In Conversation with “Masala Canada”

Wojtek Gwiazda

By Zehra Ali

Q1) How did you start off with “Masala Canada”? Since we are sure that you have anelaborate CV, tell us what you have done besides this radio show?

I actually started doing radio back in my university days while working on a BA in Canadian History. First at Radio McGill, then while still at university I started freelancing for our national public broadcaster the CBC and for newspapers and magazines, mostly on films and on social issues. When I was hired at Radio Canada International – it was in the African service! Since then I’ve basically broadcast to every part of the world. Even hosted a Canadian rock music program in the 1980s, but mostly it’s been news and current affairs.

Q2) You have now celebrated the second anniversary of your show, what do you feel has been your greatest achievement while being a part of “Masala Canada”?

I think the biggest achievement is creating a recognizable, trusted radio show that lets listeners meet a variety of people with interesting, sometimes challenging, points of view in conversations that go beyond the standard interview.

Q3) In your special anniversary show you had a very interesting line-up from the likes of Merrily Weisbord and Jay Sean to our very own Fariha Rashid. Was there any particular reason as to why you chose to interview these people?

It was a challenge. Once you decide to make an anniversary show, it makes you more self conscious about choices. It was impossible to include everyone that I would have liked to. So I chose three former guests. Fariha because she was one of the early guests and had been on a new adventure with Ink9*, and now like us, was celebrating a two-year anniversary. I talked to Toronto music producer Vikas Kohli because of his longstanding commitment to music. I chose Jyoti Rana because of the fabulous contribution she and her husband and co-founder Abishek Mathur of the ‘Masala! Mehndi! Masti! South Asian arts and culture festival’ have given to our biggest city Toronto. I had a clip of an interview I’d done last year with Jay Sean because it emphasized his fun side and appreciation of humour. I also invited two new guests. Merrily Weisbord who had this wonderful story about her and Indian writer Kamala Das, and Asad Qizilbash who represented the future, and how he, and musical partner Hassan Bokhari, were determined to make their Toronto world fusion band Swaras work.

Q4) How has your experience been while working with Radio Canada International for the past two years?

It’s a lot of work! You can imagine from listening to the program, there’s tons of research etc. But beyond that, there’s more research that never gets to the program, either because it’s background to help me prepare for a potential topic one day, or things that don’t work out. The best part of it though, is the increasing comfort level I feel in sharing things with our listeners that I think will be of interest to them, or make them look at an issue they know, in another way. Actually, it’s been among the most exciting two years of my broadcast career.

Q5) How would you describe your show to our readers who may never have heard of it? What is the purpose it serves for Canada?

My short answer is that’s it’s an eclectic Canadian radio show with a South Asian flavour. It’s an hour long program in which you get to meet three people – in conversation – talking about everything from music, visual arts, economics, politics, racism, you name it. It’s a show about people and their thoughts – about sharing and understanding. As for “the purpose it serves for Canada?” – I wouldn’t say there’s a purpose in the sense you suggest – what it does do is give a hint of the vast variety of people and issues that make up our society. I guess if I had to define a purpose, it’s to share experiences, and on the way discover how similar we all are, no matter where in the world we live.

Q6) Your job requires you to unravel stories from all over the world. Describe an influential piece you have come across that has profoundly affected the way you think.

I think almost every time I have a conversation with a guest, I end up being surprised by something or other, and that in turn influences me. I have the incredible opportunity to get into really deep conversations with people, and they end up sharing so much of themselves. I think what touches me most profoundly is how many of my guests have had to struggle, whether it was against racism, other prejudices and obstacles, or the battle of making it in their careers, their lives.

Q7) What would you be doing right now had it not been for ‘Masala Canada’? Are we to believe that you would continue to find a platform on which to make stories beyond borders collide?

Interesting phrase “beyond borders” – I guess I often do feel like I’m straddling many different borders, backgrounds, interests and cultures. I love communicating, whether it’s on the radio, through the written word, through photography or video. What would I be doing right now if not Masala Canada? I don’t know. And I think that’s what excites me about being in the media. I really love challenges, and I’m basically a very curious person, in the sense of always being interested in finding out more.

Q8) Out of all the people you have interviewed from all over the world, which is that one person who has stirred particular interest in you?

That’s like asking which of your children you love most! I’m always eagerly looking forward to the next interview, and amazed when I re-listen to the ones I’ve done in the past.

Q9) Who is your role model? Whose footsteps would you want your show to follow in, in order to reach great heights?

I don’t think I have one role model. I am inspired by good, honest journalism. By a belief that as a journalist who has access to so many people, I have not only a role, but also a responsibility to ask questions on behalf of my listeners, on behalf of people who do not have the access to politicians and others that I do.

Q10) So what is on the agenda for ‘Masala Canada’ for the upcoming years?

Most important: to keep it fresh, to not be predictable, but at the same time dependable. I want to continue to be a place where listeners will turn for interesting, stimulating conversations they won’t hear elsewhere.

Q11) What is your message to the readers of Ink in Pakistan?

I wish you all the very best, I know that there is so much talent and potential in Pakistan, and so many challenges as well. I hope that you might join me, once in a while for the show, and certainly I’d be eager to hear your comments. I thank you for this opportunity to reflect on the program, and all the best to you all on your second anniversary at Ink.