Sarla Maheshwari, iconic DD newsreader, passes away at 71 | India News
New Delhi: Sarla Maheshwari, one of the most recognizable faces of Doordarshan’s retro era, passed away on Thursday. He was 71.Doordarshan National confirmed his death in a post on social media, where the broadcaster remembered him as a cherished and distinguished newsreader whose voice and presence left a lasting mark on Indian television journalism.“Sincere tributes to Ms. Sarla Maheshwari from the Doordarshan family. She was a revered and respected newsreader of Doordarshan, who carved a niche in the Indian news world with her soft voice, precise diction and dignified presentation. Her simplicity, poise and personality instilled deep trust in the hearts of the national audience.”The public broadcaster wrote that his understated style and composed demeanor won him the trust and affection of viewers across the country.Veteran news anchor Shammi Narang, who worked alongside Maheshwari, also paid tribute.“I am deeply saddened to announce the tragic demise of my former co-news anchor Sarla Maheshwari on Doordarshan. She was the epitome of grace and courtesy. Not only in looks but more than that in mind, she had an amazing command over languages and was a reservoir of knowledge and had a unique screen presence. I pray that her soul rest in eternal peace and strength to the Maheshwari family. Om Shanti,” Narang wrote in a post on X.Maheshwari became a household name in the 1980s and 1990s, when Doordarshan took over the television news space in India. For almost three decades, from 1976 to 2005, he delivered Hindi news bulletins with poise and clarity, winning praise for his measured tone and flawless diction.His journey into broadcasting began when he was doing his PhD at Delhi University. After successfully auditioning as an announcer, he gradually moved into news reading and remained a constant presence as Indian television transitioned from the black-and-white era to color broadcasting.With her quiet authority and beautiful presentation, Sarala Maheshwari represented a generation of news anchors who defined credibility on screen.
