“Behnon aur Bhaaiyon, Ye hai Binaca Geet maala…Pichchle hafte se chaar paaidan chadhkar ye gaana…”. The golden voice in the programme Binaca Geet mala on All India Radio belongs to none other than Ameen Sayani. The programme, broadcast in Radio Ceylon which won the hearts of millions of fans, played a key role in creating an environment of healthy competition among the bollywood music directors who tried their best to ensure that their compositions attained the top spot in Binaca Geet mala. It also kept alive, the audiences’ interest in good hindi film songs. The heady combination of mesmerizing voice of Ameen Sayani and lilting songs was unforgettable. Nobody who has spent his childhood in the 70’s would have missed the programme, when Wednesday evenings were always eagerly awaited.
Ameen Sayani was born in 1932. He graduated from St.Xavier’s College, Bombay. His parents were deeply involved in the Indian struggle for independence. Initially, Ameen helped his mother in editing the journal “Rahber” published fortnightly, started by Mahatma Gandhi. His brother Hamid Sayani was an eminent broadcaster in English. He introduced Ameen to stage acting, direction, compering etc. at an early age and later to All India Radio, where he started his career in 1951 with Radio Ceylon. He gained immense popularity with his weekly show Binaca Geet Mala.
Ameen Sayani has immensely contributed in the development of commercial broadcasting in India. According to the Limca Book Of Records 2005, he has presented over 54,000 radio programmes and around 19,000 commercial spots and jingles, making waves in the radio world of India, Sri Lanka, the US, Canada, Britain, UAE and New Zealand. He has also produced and presented film personality interviews, plays and skits, musical features, quiz shows, career guidance and AIDS awareness programmes, feature film promotional trailers, etc. Sayani was also a part of various movies like “Bhoot Bangla”, “Teen Devian”, “Boxer”, “Qatl”. He appeared in these movies in the role of an announcer.
A few of Ameen Sayani's successful international radio shows are "Mini Insertions of Filmstar Interviews" was aired over the British Broadcasting Corporation's Ethnic Network in the U.K.; "Music For The Millions" for the BBC's World Service Radio; "Veetee Ka Hungama" aired over Sunrise Radio, London; "Geetmala Ki Yaaden" over Radio Ummul Quwain, UAE; "Hangamay" over ethnic radio stations in Toronto, Washington, Houston, Los Angeles, San Fransisco and Boston.
He was conferred with Padma Shree for his invaluable contribution in the field of Broadcasting.
Though he was neither a singer nor a musician, his contribution towards popularizing the hindi film music among millions of fans is unparalleled. After all it was he who lured us into listening to the golden melodies of the period, which we still cherish.
Hats off Ameen Sayaniji!
