Sumangala Mummigatti: A Science Broadcaster Par Excellence

Bengaluru: Science education, science communication, popularisation of science, and inculcating scientific temper and culture are inherently challenging tasks before the scientific community. Doing this job on the Radio in the absence of visual and illustrative aids is furthermore a challenge. AIR Bengaluru led by Dr H R Krishnamurthy and Sumangala S Mummigatti was the pioneer and stood as a bedrock of science broadcasts to set trends for AIR stations all over the country through its wide and impactful work of huge magnitude.

An outstanding science broadcaster: Sumangala S Mummigatti took over the responsibility of Science programmes at AIR Bengaluru in 1993 and soon rose to become an exceptional Science broadcaster, writer, guide, trainer, motivator and change maker. She worked relentlessly with an exemplary degree of dedication, conviction and focus.

Schooling and college education: She was born in Hubballi on 4th November and had her schooling and college education at Dharwad, Bellary, Mysuru, Bengaluru and Hubballi. She graduated from P C Jabin Science College Hubballi with the distinction of being awarded the Best Student of the Year. She completed her postgraduate studies in Zoology from Karnataka University, Dharwad.

A meritorious student all along: She was a meritorious student, voracious reader, speaker, debater, writer, poet, sportsperson, science enthusiast, and science model maker. She participated in all activities and competitions leaving a mark of excellence.

Taught Zoology and Botany: Soon after completing her MSc in 1987, she joined RTES college, Ranibennur and taught Zoology and Botany for PU and degree students for nearly four years.

Airwaves across the country: Her broadcasting career began in September 1993 at AIR Bengaluru and soon spread its 'airwaves' across the country and even beyond, till she breathed her last in March 2023. She took to broadcasting as fish takes to water. On the very second day of her joining AIR, her Radio Report on the Latur earthquake and the very third day the interviews with Dr Raghavendra Gadagkar and M R N Murthy of IISc Bengaluru, on being honoured with National Young Scientist Awards were splendid and earned applause from senior broadcasters and Station Director, Dr Jyotsna K Kamath.

Who's who of Bengaluru: Bengaluru is the hub of National Science Institutes and research teams, she could invite almost all renowned Scientists, Heads of institutes, writers, environmentalists, and technologists regularly, interview them on their research works and their usefulness to the society, to let the common man know them. Listening to Prof U R Rao, Prof C N R Rao, Dr Raja Ramanna, Dr Atre, Prof G Padmanabhan, Prof Madhav Gadgil, Dr Ullas Karanth, Nagesh Hegde, Prof Vishweshwaran, Prof Roddam Narasimha and score of such stalwarts was a great thrill for listeners. Her ground reports from various off-broadcast (OB) spots of Science events were a huge attraction.

25 theme-based serials! She soon realised that, apart from regular broadcasts on science issues, it was theme-based science serials through concerted efforts could successfully and effectively reach people's hearts and bring in not only awareness but also inculcate a culture of science. Sumangala therefore planned and broadcast more than 25 theme-based Science and technology serials and documentaries across all AIR stations of Karnataka.

Amazing subjects and topics: Some of her Radio serials broadcast were, 'Vignyanayaana' on the history of science and technology, 'Dhareyasiri' on Natural resources, ' Vanyajeevigala Ramyaloka' on life in the wild, 'Nabhoyaana' on ISRO's space programmes, 'Vishwadarshana' on Astronomy, 'Sankhya Sampannaru' on the contribution of Indian Mathematicians, 'Vignyaamamayi' on women scientists of India, 'Bhavishyada Beragu' on Artificial Intelligence...Radioscope, Vignyaana Bharati, Star gazing, Science quiz, Phone in programmes, Vignyaana prashnottara and so on.

Sumangala's broadcasts were recognised for their unique features like,

1. Application of simple, lucid, effective language, captivating and convincing voice.

2. Use of Radio Drama and Radio feature formats to disseminate scientific themes.

3. Using music, songs, and special sound effects coupled with a high degree of imagination and creativity in presentations.

