Ameen Sayani, a pioneering radio presenter who drew generations of listeners in India along with his melodic voice on a radio present that grew to become a nationwide phenomenon, died on Tuesday. He was 91.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India expressed condolences for Mr. Sayani’s dying on social media, saying that “he played an important role in revolutionizing Indian broadcasting and nurtured a very special bond with his listeners.”
Mr. Sayani’s son, Rajil, was not instantly obtainable for remark.
Born in 1932, Ameen Sayani was launched to radio by his elder brother who was an English-language presenter. In 1952, Ameen grew to become one of many first voices to be heard on the airwaves in Asia by beginning the radio program for which he grew to become probably the most well-known, “Binaca Geetmala,” showcasing Bollywood music.
He hosted this system on Radio Ceylon, one of many oldest radio stations on this planet, based mostly in what’s now Sri Lanka. The present was later moved to All India Radio, the state-owned public broadcaster. The present started as a half-hour sequence however was prolonged to at least one hour due to its explosive recognition. The program continued for greater than 42 years.
“Hello, sisters and brothers,” he typically mentioned on the present in Hindi. “This is your friend Ameen Sayani talking.” The phrase grew to become his signature, and extensively imitated, approach of addressing his viewers, evoking nostalgia, and immediately recognizable amongst longtime listeners.
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