Tamil radio jockey eyes world record

Chennai, Aug 20 (IANS) A popular Tamil radio jockey (RJ) is aiming to enter the Guinness Book of World Records by attempting to stay on the air non-stop for over 136 hours.

Big Dheena, of Adlab's radio station BIG 92.7 FM, is one of Chennai's most popular RJs. He will begin his record-breaking performance Aug 21 - the day Chennai was founded - and continue non-stop for 136 hours or more. Chennai, earlier known as Madras, was founded as a British trading outpost Aug 21, 1639.

'The current Guinness record is held by Stefano Venneri (Italy) on the Radio BBSI station in Alessandria, Italy. He performed for 135 hours from April 21 to 26, 2007,' P.B. Ramaswamy, cluster director of BIG 92.7 FM, Tamil Nadu, told IANS.

Dheena, who hosts the 'Big Vanakkam' programme between 7.00 a.m. and 11.00 a.m. every weekday, 'has become the most popular RJ in Chennai because of his sheer hard work and focus and we are proud to have him with our group', Ramaswamy added.

'An attempt like this is a big responsibility,' Dheena told IANS. 'People have so much of expectation and being on air for so many hours is not easy. In a few seconds, we have to provide a fund of information,' the RJ added.

Asked what he will talk about on air, he replied: 'Mostly about Chennai; it will be Chennai's big day.'

To increase his stamina, Dheena practises yoga and has reduced the salt in his diet.

Medical teams will monitor him during the performance. 'My family and friends encourage me, saying I will surely succeed. My girlfriend is also praying for me.

'I am trying not to get too excited, to keep calm. I hope to break the record,' he added.

Hailing from the small town of Salem in western Tamil Nadu, Dheena is already a record breaking RJ, who last August completed a 92.7-hour 'RJ on-air' marathon to enter the Limca Book of Records.

He has also received the best RJ (Tamil) award from the India Radio Forum.