Sarla Maheshwari, Iconic Doordarshan Newsreader, Dies at 74
New Delhi: Sarla Maheshwari, whose clear diction and dignified demeanor made her one of the most popular Doordarshan (DD) newsreaders in the 1980s, passed away on Thursday. She was 74 years old.
Her nephew, Neelansh Jariwala, confirmed to The Times of India over the phone that she had been ailing for the past two years. "She was diabetic and also on dialysis," he said, highlighting her health struggles.
A Legacy of Grace and Professionalism
In the 1980s, Doordarshan was India's sole television channel, enjoying a captive audience. Prime-time newsreaders like JV Raman, Shammi Narang, Neethi Ravindran, Salma Sultan, Rini Simon, and Komal GB Singh became household names. Sarla Maheshwari belonged to this select group, remembered fondly by old-timers for gentler, more genteel times in broadcasting.
Shammi Narang, a fellow newsreader, praised her contributions: "Her command and grasp over the Hindi language reflected in the way she read news. Sarla epitomized simplicity and elegance, reflecting a graceful Indianness. If today, people remember DD positively and with nostalgia, her personality was significant in shaping that image."
Early Career and Personal Life
Sarla Maheshwari, originally Sarla Jariwala, joined Doordarshan in 1976. Her surname derives from her family's business of jaris (embroidery with gold and silver threads) in Chandni Chowk, where she was born. While working on her PhD in a comparative study of Hindi and Gujarati Literature at Delhi University, she applied for a job at DD. "I was one of the three selected – Ashwini Kaur (Sareen) and Anjali Rai being the other two," she once recalled in an interview. All three became popular newsreaders in the 1980s.
In September 1984, she married Pawan Maheshwari, a gastroenterologist then working in England. They first met at a friend's place, and he later treated her for an ailment. Pawan humorously recounted, "Marry me and you'll be okay, I joked." They did marry and moved to England, where Sarla worked for BBC television. Upon returning to India in 1988, she rejoined Doordarshan.
Fan Following and Professional Challenges
Soon after her return, Sarla developed a strong fan base, similar to other DD newsreaders. Letters poured in praising not only her composure and pronunciation but also the Gujarati saris she wore in a distinctive style. However, her career was not without challenges. During the peak of Punjab extremism in the 1980s, she faced threats from terrorists.
Narang recalled an incident that showcased her proficiency under pressure. In pre-teleprompter times, two newsreaders would read from sheets with their initials. "Once the producer focused on the wrong person. But Sarla was unflustered. She took a brief pause and read the item. Nobody noticed the slip. The incident highlighted her quick thinking. She was a true professional," he said.
In the summer of 1991, she read the news of Rajiv Gandhi's assassination with her signature restraint, further cementing her reputation for calm delivery.
Later Years and Contributions
Beyond broadcasting, Sarla Maheshwari taught Hindi at Hansraj College in Delhi, showcasing her dedication to education and language. Her multifaceted career spanned media and academia, leaving a lasting impact on Indian television and culture.
As the news industry has evolved, many reminisce about the era she represented—one marked by elegance and professionalism, contrasting sharply with today's often noisy and strident TV news landscape.
