During the early years of post-Independence India, Radio Kashmir Srinagar was the cultural lifeline of the Valley, and one of its voices was Shanta Kaul, a trailblazing broadcaster and cultural pioneer.
Becoming the first woman in India's broadcasting field at All India Radio in an era when very few women worked in radio, Kaul soon gained recognition for her razor-sharp mind, resonant voice, and innovative programming.
Celebrating Kashmiri Culture
She played a key role in transforming Radio Kashmir into a vehicle celebrating Kashmiri language, music, and customs, as well as making national issues more accessible to the people of Kashmir.
Her programmes combined folk songs, poetry, drama, and social commentary, providing a platform to Kashmiri writers and artists who otherwise would have remained unheard.
The station was transformed under her leadership into a cultural bridge between people, representing local identity and national oneness.
Beyond Entertainment: A Force for Social Change
Shanta Kaul's role extended beyond entertainment—her shows promoted dialogue, cultural pride, and accommodation in a sensitive border state.
She is remembered as among the first women to demonstrate that radio could be an effective instrument of both creativity and social change.
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