Legendary radio presenter and the voice of ‘Binaca Geetmala,’ Ameen Sayani died in Mumbai on Tuesday after suffering a heart attack; he was 91.
Mr Sayani’s son Rajil Sayani confirmed the news of his father’s death to Indian Express.
The funeral of Mr Sayani will take place on Thursday as the family waits for relatives to reach Mumbai on Wednesday.
Death confirmed by son
Rajil Sayani said his father, the iconic radio presenter, suffered a heart attack on Tuesday night, after which they took him to HN Reliance Hospital, Mumbai, where he died.
He told the media, ‘The doctors at the hospital attended him but couldn’t save him and he was declared dead.’
Ameen Sayani: Career
Ameen Sayani, whose iconic introduction ‘Namaskar bhaiyon aur behno, main aapka dost Ameen Sayani bol raha hoon (Hello brothers and sisters, this is your friend Ameen Sayani)’ on Radio Ceylon still evokes strong nostalgia for an entire generation, was born in Mumbai on December 21, 1932.
Mr Sayani was known for his show ‘Binaca Geetmala‘ which was first broadcast in 1952, mainly over Radio Ceylon and later over Vividh Bharati (All India Radio). The show ran over the airwaves for a total of over 42 years, making Mr Sayani instantly recognizable as the voice of a generation in India.
He produced, compiled (or spoke for) over 54,000 radio programmes and 19,000 spots/jingles since 1951.
Mr Sayani was also a part of various movies throughout the years, such as Bhoot Bungla, Teen Devian, Boxer, and Qatl.
Mr Sayani appeared in all of these movies in the role of an announcer in some events.