channel,” Nanda said with pride.

Yet another honour Nanda and his team received was International Youth NGO Summit (IYONS) social media award, which was presented by News 7 Tamil channel head R. Bhagwan Singh along with social activist K. Abdul Ghani.

Talking about his path, Nanda is from Coonoor.  He failed in SSLC and Plus-Two   examinations, but managed to complete it in the second attempt. It was his brother Arun, a former student of Rathinam College, who showed interest in him and asked him what his ambition was and what he wanted to become. Without a second thought, Nanda said that he wanted to become like Sivakarthikeyan, for which Arun is said to have asked, “You mean video jockey ?”.  Nanda replied with a “yes”.

Knowing Nanda’s ambition, Arun made him pursue visual communication at Rathinam College of Arts and Science. As luck would have it, Rathinam College launched its community radio where Natesan Balamurugan took over as programme in-charge. After seeing his singing talent, he encouraged Nanda and coached him on voice modulation and other intricacies of broadcasting media.

Meanwhile, Nanda got the best singer award from the college, which he dedicated to Idea IDL Karthik Viswanathan, who was instrumental in getting this honour.

Nanda has penned seven stories on social themes which he plans to shoot with the support of some sponsors. Nanda is also chasing his dreams of making it big in Kollywood.

Before signing off, Nanda quoted Swami Vivekananda saying ‘Arise, awake and stop not till your goal is achieved’. ‘I want to achieve and I am working on that,” said Nanda brimming with confidence.