Radio Zindagi 1550 AM
Bringing India to the Bay Area Airwaves
- Launched: 2011
- Frequency: 1550 AM
- Format: 24/7 Bollywood & News
Radio Zindagi is a Bay Area–based South Asian radio station that has become a cultural anchor for immigrant and diaspora communities across Silicon Valley. Broadcasting music, talk shows, interviews, and live event coverage, the station operates at the intersection of entertainment, information, and community storytelling.
The People Behind the Sound
In 2010, founder Neeraj Dhar launched Radio Zindagi to fill a silence felt by many new South Asian immigrants.
When I came here, there were newspapers — but no radio that spoke to us.
Drawing on his background in Bollywood media production, Dhar envisioned a station that delivered the sounds, conversations, and emotional familiarity of home for listeners navigating life between cultures. Broadcasting from its studio in Fremont, Radio Zindagi introduced a hybrid model: professionally produced programming from India paired with locally hosted talk shows, community announcements, and cultural storytelling.
Dhar described this approach as infotainment, which is content designed to educate, entertain, and connect. The model resonated quickly. The station expanded to include more than forty radio jockeys, live festival broadcasts, and partnerships with South Asian organizations across the Bay Area.
Co-founder Sebha Shah reflects on the station’s emotional resonance:
People tune in on their commutes or in their kitchens. It’s a reminder that even far from home, we belong to a larger community.
Today, under CEO Taresh Anand, Radio Zindagi continues to evolve through FM simulcasts, mobile streaming, and visual radio on social media.
Our goal is to give every listener a sense of ownership — that this is their station, their space.
Whether through Bollywood melodies, community news, festival broadcasts, or storytelling, Radio Zindagi remains a place where heritage and home resonate through sound.
Oral History with Founder Neeraj Dhar
Source: Desis of Silicon Valley Speak, CSU Archives
Broadcasting Culture and Conversation
Radio Zindagi’s programming blends Bollywood music, interviews, and talk shows with conversations grounded in the lived experiences of South Asian Americans. Through studio interviews and on-air discussions, the station connects local audiences with artists, cultural figures, and public voices from across the global South Asian diaspora.
Expanding the Airwaves: Suno 87.7 FM
Driven by a growing audience, Radio Zindagi entered its next phase of expansion in April 2025 with the launch of Suno 87.7 FM. This move brings the network’s signature community-centered approach to the FM airwaves, offering listeners a curated blend of Bollywood hits and engaging entertainment. By bridging the gap between traditional community values and modern FM broadcasting, Suno 87.7 FM marks a significant milestone in the network's multi-platform growth.
Community Impact
Radio Zindagi’s influence extends beyond broadcasting into large-scale public gatherings that function as shared civic and cultural spaces for South Asians in the Bay Area.
Ganesh Utsav: Community at Scale
Radio Zindagi produces an annual Ganesh Utsav celebration that has grown into one of the most visible public observances of Ganesh Chaturthi in the region. Each year, thousands of attendees gather for devotional aarti, cultural performances, music, and family-friendly programming. The event brings together multiple generations and backgrounds, reinforcing Radio Zindagi’s role as a cultural convenor.
Ganesh Utsav Event Photos
Check out : Scenes from Radio Zindagi’s annual Ganesh Utsav at NewPark Mall, Newark (photo essay from India Currents)
Creating Space for Dialogue
In addition to cultural and religious celebrations, Radio Zindagi supports programming that centers dialogue, gender, and community issues. Events such as FemFest reflect the station’s commitment to creating inclusive spaces for conversation beyond music-driven broadcasting.
