New Delhi: Sarla Maheshwari, a familiar and respected face of Doordarshan’s Hindi news bulletins during the 1980s and 1990s, passed away in Delhi on Thursday at the age of 71.
Her death was confirmed by family friend and fellow broadcaster Shammi Narang. Maheshwari was widely admired for her calm delivery, dignified screen presence, and understated elegance at a time when television journalism in India was still in its formative stage and presenters were known as “newsreaders.”
She served with Doordarshan for nearly three decades, from 1976 to 2005, becoming part of the pioneering generation that shaped India’s early television news landscape. In those years, when daily bulletins were limited and Doordarshan was the country’s sole television news broadcaster, she became a trusted voice in homes across India.
Before the advent of private news channels, Maheshwari’s composed and measured style stood out. Her clear diction and quiet grace reflected the ethos of public broadcasting and left a lasting impression on viewers.
Her last rites will be held at Nigam Bodh Ghat in Delhi at 4 p.m.
