Do you remember the famous line, 'behno aur bhaiyo' main apka dost Ameen Sayani bol raha hoon...aur aap sun rahe hain Binaca Geet Mala”? These mesmerizing lines still have a recall value across generations. The man behind the golden voice, the signature catchphrase in musical programme 'Binaca Geetmala’, was legendary broadcaster Ameen Sayani who is sadly no more with us today.

Sayani, who became an instant household name, died in Mumbai on Tuesday. He was 91. He died of a heart attack in a hospital, according to his son, Rajil.

Few radio programmes have been bestowed such iconic status as Ameen Sayani’s Binaca Geetmala that aired top Bollywood songs during the era 1952-1994. Sayani took the film song into every Indian home with just the radio and his unique voice.

Sayani who lived at Colaba with his family and who has been honoured with the Padma Shri in 2009, started his career in radio in 1951 with Radio Ceylon and won the hearts of millions with 'Binaca Geetmala'. During his career of over 50 years, he has produced and compeered radio programmes in the thousand.

For fans of Ameen Sayani who have listened to him down the years will surely miss him although Radio City 91.1FM exclusively brought back Ameen Sayani in his original style, with his popular show – ‘Geetmala ’ in 2010.  

By Verus Ferreira