Radio host Ameen Sayani's passing sparks emotional reaction on social media

Image credits: AFP

Ameen Sayani, a renowned former radio broadcaster from India, passes away at 91 due to a heart attack. He gained widespread fame and popularity across the Indian Subcontinent for his Binaca Geetmala program on Radio Ceylon. Since 1951, he produced and hosted over 54,000 radio programs and 19,000 spots/jingles.

Introduced to All India Radio, Bombay, by his brother Hamid Sayani, Ameen contributed to English programs there for a decade. He played a significant role in promoting All India Radio in India. Additionally, he appeared in various films such as Bhoot Bungla, Teen Devian, Boxer, and Qatl, portraying the role of an announcer.

Ameen assisted his mother, Kulsum Sayani, in editing, publishing and printing RAHBER, a fortnightly journal for neo-literates, following Mahatma Gandhi's instructions. This publication, from 1940 to 1960, was simultaneously issued in Devnagri (Hindi), Urdu and Gujarati scripts, using the simple 'Hindustani' language advocated by Gandhi.

Saddened by the news of his demise, reactions poured in on X as people shared memories and condolences: