Iconic Radio Announcer Mr Ameen J.Sayani passes away at age 91-our homage. India's most loved and most iconic radio announcer Sh Ameen J. Sayani passed away at age 91 on 20.02.24 night. As a radio announcer that he liked to be addressed as, not DJ or RJ etc, he has been a role model for countless newbies who rule our FM airwaves now.
Ameenji's radio show hosting gave us the feeling that he was himself right there in our drawing rooms as an extended family member playing the nation's most liked songs interspersed with light moments of humour and wit, his hallmark.
Very simple communication between Ameenji and his audience created an unique and intoxicating instant mutual rapport. And this rapport is still alive with his numerous Geetmala programs uploaded on YouTube that are still getting millions of views and lakhs of likes. Ameenji also hosted "Saridon ke Saathi" and "Johar ke Jawaab" till the 1970's apart from lending his voice for numerous advertising jingles and the old 15 minute radio programmes for new films that were very common for the film's initial publicity and takeoff.
Ameen Sayani was the precious link between the fans and film personalities right from the Khemchand Prakash and Lata Mangeshkar eras till the 1990's before the proliferation of social media. His interviews with film personalities of yore were much liked by audiences.
Ameenji's very characteristic address commencing with "behno aur bhaiyo" would instantly touch the hearts of millions of listeners glued to their radio receivers, eversince he began his career with the Ceylon Broadcasting Corporation that later became the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. He hosted Binaca (later Cibaca) Geetmala from December 1952 till 1996 i.e. 44 years with a gap of two years (1990-92) in between during its migration to All India Radio as the Colgate Cibaca Geetmala.
Personalities like Ameen Sayani are among the rarest of rare gems who had been sent with a mission to entertain us here on earth.
As Ameenji has reached the "Sartaaj Geet" status yesterday, after staying in the "Aakhri Paydaan" we mourn his very sad loss. Our condolences to Sh Rajeel Sayani, his son and all Ameenji's near and dear ones.
(Above:- 3rd Dec 1952 was the first broadcast of the iconic prog Binaca Geetmala. The TV series was one more Avtar. From our archives. (source Ameen Sayani FB page))
A treasurehouse of Ameen Sayani's memories:-
Last edited by anjan_c2007 : 21st February 2024 at 19:30.
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