His unique manner of addressing the audience with ‘Behno aur Bhaiyo’ instead of the conventional ‘Bhaiyo aur Behno’ was well-received and has been widely emulated.
On Wednesday, the legendary radio personality Ameen Sayani passed away at the age of 91 in Mumbai’s HN Reliance Hospital due to heart failure, as confirmed by his family. According to his son Rajil Sayani, despite being rushed to the hospital, his father could not be saved.
Throughout his remarkable career, Sayani recorded over 50,000 radio shows, achieving widespread acclaim for his iconic programs such as Binaca Geetmala and the Bournvita Quiz Contest.
Born in 1932, Sayani gained fame among listeners for his unique manner of addressing the audience with ‘Behno aur Bhaiyo’ instead of the conventional ‘Bhaiyo aur Behno’. This approach was well-received and has since been widely imitated.
The Binaca Geetmala aired on Radio Ceylon from 1952 to 1988 before transitioning to All India Radio’s Vividh Bharati Service in 1989, where it continued until 1994. Recognized as the inaugural radio countdown program of Indian film songs, it garnered immense popularity among audiences.
The show enjoyed widespread popularity in India, with an estimated listenership ranging from 9,00,000 to 20,00,000. From 1998 onwards, it returned to Vividh Bharati, airing for half an hour on Monday nights until 2000.
The Binaca Geetmala’s annual year-end lists were broadcast from 1954 to 1993, featuring a variety of artists and songs. Lata Mangeshkar (19), Mohammed Rafi (8), Kishore Kumar (6), Mukesh (6), Alka Yagnik (5), Udit Narayan (4), and Asha Bhosle (3) were among the singers whose songs frequently graced the iconic radio program.
Some of the notable songs featured on the show included “Mera Joota Hai Japani” from Shree 420 (1955), “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil Jeena Yahan” from C.I.D. (1956), “Haal Kaisa Hai Janab Ka” from Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1959), “Jo Wada Kiya Wo Nibhana Padega” from Taj Mahal (1962), “Bindiya Chamkegi Choodi Khankegi” (1970), “Zindagi ek Safar Hai Suhana” from Andaz (1971), “Kabhi kabhi mere dil mein khayaal aataa hai” from Kabhie Kabhie (1976), and “O Saathi Re” from Muqaddar ka Sikandar (1978).
Other notable songs featured on the Binaca Geetmala include “Mere Angne Mein” from Laawaris (1981), “Papa Kehte Hain” from Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988), “Choli Ke Peeche” from Khalnayak (1993), “Taal se Taal” from Taal (1999), and “Humko Hame Sey Chura Lo” from Mohabbatein (2000).
Ameen Sayani’s contributions extended beyond hosting Binaca Geetmala and the Bournvita Quiz Contest. He also produced and hosted radio programs such as S Kumars Ka Filmi Muqaddama, Filmi Mulaqaat, Saridon Ke Saathi, Shalimar Superlac Jodi, Maratha Darbar, and Sangeet kay Sitaron ki Mehfil.
Furthermore, Sayani produced a 13-episode radio series featuring plays based on real-life stories of individuals struggling with HIV/AIDS, accompanied by interviews with prominent doctors and social workers.
In addition to his radio work, Sayani played a pivotal role in exporting Indian radio shows and commercials globally since 1976, reaching audiences in the USA, the UK, the UAE, Canada, Swaziland, South Africa, Fiji, and New Zealand.
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Who was Ameen Sayani? Who hosted Binaca Geetmala?