Onika Maheshwari / New Delhi

Known in the world of radio for her distinctive voice and deeply engaging style, Saima Rahman—popularly known as RJ Saima—is one of the pleasing and soothing broadcasting voices.

Her programmes not only entertain but also connect audiences with life, memories, and emotions. Whether it is Purani Jeans, Urdu Ki Paathshala, a segment on Saadat Hasan Manto’s stories, or musical gatherings filled with classic songs, her speciality lies in reviving memories of the past while simultaneously inspiring listeners with fresh perspectives.

RJ Saima

Few people know that when RJ Saima was offered the show Purani Jeans by a private radio station, she was barely familiar with old Hindi songs. She knew only two: one that her father used to sing—“Tu Hindu banega na Musalman banega, insaan ki aulaad hai insaan banega”—and another that her mother often hummed—“Chandni raat hai, pyaar ki baat hai.”

One reason for this was that Saima was hosting the Yuv Vani programme on All India Radio, where she was mostly exposed to Western music such as Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Whitney Houston, and Frank Sinatra. At the time, she had no idea that this show would eventually give a new dimension to her life.

Saima Rahman, 40, was born in Nigeria, where her father, Ozair-e-Rahman, was worked as a teacher.

“When I was about one and a half years old, we returned to India, and I grew up in Delhi. I studied at Guru Harkrishan Public School, a Sikh school where my siblings and I were the only Muslim students. I learned to read, write and speak Gurmukhi, which became my third language. I loved singing and became the lead singer in school prayers. I sang shabads and kirtans and also participated in kirtan competitions at different gurdwaras,” she recalled in an interview.

RJ Saima with her father

Being Muslims, she and her brother had a different diction than other students. At times, it was amusing for teachers, who playfully created situation for the Rehman siblings to speak.

However, there were also a few teachers who mocked her and asked insensitive questions. Someone asked her if Muslims worship Aurangzeb.

Being too young to understand, she once asked her mother whether this was true.

On another occasion, a teacher embarrassed her over Eid al-Adha, questioning whether Muslims felt no shame in sacrificing animals. The incident hurt her deeply and brought her to tears. Yet she says that the love she received from other students and most teachers far outweighed such unpleasant experiences.

In Class 10, Saima participated in an inter-school debate titled “Should Sex Education Be Compulsory?” She spoke in favour of the motion—something that felt like a big step at the time.

Competing against students from some of Delhi’s top schools, she emerged as the winner. That moment made her realise how much she loved speaking and how important it was for her to master language and expression.

Even during her school days, Saima’s love for music was evident. It pushed young Saima towards creativity. From pronunciation and etiquette to freshness and rhythmic melody in her voice, Saima Rahman's vopice touches a cord.

RJ Saima with her parents

Her family often listened to radio programmes, and growing up in that environment, Saima visualised herself as a news presenter. She was fascinated by the idea of different radio voices say the same word differently. “This is All India Radio, the news read by…” with a different name each time. This curiosity sparked her deep interest in radio and news reading.

She began practising at home by reading newspapers aloud to correct her diction and bring clarity of her pronunciation. Sitting in her living room, she would rehearse as if she were a radio news reader, beginning with the line: “This is All India Radio, the news read by Saima Rahman.”

She then read newspaper headlines to practice reading. With each session of practice in her makebelieve Radio studio, she discovered the power of words and learned voice control.

Her first opportunity came in Class 12 when she got a chance to work in the Yuv Vani programme of All India Radio. This marked her first step into the world of radio. While working there, she honed her skills became an English news presenter.

RJ Saima

Saima completed her graduation in Sociology from Miranda House, University of Delhi and did her Master’s and MPhil in Social Work.

She also worked as a teacher for some time alongside her part-timeing radio presentation.

However, this phase lasted about six months and it was the time when her radio show Purani Jeans became popular. The programme received tremendous love from listeners, and Saima Rahman was awarded the Best Radio Jockey Award at the national level.

She decided to follow her calling as a Radio Presented and left the teaching job.

Purani Jeans gave her a distinct identity in the radio world. The programme revolved around songs and memories from the golden era of Bollywood.

She opened her show with “If you too are a big fan of Bollywood’s golden era like me, welcome to the show we call ‘Purani Jeans’.,Her enchanting voice transported listeners to another world.

Her presentation style, poetry, and nostalgic storytelling made the programme immensely popular.

Apart from being a radio jockey, Saima Rahman is also known for expressing her views on social issues. She uses her professional identity and popularity to raise awareness and speak openly about important social concerns.

Her connection with language and literature is also profound. She has always been passionate about the beauty of language and correct pronunciation. This interest led her to start the programme Urdu Ki Paathshala, through which she brings thousands of listeners closer to the Urdu language and its literary richness.

In the show, she often explains the meanings of Urdu words and introduces audiences to its cultural depth.

In 2020, Saima was honoured with the Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Award for value-based journalism for promoting harmony and positive dialogue in society. Earlier, she received the RAPA Award for the Best RJ. Beside Purani Jeans, her programme Har Marz Ki Dawa, also became popular and broadened her fanbase.

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Even today, RJ Saima remains active on FM radio and stays connected with her listeners like a friend. For many people, her voice is not merely a programme—it is an emotion, a voice that continues to weave together memories, poetry, music, and life’s experiences for her audience.