Ameen Sayani Discusses the Origins of the 'Punch Style' Employed by Classic Radio Jockeys

Mumbai, Dec 21 (NationPress) Ameen Sayani, the legendary radio figure, once shared insights into how the “punch style” of voice delivery on radio became standard practice. An archival clip of the late radio icon has re-emerged online, showcasing him explaining that the “dhoom, dhadaka” approach to radio announcements and shows was a product of necessity.

In the video, he remarked, “Initially, the dhoom, dhadaka style, known as the ‘punch style’, was developed for a reason. Our recordings took place at St. Xavier's College, which also housed a radio technical institute. The studio lacked adequate soundproofing.”

“In college, it was natural for students to create a lot of noise, as they still do. Consequently, the soundproofing was poor, and the recording engineer would say, ‘Look, there’s too much noise outside. We’ll lower the fader volume; you need to shout.’ That’s how we adapted to shouting. This became the norm. However, as the equipment improved and the studio conditions got better, the sound quality evolved,” he continued.

Ameen Sayani passed away at the age of 91 due to cardiac failure. Medical professionals attempted to revive him, but he was pronounced dead after their efforts were unsuccessful. Ameen had been dealing with high blood pressure and other age-related health issues.

He gained immense popularity through his radio program 'Geetmala', which is a landmark in India’s radio history. His mesmerizing voice and engaging presentation style enchanted audiences, cultivating a loyal fan base nationwide. He significantly contributed to popularizing radio, which saw a resurgence in the early 2000s following the dotcom bubble. His signature greeting, “Behno aur Bhaiyo” (sisters and brothers), became instantly recognizable and widely emulated.

Additionally, his voice was parodied in the song ‘Tamma Tamma Again’ from the film ‘Badrinath Ki Dulhania’, featuring Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan.