How to Listen to Malayalam Radio Online
Published
You can stream Malayalam radio live in any browser, with no download and no account: open 72FM, search for "Malayalam" or a station's name, and press play. Malayalam is the language of Kerala, in southern India, and its radio reaches far beyond it — to the millions of Malayalis working in the Gulf, where Malayalam FM stations are among the most listened to.
All India Radio
AIR Malayalam — All India Radio's Malayalam service, with news, talk and music from Kerala — is the most-voted Malayalam station in the directory. For classical music, AIR Raagam streams Carnatic and Hindustani music around the clock.
Malayalam radio in the Gulf
Kerala's links with the Gulf are so strong that Malayalam radio grew up there as much as at home. The Gulf's first Malayalam broadcast went on air from Ras Al Khaimah in May 1992, on the station that became Radio Asia. Today:
- Radio Suno 91.7 — the first Malayalam FM station in Qatar, broadcasting from Doha, and in the directory.
- Hit 96.7 in Dubai, launched in 2004, is the leading Malayalam station in the UAE, though it streams mainly through its own apps rather than the public directory.
Online Malayalam stations
- London Malayalam Radio — for the Malayali community in Britain.
- KJ Yesudas Malayalam radio — the songs of the great playback singer.
- Mohanlal Hits — songs from the films of Malayalam cinema's biggest star.
- Aural Oldies and Chitra Hits Malayalam — older film songs and K. S. Chithra's voice.
- Malayalam Bhakthi Radio — devotional songs.
- Radio Malayalam 98.6 — another online station with a following.
Many of these are small stations run by fans. They come and go more often than the broadcasters, so if one has stopped, try the next.
The sounds that come from here
Malayalam film music. Malayalam cinema — often called Mollywood — produces most of the songs on Malayalam radio, from the golden melodies of the 1970s and 80s to today's soundtracks.
Classical and devotional. Carnatic music and Kerala's devotional songs have a large audience, on AIR and on online stations.
Listening from abroad
The largest Malayali communities outside India are in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain, with many more in the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia. Expat radio covers the habit. India is 5½ hours ahead of UTC; the Gulf is 3–4 hours ahead, so Kerala's morning shows go out early in the Gulf's morning too.
A route in
- AIR Malayalam, for news and programmes from Kerala.
- Radio Suno 91.7, for Malayalam FM from Qatar.
- KJ Yesudas Malayalam radio, for the classic voice.
- Malayalam Bhakthi Radio, for devotional songs.
For the rest of India, the Indian radio guide goes further, and Tamil radio online and Kannada radio online cover Kerala's neighbours.
Frequently asked questions
How can I listen to Malayalam radio online for free?
Open 72FM in any browser, search for "Malayalam" or a station's name, and press play — no download and no account, with an hour a day free.
Is there Malayalam radio from the Gulf?
Yes. Radio Suno 91.7, the first Malayalam FM station in Qatar, is in the directory; Hit 96.7 in Dubai streams mainly through its own apps.
When did Malayalam radio start in the Gulf?
The Gulf's first Malayalam broadcast went on air from Ras Al Khaimah in May 1992.
Where can I hear old Malayalam film songs?
Stations such as Aural Oldies, KJ Yesudas Malayalam radio and Mohanlal Hits play them.