The Lahore that was Chauburj It was a glorious spring day in 1960 that I accompanied my father to the Radio Pakistan Lahore for an audition. This was a time when the radio station was housed in a sprawling old bungalow near the Simla Pahari gate of the Governors House. The studios were located in the main building, while a ‘U’ shaped annex across the rear courtyard made up the offices of the producers and administrative paraphernalia.

As one entered the gate, one passed along a drive and into a porch that connected another small building to the main structure. This was the accounts office from where one got paid for the programmes one did. The radio station was surrounded by trees and there was a fairly well maintained lawn in front fringed by Jaman trees.

Life at Radio Pakistan Lahore was an unforgettable experience. Everyone from celebrity to the chaprassi acted as part of one big family. The young were respectful towards their older peers and the latter responded with great affection and dignity.

There was the great Ayub Romani, who was in charge of musical programmes. He was a popular figure, always surrounded by great names in music and one found the canteen hard to keep up with the demands for ‘a set or half set’ of tea from his office. The inimitable Sultan Sahib or Nizam Din to listeners was heard before he was seen. He was full of life and as child artistes we looked on him with awe.

Working with Mohini Ham-eed and Aqeel Ahmed was an experience that I cherish to this day. Mohini or Apa Shamim to thousands of boys and girls across the country anchored the Children’s Programme on Sundays. This wonderful person with the velvety voice also read out the daily evening story for the young. She had a great fan following as she often played lead female roles in radio plays. Aqeel Sahib had the gift of a perfect Urdu pronunciation and a voice to match it. I remember him as a man with wavy hair combed straight back, always ready to help faltering youngsters with their lines.