Inside Out

Notes on seeking wisdom and crafting software

Streaming AIR

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.

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!