DR
NAROTTAM
PURI
One of the greatest disappointments in the contemporary commercialised world of cricket in India is the fall in amount and standards and thereby the following of radio commentary.
Whilst the rise in popularity and quality of TV coverage is to be lauded, the decline of radio cricket commentary is a great pity.
There was a time when, despite TV, radio was the primary mode of commentary in India. English being the main mode of communication in the early years but then ‘bilingual’ i.e. English & Hindi & finally regional language commentaries really took the game not just into the remotest houses but even the kitchens of India.
It was in the 1940’s that Indians first got to hear the Hampshire "burr" of a commentator who was to become a legend in the world of cricket through his commentary – John Arlott.
In 1946, Arlott (born 25.2.14, died 14.12.91) was booked by BBC to provide English commentary on its Eastern Services along with a newsreader Abdul Hamid Sheikh who spoke in Hindustani. Like Sheikh, Arlott was working for BBC’s Eastern Service as a Literary Producer.
Arlott was a multifaceted and multitalented personality. Starting his life as a medical records clerk in a mental hospital, Arlott became a policeman where his poetry, erudition and literary skills came to the notice of one of his seniors. He joined BBC in 1946 first as a freelance Talk Producer & then Literary Producer but his world changed when he was given the opportunity to do cricket commentary of the 1946 India tour of England.
At that time, Rex Alston, Jim Swanton & Arthur Gilligan were the main team and remained so for the 1947 South Africa tour series but the Bradman led 1948 Australian tour of England saw John Arlott join as part of the main team of BBC. There was no turning back. John Arlott was to remain the focal point of BBC’s Test Match Special till Sept 2, 1980 – a period of 34 years. On that day, Arlott’s last words as a BBC commentator were "……and after Trevor Bailey it will be Christopher Martin – Jenkins." No hype, no fuss, just the native Hampshire "burr". But out on the field at Lord’s, play halted a mite as the two England batsmen & the entire Australian team applauded along with the crowd who gave a standing ovation to a much loved voice. It was the finest tribute a commentator could ever get.
