Tudu Hommie at 21:35, 20 February 2026

2026-02-20T21:35:46Z

New page

{{Short description|Weekly countdown-show of top songs from Hindi films}}
{{italic title}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
'''''Binaca Geetmala''''' ({{Translation|Binaca Necklace of Songs}}) was a weekly countdown show of top [[filmi]] songs from [[Bollywood|Hindi cinema]]. It was broadcast on [[Radio Ceylon]] from 1952 to 1988 and then shifted to the [[Vividh Bharati]] Service of [[All India Radio]] network in 1989 where it ran until 1994. It was the first radio countdown show of Indian film songs,<ref name=Bella>''Back on air with Geetmala''. Bella Jaisinghani. ''The Financial Express (India)'', Sunday, 11 March 2001. Transcript available online at {{cite web |url=http://www.ameensayani.com/reviews/review_1.htm |title=Ameen Sayani/Press Reviews |access-date=2006-07-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060426173952/http://www.ameensayani.com/reviews/review_1.htm |archive-date=26 April 2006 |df=dmy }}, accessed online on 29 July 2006</ref> and has been quoted as being the most popular radio programme in [[India]] during its run.<ref>{{cite news|title=Comeback for radio countdown show|url=http://www.themusicmagazine.com/newsoct00.html|date=October 2000|publisher=The Music Magazine|access-date=2006-07-29}}</ref> Its name reflects its sponsorship by oral hygiene brand [[Binaca (brand)|Binaca]].<ref name=am93>{{cite book|last=Mitra|first=Ananda|title=Television and popular culture in India: a study of the Mahabharat|year=1993|publisher=Sage Publications|isbn=0803991347|pages=[https://archive.org/details/televisionpopula00mitr_0/page/83 83]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/televisionpopula00mitr_0/page/83}}</ref><ref name=thsept02>{{cite news|title=It's all in the name|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mag/2002/09/08/stories/2002090800070400.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040324233911/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mag/2002/09/08/stories/2002090800070400.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 March 2004|access-date=13 March 2012|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=8 September 2002}}</ref>
''Binaca Geetmala'', and its subsequent incarnations named after [[Cibaca (brand)|Cibaca]]—''Cibaca Sangeetmala'', ''Cibaca Geetmala'', and ''Colgate Cibaca Sangeetmala''—ran from 1954 to 1994 on [[Radio Ceylon]] and then on [[All India Radio|Vividh Bharati]]. They also broadcast annual year-end lists from 1954 to 1993.

==Annual List by Year==
*[[Binaca Geetmala Annual List 1977|1977]]

== Most No of songs by singer ==
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
! Singer
! Number of songs
! Years
|-
| [[Lata Mangeshkar]]
| 19 || 1953, 1957, 1963, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1983 1985, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1995, 2000
|-
| [[Mohammed Rafi]]
| 8 || 1956, 1957, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1966, 1980
|-
| [[Kishore Kumar]]
| 6|| 1959, 1971, 1974, 1979, 1982, 1983
|-
| [[Mukesh (singer)|Mukesh]]
| 6 || 1955, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1975, 1976
|-
| [[Alka Yagnik]]
| 5 || 1981, 1991, 1993, 1996, 1999
|-
| [[Udit Narayan]]
| 4|| 1988, 1996, 1999, 2000
|-
| [[Asha Bhosle]]
| 3 || 1959, 1971, 1972
|-
| [[Anuradha Paudwal]]
| 3 || 1984, 1989, 1992
|-
|}

==Ameen Sayani and Radio Ceylon==
The show was hosted throughout its entire run by [[Ameen Sayani]]. It was very popular in India, with estimated [[listenership]] ranging from 900,000 to 2,000,000.{{Citation needed|date=March 2019}}  It greatly increased the popularity of Radio Ceylon, making it the primary source of popular film music on radio for the Indian subcontinent.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sambandan|first=V.S.|title=When Ceylon ruled the airwaves|date=2006-01-01|url = http://www.hindu.com/mag/2006/01/01/stories/2006010100150400.htm|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060303194321/http://www.hindu.com/mag/2006/01/01/stories/2006010100150400.htm|url-status = dead|archive-date = 2006-03-03|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=2006-07-29}}</ref> After 1998, the show aired on Vividh Bharati and was on for half an hour on Monday nights.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Vividh Bharati {{!}} Prasar Bharati|url=https://prasarbharati.gov.in/vividh-bharati-2/|access-date=2021-09-06|website=prasarbharati.gov.in}}</ref>

