It is a sad moment for the entertainment world as the iconic radio presenter Ameen Sayani has passed away at age 91. His son, Rajil Sayani, confirmed the news, stating that Ameen Sayani breathed his last at the hospital last night. The cause of demise has been stated as heart failure, he added.
Rajil said, “He was at the hospital and passed away last night, we will be issuing a statement on the last rites very soon.”
Born on December 21, 1932, in Mumbai, Ameen Sayani hailed from a multilingual family.He began his career as an English broadcaster but he transitioned to Hindi post-independence.
Sayani rose to fame creation of ‘Geetmala,’ a groundbreaking show that aired in December 1952. The program, featuring chart-topping hits, became a cultural phenomenon in South Asia. Its unparalleled success led to its broadcast longevity, running from 1952 to 1994, followed by revivals in 2000-2001 and 2001-2003 with slight variations in its name.
With ‘Geetmala’ Ameen became the first host in India to curate and present an entire show, showcasing his deep understanding of the evolving musical landscape. The show’s success solidified Sayani’s status as a radio maestro.