KNOWN for her optimistic outlook on life and great taste in music, Diyana Hashim brings joy and positivity whenever she is on the airwaves at Traxx FM. An attitude that comes straight from her passion for music and communicating.
On air since 2014, Diyana fills her free time by emceeing fashion events such as the Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week, Gaya Koleksi Raya, and The Wedding KL.
theSun recently had a chance to talk to Diyana and asked her where her journey started.
“It was not easy to become a deejay. It took a lot of mental preparation, and the opportunity for an audition does not come often. Radio stations don’t do it all the time, but as soon as you see it, you have to give it your best and go for the interview.
“But, before doing that you’ve got to prepare, prepare, prepare. I was fortunate. I had a few friends in the radio industry who were kind enough to share some information.
“We weren’t close, but it was just a matter of going up to them and saying that I want to learn whichever way I could. And to understand what it is you do, because I love it so much.
“They were very encouraging, and when I went, I got the job.”
Diyana’s early career was in customer service, but upon discovering her passion for communication, she began to take steps towards her dream.
“I did train to become a deejay. When I was younger, I never understood the meaning of being career-oriented. I know that there are many things that I can do, but I did not know what I wanted to do. And I think a lot of people can relate.
“Basically, in 2014 things changed. [I started] to see the people around [me] starting to focus on the things that they wanted to do, to have a meaning in their life.
“That was the kickstart for me. It was time for me to reevaluate, and find out who I am.
“Somehow, after a bit of self-reflection, I realised that I love to communicate, I love to be a part of a community, I love to build a network for people, and somehow to add music to the whole equation, so being a deejay was a natural conclusion.”
Today, podcasts would also be a natural direction for someone like Diyana. However, the aggregate internet audio show format was not a big thing in Malaysia at the time. Even now, podcasts are not as widely understood by the masses as radio.
“I don’t know if podcasting would have been my thing. I’m properly nostalgic and romantic. I remember the days sitting at the back of my parents’ car with the radio on. Just listening to whatever was on, switching between channels now and again. It’s a nice feeling, like you are never alone.”
As a media practitioner, Diyana is responsible for informing the public about current affairs. Besides that, she uplifts the spirits of listeners with her choices of music and her positivity. We asked her how she feels about how the information on Covid-19 is being disseminated.
“I feel that there is sufficient information that is being shared with the public. The transparency that we get provides a sense of optimism to the situation that we are in right now.
“I feel that at this point, it is up to us to cooperate with the necessary parties to flatten the curve. Plus, sources for accurate information that we can get now are everywhere”.
Diyana embraces the importance of staying connected, as being physically distant doesn’t mean that you need to be socially apart.
“We need to do what we can to protect each other, but of course, at the same time, some of us are not able to manage it mentally.
“Sometimes we feel trapped. That’s why we have each other and why we should communicate with each other and be completely open about it.
“If you feel distressed, call someone, tell them how you are feeling. There are organisations now that are nice enough to offer some assistance. It is heartening how people from all over the world try to alleviate the stress as much as they can.”
When asked what would be the first thing she would do once the MCO is lifted, Diyana says that she would run down the street while blasting music from a boombox.
“I am not a runner, but I miss running. But what I miss most during the MCO are my parents. I used to always visit them as they live near where I work, but with the MCO I have not seen them in over a month”.