4. Connecting global developments with issues of local requirements and solutions.

5. Active involvement of the audience through two-way communication.

6. Collaborative projects with various National Science and technology institutes, Government agencies, NGOs etc.

7. Inviting the heads and best of the brains from these agencies to AIR studios and disseminating information on their research, findings, importance and applications for the development of society.

8 Ground reporting from institutes, laboratories, satellite launch stations, forests, bird sanctuaries, villages, tribal habitats, disaster spots etc.

9. Initiating, introducing, training, guiding and grooming young science broadcasters, writers, journalists, and environmental and conservational groups.

10. Planning of broadcasts with special audiences in mind like children, youth, women, farmers, industrial workers, teachers, NGOs, Panchayats, visually challenged, and science enthusiasts etc.

11. Coverage of research and developments in a wide variety of fields like Astronomy, Agriculture, Industry, Forests, Wildlife, Conservation, Biodiversity, Space, Alternative energy sources, pollution, global warming, climate change, and Artificial intelligence, apart from basic sciences of Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Mathematics, History of Science in India, technology and so on, including what is called locally as 'Jugaad'

12. Broadcast of more than 25 weekly Science serials and documentaries of 15 to 30 minutes duration each, running to 13, 26, 39 or 52 episodes on chosen themes.

13. Broadcast of English monthly National Science Magazine " Radioscope" from AIR Delhi in National hookup, covering the developments of Science and technology around the world and India regularly for more than a decade.

ISRO team thrilled: For instance"Nabhoyaana" a 13-episode 15-minute weekly Radio serial on Indian Space programme. It gave a lucid picture of India's space achievements to the Radio listeners. At the prize distribution ceremony organised for participating listeners, the ISRO team was thrilled to know that they had been so well informed about their organisation through these Radio programmes. That was the impact of 'Nabhoyaana'.

Weekly serial on the biodiversity: "Dhareya Siri" a 14-episode, weekly serial on the Biodiversity of Karnataka in association with the Center for Ecological Sciences, IISc Bengaluru through its interactive and participatory activities with listeners from forest dwellers to farmers, Panchayat members, NGOs, schools, students, youth associations women's groups, to people of Bellary, Bidar or Kolar. It could collect and document the biodiversity of different areas of Karnataka. CES, IISc was overwhelmed to get the Statewide Biodiversity data in just three months which otherwise would have taken years with a huge documenting team and financial burden. No wonder that the "Institute for Environmental Education", a London-based study team recognised this Radio interactive broadcast as the "Most effective communication exercise" to build awareness of Biodiversity among the people.

Seeing birds through ears! 'Pakshiyuli' on identification birds was not only widely listened to by the general public, it was a huge hit among the visually impaired. They were so impressed that they wrote to AIR in Breille expressing their gratitude for facilitating to "see" birds through their ears.

Widely followed by listeners: Similarly, live broadcasts of Star gazing programmes, live broadcasts of eclipses, comets, lunar occultation of Mars, meteor showers etc were widely followed by listeners. Sumangala's broadcasts have earned her huge recognition and honours at State, National and International fora. 

Forty books on a wide range of scientific topics: Sumangala was equally proficient with her pen. She has penned over forty books on a wide range of scientific topics.

Publications adopted for degree classes: Her publications have been adopted for degree classes in State Universities like Karnataka University Dharwad, Kuvempu University Shimoga, Gulbarga University, and Mangaluru University.

Five books rewarded: Sumangala is honoured for her writings as well. Her five books and a translation have been awarded for their content as best Science works.

Mega science serial for two years! She worked tirelessly despite her failing health. 'Nitya Vinyaana' was her last science serial running daily for two years starting from August 2021. It became a household name.

Broadcasts touched the hearts of lakhs! Sumangala used to say "Our Radio waves start from our studios, make their way through the ears of our listeners and touch their hearts." She established an emotional chord between the voice, the ears and the heart. Her broadcasts touched the very hearts of lakhs of listeners. Her exemplary work will be remembered by them for a long time to come.

Inputs and photos courtesy: Shashikant Mummigatti