We have been hearing many voices in original English and South Indian movies, which are dubbed in Hindi. There are many advertisements on Marathi television, which are dubbed in Marathi for Maharashtrian viewers. Then there are Voiceovers for films and TV serial promos on various TV channels. But, we never know, who are these dubbing artistes. Marathi Movie World spoke to one such Radio Jockey, who is not only popular Hindi and Marathi R.J. on AIR’s100.7 FM Gold channel, Mumbai; but we hear his voiceover regularly on Star Pravah channel, when it comes to advertising a particular serial or programme. Incidentally, he was also the narrator of ‘Agnihotra’ Marathi serial for their 100 episodes.

For the past 9 years, Mayuresh Shirke has been entertaining radio listeners, with his mesmerising voice on FM Gold channel. But, Mayuresh also trains people in Voice Culture and Dubbing, at his own studio Kkhanak Audio Recording studio, at Bhavani Shankar road, Dadar. He has started this work along with Rashmi Warang, his colleague from FM radio, who is also a copy writer and translator. This studio which is managed by Vishakha Tikale Pandit; has offered training to many aspiring dubbing artistes.

Mayuresh has worked very hard to get himself into this profession.he has learned many things through experience. And, one of them was punctuality, which is very important in R.J’s job. Many popular Radio artistes like Ameen Sayani, Ajit Bhure, Pradeep Bhide,Ninad kamat and others have inspired him.

RJ Mayuresh, MumbaiMayuresh alongwith Rashmi Warang has not only trained newcomers from Mumbai; but he has also conducted workshops for R.J. Voice modulation and dubbing for the aspiring artistes in all age groups in Kolhapur,Silvasa, Malegaon and Nashik, numbering about 600. He also worked as a visiting faculty at Mumbai Educational trust ( MET). “There is plenty of scope for such artistes, who would like to remain behind the screen; yet impress audience with their graceful voices.” he said, while explaining importance of this training . When we met him, Mayuresh was busy training a batch of students for dubbing an original cartoon film in English. “It is the most challenging job to dub cartoon characters, as you can’t read the lip movement of the characters, as we do in the feature film dubbing. But, we have to get involved into the scene, their actions and literally act like them, while lending voice for them.” he said.

According to Mayuresh, dubbing artistes for Cartoon film characters are paid more than those who dub for feature films or advertisements. “Voiceover artistes are also in big demand for some of the popular Channels like Discovery of National Geographic, who are having their Hindi versions too in India.” he added. Whenever, Mayuresh is busy with his personal assignments, his colleagues manage his work at the studio. He has a very competent sound editing expert in the form of Prashant kamble, who is totally dedicated to his job. “There are no fixed hours for this studio recording; as many a times, we have to make adjustments according to the busy schedule of some celebrities, who have visited our studio for audio recordings.” he stated. At Kkhanak studio he has done the advertising for popular films like ‘Dombivali fast’, ‘Nishani Davaa Angatha’, ‘Bedhund’, ‘Huppa Huiyya’ and TV serials like ‘Bhagyavidhata’,’Bandhan’, ‘Vasudha’ and ads for Hundai Sonnata car, various banks, Birla white and Sagarika Music Co.

While we watched Mayuresh at work, explaining the learning artistes about their involvement in character, there were many retakes of the artistes, during that dubbing session. But, Mayuresh was trying to explain each one of them, their drawbacks. In fact, to dub one minute sequence; one student had 16 retakes; till Mayuresh finally got the results. His sound expert did the rest, with his quick copy- paste job. After the session , we had detailed discussion about the scope for such artistes in the entertainment industry; and Mayuresh said, “Those who really practice hard and have clarity in their voice, besides acting skills with well suited body language, at the time of recording, really do well. It’s almost like acting; but the only difference is that there is no camera in front of them. But, there’s a mike with a filter which is capturing their voice. So, you have to imagine that you are playing that character yourself. Then you really enjoy it.” he concluded.

In 2010, Mayuresh released his book ‘Manasparshi’ along with his friends Rashmi Warang and Ganesh Achwal, narrating experiences in the life of a radio Jockey. Now, he is all set to open a new branch of Kkhanak at Pune. At the same time, his next workshop in Mumbai will be held at his Dadar studio from 26th Sept onwards.