AIR FM Rainbow Jingleand Shibani Kashyap
Table of Contents
- My Reaction: Finding Out the Secret Voice
- The Story of AIR FM Rainbow
- Shibani Kashyap: From Radio Jingle to Bollywood Stars
- Final Thoughts
If you grew up listening to the radio in India, the famous tune of AIR FM Rainbow is probably locked in your memory. It was catchy, cheerful, and played in almost every home, shop, and car.
Like many people, I always loved the tune, but I recently found out who sang it—and I was genuinely shocked.
The voice behind that iconic All India Radio jingle belongs to none other than Shibani Kashyap!
My Reaction: Finding Out the Secret Voice
When I discovered this fun fact, I could hardly believe it. Most of us know Shibani Kashyap as the famous singer behind huge Bollywood hit songs like "Sajna Aa Bhi Jaa" and the hit 90s pop song "Ho Gayi Hai Mohabbat."
To learn that her voice was playing on our radio sets every single day—long before she became a household name—was a complete surprise. It turns out she recorded the signature tune back in 1996, when AIR FM was changing the way Indians listened to music.
The Story of AIR FM Rainbow
Before the mid-1990s, radio in India was very formal. All India Radio (AIR) mostly played classical music, traditional songs, and serious news reads on Medium Wave (AM).
Everything changed when FM Radio arrived:
- 1993 Launch: AIR launched its FM service to attract younger listeners. It was later rebranded as FM Rainbow.
- Friendly RJs: Instead of formal announcers, FM Rainbow introduced friendly Radio Jockeys (RJs) who talked casually in English, Hindi, and regional languages.
- A Music Mix: The channel was called Rainbow because it played every style of music—from Hindi pop and film songs to Western hits and classical tracks.
- The Famous Jingle: To match this fresh vibe, composer Pandit Jwala Prasad created the iconic jingle, and Shibani Kashyap sang the catchy vocal lines.
AIR FM Rainbow Signature Jingle Lyrics
(Sung by Shibani Kashyap)
Shibani Kashyap: From Radio Jingle to Bollywood Stars
Recording the AIR FM jingle was actually the big break that started Shibani Kashyap's professional singing career.
Here is how her journey unfolded:
- The Radio Start (1996): She recorded the AIR FM tune while still studying in college. Her voice became famous across the country, even though her name was not yet known.
- Indipop Hits (1998): She released her debut album, Ho Gayi Hai Mohabbat, which became an instant hit and won major music awards.
- Bollywood Stardom (2003): She composed and sang "Sajna Aa Bhi Jaa" for the movie Waisa Bhi Hota Hai Part II. The song was a massive chart-buster.
- Guitar-Playing Pop Star: Unlike many playback singers, Shibani is also a talented guitarist who performs live on stage around the world.
In a podcast I heard Shibani Kashyap say about her performance that she did on Metaverse where the concert was hosted virtually and Shibani's avatar was performing and audiences' avatars were attending the concert. She also spoke about how fascinating her journey was from Radio Days to today when we don't own music but just stream it online.
It is amazing how a simple song from our childhood can have such an interesting backstory. The next time you hear a famous singer on the radio, remember that even top Bollywood stars often start with a simple, unforgettable jingle!