==Popularity ratings method==
At its onset in 1952, the programme did not rank songs, but rather played seven contemporary songs in no particular order. Later, the programme started ranking the most popular [[Hindi]] film songs.
The songs were initially ranked by a combination of the number of records sold in India and listener votes.<ref>{{cite news| title=Radio speak with Ameen Sayani| url=http://www.exchange4media.com/e4m/radio/radiospeak.asp?rsid=25| publisher=exchange4media.com Radio Channel| access-date=2006-07-29| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060822190557/http://www.exchange4media.com/e4m/Radio/radiospeak.asp?rsid=25| archive-date=22 August 2006| url-status=dead}}</ref> Popularity was gauged by record sales, verdicts from record store owners, and popularity among the {{Transliteration|hi|shrota-sanghs}} or 'listeners clubs'. Each week, the {{Transliteration|hi|shrota-sanghs}} would send the radio station their list of popular songs. The clubs were formed because it was possible for a record to be sold out at stores and although there was interest to buy more, the interest would not show up in record sales.

The year-end lists were compiled based on points earned by songs through the year. Between 1966 and 1970 there would sometimes be no points on the weekly broadcast, but the year-end show would be based on point system.<ref name=Screen>Reliving the Geetmala lore.
''S.K. Screen'', Friday, 22 September 2000, transcript available online at {{cite web |url=http://www.ameensayani.com/reviews/review_4.htm |title=Ameen Sayani/Press Reviews |access-date=2006-07-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050905081633/http://www.ameensayani.com/reviews/review_4.htm |archive-date=5 September 2005 |df=dmy-all }}, accessed online on 29 July 2006</ref>

