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Last Updated: March 12, 2016  10,185 views

Binaca Geet Mala :: First countdown show for Hindi Songs

in: Movies

Kishore_Kumar.jpgWhat is this Binaca Geel Mala ? The first question that raised in your mind after reading the title of this post. Actually people of our generation do not know much about this one of the most popular radio shows of its times. Yeah I am right. Binaca Geetmala was a popular weekly radio countdown show of top filmi songs from Indian cinema listened to by millions of Hindi music lovers, that was broadcast on Radio Ceylon from 1952 to 1994. It is considered as the first radio countdown show of Indian film songs, and has been quoted as being the most popular radio program in India during the its broadcast. The show was hosted by Ameen Sayani. He was the most popular radio anchor in India. Sayani ran the programme to record-smashing success for nearly 45 years, earning a place among the world’s top broadcasters. He was the man with the gravelly voice and stylised drawl, through this show became a household name in India.

“For all of Rs. 25, I was required to select the songs, produce, script and compare the programme, and also sort the mail. The programme involved a competition and we expected 40-50 letters. The first episode brought 9,000. Within a year, that number touched 60,000. We had to shelve the competition and introduce a countdown show.”

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The estimated listenership of this countdown show was about 900,000 to 2,000,000. The first countdown show’s topper in 1954 was Jayen to jayen kahan from the film Taxi Driver. The Binanca Geet Mala ran from 1954 to 1993. These are the top Hindi movie songs in their respective years.

1954: Jayen to Jayen Kahan
1955: Mera Joota Hai Japani
1956: Ae Dil Hai Mushkil
1957: Zara Samne to Aao
1958: Hai Apna Dil Jo Awara
1959: Haal Kaisa Hai Janaab ka
1960: Zindagi Bhar Nahin Bhoolegi woh barsaat ki raat
1961: Teri Pyari Pyari Surat
1962: Ehsan Tera Hoga
1963: Jo Wada Kiya
1964: Bol Radha Bol
1965: Jis Dil Mein Basa
1966: Baharao Phool Barsao
1967: Sawan Ka Mahina
1968: Dil Bil Pyar Vyar
1969: Kaise Rahu Chup
1970: Bindiya Chamkegee
1971: Zindagi ek safar
1972: Dum Maro Dum
1973: Yaari hai imaan mera yaar
1974: Mera jeevan kora kaaghaz kora hi reh
1975: Mehangaai maar gayi
1976: Kabhi kabhi mere dil mein khayaal aata hai
1977: Husn haazir hai mohabbat ki saza paane ko
1978: Ankhiyon ke jharonkhon se
1979: Khaike paan Banaras waala
1980: Dafli waale dafli bajaa mere ghunghroo bulaate
1981: Mere Angane Mein
1982: Angrezi Mein Kehte Hain
1983: Shayad Meri Shaadi
1984: Tu Mera Hero Hai
1985: Sun Sahiba Sun
1986: Yashoda Ka Nandlal
1987: Chitthi Aayi Hai
1988: Papa Kehte Hain
1989: My Name Is Lakhan
1990: Gori Hai Kalaiyaan
1991: Dekha Hai Pehli Baar
1992: Maine Pyar Tumhi Se
1993: Choli Ke Peeche



15
  • 1

    Your article on Binaaca Geetmala reminds me of my past days….Golden were the days….Thanks for such a nice compilation……

    Sushil on July 7th, 2008
  • 2

    dear it is now history, i listen it when i was in high school, then tv was B/W

    fawad on February 25th, 2009
  • 3

    Kya koi batyegaa ki HUMSAFAR MERE HUMSAFAR PANKH TUM PAWAZ HUM GEET KAHAN MILEGAA ????

    SAMEEP

    sameep on May 27th, 2010
  • 4

    Thanks to this site I feel very much pleased when I hear the old hindi songs and ghazels
    Iam an aged retired persons some time when Ifeel bore
    listen to the old songs goes back over 60 years
    once again thank you so much

    saad on June 8th, 2010
  • 5

    what the fabulous days was there I was in defense and every wed we all colleague are eagerly waiting for THE BINACA GEET MALA . Now the TV take place for radio but the dialogs of Mr Ameen Sayani are giving very senseble comments on the songs and the heart touching voice. thanks for a historic website of old songs and programmed.

    devender kashyap on August 15th, 2010
  • 6

    I remember my student life when we together awaiting wednesday for binaca geetmala ab agli paydan par sartaj geet ki bari hai awaaz mohd.rafi aur latamangeshkar film ka naam ——–. How can we forget AMIN SAYANI SAAB KO AND BINACA KO. but now the days been passed only YAADEN hai old is realy gold.

    ameen ahmed salat on January 3rd, 2011
  • 7

    It reminds me the highschool days and we used to sing the songs of binaca geetmala . and discuss the next paydan of geetmala.. realy fascinating feeling today of the past…

    amit bathia on April 6th, 2011
  • 8

    uff uff o haseen din ab shayad kabhi na ayenge o RAFI MUKESH KISHORE LATA KI KHUBSOORAT AAWAZOO KA GULDASTA JISSE HAR BUDH KO HAM SUNNE KE LIYE BECHAIN RAHTE THE .

    sahil rizvi on May 10th, 2011
  • 9

    Brother,
    I honestly thank you for this and man i can say tht u r d best

    Imran on June 20th, 2011
  • 10

    oh wow… its wonderful to get all these songs just on one click… great job.

    surbhi on January 26th, 2012
  • 11

    Dear Listeners of old Binaca/Cibaca,
    I started hearing binaca in 1957 and i was in std 4th but having interest of songs. up to its end, i heard binaca /cibaca announced by great ameen sayani on radio cylon and then vividh bharati. Wednesday was renamed as BINACADAY my me,what were old days….till i am listening SLBC now on internet too from 600 to 800 hrs daily, pl listen and enjoy old memories. thanks.

    cyril macwan on March 15th, 2012
  • 12

    I am dying to hear the comentaries of the Great Amen Sayani as is available in the rcords depicting the Binaca Geet Mala series, particularly the stnza “Sab ka dil le jaane waala udaan Khatola”
    Gautam Chaudhury

    Gautam Chaudhury on April 4th, 2012
  • 13

    hi, freiends and lovers of geetmal
    now ammen sayani is on air on 91.1 radio city with sangeet ke sitaro ki mahefil which focus on okd geemala.The timings are 1200 noon to 1300 hrs and 21.00 to 22.0 hrs on every Sunday.This sunday,18th Nov KL Saigal will feature.pl listen n enjoy brothers/sisters.

    cyril macwan on November 16th, 2012
  • 14

    is it possible to get all Binaca songs year by year?

    SURESH DESAI on February 2nd, 2016
  • 15

    Since 1958, our school days… every Wednesday 8 pm to 9 pm all my film songs listeners friends comes to my room for Binaca Geetmala over Radio CEYLON, by fantastic presentation & lovely melodies voice of Ameen Sayani. This is a historical programme over Radio broadcasting world till date.

    Bharat Bhushan’Dost’ on February 15th, 2017