For millions navigating the bustling corridors of the Delhi Metro, a calm, authoritative voice has been a constant companion, guiding journeys for nearly two decades. This familiar and reassuring voice belongs to Shammi Narang, a broadcasting legend whose association with the capital's lifeline feels both iconic and inevitable.
From Doordarshan to Defining the Metro's Sound
Long before his announcements echoed in metro tunnels, Shammi Narang was already a household name in India through his work with Doordarshan and popular shows like Gautam Darshan. When the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) initiated trial runs almost twenty years ago, his selection was a natural choice. Led by the renowned E. Sreedharan, 'Papa Metro', the DMRC initially saw announcements as a technical need. They planned a short trial on the line from Shahdara to Tis Hazari, covering seven or eight stations, and needed a dependable voice. "They knew my voice. They trusted my credentials," Narang simply states.
What started as a system test evolved into something far more significant. Narang crafted the now-iconic metro cadence—marked by deliberate pauses and crystal-clear diction—as a professional solution to the chaos of a moving train. "In a moving train, with track noise, crowds, distractions—you have to cut across," he explains. "The pause was important. First the alert, then the message." Despite initial skepticism from officials who found the style unnatural, Narang's method, submitted with a detailed explanation, won approval. This style is now the benchmark for metro systems across India.
More Than Navigation: A Lesson in Language
For Narang, the announcements were a profound responsibility towards language and pronunciation. He emphasizes the importance of getting every detail right, like saying "Jor Baag, not Bag." He believed that millions of commuters, including children and students, would unconsciously learn correct pronunciation from these daily broadcasts. "We felt a responsibility. For ages, people had been mispronouncing names. This was a chance to correct that," he says. This unwavering commitment to perfection meant the DMRC never felt the need to change the voice, ensuring consistency line by line, station by station.
A Storied Career: Voices of History and Heritage
The metro is just one chapter in Narang's illustrious career. His voice has guided visitors through some of India's most prestigious sites, including Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Red Fort, and the Statue of Unity Museum. He approaches each project with a unique discipline, understanding the specific decorum and audience, whether it requires pure Hindi, Hindustani, or English.
A defining moment came in the 1980s during his Doordarshan days. After voicing a report on Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's tour with a natural delivery, a letter arrived from the Prime Minister's Office asking for the name of the voice-over artist. The directive that followed—that Shammi Narang would handle such reports—catapulted his career. He went on to anchor national bulletins and cover historic events, including the turbulent period of 1984, for successive Prime Ministers and Presidents.
Discipline, Legacy, and Embracing the Future
Even today, Narang maintains strict discipline to protect his instrument, avoiding anything that could harm his voice. On the rise of AI and synthetic voices, he is pragmatic. "We shouldn't be afraid of AI. We should be friends with it," he remarks, noting that while technology can generate sound, true clarity and emotion come from lived experience and understanding.
His advice to young aspirants is timeless: "Know your voice and don't let the listener ask you to repeat yourself." The journey of Shammi Narang proves that a disciplined voice, used with purpose and precision, can guide a city and leave a lasting impression on generations.