==Lists of top songs per year==

{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1"
|-
! Year
! Song
! Film
! Music director
! Lyricist
! Singer(s)
|-
| 1953
| Ye Zindagi Usi ki Hai
| [[Anarkali (1953 film)|Anarkali (film)]]
| [[C. Ramachandra]]
| [[Rajinder Krishan]]
| [[Lata Mangeshkar]]
|-
| 1954
| Jayen To Jayen Kahan
| [[Taxi Driver (1954 film)|Taxi Driver]]
| [[S.D. Burman]]
| [[Sahir Ludhianvi]]
| [[Talat Mahmood]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindigeetmala.net/binaca_geetmala_1954.htm|title=Binaca Geetmala Annual List for Year 1954 - Lyrics and Video of Hindi Film Songs|website=HindiGeetMala}}</ref>
|-
| 1955
| [[Mera Joota Hai Japani]]
| [[Shri 420]]
| [[Shankar Jaikishan]]
| [[Shailendra (lyricist)|Shailendra]]
| [[Mukesh (singer)|Mukesh]]
|-
| 1956
| Ae Dil Hai Mushkil Jeena Yaha
| [[C.I.D. (1956 film)|C.I.D.]]
| [[O. P. Nayyar]]
| [[Majrooh Sultanpuri]]
| [[Mohammed Rafi]], [[Geeta Dutt]]
|-
| 1957
| Zara Saamne Toh Aao Chhaliye
| Janam Janam Ke Phere
| [[S. N. Tripathi]]
| [[Bharat Vyas]]
| [[Lata Mangeshkar]], [[Mohammed Rafi]]
|-
| 1958
| Hai Apna Dil Toh Awara
| [[Solva Saal]]
| [[S. D. Burman]]
| [[Majrooh Sultanpuri]]
| [[Hemant Kumar]]
|-
| 1959
| Haal Kaisa Hai Janaab Ka
| [[Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi]]
| [[S. D. Burman]]
| [[Majrooh Sultanpuri]]
| [[Kishore Kumar]], [[Asha Bhosle]]
|-
| 1960
| Zindagi Bhar Nai Bhoolegi Wo Barsaat Ki Raat
| [[Barsaat Ki Raat]]
| [[Roshan (music director)|Roshan]]
| [[Sahir Ludhianvi]]
| [[Mohammed Rafi]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hindigeetmala.net/binaca_geetmala_1960.htm|title=Binaca Geetmala Annual List for Year 1960 - Lyrics and Video of Hindi Film Songs|website=HindiGeetMala|language=en|access-date=2019-03-03}}</ref>
|-
| 1961
| Teri Pyaari Pyaari Surat Ko
| [[Sasural (1961 film)|Sasural]]
| [[Shankar–Jaikishan|Shankar Jaikishan]]
| [[Hasrat Jaipuri]]
| [[Mohammed Rafi]]
|-
| 1962
| Ehsaan Tera Hoga Mujh Par
| [[Junglee (1961 film)|Junglee]]
| [[Shankar–Jaikishan|Shankar Jaikishan]]
| [[Hasrat Jaipuri]]
| Mohammed Rafi <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hindigeetmala.net/binaca_geetmala_1962.htm|title=Binaca Geetmala Annual List for Year 1962 - Lyrics and Video of Hindi Film Songs|website=HindiGeetMala|language=en|access-date=2019-03-03}}</ref>
|-
| 1963
| Jo Wada Kiya Woh Nibhana
| [[Taj Mahal (1963 film)|Taj Mahal]]
| [[Roshan (music director)|Roshan]]
| [[Sahir Ludhianvi]]
| [[Lata Mangeshkar]], [[Mohammed Rafi]]
|-
| 1964
| Mere Man ki Ganga aur tere man ki Jamuna ka
| [[Sangam (1964 Hindi film)|Sangam]]
| [[Shankar–Jaikishan|Shankar Jaikishan]]
| [[Shailendra (lyricist)|Shailendra]]
| Mukesh, [[Vyjayanthimala]]
|-
| 1965
| Jis dil mein basa tha pyaar tera
| Saheli
| [[Kalyanji Anandji]]
| [[Indeevar]]
| Mukesh<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hindigeetmala.net/binaca_geetmala_1965.htm|title=Binaca Geetmala Annual List for Year 1965 - Lyrics and Video of Hindi Film Songs|website=HindiGeetMala|language=en|access-date=2019-03-03}}</ref>
|-
| 1966
| Baharon phool barsao mera mehboob aaya hai
| [[Suraj (1966 film)|Suraj]]
| [[Shankar–Jaikishan|Shankar Jaikishan]]
| [[Hasrat Jaipuri]]
| Mohammed Rafi
|-
| 1967
| Saawan ka mahina pawan kare sor
