Akashvani: A Century of Stories from All India Radio

by Vikrant Pande, Neelesh Kulkarni

'To harness the ether for those who dwell upon the earth is one of the loveliest services that the modern age can render to humanity-Upward Radio!'-Sarojini Naidu's note in the AIR visitors' book


For decades, All India Radio or Akashvani, India's national broadcaster, has been 'the sound of India'. Be it Jawaharlal Nehru's iconic 'Tryst with Destiny' speech, shows such as Binaca Geetmala, cricket matches, movies or, more recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Mann ki Baat, AIR has been and continues to be the primary source for programmes on news, entertainment and knowledge for many Indians. But there are innumerable fascinating stories associated with the radio channel itself.

For instance, did you know that Rabindranath Tagore dedicated a poem to AIR called 'Akashvani', which was adopted as the Hindi name? Or that an AIR producer was one of the first civilians to be let inside the Golden Temple after Operation Blue Star? Or that noted Pakistani ghazal singer Ghulam Ali used to make his disciples listen to AIR's Urdu service to understand correct Urdu pronunciation?

These and many other such tales make up A Century of Stories from All India Radio. With anecdotes from producers, broadcasters, radio jockeys and listeners, this book is a must-read to understand AIR's pivotal role in the average Indian's life.

230 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 23, 2025

Reviews

[anil · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book to be treasured.
Well researched, beautifully written.
Perfectly concise.
Lovely anecdotal nuggets, some fun facts.

The downside for me was missing photos. There’s not even one. Even the cover is a graphic of a ‘radio’. Sad.

[Kaustubh Dudhane · Rating 3 out of 5]

'Radio made cricket a religion in India,' says Novy Kapadia, and everyone seems to agree.

Nostalgic. Well researched. 3.5 Stars!

I hardly had cable television at my home while growing up because my younger brother and I were television addicts. And Doordarshan was boring! Hence, my grandfather always used to push us to listen to the radio and read books (which I seldom used to follow.). Moreover, growing up in a small town, we never had private radio FM channels. All India Radio (AIR) was our only source for radio entertainment; especially during Test Matches when they weren't broadcasted on Doordarshan, Jaimala, Binaca Geetmala and other music shows.

This book is an ode to such precious memories. The authors speak to a lot of the people who had either worked or performed on the AIR. They capture the history from the colonial era, shade light on the license model, share a lot of funny and curious incidents like the harmonium ban, Surajit Sen's significance in the famous photo of the surrender of Pakistan Armed Forces in 1971 and Radio Ceylon's contribution. Additionally, they also cover the clashes among the music performers, cricket commentary and music production on radio.

He (Pandit Bhimsen Joshi) once said, 'My gurus taught me how to sing, but AIR taught me that it was possible to sing beautifully in a limited time.'

However, my favourite chapter was on the radio jingles. There were a lot of memories associated with those jingles which we sing today as well. Some of the chapters were a bit slow and I couldn't relate much with the people associated with them. There is an interesting take on the future of AIR considering the fact that most of the folks nowadays prefer to listen to private FM radio channels and podcasts on apps and YouTube.

Overall, a decent book which will definitely invoke nostalgia for the folks born before 1990s.

[Ishan Agrawal · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1983 , when Kapil Dev lifted the first World Cup Trophy in the Mecca of cricket , the Lord's, a wave shone through the nation about cricket. And we Indians remember that cup not just for the heroic performance of our team whom even if we call underdog would be an understatement but the iconic radio commentary as well especially in the do or die match against Zimbabwe where we were reeling at 17/5 and Kapil Dev played arguably the best world cup innings till date (which was sadly never broadcasted to snatch victory from the jaw of defeat. Such has been the impact of radio in our life.

In this work, authors have provided a heartfelt tribute to India's national broadcasting system. The book meticulously traces the history of the radio, from its humble beginnings to its evolution into a vital cultural institution. The behind-the-scenes stories, such as the famous harmonium ban and Rabindranath Tagore’s christening of the service, add significant depth and warmth. By focusing on these human elements, the authors successfully transform a historical account into a deeply personal reflection on India’s collective memory. It is a voyage to a nostalgic journey that highlights how radio became a constant companion in the everyday lives of millions

All in all this book is an essential read for history buffs and anyone seeking to relive the golden era of Indian broadcasting. It beautifully captures the emotional bond between the medium and its listeners, emphasizing imagination over modern visuals. The authors have delivered an informative and engaging record that honors the timeless role of the "voice from the sky"

[Vinit Bagdai · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a nostalgic and enriching read for me. Akashvani: A Century of Stories from All India Radio beautifully captures how AIR has been a quiet yet constant presence in the lives of Indians for decades. Reading it felt like revisiting a time when radio was not just a medium but a companion in everyday life. I genuinely felt happy learning about the history behind iconic moments, programmes, and voices that once filled homes with news, music, literature, and stories.

The book stands out for its lesser-known anecdotes about poets, broadcasters, producers, and artists who worked behind the microphone. These stories add warmth and depth, making the narrative feel personal rather than purely historical. It was fascinating to see how AIR played a role during crucial moments in India’s journey and how it connected people across languages and regions.

What I liked most is how the book goes beyond dates and facts and instead focuses on the emotional bond people share with radio. It reminds us of a time when imagination mattered more than visuals. Overall, this book is an informative and heartfelt tribute to Akashvani and its timeless role in shaping India’s collective memory.

[Hetal · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is a collection of anecdotes, several of which are memory recalls. It is a bit like listening to your grandparents talk about the 'good old days'. It is an easy read. Some of the anecdotes are cute, while several are just petty.

The book is defensive on the future of radio as a medium, and AIR's competitiveness in the business. It glorifies what can only be best considered basic standards of professionalism that must be expected from any legitimate business with integrity - from fact checks to getting the pronunciation right. There is an entire chapter on the success of jingles on radio - but that has more to do with the content creators than AIR as a transmission medium.

I may have enjoyed the book more if it had had a stronger research focus - and a historical build-up of events.

[Dr Tejinder Singh Rawal · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the radio fans, for those who still love to listen to the music of the 60s and 70s, this book is a treasure. It is soaked in our heritage; radio is a source of nostalgia for many people, including me. A must-read book.

[Anurag Agarwal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Towards the ending the book became interested - starting felt boring to me. On the future of AIR, there could be more to show how it would thrive in the presence of podcasts, youtube etc.