Former Doordarshan reader Sarla Maheshwari dies at 71
Her death, first announced by co-anchor and friend Shammi Narang, was mourned by colleagues and friends across media circles.
Farewell to Sarla Maheshwari: Doordarshan’s Gentle Voice Falls Silent at 71
Remember those evenings in the 80s and 90s, when the whole neighborhood huddled around a grainy black-and-white TV? Doordarshan crackled to life for a precious few hours, delivering the day’s news with quiet dignity. At the center was Sarla Maheshwari—seedha palla sari draped perfectly, voice like a soothing lullaby, reading headlines without a hint of today’s frantic drama. On Thursday, February 12, 2026, this icon of Indian television slipped away in New Delhi at 71, leaving a void in hearts tuned to nostalgia.
From 1976 to 2005, Sarla was the face of primetime news, sharing the screen with legends like Salma Sultan, Minu Talwar, Shammi Narang, Geetanjali Aiyer, and Neeti Ravindran. No 24/7 channels, no screaming debates—just one trusted voice, precise diction, and poise that built unshakable faith. Her calm amid crises, from emergencies to elections, felt like a warm embrace. India evolved from monochrome to color TV, but Sarla’s simplicity shone eternal.
News broke via Shammi Narang, her co-anchor and dear friend. “I feel utmost grief in announcing the sad demise of my ex-co-News anchor at Doordarshan, Sarala Maheshwari… Beautiful not just in appearance but even more so at heart, she Her presence on the Doordarshan screen had a unique aura,” Narang shared on X and Instagram, her words dripping sorrow.
precise pronunciation, and dignified presentation. Her simplicity, restraint, and personality established deep trust in the hearts of viewers.” Tributes poured from colleagues, Congress leaders, and viewers who grew up with her. Rini Simon Khanna, another friend, whispered, “Rest dear Sarla, you suffered too long.”
Details of her final days were scarce—ill health kept private, as was her style. Yet, her spirit flickered last February. Frail, arriving by ambulance at a Delhi polling booth, she urged voters: “I believe that voting is a right that belongs to all of us.
Sarla’s life mirrored Doordarshan’s journey—from state monopoly to media explosion. She wasn’t flashy; her power was in restraint, making complex news feel personal. Old viewers recall her sari, that steady gaze, headlines on wars, reforms, joys. She humanized the screen when TV was novel.
Today, as channels shout, Sarla reminds us of grace lost. Her passing mourns not just a reader, but an era—when news informed, not inflamed. Rest easy, Sarla ji. Your voice echoes in our memories, steady as ever.