Who Is Shravan Adode, The Man Behind Indian Railways’s Iconic Female Voice?

Railway announcements are an indispensable part of train travel in India. These pre-recorded messages provide critical information about train schedules, arrivals, departures, and more. To most of us, they sound like standard automated messages—familiar, efficient, and easy to overlook. But have you ever paused to wonder whose voice is behind these announcements? Surprisingly, one of the most recognisable voices across Indian railway stations doesn’t belong to a woman, as it might seem—it belongs to a 24-year-old man named Shravan Adode.

Shravan Adode, A Railway Enthusiast Turned Voice Icon

 

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A post shared by Shravan Adode (@shravan_artist_)

Hailing from Parli Vaijanath, Maharashtra, Shravan Adode grew up as a self-proclaimed “rail fan,” according to the Mid-Day reports. His fascination with trains and railway announcements began in childhood and eventually led him to join the Indian Railways as a private employee. During a technical hiccup, Shravan’s path to becoming the voice of Indian Railways took a surprising turn. 

When the automated announcement system was interrupted by a power outage, manual intervention was required. Adode stepped up to the challenge, mimicking the female voice typically used for announcements, which originally belonged to Sarla Choudhary. To everyone’s amazement, his imitation was flawless, marking the start of his unusual career.

Shravan’s recordings are now used across multiple railway stations, digitally processed and mixed to create real-time announcements. Despite being pre-recorded, his voice seamlessly blends with the system, making it nearly impossible for travellers to spot the difference.

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Overcoming Challenges With Resilience

 

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A post shared by Shravan Adode (@shravan_artist_)

Shravan faced challenges along the way to fame. During his time in college, he was frequently made fun of for his ability to mimic voices. Although his classmates would make fun of him and call him names, he made the decision to ignore the criticism. 

Reflecting on his journey, Shravan Adode shared with Mid-Day, “There were people who used to humiliate me, but now I am proud to be contributing to the smooth functioning of Indian Railways. When senior announcers at Mumbai CSMT congratulated me, it felt like the highest endorsement.”

From a child captivated by train announcements to a voice recognised across India, Shravan Adode’s story is an inspiring story of embracing one’s individuality, turning challenges into chances, and making a lasting impact in an unexpected way.

Cover Image Courtesy: Shravan Adode/Instagram