“Jee haan bhaiyoo aur behnoo, main hoon apka dost Ameen Sayani aur aap sunn rahein hain Binaca Geetmala!” These were the lines familiar to millions of Indians in the pre-TV era. Ameen Sayani, the iconic radio presenter of Binaca Geetmala fame, today brathed his last. He was 91. All India Radio was popularised by him in the early decades of Indian Independence.
Paying a tribute to the departed soul, PM Narendra Modi wrote that Sayani's golden voice on the airwaves had a charm and warmth that endeared him to people across generations. "Through his work, he played an important role in revolutionising Indian broadcasting and nurtured a very special bond with his listeners," the PM added.
Commentators are recounting his achievements. "Sayani Saab did not only Binaca Geetmala for 42 years but also Maratha Durbar for almost 15 years and many more. His series of radio plays for AIDS awareness was remarkable," wrote senior actor Tara Deshpande.
Actor Ajay Devgn wrote that Binaca Geetmala was such a huge part of his childhood growing up that he still remembers waking up to the sweet melodies of his favourite Bollywood songs. Author Vivek Kaul wrote, "Your voice, on dark rainy nights, on dark humid nights, on dark cold nights, on dark warm nights, will always be there with me."
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