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| Radio in those days |
Binaca Geetmala
Program, was sponsored by Ciba Geigy Ltd., the makers of toothpaste and
toothbrush in India
in addition to other products. The program was a novelty - never before
was such a sponsored program broadcast. The generation of today may not be
able to gauge the impact this had on the minds of people then, but suffice to
say that there are generations and generations of people in India who hold
it dearly to their heart.
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| A Young Amin Sayani |
A young 21 year old man was
entrusted the job of presenting this novel idea to the Radio Listeners in India on an
experimental basis. He had to write the program, produce it and broadcast it in
his own voice.
Exactly at 8 pm on 3rd December, 1952 - Radio Ceylon [as it
was called then] reverberated with the baritone of Amin Sayani's voice - "Bhaiyo
aur Behno”. [HMV company which released a cassette later contains these very
words said by Amin Sayani himself - where he further states that it was a
program which entered the hearts of people right from its maiden broadcast.]
It cant exactly be coined as
Annual Program, though on the basis of letters received from listeners, 9 most
popular songs were short-listed and broadcast.
The songs broadcast were:
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| Amin Sayani with CD on Binaca Geetmala |
No. 9 - Main pagal mora
manwa pagal – Film - Ashiana, Talat Mehmood - Madan Mohan - Rajinder Krishan
No. 7- Dekho Jaadu bhare
more nain- Film-Asmaan-Geeta Dutt-O P Nayyar-Prem Dhavan
No. 6- Mohabbat hi na samjhe
wo zalim-Film- Parchhai-Talat Mehmood- C Ramchandra-Noor Lakhnavi.
No. 5- Main dil hoon ek
arman bhara- Film- Anhonee- Talat Mehmood-Roshan-Satyendra Atthaiya.
No. 4- Ye hawa ye raat ye
chandani- FilmSangdil- Talat Mehmood-Sajjad Hussain-Rajinder Krishan
And then the top 3 popular
songs [as we know them today] were presented
No. 3- Dil mein chupakepyar
ka- Film- Aan- Mohd. Rafi-Naushad-Shakeel Badayuni
No. 2- Aye mere dil kahi aur
chal- Film-Daag-Talat Mehmood-shankar-Jaikishen-shailendra
Then came the most popular
song of 1952 according to the listeners letters
No. 1- Tu ganga ki mauj
main- Film Baiju Bawra- Mohd. Rafi/Lata Mangeshkar- Naushad-Shakeel Badayuni.
During the 4 preceding weeks
2 songs from Aan, 2 songs from Baiju Bawra,1 each from Daag, Naubahar, Shin
shina ke bublaboo and Poonam also made their way into the programs in addition
to the above mentioned.
We will now discuss the
songs which made the cut in the first ever annual program in the later posts.
I have 2sets of the CDs....
ReplyDeleteThanks Yogendra- perhaps when we meet, we can reminisce over it
DeleteShilindera,Raja Mehdi Ali Khan,Anand Bakshi,Rajinder Krishan,Shakeel Badayuni with S.D.Burman,Laxmikant Pyarelal,Shanker JAIKishan.Madan Mohan,O.P.Nayyar the great maestros and stalwarts in Bollywood, their hits are no doubt unforgettable.The presentation by Amin Sayani Sb in his charming and jingling voice glorified the poetry, the music as flowers of an ever green tree whose petals are fresh in the pages of mind still.We the generation of that era lucky to taste the presentation of Sayani
DeleteAmin Sayani is from my alma mater Scindia School Gwalior. We are very proud of him.
DeleteAmeen sayani sab added swing to binaca geetmala. Binaca geetmala without Aminji and Aminji without Binaca is unthinkable. Long live Ameen Sayanisab.
ReplyDeleteWow, it's exactly 3 months after I was born (3/8/52),the Binaca GM started. I was listener till it said good bye. Sic.!
