Radio announcer, Bankerlang Kharmujai, best known as ‘Request Khan’ died today after prolonged illness. He was 55.
Kharmujai hosted numerous programmes with All India Radio, Shillong and the music request show being the most popular one.
The show, which was aired for the first time by AIR in the 90s brought him closer to a wide range of listeners across the state, particularly the rural areas, which earned him the moniker ‘Request Khan’, comparing him with the popular entertainers of the time.
Kharmujai joined All India Radio Shillong as a Khasi Announcer in 1996 when the station for the first time started the pre-recorded phone-in request programme. Gradually the show gained popularity and the broadcaster went live every Thursday evening and never stopped impressing listeners. Based on popular demand Kharmujai had to host and morning show as well.
“He was a trailblazer for young announcers like us who have known his voice right from our school days,” an announcer at AIR said.
Basilica Nongpluh, his co-announcer who would be behind the scene those years recalled, “During a conversation with the listeners, who wanted to listen to songs featuring the Bollywood popular hero, Sharukh Khan, he would add wit into the conversation and would begin playing the song with his popular slogan, “Request Khan Khush Huwa…” He spoke to the listeners in many local dialects as well as Hindi and Assamese.”
“He was a good presenter of the Khasi programs entertaining listeners with his charming voice. Some listeners were so taken in by his request shows that they turned up to meet him in person at the office,” a colleague in AIR said.
“AIR Shillong and its listeners have lost an entertainer of good calibre who inspired young radio presenters from his illustrious career and significant role and contribution to broadcasting,” another said, adding he would be “greatly missed”.
Kharmujai will be laid to rest tomorrow.
