Mumbai: India mourns the loss of iconic radio personality Ameen Sayani, who breathed his last at the age of 91 due to cardiac failure. The veteran broadcaster suffered a heart attack on Tuesday evening, prompting a swift rush to a private hospital in Mumbai.
The heart attack struck Ameen at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, and despite the medical team’s efforts at a private hospital, revival attempts proved unsuccessful, leading to his unfortunate demise. Ameen had been battling high blood pressure and various age-related ailments, compounded by back issues that necessitated the use of a walker.
Renowned for his immensely popular radio program ‘Geetmala,’ Ameen Sayani carved his niche in India’s radio history, earning widespread acclaim. His distinctive voice and engaging style not only captivated listeners but also played a pivotal role in popularizing the radio medium. Ameen’s unique way of addressing his audience as “Behno aur Bhaiyo” (sisters and brothers) became an iconic and widely imitated signature.
Ameen’s prolific career included the production of an impressive 54,000 radio programs and lending his voice to over 19,000 advertisements and jingles. His influence extended beyond the airwaves, even finding a place in the song ‘Tamma Tamma Again’ from the Bollywood film ‘Badrinath Ki Dulhania,’ where his voice was imitated.
As the curtain falls on Ameen Sayani’s illustrious journey, his legacy remains etched in the hearts of fans and the annals of Indian broadcasting.