Tuning to the timeless voice of Ameen Sayani

Although Ameen Sayani ndash the iconic voice of radio may no longer grace the airwaves his legacy persists Through his distinguished voice and timeless catchphrase Behenon aur bhaiyyonhellip he bonded generations together Today his influence continues to reverberate in the radio landscape as modernday voice experts take cue from his craftRecipient of the prestigious Padma Shree award in 2009 Ameen Sayani stands tall among radio legends His illustrious career peppered with accolades like the Living Legend Award in 2006 elevated the perception of radio jockeys in the bygone eraThough his soul has departed Ameen Sayanirsquos eclectic voice continues to ring as tributes pour in from diverse voices of the country In a conversation with Middaycom RJs open up about their encounters with the iconic radio announcer and share how they evolved from his craftRJ Archana ndash Radio City 911 FMArchana L PaniaReflecting on her encounter with Sayani at the launch of Lata Mangeshkars music album RJ Archana from Radio City 911 FM recalls a time devoid of social media Back then we only had radio and Sayani ji had cracked the centre stage with Binaca Geetmala I grew up listening to his shows and being in his presence was no less than a surreal moment He wasnt just a radio personality he had a remarkable gift for attentive listeningrdquoFrom its inception radio has held a sacred place in the hearts of millions and Sayanis unwavering dedication lent a newfound honour to this timeless medium ldquoGrateful for his transformative influence I often find myself reflecting upon the glory he bestowed upon radiordquo Archana tells Midday with a voice that sounds like a smileBeyond his onair persona Sayani possessed an unparalleled love for music drawing actors producers filmmakers and composers seeking his sage advice His penchant for singing was known widely setting him apart as a luminary in the industryIn the modern era artists like Badshah and Armaan Malik seek guidance from jockeys on their music albums Archana informs that this trend was pioneered by Sayani who emphasised the importance of voice modulation in music production His dedication knew no bounds he demanded excellence and would panic if his broadcast was delayed by even a minute remarks ArchanaSayanis voice with its distinctive clarity and seamless modulation resonated with audiences earning him admiration and imitation from voice enthusiasts Yet his style remains unmatched as Archana compares it to the timeless charisma of Bollywoods Rajesh Khanna and South Indias RajnikantldquoAs we mourn his passing we acknowledge Sayanis invaluable contributions to radio His legacy lives on a testament to the finesse and prowess he brought to the airwaves When he received the Padma Shree he humbly attributed his success to his listeners acknowledging them as the cornerstone of his illustrious careerrdquo she addsRJ Anand ndash All India Radio Akashvani 1001 FMAnand SinghThe familiar voice behind All India Radios Akashvani Anand Singh shared a profound connection with the late Ameen Sayani ldquoHis passing has left an irreplaceable void in the world of vocal artistryrdquo Singh conveys with a wistful sighSingh reminisces how Sayani imparted his wisdom to budding broadcasters at Akashvanirsquos studios for a weeklong program ldquoHis teaching approach was deeply immersive aiming to instill not just knowledge but also a deep understanding of the craft within his students His pursuit was to get seeped down into their hearts and come up as a speech through their tongues Singh elucidatesThe impact of Sayanis distinctive voice transcends generations inspiring countless individuals to emulate his unparalleled style His meticulous attention to detail from the spacing between words to the modulation of each syllable reflected his commitment to perfectionSingh vividly remembers Sayanis humility and dedication to his craft Despite being hailed as the king of the world of voice Sayani remained humble describing his role as a servant to the realm of soundsSayanis journey in broadcasting was shaped by the tutelage of his elder brother Hameed Sayani and Pandit Vinod Sharma His reverence for his mentors and his commitment to sharing knowledge exemplified his generosity He would say to new broadcasters Learn when you are young but define your own style when you growShedding light on his working style Singh reveals that Sayani would first erect the script followed by rehearsals to finetune it and then present it His language was a mix of Hindi Urdu and Persian weaved like a necklace of pearls ldquoIn my experience his voice was Godgifted it was the divine power that made it attractiverdquoNotably Sayanis admiration for legendary singer Mohd Rafi underscored his appreciation for musical excellence Despite Rafis initial reluctance to engage in conversations Sayani convinced him to an interaction and Rafi agreed on one condition the questions should be framed in such a way that answers can be found in his songsIt was a tough haul but preparations were in full swing As time would have it Rafi expired and Sayanis wish remained unfulfilled Perhaps there is a heaven out there where Rafi and Sayani are filling up the airwaves with their mellifluous voicesSayani continues to affect Singhs style he admits People often compliment his oratory skills drawing parallels with the iconrsquos voice For Singh being likened to Sayani is the highest honour akin to receiving the Ameen Sayani AwardldquoSuch people never die they live in the hearts of people with their velvet voicerdquo concludes SinghRJ Sarim ndash Senior Producer RedFM 935Sarim SubzwariSenior producer from Dehradun RedFM Sarim Subzwari commemorates February 21 as a crucial day in the annals of radio history marking the departure of a dignitary who left an indelible imprint on radio Although physically absent his enduring legacy lives on through the countless voices he influenced and inspiredSubzwari fondly recalls encountering him in Delhi where Sayani graced an event titled Voice Modulation in Radio as the Chief Guest ldquoIn mere moments he captivated the audience leaving an unforgettable impression His mastery of hosting candid conversations a skill now common on platforms like Instagram Facebook and Snapchat was pioneered by him long before it gained widespread popularityrdquo Subzwari credits him with the craft of candourIn terms of his impact on radio he played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of budding jockeys and producers Subzwari informs how Sayani began his journey at All India Radio with English broadcasts later transitioning to Hindi which marked a paradigm shift setting new standards with his innovative styleldquoToday many commercial jockeys strive to emulate his effortless and casual stylemdasha testament to his undying influencerdquo he tells Midday Subzwari urges those unfamiliar with his work to listen to his shows recognising them as a treasure trove of wisdom and inspiration for those eager to make a mark in the world of voices