The Kannada film industry and countless metro commuters in Bengaluru are in mourning following the passing of actress and anchor Aparna Vastarey on July 11. Vastarey, a familiar and cherished presence in Kannada households for decades, succumbed to a two-year battle with lung cancer at the age of 57.
Aparna Vastarey, The Official Voice Of Namma Metro
She has the honour of conducting so many Namma Metro programs. Her command over kannada language and pronunciation were both mesmerizing. Her voice in Namma metro trains is forever alive. Namma Metro misses her in all our future endeavours. May her Soul Rest in Peace. pic.twitter.com/ywLzqIyT2E
— ನಮ್ಮ ಮೆಟ್ರೋ (@OfficialBMRCL) July 12, 2024
Beyond her impactful acting and anchoring career, Vastarey leaves behind a unique legacy – her voice. For many Bengalureans, her dulcet tones were the soundtrack to their daily commutes. Vastarey served as the official voice of the Namma Metro announcements, her clear and articulate Kannada guiding passengers through the city’s rapid transit system.
Her talent wasn’t confined to the metro. The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) too recognised the power of Vastarey’s voice, employing it for passenger announcements on their buses. Reports even went so far as to claim her voice was pegged for use on upcoming metro lines, solidifying its lasting charm.
Bengaluru Metro Pays Tribute
Aparna, the guiding voice of Bengaluru Metro, will forever echo in our hearts and journeys. pic.twitter.com/NCN4MM89yB
— P C Mohan (@PCMohanMP) July 12, 2024
The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) honoured Vastarey’s contribution. A special tribute message was broadcast across all metro trains on July 12, the day after her passing. In a heartfelt social media post (formerly on Twitter), the BMRCL acknowledged Vastarey’s “mesmerising” command of the Kannada language and lauded her for “conducting so many Namma Metro programmes.” The post concluded with a poignant message: “Namma Metro misses her in all our future endeavours. May her Soul Rest in Peace.”
Vastarey herself spoke about her unexpected connection to the metro in a previous interview. Ten years ago, a call requesting a voice sample surprised her. Unsuspecting of the project’s importance, she simply read aloud passages from English and Kannada newspapers. Later, she learned her voice had been chosen.
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Aparna Vastarey’s voice transcended the realm of entertainment, becoming woven into the fabric of everyday life in Bengaluru. Her passing leaves a void, but her legacy will continue to resonate through the metro announcements and bus stations. It serves as a constant reminder of the talented artist who guided countless commuters on their journeys.
Cover Image Courtesy: @OfficialBMRCL/X (Formerly, Twitter), Wikimedia Commons
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