Legends
Ameen Sayani – The Grand Old Man of Radio
A household name with his signature “Behno aur bhaiyo” catchphrase in musical programmes like Geetmala. It started in 1952, India heard, rapt in awe, a deep baritone with a touch of melody from Radio Ceylon. Joking with audiences, teasing them, giving interesting trivia, interviewing celebrities and spiced it up with Hindi film songs. Quite the opposite to the mournful tone of earlier announcers, which was a trend then. “Namaskar behnon aur bhaiyon, main aapka dost Ameen Sayani bol raha hoon”. It brought in a kind of revolution which was much needed for the radio audiences. A 30-minute programme, initially, became a craze in 1952 and continued for almost half a decade. It began as Binaca Geetmala, then Hit Parade and finally Cibaca Geetmala. People were fascinated with his voice and he formed an emotional bond with the listeners.
Ameen Sayani was born 21st December 1932, in a family which was deeply involved with the struggle for Indian Independence. For 14 years, he helped his mother Kulsum Sayani in editing the journal Rehber, published fortnightly. Ameen Sayani’s brother, Hamid was a distinguished broadcaster in English. It was he who introduced Ameen Sayani to acting and direction, compering, writing and to the All-India Radio. His brother was associated with All-India Radio, Bombay, for almost ten years. He conducted innumerable programmes in English.
Ameen Sayani made programmes such as S.Kumars Ka Filmi Muqaddama and Filmi Mulaqaat popular on Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation and then Vividh Bharati for 7 years. Saridon Ke Saathi All India Radio’s first sponsored show was presented for 4 years by him. Several other shows by him were Bournvita Quiz Contest and Shalimar Superlac Jodi. Apart from these programmes, he has also done several international radio shows like Mini Insertions of Filmstar Interviews, Music For The Millions, Geetmala Ki Yaadein and “Hungamay. His innings on the radio began with Radio Ceylon and continued on All India Radio’s Vividh Bharati for more than 40 years. His way of presenting and conducting film personality interviews, plays and skits, musical features, quiz shows, feature film promotional trailers was quite unique.
Crowned as the man with a golden voice, his peerless and distictive style earned him fans across generations. Every time his voice had regaled and entertained us. The romance of his voice with the radio will always delight us.
In one of his interviews to the media he was quoted –
A good radio programme is one that you can see. Radio is a medium that involves you totally because you don’t have to be glued to it like television. You can do anything you want while listening and still enjoy it. From the songs and the commentary to the sound effects, the listener creates his own mental image of what is being presented on the air. It creates a high level of involvement with the listener, which makes it probably the best medium in the world.
Catch his inimitable voice and get nostalgic with the audio clip from one of his programmes!!
wingedream
December 21, 2016 at 3:22 pm
sharing at https://www.facebook.com/groups/Tansenique/ thanks.
Aslam Sharif
December 22, 2016 at 12:46 am
The voice of announcer not matching with great AMEEN SAYANI which I was listen at my childhood and youth age, however an attempt is praiseworthy keep it up
Arvind Dave
December 22, 2016 at 1:25 pm
I you many many happy returns of the day. Happy birthday to you Sir
wish
Mohan Raghunathan
December 22, 2016 at 5:22 pm
A voice one grew up with as an impressionable teenager and more importantly learnt to appreciate the nuances of good lyrics, voice & music. Many from my time will vouch for this when radio was the only medium for news, music concerts, cricket commentary and ofcourse hindi film music. Thank you Ameen-ji and Many Happy Returns.
lipika bhaumik
December 22, 2016 at 9:06 pm
Nerver realized when my chores were completed listening to the beautiful songs, titbit news of bollywood & the powerful voice of Ameenji. I remember the whole neighbourhood would listen loudly and when we had exams & coulld not switch on the radio we did not mind boz we would hear it from the neighbours radio. Good old days. Many Many happy retuns of the day and thank you for giving us those wonderful days and feeling of nostalgic
Deepa
December 23, 2016 at 8:50 pm
True!! That’s the magic of his voice. He’s the reason so many of us remained glued to radio for years 🙂
Krishna Shinde
December 22, 2016 at 9:17 pm
Wish you many many happy returns of the day !!
Deepa
December 23, 2016 at 10:34 am
Thank you everyone for the response and comments 🙂
Ajay
December 21, 2017 at 4:16 pm
Happy Birthday ! Amin Sayani ji ! I was a regular listener of Binaca Geetmala since 1963. Have sent many birthday greetings through post cards. Amin Sayani used to mention about his school days spent at Scindia School at Gwalior. He is very fond of “GAJAK” from Gwalior.