Ameen Sayani, veteran broadcaster, passes away

Among creators, he was the OG. Radio personality Ameen Sayani, the voice behind the iconic Binaca/Cibaca Geetmala on Radio Ceylon/Vividh Bharati, passed away at the age of 91 on Tuesday.

Ameen Sayani was a popular former radio announcer from India, whose inimitable style of prefacing his shows with ‘Behenon aur Bhaiyiyon’ didn’t just fetch him enormous popularity but became the template for hundreds of radio jockeys and presenters over the decades.

Ameen Sayani – synonymous with Indian radio

He achieved fame and popularity all across the Indian Subcontinent when he presented his Binaca Geetmala program of hits over the airwaves of Radio Ceylon, and remains one of the most mimicked announcers in the country. Binaca Geetmala, which commenced broadcast in 1952, ran for an astounding 42 years, first over Radio Ceylon and later over Vividh Bharati (AIR).

Over the decades, Ameen Sayani produced and compiled over 54,000 radio programmes and 19,000 spots/jingles since 1951. Sayani also acted in movies such as Bhoot Bungla, Teen Devian, Boxer, and Qatl.

Honored with the Padma Shri by the Indian government in 2009, he also partnered with Saregama (originally HMV) for the Geetmala series as well as the Caravaan series. Homage to the veteran broadcaster has started pouring in on social media, with fans commenting on the inspiration and joy he filled their lives with over the years.

Rest in peace #AmeenSayani sahab… The iconic radio announcer and the voice of #BinacaGeetmala… His golden voice will always remain an integral part of our lives. 🙏🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/p0eYmsM6pp

— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) February 21, 2024

According to a Midday report, Sayani compered fashion shows and Made for Each Other couples’ contests, acted in English and Gujarati theatre (the twinkle in his eye dances even deeper when he warbles ditties from Adi Marzban revues) and joined the country’s sole secular choir. Formed in 1958 by Salil Chowdhury and Ruma Guha Thakurta, the Bombay Youth Choir performed songs of different Indian languages arranged in western choral patterns. He also hosted the Bournvita Quiz Contest for 8 years from 1975.