Sarla Maheshwari, one of the well-known faces of early Doordarshan news, passed away in Delhi at the age of 71. The news was shared by former anchor Shammi Narang, who remembered her warmly and spoke about the years they worked together.
For many Indians who grew up in the 70s and 80s, her face was a familiar part of the evening. Back then, there was only Doordarshan. When the news came on, families would sit down and watch it together. Sarla was one of the anchors people trusted and recognised instantly.
How Sarla Maheshwari’s journey began as a news reader
Sarla joined Doordarshan in 1976. At the time, she was working on her Ph.D. She applied for the role of a news announcer and got selected. What began as a job slowly became her identity for many viewers.
She worked with Doordarshan until 1984. After that, she spent some time in the UK, where she worked with the BBC. In 1988, she returned to India and rejoined Doordarshan.
Newsreading in a different time
Television was very different in those days. There were no teleprompters. Anchors had to prepare and remember long scripts before going live. Once the camera started rolling, there were no second chances.
In earlier interviews, Sarla had spoken about how strict and disciplined the system was. Even a small pause could feel like a big mistake. She once shared that she accidentally laughed during a live bulletin after mixing up a line. It was rare, and she remembered it clearly.
A life beyond television
Sarla was not just a news anchor. She was also a lecturer at Delhi University’s Hansraj College. Teaching was important to her, and she continued balancing both roles.
Over the years, she received film and advertisement offers because she was so well known. But she chose not to step into that world. She preferred staying focused on news and academics.
Letters from viewers
In those days, feedback did not come through social media. It came through letters. Viewers wrote to her regularly. Some praised her voice and confidence. Others gave personal suggestions, like asking her to smile more or adjust her bindi.
Sarla Maheshwari will be remembered as part of a time when television news felt simple and steady. For many households, she was not just reading the news, she was part of their daily life.