Legendary Radio presenter Ameen Sayani passed away

Mumbai:21/2/24:Ameen Sayani, legendary radio presenter passed away in Mumbai at the age of 91 after suffering a heart attack.

Sayani achieved fame and popularity all across the Indian Subcontinent when he presented his Binaca Geetmala program of hits over the airwaves of Radio Ceylon.

Sayani’s style of addressing the listeners with ‘Behno aur Bhaiyo’ (sisters and brothers) instead of the traditional ‘Bhaiyo aur Bahno,’ is regarded as an iconic style. Since 1951, he has produced, and spoken for more than 54,000 radio programs and 19,000 spots/jingles. He was presented with the Padma Shri award in 2009.

Who was Ameen Sayani?

Ameen Sayani, was born on December 21, 1932, in Mumbai. Born into a family deeply rooted in literature—his mother published a newsletter named Rehbar and his brother was the renowned English broadcaster Hamid Sayani—Ameen Sayani embarked on his Radio Ceylon journey in 1952. He was initially an English broadcaster but later transitioned to Hindi post-independence. He gained immense popularity with the creation of ‘Geetmala,’ a groundbreaking show that first aired in December 1952. The program, which featured chart-topping hits, became a cultural phenomenon in South Asia.
Ameen Sayani Hosted the Iconic Cibaca Geetmala
Binaca Geetmala, initially a 30-minute program, skyrocketed in 1952 and persisted for decades, undergoing name changes such as Binaca Geetmala, Hit Parade, and Cibaca Geetmala. Sayani’s ‘Geetmala’ was not only a musical extravaganza but also showcased his deep understanding of the evolving musical landscape. The show’s success solidified his status as a radio maestro. It ran from 1952 to 1994, with subsequent revivals in 2000-200.