ReplyDeleteIt made me nostalgic when we used to wait on roads to hear Binaca Geet Mala, when we were single and used to take meals at Hotel and did not have Radio at Home.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right S L Bedekar. Money was very scarce then as it is now too. But we found ways and means to satisfy our urge. I too have stood somewhere and listened to that sonorous voice of Ameen Sayani- uttering -Bhaiyo aur Behno-It used to give me goosebumps
DeleteNot 'Bhaiyo aur behnno', but 'Behno aur bhaiyo', ladies first. I too made the same mistake when I met Ameen Sayani, and he corrected me the way I did here. :)
DeleteHello Dilip Sahab, my day is made reading your post. Binaca Geetmala on Radio Ceylon and later Chitrahaar on Doordarshan were both on a Wednesday just as any Indian movie is released on a Friday. Amin Sayani had set a style which most RJs followed in the later years. My childhood with my siblings was greatly influenced by Hindi film songs and Budhwaar 8 bage for BGM was the must sought after time slot. Since it was aired on short wave band, it had an urban fan following. Please write something about "Sartaaj Geet" Happy days remembered. Thank you again. UBSingh (Howrah)
ReplyDeleteYes , Short wave were not very clear to listen but we still listened. Was it broadcasted from (Ceylon)Shri Lanka.
DeleteRadio Ceylon had an office in Colaba, behind Taj Mahal Hotel, where all the recordings were done and then it was sent to Singapore- from where Radio Ceylon broadcast all their programs in Hindi. Ceylon [ now Sri Lanka ] was not that advanced then
Delete.....Dilip Apte ..... Thanks for the info .. I am in Malaysia and I use to tune in to Radio Ceylon in my younger days.. Usually in the mornings especially on Sundays ..Am 68 now..
DeleteDidn't know that the broadcast was transmitted from our neighbour country Singapore ...... no wonder the programme could be heard well with not much disturbances..
It takes me back to 69/70's. Amin's dynamic & enchanting voice created interest in Hindi language & filmsongs.
ReplyDeleteAs Lataji,Rafi & Kishore sahib, amin has unique place in our minds.
At 8pm,on wednesdays (even if there are exams) ,we listened to BinavaGeetMala in hostel common room radio. Listening with friends we had evenbets for the best song of the year. Bestwishes to binacageetmala fans.
Yes you are right...exams .. so what. Every Wed 8PM was fixed for ONE THING ONLY. I cannot tell you the feeling I had listening to the SWEET voice of Ameen Sayani.
DeleteYou both are so correct- I have been scolded a number of times for listening to Binaca Geetmala by my father, but I was adamant and managed to listen to it at a neighbour's house- if forbidded to listen in my house
DeleteYes to you both. I used to listen to great music on Binaca geetmala especially year end program just like you. Also can't avoid mention of " aaj paheli tareeq hain" on every 1st of the month on aap ki fermaish on radio ceylon in the morning. I use to prepare to go to school at that time of the morning where as my mom used to remind me to turnoff the radio.
DeleteThe Sixties saw the brilliance of Amin Sayani with Binaca Geet Mala. Still remember the song with which he signs off in '70 - '71 accha to hum challte hai . ..
ReplyDeletefrom Aan milo sajna.
Thank You Dilip Apte Sir for providing valuable information about our beloved Binaca Geetmala. I have remembrance of Binaca Geetmala, S Kumar ke filmi Muqadame and some radio publicity of films by Ameen Sayani.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dilip Aapte Sir,for providing a information about Binaka Geetmala.
ReplyDeleteThank you Apte saheb for that wonderful write up.
ReplyDeletePradeep: i am looking for audio of late 60's my dad is big fan of thses songs, plz. suggest..
ReplyDeleteWhich songs do you require Pradeep. Just go to the hindigeetmala.net site and you will find more than 66000 songs there- right from the time Cinema started talking
Deletego to Youtube and search for Geetmala ki chhao me Vol. 1 to 50 is available, I got it and listening regularly
DeleteWhich songs are you talking about IITTM. All songs are already available at the click of your mouse on hindigeetmala.net- you name it and it's there.
