As twilight descends upon Sangareddy district in Telangana, southern India, the airwaves come alive with the voice of Masanagari Narsamma, a 45-year-old Dalit woman dedicated to transforming the lives of women, farmers, and children in local villages. “This is our weapon,” she declares, holding the microphone at the radio station. “With this, we speak our truth.”
Affectionately known as “General” by her community for her strong leadership and unwavering resolve, Narsamma is joined by her colleague and confidante, 44-year-old Algole Narsamma. Together, and with the support of the Deccan Development Society (DDS), a non-profit organization focused on empowering rural women, they have established Sangham Radio. This station, founded in 2008 in Machnoor village, 70 miles (115 km) northwest of Hyderabad, is India’s first all-female community radio station, entirely operated by Dalit women, who represent some of the most marginalized communities in the country. Sangham Radio produces programs that resonate deeply with their audience.
“We discuss everything—from farming techniques to women’s rights, from local folklore to health tips,” Algole explains, while Narsamma adds, “We speak because we understand our people’s lives. We share in their struggles.” The inception of Sangham Radio stemmed from a pressing need; for years, journalists and filmmakers from outside the community would visit, capturing soundbites and footage that often failed to reflect the community’s true essence. “We started this because no one was telling our stories,” Narsamma states. “Why should outsiders dictate our narrative? We have our own voice.”
From the outside, the radio station appears modest—an unassuming structure nestled among trees, with a tall tower reaching skyward. Inside, the atmosphere is charged with purpose. “We design programs, conduct interviews, edit, anchor—everything,” Narsamma shares, adjusting the knobs on the mixing console.
“We may not have much, but we have each other,” Algole affirms. “And that is enough.” While the equipment is basic, for the two women, this small room is sacred. “This place is alive with the stories of our people,” Algole reflects. “Here, I feel most connected to them.”
As Narsamma fine-tunes the soundboard, the voice of Ratnamma Kambalapally, a village elder who dedicated her life to preserving seeds, fills the air. Although she passed away long ago, her wisdom, shaped by years of experience, continues to guide the preservation of heritage seeds and traditional farming practices through her recorded words. “If we save the seed, we save our future,” Ratnamma once said in one of her final recordings.
One of the station’s most cherished segments features elderly villagers sharing folklore and singing traditional songs, enriching the cultural tapestry of their community.
