Crackles, commentary, and Carnatic – relive the monsoon magic of All India Radio
Long before Bluetooth speakers and Spotify recommendations, rainy days in India came alive with the warm, fuzzy sound of All India Radio (AIR). From soft crackle to comforting baritone of favourite radio jockey announcing a raag or a news bulletin — AIR was the true audio companion of the Indian monsoon.
Even today, for many, the sound of rain brings back not just petrichor, but memories of vividh bharti, film songs, and morning bhajans playing on transistor radios in living rooms, kitchens, and crowded chai stalls. Let's enjoy a nostalgic trip back to the era when Rains & Radio made the perfect monsoon pair.
In the pre-TV, pre-internet era, AIR was India’s audio lifeline — a singular platform that connected the remotest village to the biggest cities. During monsoons, especially when power cuts were frequent, it was often the only source of news and entertainment.
Imagine you are in a dimly lit room with the smell of wet earth, sipping a hot cup of chai, and a radio playing “Megha re megha re mat pardes jaa…” – that would be a rainy day gold.
From Raag Malhar and Bhairavi in the early morning to Binaca Geetmala with Ameen Sayani in the evening, AIR shaped how we experienced the rains — emotionally, musically, and culturally.
A weekly ritual, this countdown of Hindi film songs used to turn living rooms into concert halls. Ameen Sayani’s voice still echoes in the hearts of millions.
Perfect for melancholic monsoon mornings, this show brought back golden era Bollywood melodies, filling the air with romance and longing.
Rainy dawns used to become spiritual with AIR’s classical and devotional playlists – from M.S. Subbulakshmi to Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, the monsoon met music at sunrise.
From suspense thrillers to comedic skits, AIR’s radio plays were engaging. With just sound and imagination, the creators used to turn rainy nights into unforgettable adventures.
A staple for every Indian household — film music curated with stories, dedications, and emotions, making the monsoon feel even more cinematic.
The bond between rains and radio wasn’t just about entertainment. It was about:
Even with fuzzy signal, the emotional clarity was crystal.
AIR is no longer the only sound in town, but it still holds a special place in our hearts. Many people now tune into Akashvani or AIR Live through apps and online streams.
There’s something irreplaceable magic about that old-school voice on the transistor radio, announcement of the time, weather, and a song from Barsaat or Chhoti Si Baat, especially when the skies outside mirror the lyrics.
In this modern digital world, revisiting AIR during rainy season is like sipping masala chai from an earthen cup – familiar, grounding, and soul-satisfying feeling!
As rain lashes your windowpane and you reach for your playlist, maybe take a pause and listen to All India Radio. Tune into a station that once united a billion hearts with stories, music, and moments that were deeply human and amazingly Indian.
So next time it rains, don’t just open an umbrella — open a page of memory book. Let AIR be the soundtrack to your shower-soaked nostalgia!