ReplyDeleteUBSingh (Howrah)- I will surely do write on Sartaj Geet- right from its origin and why it was introduced. I recently met the great Ameen Sayani saab, at a book publication function where L K Advani was the Chief Guest. It was an enriching experience to interact with these stalwarts and be touched by their humility
ReplyDeleteIt is a fact that south Indians at that time, started to savour hindi lyrics - simply because of Amin Sayani's BGM. The way in which he presents the song made a good impact on my contemporary youngsters, and in later years helped us to do gimmicks on the stage. Sayani's film publicity was very unique and never before ! Now I recollect the publicity given to Teen Deviyaan.." his voice echoes ...Teen Deviyaan aur ek Devanand....Thanks
ReplyDeletea lot for taking me in the Time Machine....kudos to BGM/A.S. fans....
Yes Rangarao M- Ameen Sayani's baritone voicing echoing through our Radio, was what- we always looked forward to. No other program gained the heights in popularity, that Ameen Sayani gave to Binaca Geetmala
DeleteHi there ALL of you I used to keep weekly listing of BGM songs from 1965 till July 1971. I still have some of these listing with me. The last song of 1969 was from film Inteqam and song by Lata......Kaise Rahoon Chup and the first song of 1970 was from film Sharat by Rafi Sahib Ji ...Aye Haseeno Naazneeno. And I have ALL the packs of Geetmala Ki Chhaon Mein. I wish I could go back and re-live my Wonderful Time AGAIN.... Bye for now..Surjit Chana (London)
ReplyDeleteअद्भुत आवाज़ के साथ आत्मीय अंदाज -*-अमीन सायानी साहब��
ReplyDeleteREMEMBER MY HOSTEL DAYS CLUNG TO TRANSISTOR (PHILIPS - STILL HAVE WITH ME ) LISTENING TO UNMATCHED PROGRAM & JOTTING DOWN ALL THE DETAILS AS IF PREPARING FOR NEXT DAY PAPER ON IT . BINACA GEETMALA WAS SO MAGICAL !!! THANKS TO AMEEN SAYANI SAHAB !!!
ReplyDeleteWriting down was the only option for all of us to keep the record of the weekly songs presented
DeleteREMEMBER MY HOSTEL DAYS CLUNG TO TRANSISTOR (PHILIPS - STILL HAVE WITH ME ) LISTENING TO UNMATCHED PROGRAM & JOTTING DOWN ALL THE DETAILS AS IF PREPARING FOR NEXT DAY PAPER ON IT . BINACA GEETMALA WAS SO MAGICAL !!! THANKS TO AMEEN SAYANI SAHAB !!!
ReplyDeleteYes remember listening in late 60 and 70 when I started to understand. Loved this programme even though the sound was not very clear on short waves in Gujarat. Radio was only means of entertainment in the house. I wonder why they had to start in Ceylon.
ReplyDeleteI am 80 years old. In 1954 when i was studing in college I used to listen to Binaca Geethmala every Wensdays. I am verry much amazed to the signature tune in Accordion that comes with binaca Geethmala and I am longign to hear that now. Any way to hear that music once again?. My email id cvpadmanabhan@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteDear Ramaswamy- this was the signature tune of Binaca Geetmala since-1958==https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx05RDbgANQ
ReplyDeleteThe Sartaj Geet signature tune [the song which used to be retired after playing for 18 weeks ]==https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqF54PrLTSg
Ramaswamy- You will find all the details you would like to know and hear==https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNS6Ldh-zIA
ReplyDeleteEven i used to listen to Binaca Geetmala, thanks to my parents....thereverberating voice of Amin Sayani...well.....cant say anything more....it was a unique experience.
