Ameen Sayani, iconic radio presenter and golden voice of 'Geetmala', dies at 91

Iconic radio host Ameen Sayani has died at the age of 91, his family said on Wednesday. He passed away in the hospital due to heart failure.

In Short

Renowned radio host Ameen Sayani passed away at 91
Sayani was rushed to hospital after a heart attack
He gained fame through his radio program ‘Geetmala’

Iconic radio host Ameen Sayani has died at the age of 91 after suffering a heart attack, his son Rajil Sayani said on Wednesday.

Rajil Sayani stated that his father was rushed to the HN Reliance Hospital in Mumbai but couldn’t be saved. The funeral will be held on Thursday, he added.

Born on December 21, 1932 in Mumbai, Ameen Sayani was a household name for generations, captivating audiences with his melodious voice and engaging style. He began his career as an English-language broadcaster, and transitioned to Hindi after India’s independence.

Sayani achieved immense popularity through his radio program ‘Geetmala’, which played a pivotal role in popularising radio listening in India.

Geetmala, hosted by Sayani, became a national phenomenon, showcasing popular Hindi film music and captivating listeners for decades. His signature way of addressing listeners as “Behno aur Bhaiyo” (sisters and brothers) became instantly recognisable and widely imitated.

Sayani’s career spanned over six decades, producing and presenting over 54,000 radio programs and 19,000 voice-overs for advertisements and jingles.

He also dabbled in acting, appearing in various films in small roles, often portraying an announcer.

In a condolence message, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Sayani’s “golden voice on the airwaves had a charm and warmth”.

“Shri Ameen Sayani Ji’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,” he said in a post on X.