Inside Out
Notes on seeking wisdom and crafting software

Streaming AIR

#LIFE
ℹ️ This post talks about listening to All India Radio (AIR) online streaming service through various platforms like desktop browsers, Android app and terminals. The text also shares nostalgic memories of the author with AIR.

UPDATE (April, 2026): An always up-to-date list of all Akashvani stations is available at https://github.com/codito/akashvani↗. Listen and have fun!

I recently came across the All India Radio online streaming service available at http://allindiaradio.nic.in↗. This post will talk a bit about how to listen;)

The direct stream links are below. FM Gold and Vividh Bharati are mostly music based (oldies). FM Gold broadcasts news throughout the day. FM Rainbow is a newer member, it broadcasts english and newer songs, more geared towards the younger generation. Others are language specific channels, they broadcast cultural programmes related to the specific region.

StationURL
FM Goldhttp://air.pc.cdn.bitgravity.com/air/live/pbaudio005/playlist.m3u8↗
Vividh Bharatihttp://air.pc.cdn.bitgravity.com/air/live/pbaudio001/playlist.m3u8↗
FM Rainbowhttp://air.pc.cdn.bitgravity.com/air/live/pbaudio004/playlist.m3u8↗
AIR Urduhttp://airurdu-lh.akamaihd.net/i/airurdu_1@507813/master.m3u8↗
Raagamhttp://air.pc.cdn.bitgravity.com/air/live/pbaudio139/playlist.m3u8↗
AIR Gujaratihttp://airgujarati-lh.akamaihd.net/i/airgujarati_1@507814/master.m3u8↗
AIR Marathihttp://airmarathi-lh.akamaihd.net/i/airmarathi_1@507815/master.m3u8↗
AIR Punjabihttp://airpunjabi-lh.akamaihd.net/i/airpunjabi_1@507822/master.m3u8↗
AIR Malayalamhttp://airmalayalam-lh.akamaihd.net/i/airmalayalam_1@507816/master.m3u8↗
AIR Tamilhttp://airtamil-lh.akamaihd.net/i/airtamil_1@507817/master.m3u8↗
AIR Teluguhttp://airtelugu-lh.akamaihd.net/i/airtelugu_1@507818/master.m3u8↗
AIR Kannadahttp://airkannada-lh.akamaihd.net/i/airkannada_1@507819/master.m3u8↗
AIR Banglahttp://airbangla-lh.akamaihd.net/i/airbangla_1@507821/master.m3u8↗
Radio Kashmirhttp://kashmiri-lh.akamaihd.net/i/kashmiri_1@528067/master.m3u8↗
AIR Odiahttp://air.pc.cdn.bitgravity.com/air/live/pbaudio137/playlist.m3u8↗
AIR Assamesehttp://airassamese-lh.akamaihd.net/i/airassamese_1@528059/master.m3u8↗
North Eastern Servicehttp://northeastservice-lh.akamaihd.net/i/northeastservice_1@528061/master.m3u8↗

Browsers

On a modern desktop browser, the website↗ works beautifully. I’ve tried with both Chrome and Firefox with great results. Things become interesting once you want to get out of the browser.

Android

AIR has an android app↗ on the play store. The app goes to sleep once the phone sleeps. So the uninterrupted awesomeness goes for a toss. Enter the open source ServeStream↗ app.

Setting up is quite easy. Press the + button and add the url for your favorite station. Enjoy the music!

Terminals

On Linux, the streams work great with both smplayer (if you’re a UI guy), or the good ol’ mpd. Two commands for the win:

mpc load 'http://air.pc.cdn.bitgravity.com/air/live/pbaudio001/playlist.m3u8'
mpc play

I feel quite nostalgic as I think about my relationship with AIR. I used to wake up with the legendary Ram Charit Manas programme in the mornings. On the days, we had an afternoon off, Vividh Bharati used to be the best friend around. AIR Odia used to be broadcasted on Medium Wave (MW) and Vividh Bharati on Short Wave (SW). Around ~2003ish, the FM Gold service started showing up on our tuner (FM Gold Mumbai used to be relayed through AIR Puri station). They were my companions for a good part of my childhood.

Now even after a decade and half, the beautiful voice of same radio hosts greets and leaves me enthralled. The favorite shows Chhaya Geet, Manchahe Geet, Pitara, Aap ki farmaish continue to delight. Wishing next few decades of companionship with Akashvani.

Namaste!