The captivating voice of radio, Ameen Sayani, goes silent.
Ameen Sayani, the delightful host of Binaca Geetmala passed away on Tuesday evening.
Ameen Sayani, the renowned radio presenter of the beloved Binaca Geetmala program, who captivated millions of listeners with his conversational style and remarkable charisma, passed away on Tuesday night following a heart attack. He was 91 years old.
The captivating voice that dominated the airwaves across India from the 1950s to the 1990s has departed.
Who was Ameen Sayani?
Born on December 21, 1932, Sayani grew up in a family deeply involved in literature. His mother, Kulsum, ran a magazine called Rahbeer in Hindi, Urdu, and Gujarati, and he helped her with it. This upbringing instilled in him the importance of clear communication, a value that he deeply embraced. He also attended Gwalior’s Scindia School, where he further developed his excellent language skills. His older brother, Hamid Sayani, who worked as a commercial broadcaster, was a significant influence on him.
Ameen Sayani and the Binaca Geetmala
Binaca Geetmala, broadcasted initially on Radio Ceylon and later on Vividh Bharati for more than four decades, was the program that made Sayani’s voice widely known, especially with his distinctive greeting: ‘Ji haan, Behno aur Bhaiyon, mein hoon aapka dost Ameen Sayani’. In addition to hosting Binaca Geetmala, he also presented other well-known shows such as S Kumar’s Ka Filmi Muqadamma and the Bournvita Quiz Show.
Binaca Geetmala, India’s first program to rank Hindi songs, captivated audiences with Ameen Sayani’s engaging style. Before each song, Sayani offered hints or anecdotes for guessing. He also hosted the Bournvita Quiz Contest on Sundays at 2 p.m., loved by students for his questions and explanations. Sayani’s magnetic voice and unique presentation kept listeners hooked, making Binaca Geetmala a cherished tradition.
