Behind the mic |Part 1| India’s legendary radio host Ameen Sayani recalls the golden era of Hindi film music

Veteran Radio presenter Ameen Sayani during an interview at his recording studio in Mumbai, India. Credit: Vijayanand Gupta/Hindustan Times via Getty Images

Why is Hindi film music from the 1950s to the 1970s celebrated as the Golden Era of Indian cinema? In the first part of an exclusive 2013 interview with SBS Hindi, India’s legendary radio host, Ameen Sayani, fondly recalled this magical period. He reflected on the blend of classical, folk, and Western orchestration, and how melody and poetry reached extraordinary artistic heights under the guidance of iconic composers, lyricists, and singers.

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Published 12 January 2026 6:10pm

By Anita Barar

Presented by Anita Barar

Source: SBS

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Why is Hindi film music from the 1950s to the 1970s celebrated as the Golden Era of Indian cinema? In the first part of an exclusive 2013 interview with SBS Hindi, India’s legendary radio host, Ameen Sayani, fondly recalled this magical period. He reflected on the blend of classical, folk, and Western orchestration, and how melody and poetry reached extraordinary artistic heights under the guidance of iconic composers, lyricists, and singers.

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