In the heart of India during the vibrant decades of the ’70s and ’80s, a tradition bound our family together – the beloved radio show, Binaca Geetmala. As a youngster, the enchanting voice of Ameen Sayani, the show’s host, echoed through our home each week with a familiar greeting of “Behno aur Bhaiyo.” The program, a celebration of Bollywood music, was a treasured pastime for my father and me, fostering a shared love for the melodies of the silver screen.
Ameen Sayani: The Man Behind the Voice
Born on December 21st, 1932, in Bombay (now Mumbai), Ameen Sayani hailed from a family deeply entrenched in the fight for freedom. His early passion for the humanities shone through his fluency in Hindi, English, Gujarati, and Marathi, captivating audiences with his warm and inviting tone. Even as a child, I was struck by the inherent kindness in Mr. Sayani’s voice, painting a picture of a genuinely charming individual beyond the realm of the radio waves.
Sayani’s Legacy and Influence
In the realm of Indian radio, Ameen Sayani held a special place as the voice that brought the nation’s most popular songs to life on All India Radio (AIR). However, a shift in government policy led to a temporary halt in broadcasting Hindi film music on AIR, pushing Binaca Geetmala to find a new home on Radio Ceylon from 1952 to 1989 before returning to Indian airwaves through Vividh Bharti from 1989 to 1994. Despite the absence of concrete audience metrics, the program’s widespread popularity was evident in the melodic tunes that wafted through the airwaves, uniting listeners across the country.
A Personal Journey
Fast forward to my own story in the United States, where my father’s arrival in 2014 following my mother’s passing ignited a resurgence of our shared love for vintage Bollywood music. Car rides became a symphony of Saigal, Shamshad Begum, Suraiya, Mohammad Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar, and the timeless recordings of Binaca Geetmala, bridging the gap between generations as my children embraced the musical treasures of their grandfather’s youth. Little did I know that this shared passion would pave the way for a heartwarming connection in our family’s most trying times.
An Unexpected Gift
In early 2022, my father’s battle with Stage 4 cancer brought a sense of urgency to our days, prompting me to seek out moments of joy amidst the inevitable. Inspired by the nostalgia of Binaca Geetmala, I reached out to Ameen Sayani in a leap of faith, hoping to bring a ray of light to my father’s days. The response that followed, a handwritten letter and a heartfelt voice recording from Uncle Ameen himself, filled our home with an unparalleled sense of warmth and gratitude.
As I played the recording for my father, his initial confusion gave way to pure delight as Mr. Sayani serenaded him with a few lines from his favorite song, ‘Bade Armaanon se Rakha hai Sanam.’ The joy that lit up my father’s face with each replay of the message was a balm to my soul, a cherished memory that would endure long after our time together.
A Heartfelt Farewell
As the sands of time continued to flow, my father’s journey reached its final chapter on November 5, 2022, leaving behind a legacy of love and shared melodies. Ameen Sayani, too, departed from this world on February 20th, 2024, succumbing to a sudden heart attack. Yet, in the twilight of their lives, these two souls found an unexpected connection through music, intertwining their stories in a beautiful tapestry that transcends earthly boundaries.
In the realm of Binaca Geetmala and Ameen Sayani, the echoes of their voices continue to resonate, weaving a timeless tale of love, loss, and the enduring power of music to unite hearts across the ages.
