Ameen Sayani – The Indian Radio Announcer Legend Whose Mesmerizing Voice Enthralled A Nation For Decades ! Ameen Sayani is definitely the most popular and most renowned radio announcer from India. He achieved worldwide fame, and especially in all across South Asia when he presented his hit countdown show Binaca Geetmala from Radio Ceylon in the 1960's.
Even today his style of salutation to the audience, "Behno aur Bhaiyo" is still treated as the standard announcement with a melodious touch. He has produced and compered more than 54,000 radio programs and 19,000 spots and jingles since 1951, which is a record listed in the Limca Book of Records. He was also a recipient of the Padma Shri award in 2009. Besides this, Ameen Sayani has been also honoured with several awards; such as:Living Legend Award (2006) from Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) Kaan Hall Of Fame Award (2003) from Radio Mirchi Golden Abby by Advertising Club, Bombay (2000) for the outstanding radio campaign of the century – Binaca/Cibaca Geetmala Hall Of Fame Award (1993) from Indian Academy Of Advertising Film Art (IAAFA) Person Of The Year Award (1992) Limca Book Of Records . Quotes by Ameen Sayani
"My listeners are like family. I may be reaching out to multitudes but i speak as though i am talking to just one individual." "These days most of the presenters are working live. I appreciate some of them but most of them waste time in talking on frivolous things which do not mean much."
"I can be soft and still be entertaining. I changed my style. But till today, I find lots of people using it, so i feel a little guilty about starting this." "In early 1950s, All India Radio (AIR) had stopped broadcasting Hindi film music. It was a mad decision, which hit AIR very badly and Radio Ceylon, which was still finding its ground in the radio industry, came up because of that."