Rocking Lives with the Help of Radio – RJ Himani Monalisa Dutta

Many people out in the world are still trying to find what they are looking for and what they want. Only a few are blessed to discover it in their lifetime. This story is about a three-year-old girl who knew right from the time she stepped into a radio studio that it was her entire future.

Himani Monalisa Dutta followed the path her heart craved for her. Even though she could have had it easy because of her family background, her father made her struggle for success. She says that whatever today she is, it is because of her parents. Otherwise, she won’t be the person whose inspiring story we are going to read. Let’s hear the story of RJ Himani Monalisa Dutta.

RJ Himani Monalisa Dutta – My Story

I’m RJ Himani Monalisa Dutta. I was born in Andaman and Nicobar island. My mom and dad both worked at All India Radio. My father was an engineer while my mother served as an announcer. Later, we shifted to Delhi, where I have spent a larger part of my life.

My story has a deep connection with my childhood. I remember my mother used to make me sit in the studio’s corner and start her show. She would tell me to stay quiet and I’d see her talking into the microphone filled with emotions – sometimes laughing, sometimes crying.

I grew up in a radio family and I was fortunate enough to get an offer at three, which shaped my entire life. My mom was in charge of a radio play that needed a child artist. The management was looking for someone to play the role. The directors suggested my name to my mother as I was apt age-wise.

The next day, I played the role, and everything went well. That was the first time I stepped into a studio professionally and since then I have never looked back. I knew as a three-year-old child that the studio was going to be my world.

I grew up, but I never left the radio world. I worked with various departments in which my mom groomed me. She was the inspiration I looked forward to, and she was my Guru throughout the journey.

At the start, my journey was with no bumps. But when I told mom and dad that I wanted to take up radio jockey as my profession, they shrugged me off. Although they were in the same field and later my dad even got promoted as an engineer in Doordarshan.

Still, they didn’t want me to choose the field. My father wanted me to become an IAS officer, whereas my mom dreamed of me as a doctor. I was never interested in anything other than media. So, I went against their wishes and did what I wanted. At the start of my professional career, dad clarified he wouldn’t lend out any help if I stumbled upon problems along the way.

As it was my decision, he asked me to make my path using my talents. So, whatever I achieve will be my own and not because of my parents. At that point, it was difficult taking it in. But as time passed, I realized his decision helped me. I am happy with what I am today, and I can proudly say that I have self-achieved it. If dad was easy on me then, maybe I would not have become this person. His decision opened me to the real world.

I started as a model and an actor in college alongside my radio work. I developed my work circle, making my own connections. Soon, many offers started pouring in. I was lucky to work with the greatest directors in television serials. There were some struggles down the road. A serial for which I worked called and canceled my part on the launching day.

Then at the end of the 90s, everything moved to Mumbai. I didn’t have enough resources to shift to a whole new city for work. Many of my colleagues advised me to move to Mumbai for a successful career. They still say that everything would have been entirely different had I shifted to Mumbai. However, it was not a viable option for me, so I stayed back in Delhi.

Honestly, small failures never brought me down. I knew what I wanted, and I was hell-bent on achieving it. I tried my hand on new things. That’s when I started event management. I anchored quite a lot of live shows and organized book launches. My radio shows also went on, and I garnered a lot of love from my audience. Whenever I found life getting difficult, radio became my only escape.

A few private companies offered me a large salary job, but I never left AIR. All India Radio helped me to become who I was, and it helped me discover myself. So, there was no chance that I was giving it up. The thing about radio was that it connected me to people. The people who call themselves my fans, I call them my family. And I was fortunate enough to meet some of them personally and they are a huge part of my life now.

When my son was born, I took a break and join the industry once he was young enough. I knew that the time gap was too long. I wanted to stay near him but I also didn’t want to give up on my career. I was struggling between personal and professional life when my childhood friend gave me a suggestion.

He asked me to start something using my skills and experiences from my past professions. We both sat down, and while discussing, we came up with an entrepreneurship adventure idea. The plan was to give classes and conduct programs and events to help people with their communication and professional skills.

The idea came in shape when the classes enrollment started and over 1000 people enrolled for it from all over India.

Then Covid hit us. It was a tough time since everyone was in lockdown. When things restarted, my whole western music radio show was put on hold. I knew though I was going through a setback in life, my condition was better than many others. So, I counted myself lucky and started focusing on the positive things.

Last month, I conducted a whole day event under my entrepreneurship banner. Now, we are planning to do more stuff in the future. Radio is also going great. After a few internal changes by the committee, I am hoping my show will run again. Throughout the journey, my friends and especially my kid have been the source of my strength. I know I can fall blindly when these people are there to catch me.

My dad told me something when I was struggling. He had said, ‘There will be people who will be above you and will intimidate you. But when you feel the fear, think about the people who are still in their journey and who have more struggles than you and are yet figuring themselves out. Count your blessings and think how fortunate you are and be grateful. Keep fighting for what you want, and you will win and reach the level you were once intimidated with.’

These words are the driving force of my life. And today, I am here – a happy, and self-made woman ready to take over the world one step at a time.

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