ReplyDeleteYes Sujata- Ameen Sayani's baritone voice at 8 p m every Wednesday has united many people to Hindi Film Music
DeleteI enjoyed reading the historical perspective of BGM. I am a retired professor of finance and volunteer to do a two hour live radio show each Sunday (Geet Aur Sangeet - Music of India; each Sunday 4 pm to 6 pm Eastern Time in the USA) aired on WPRK FM 91.5 in Orlando Florida. This show is live streamed and anyone anywhere can listen to it. In a couple of weeks I will be doing a series of shows called "Binaca Geetmala Aur Meri Pasand" where I will play the top song of a year (starting with 1952) and a few other songs of that year that I like. It may be a few weeks before I get to year 1995! If any one following this blog wants to listen to the show, they can. In any event, I came across this web page while doing my background research for the show. I can be reached at musicofindia2015@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteNice to know that you are spreading this program in U S A- please keep it up. Thanks
ReplyDeletepremna iyer 2014@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI just happened to see this site. I am a senior citizen born and brought up in Bombay Naturally i became nostalgic as other senior citizens!!!The recent Marathi movie Albela made me search for Sholaju Bhatke --Both new and old
Wednesday was time for BGM. I am happy that you are going to start a programe on BGM
Pl.let me know whether we can hear your programme in Bombay Good Luck
Prema Iyer-- Binaca Geetmala is one program which we a;; senior citizens cherished- then and now. Sometime in future I will surelyu do a blog on - Albela [ Shola jo bhadke and other songs from the movie ] , just as I did on the iconic movie Anarkali
DeletePlease guide me how to download all Binaca songs yearwise from any site
ReplyDeletejust type binaca geetmala and the site appears. Best wishes. Enjoy.
DeleteEven today , I still remember Binaca Geetmala. It brings my childhood memory alive.
ReplyDeletewe are so fortunate that we have lived in that golden era
ReplyDeleteReading all your wonderful comments took me back to my student days of 68,69....
ReplyDeleteIn our engineering college hostel, the entire hostel used to gather at the common hall radio every Wednesday at 7-50 pm, exam or no exam. Some even used to write down the sequence of songs all the way up to week's topper.
Ameen Sayani, for us was a living legend.
You are so right M L Sastry- I was among the the many who wrote down the sequence of songs then and cherished them
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteMy mummy-pappa married in 6 Feb 1975. I born in 6 Dec 1975. My parents are very big fan of Radio pograms. Aamin sayani's program is most IMP for them. That time no mobile in use. Via radio programs they dedicate there feelings.
In our child hood, we also enjoyed radio programs. Very different awesome feeling.
Bharatkumar Bafana
9049119789
I am highly impressed with the website which I have found just now. The BGM was without any doubt a celebrity radio program during my childhood and young age. It was always awaited on Wednesday and it was a time to check our list of songs vs the songs as per BGM. Well it was nice to recall those days. The music world has completely changed still given the opportunity I would love to listen the same program now under RJ Shri Amin Sayaniji.
ReplyDeleteCibaca geetmala means music that can hipnotise anybody
ReplyDeleteCibaca geetmala where can i buy all this timeless Songs for me
ReplyDeleteIt takes me back to 70s when my father bought a radio to home. We in our family and neighbours used to listen to the radio.
ReplyDeletethe best programme
ReplyDeleteअद्भुत आवाज़ के साथ आत्मीय अंदाज -*-अमीन सायानी साहब��
ReplyDeleteArticle well written. But in my view writer never ever met and interviewed Amin Sayani. Amin sahab has told many times that he preferred to say firstly BAHNO THEN BHAIYON... as he is believing ladies first. So his announcement was "Bahno aur bhaiyon" or "Bahno-bhaiyon". Please correct this fact in your article.
ReplyDeletevery good details for all . let us sing and enjoy please
ReplyDeleteFeeling Nostalgic.'jane kahan gaye wo din' Amin Sayani's binaca geet mala on Radio Ceylon used to be our favorite radio program during those golden days. No other anchor like Sh. Amin Sayani ji.
ReplyDelete