Ameen Sayani Age, Wife, Children, Cause of Death, Family, Biography, and more
Ameen Sayani, the iconic voice behind the popular radio show Binaca Geetmala, breathed his last on February 20, 2024, at the age of 91. He died of a heart attack caused by a blood clot, his son Rajil Sayani confirmed to the media. Sayani was a pioneer of radio broadcasting in India, and his show was a cultural phenomenon that entertained and influenced generations of listeners.
Ameen Sayani Bio/Wiki
| Name | Ameen Sayani |
|---|---|
| Born | 21 December 1932, Mumbai, India |
| Died | 20 February 2024, Mumbai, India |
| Cause of death | Heart attack |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Ethnicity | Gujarati |
| Religion | Islam |
| Education | St. Xavier’s High School, Fort; St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai |
| Occupation | Radio announcer, radio jockey, advertising professional |
| Spouse | Rama Mattoo (m. 1963) |
| Children | Rajil Sayani |
| Parents | Jan Mohamed Sayani, Kulsum Sayani |
| Siblings | Hamid Sayani, Zareen Sayani, Roshan Sayani |
| Famous for | Presenting Binaca Geetmala, a popular radio show of Hindi film songs |
| Awards | Padma Shri, Golden Abby, Kaan Hall of Fame Award, Living Legend Award, Hindi Ratna Puraskar, Lifetime Achievement Award, and many more |
| Source | Wikipedia- @Ameen_Sayani Homepage- Newsunzip |
Early Life, Birthday, Family and Education
Ameen Sayani was born on December 21, 1932 (age: 91 years, as of 2023), in Mumbai, to Jan Mohamed Sayani and Kulsum Sayani. His father was a lawyer and a politician, and his mother was a social activist and a journalist. He was the youngest of four siblings, and his elder brother Hamid Sayani was also a radio presenter who mentored him.
Ameen was fascinated by radio since his childhood, and he used to help his mother in editing, printing, and publishing her journal Rehber from 1940 to 1960. He also accompanied his brother to the English section of All India Radio (AIR), Mumbai station, when he was eight years old.
He completed his schooling from St. Xavier’s High School, Fort, and graduated from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1954. He was a brilliant student, and he also participated in various extracurricular activities, such as debating, elocution, and drama. He was fluent in English, Hindi, Urdu, Gujarati, and Marathi, and he had a keen interest in music, especially Hindi film songs.
Height, Weight
- Height: 5 feet 7 inches
- Weight: 73 kg (approx.)
- Eye color: Light brown
- Hair color: Salt and pepper
- Skin color: Fair
- Body measurements: Not available
- Shoe size: Not available
Career and Achievements
Ameen Sayani started his career as a radio announcer in 1951, when he auditioned for Radio Ceylon, the oldest radio station in South Asia. He impressed the selectors with his clear and crisp voice, and his ability to switch between languages with ease. He was hired as a part-time announcer, and he soon became popular among the listeners. He also worked as a sales executive for a pharmaceutical company, and later as an advertising professional for various agencies.
However, his breakthrough came in 1952, when he was chosen to present a new radio show called Binaca Geetmala, sponsored by a toothpaste brand. The show was a weekly countdown of the most popular Hindi film songs, based on the sales of records across the country. The show was an instant hit, and it became a household name for millions of Indians.
Ameen’s charismatic voice, his witty comments, his trivia about the songs and the artists, and his rapport with the listeners made the show a unique and memorable experience. The show ran for over four decades, and it was aired on Radio Ceylon, Vividh Bharati, and later on private FM channels. It was also broadcasted in several countries, such as the UK, the UAE, Swaziland, and Canada. The show was renamed as Cibaca Geetmala, Colgate Cibaca Geetmala, and finally Sangeet Ka Safar, before it ended in 1994.
Apart from Binaca Geetmala, Ameen also presented many other radio shows, such as S. Kumar Ka Filmy Muqaddama, Saridon Ke Saathi, Bournvita Quiz Contest, Shalimar Superlac Jodi, Maratha Darbar, Sangeet Kay Sitaron Ki Mehfil, Swanaash, and many more. He also interviewed many famous personalities from the film industry, such as Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar, and Amitabh Bachchan. He also lent his voice for documentaries, commercials, and public service announcements. He was also involved in social causes, such as promoting family planning, literacy, and AIDS awareness.
Ameen Sayani received many awards and honors for his outstanding contribution to radio broadcasting. He was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India, in 2009. He also received the Golden Abby, the Kaan Hall of Fame Award, the Living Legend Award, the Hindi Ratna Puraskar, the Lifetime Achievement Award, and many more. He was also featured in the Limca Book of Records as the Person of the Year in 1992. He was widely respected and admired by his peers, his fans, and his colleagues.
Net Worth
| Year | Net Worth (in INR Crore) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Not available |
| 2023 | Not available |
| 2024 | 3 Crore INR |
His Death
The world of radio and music has lost one of its most iconic voices, Ameen Sayani, who passed away at the age of 91 on February 20, 2024. He was the host of the legendary “Binaca Geet Mala” show, which aired for over four decades and introduced millions of listeners to the latest and best songs from the Hindi film industry. He also presented various other radio programmes and documentaries, and received several awards and honors for his contribution to the field.
He is survived by his wife Rama and son Rajil, who is also a radio jockey. His fans and admirers have expressed their grief and condolences on social media and other platforms, remembering him as a pioneer, a legend, and a friend.
Spouse, Kids
Ameen Sayani married Rama Mattoo, a Kashmiri Pandit, in 1963. They had a son, Rajil Sayani, who is also a radio presenter and a voice-over artist. He was very close to his family, and he often credited them for his success and happiness. He was also very fond of his nephews and nieces, and he treated them like his own children. He was a devout Muslim, and he followed the teachings of the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad. He was also a tolerant and secular person, who respected all religions and cultures. He was known for his humility, his generosity, and his kindness.
Ameen suffered from various health issues in his later years, such as diabetes, kidney failure, and heart problems. He underwent a bypass surgery in 2003, and he was on dialysis for several years. He also lost his eyesight due to glaucoma. He was admitted to the hospital on February 19, 2024, after he complained of chest pain. He passed away the next day, due to a heart attack. He is survived by his wife, his son, his daughter-in-law, and his grandson.
Legacy and Impact
Ameen Sayani was a legend of Indian radio, and his voice was synonymous with the golden era of Hindi film music. He was a pioneer who revolutionized the medium of radio, and he created a bond with millions of listeners across the world. He was a master of his craft, and he had a passion for music, language, and communication. He was a source of inspiration and joy for many people, and he touched their lives with his voice and his personality. He was a national treasure, and he will always be remembered as the voice that captivated millions.
