Shared Frequencies: Radio, Auto Drivers, and Public Listening Cultures in Bengaluru

By SK Meenakshi

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Long before personalised playlists and noise-cancelling headphones became urban essentials, cities were heard collectively. Music travelled through shared spaces—tea stalls, buses, street corners, and autorickshaws—creating spontaneous communities of listeners. In Bengaluru, this culture of public listening continues to thrive, particularly through radio and the soundscapes curated by auto drivers and public transport workers. These shared auditory experiences offer a glimpse into the city’s everyday social fabric, revealing how music connects strangers, shapes memory, and produces informal cultural networks.

Autorickshaws, often considered one of the most intimate and dynamic forms of public transport in Bengaluru, function as moving sound chambers. Step into any auto, and there is a high chance that a radio station, devotional track, or film song is already playing. Unlike private headphone listening, this music is collectively experienced by both driver and passenger, creating a temporary but shared emotional environment. The selection of music frequently reflects the driver’s personal taste, regional identity, or even the time of day. Morning rides might feature devotional or classical melodies, while evening commutes often shift toward popular film soundtracks or contemporary hits.

Radio remains central to this public listening culture. Stations broadcast through networks such as All India Radio continue to play an important role in circulating music across linguistic and generational boundaries. FM stations, in particular, provide a mix of film songs, retro tracks, and local programming that appeals to a wide urban audience. For many drivers and commuters, radio is not simply entertainment but companionship during long hours of navigating traffic and unpredictable schedules.

Public buses operated by the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation also contribute to this collective sonic culture. Although not every bus plays music, many conductors and drivers maintain small speaker systems that broadcast songs or radio shows during journeys. These shared listening environments often blur social hierarchies. Passengers from different economic and linguistic backgrounds temporarily occupy the same auditory space, responding collectively to familiar film songs or nostalgic melodies. Such moments create fleeting forms of public intimacy rarely acknowledged in discussions of urban life.

Public listening cultures also play a significant role in preserving linguistic and regional diversity. Bengaluru’s population is shaped by migration from across India, and shared radio listening frequently introduces commuters to music outside their linguistic comfort zones. Kannada film songs may coexist with Hindi retro tracks, Tamil hits, or Telugu devotional music, reflecting the multicultural rhythms of the city. In this sense, autorickshaws and buses function as informal cultural exchange spaces, where music acts as a mediator between communities.

However, public listening cultures are increasingly shaped by technological shifts. Many auto drivers now use smartphones connected to Bluetooth speakers, blending traditional radio listening with digital streaming. While this allows for greater variety, it also introduces algorithm-driven music selection, gradually transforming shared listening into curated, personalised broadcasting. The transition reflects broader changes in how technology influences cultural circulation within the city.

Despite these changes, the persistence of radio and public transport music highlights the resilience of collective auditory experiences. In contrast to the isolation often associated with headphone culture, public listening invites accidental community formation. A familiar song played during a traffic jam or bus ride can generate shared nostalgia, spark conversations, or simply provide comfort during the monotony of commuting.

Radio, autorickshaws, and bus soundscapes therefore represent more than background noise in Bengaluru. They form an essential part of the city’s cultural memory and social rhythm. Through these shared frequencies, strangers momentarily become co-listeners, and the city itself transforms into a living, breathing orchestra of everyday life.