The Rise of Radio in India (1920s–1950):

Ek Awaaz, Jo Desh Ban Gayi

Okay, let’s imagine this: it’s the 1920s, Britishers are still controlling India, there’s no TV, no
smartphones, and absolutely no AI. But there’s something magical crackling in the air –
literally. Radio was just being born in India, and over the next few decades, it went from a
technical marvel for the elite to something that became the heartbeat of the nation. Let’s
rewind and vibe through that journey.

1920s: Bachpan of Indian Radio

India’s tryst with radio began in 1923 when the Radio Club of Bombay did its first
experimental broadcasts. It was all very new – just some static-filled sounds, a bit of jazz,
weather updates, cricket commentary, and British music. It was like an exclusive party for the
elite colonial crowd - British officials and rich Indians in their drawing rooms, sipping
chai-shai while enjoying this fascinating new device.

Then came 1927, and the Indian Broadcasting Company (IBC) started regular broadcasts
from Bombay and Calcutta. For a while, things looked good. But like most start-ups of the
era, it collapsed by 1930 due to financial issues. Still, the seed was sown. The air had
changed - India had heard its own voice, even if faintly. And the government? It decided,
“Okay, we’ll take this forward, but our way.”

1930–1936: When the Government Got the Mic

The British Indian Government took control of radio and set up the Indian State Broadcasting
Service (ISBS) in 1930. This wasn’t just about entertainment anymore - it was about
controlling the narrative. The British saw radio as a tool for empire management - to inform
(or influence) the public, and make sure no wild revolutionary ideas were spreading.

But something shifted in 1936. The ISBS was officially renamed All India Radio (AIR), and
that's when things got real. AIR started with a simple slogan: “Bahujan Hitaya: Bahujan
Sukhaya” - for the welfare and happiness of the masses. Now the mic wasn’t just a British
toy. It was a platform.

AIR began experimenting with educational talks, folk music, spiritual content, and even local
news bulletins. Slowly, it stopped being just a colonial mouthpiece and started becoming a
mirror - reflecting Indian voices, stories, songs, and concerns. People who had never even
seen a newspaper began to gather around one radio set in the village to hear the news. The
radio was becoming less foreign and more apna.

1939–1947: Mic Check for Freedom

Then came World War II. Chaos, fear, propaganda - and radio was at the center of it. AIR
broadcast updates about the war, British government speeches, and appeals for support
from Indians. Basically, the colonial government used it to maintain order and loyalty. But
what they didn’t expect? That revolutionaries would play the same game - and play it better.

Enter Subhas Chandra Bose, the man who literally hacked into the airwaves of the empire.
He launched Azad Hind Radio from Germany and later from Southeast Asia. It was raw,
fiery, and in desi languages - Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Urdu, Pashto. He wasn’t just speaking to
Indians, he was speaking with them. Every speech was a spark in the hearts of
freedom-hungry youth.

Bose used radio like a soldier uses a sword. He inspired people to join the INA (Indian
National Army), pushed the idea of complete independence, and connected Indians beyond
borders. Imagine secretly tuning into his broadcasts in a darkened room, your family silent,
ears close to the static. That wasn’t just a broadcast - that was aazadi ki awaaz.

1947–1950: Radio Goes Full Desi

And then, 15th August 1947. The moment. India was finally independent. And it was radio
that carried the voice of freedom to every corner of the country.

Nehru’s historic speech - “At the stroke of the midnight hour…” - was heard not just in Delhi,
but in remote villages, towns, and cities. The people who couldn’t be at Red Fort? They felt
like they were. That’s the magic of radio.

Post-independence, All India Radio became more than just a government tool. It became a
cultural lifeline. It started spreading awareness about the Constitution, democracy,
agriculture, health, and education. It aired regional folk music, classical concerts, poetry, and
spiritual discourses.

And of course, the golden era of Hindi cinema had begun. Film music became a national
obsession, and AIR’s Vividh Bharati (launched a bit later in 1957, but rooted in these early
years) began with requests pouring in from fans across the country. The sound of Lata
Mangeshkar, Mohammed Rafi, and Kishore Kumar would later become daily companions in
Indian homes - all thanks to radio.

AIR also introduced programs like “Hawa Mahal” and “Samachar,” which became iconic in
their own right. News, drama, storytelling - all started flowing through those small black
boxes.

Conclusion: Not Just A Machine, But A Feeling

So yeah, radio in India from the 1920s to 1950 wasn’t just a tech innovation or a timeline of
frequencies and stations. It was a silent revolution. A transformation. It evolved from a
colonial novelty to a tool of resistance, then finally bloomed into a people's voice.

It connected people - across languages, castes, religions, and geographies. It educated,

Even today, if you close your eyes and play an old AIR broadcast, you can feel the pulse of a
young India -onfused, chaotic, but full of dreams.

And maybe that’s why…

“Yeh radio ki awaaz nahi thi, yeh toh Hindustan ke dil ki dhadkan thi.”