Ameen Sayani, radio's most recognised voice, passes away in Mumbai

Mumbai's iconic radio voice Ameen Sayani, known for Binaca Geetmala, passes away at 91, leaving behind a legacy of nostalgia.

Ameen Sayani, radio’s most recognised voice for millions of Indians who tuned into Binaca Geetmala every week, has died. He was 91.

Sayani suffered a heart attack on February 20 evening and was taken to a hospital in south Mumbai but could not be saved, his son Rajil told PTI.

“He passed away last night of a heart attack at the H N Reliance hospital. He was rushed to the hospital last evening around 6 pm after he complained of chest pain. They tried to revive him but he passed away around 7 p.m.,” Mr. Rajil said.

The last rites will be held on February 22.

“Namaste behno aur bhaiyo, main aapka dost Ameen Sayani bol raha hoon”. The familiar greeting and the instantly identifiable voice coasted on airwaves into countless homes every on Wednesday on Radio Ceylon from 1952 to 1988, still evoking strong nostalgia amongst listeners.

After 1988, Binaca Geetmala moved to All India Radio’s Vividh Bharati where it ruled the charts till 1994.

Sayani, who was born in Mumbai in a multilingual family on December 21, 1932, compered, presented and voiced over 50,000 shows in 42 years.