Sarla Maheshwari
NEW DELHI: Sarla Maheshwari, one of the most recognisable faces of Doordarshan’s retro era, passed away on Thursday. She was 71.Her death was confirmed by Doordarshan National through a post on social media, where the broadcaster remembered her as a cherished and distinguished newsreader whose voice and presence left a lasting mark on Indian television journalism.”A heartfelt tribute from the Doordarshan family to Smt. Sarla Maheshwari. She was a respected and esteemed newsreader of Doordarshan, who carved out a special place in the Indian news world with her gentle voice, precise pronunciation, and dignified presentation. Her simplicity, restraint, and personality established deep trust in the hearts of viewers,” Doordarshan National wrote on X. The public broadcaster wrote that her understated style and composed demeanour earned the confidence and affection of audiences across the country.Veteran news anchor Shammi Narang, who worked alongside Maheshwari, also paid tribute.“I feel utmost grief in announcing the sad demise of my ex co-News anchor at Doordarshan, Sarala Maheshwari. She was the embodiment of grace and courtesy. Beautiful not just in appearance but even more so at heart, she had a remarkable command over language and was a reservoir of knowledge. Her presence on the Doordarshan screen had a unique aura. She respected everyone and uplifted every space she was part of. I pray that God grants her soul eternal peace and gives strength to the Maheshwari family. Om Shanti,” Narang wrote in a post on X. Maheshwari became a household name during the 1980s and 1990s, when Doordarshan dominated the television news space in India. For nearly three decades, from 1976 until 2005, she delivered Hindi news bulletins with composure and clarity, earning admiration for her measured tone and flawless diction.Her journey in broadcasting began while she was pursuing a PhD at Delhi University. After successfully auditioning as an announcer, she gradually moved into news reading and remained a steady presence as Indian television transitioned from the black-and-white era to colour broadcasting.With her calm authority and polished presentation, Sarla Maheshwari represented a generation of news anchors who defined credibility on screen.