| [[Milan (1967 film)|Milan]]
| [[Laxmikant–Pyarelal]]
| [[Anand Bakshi]]
| [[Lata Mangeshkar]], Mukesh
|-
| 1968
| Dil wil pyar vyar main kya jaanu re
| [[Shagird (1967 film)|Shagird]]
| [[Laxmikant–Pyarelal|Laxmikant-Pyarelal]]
| [[Majrooh Sultanpuri]]
| [[Lata Mangeshkar]]
|-
| 1969
| Kaise rahoon chup ki meine pee hi kya hai
| [[Inteqam]]
| [[Laxmikant–Pyarelal|Laxmikant-Pyarelal]]
| [[Rajendra Krishan|Rajendra Krishna]]
| [[Lata Mangeshkar]]
|-
| 1970
| Bindiya chamkegi choodi khankegi
| [[Do Raaste]]
| [[Laxmikant–Pyarelal|Laxmikant-Pyarelal]]
| [[Anand Bakshi]]
| [[Lata Mangeshkar]]
|-
| 1971
| [[Zindagi ek safar hai suhana]]
| [[Andaz (1971 film)|Andaz]]
| [[Shankar–Jaikishan|Shankar Jaikishan]]
| [[Hasrat Jaipuri]]
| [[Kishore Kumar]], [[Asha Bhosle]]
|-
| 1972
| [[Dum Maro Dum (song)|Dum Maro Dum]]
| [[Hare Raama Hare Krishna]]
| [[R. D. Burman]]
| [[Anand Bakshi]]
| [[Asha Bhosle]], [[Usha Iyer]]
|-
| 1973
| Yaari hai imaan mera
| [[Zanjeer (1973 film)|Zanjeer]]
| [[Kalyanji–Anandji|Kalyanji Anandji]]
| [[Gulshan Bawra]]
| [[Manna Dey]]
|-
| 1974
| Mera jeewan koraa kaagaz
| [[Kora Kagaz]]
| [[Kalyanji–Anandji|Kalyanji Anandji]]
| [[M. G. Hashmat]]
| [[Kishore Kumar]]
|-
| 1975
| Baaki kuchh bacha to mahangaai maar gayee
| [[Roti Kapada Aur Makaan]]
| [[Laxmikant–Pyarelal|Laxmikant-Pyarelal]]
| Varma Malik
| [[Lata Mangeshkar]], Mukesh, Jaani Babu Qawwal, Narendra
|-
| 1976
| [[Kabhi Kabhie Mere Dil Mein]]
| [[Kabhie Kabhie (1976 film)|Kabhi Kabhi]]
| [[Khayyam]]
| Sahir Ludhianvi
| [[Lata Mangeshkar]], Mukesh <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hindigeetmala.net/binaca_geetmala_1976.htm|title=Binaca Geetmala Annual List for Year 1976 - Lyrics and Video of Hindi Film Songs|website=HindiGeetMala|language=en|access-date=2019-03-03}}</ref>
|-
| 1977
| Husn haazir hai mohabbat ki sazaa paane ko
| [[Laila Majnu (1976 film)|Lailaa Majnu]]
| [[Madan Mohan]]
| Sahir Ludhianvi
| [[Lata Mangeshkar]]
|-
| 1978
| Ankhiyon ke jharokhon se, mainen dekha jo
| [[Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se]]
| [[Ravindra Jain]]
| Ravindra Jain
| [[Hemlata (singer)|Hemlata]]
|-
| 1979
| O Saathi Re
| [[Muqaddar Ka Sikandar]]
| Kalyanji Anandji
| [[Anjaan (lyricist)|Anjaan]]
| [[Kishore Kumar]]
|-
| 1980
| Dafli Wale Dafli Baja
| [[Sargam (1979 film)|Sargam]]
| Laxmikant-Pyarelal
| Anand Bakshi
| [[Lata Mangeshkar]], Mohammed Rafi
|-
| 1981
| Mere Angane Mein
| [[Laawaris (1981 film)|Laawaris]]
| Kalyanji Anandji
| Anjaan
| [[Amitabh Bachchan]], [[Alka Yagnik]]
|-
| 1982
| Angrezi Mein Kehte Hain
| [[Khud-Daar]]
| [[Rajesh Roshan]]
| Majrooh Sultanpuri
| [[Lata Mangeshkar]], [[Kishore Kumar]]
|-
| 1983
| Shayad Meri Shaadi
| [[Souten]]
| [[Usha Khanna]]
| [[Saawan Kumar Tak|Saawan Kumar]]
| [[Lata Mangeshkar]], [[Kishore Kumar]]
|-
| 1984
| Tu Mera Hero Hai
| [[Hero (1983 film)|Hero]]
| Laxmikant-Pyarelal
| Anand Bakshi
| [[Anuradha Paudwal]], [[Manhar Udhas]]
|-
| 1985
| Sun Sahiba Sun
| [[Ram Teri Ganga Maili]]
| Ravindra Jain
| Hasrat Jaipuri
| [[Lata Mangeshkar]]
|-
| 1986
| Yashoda Ka Nandlala
| [[Sanjog (1985 film)|Sanjog]]
| Laxmikant-Pyarelal
| Anjaan
| [[Lata Mangeshkar]]
|-
| 1987
| Chitthi Aayi Hai
| [[Naam (1986 film)|Naam]]
| Laxmikant-Pyarelal
| Anand Bakshi
| [[Pankaj Udhas]]
|-
| 1988
| Papa Kehte Hain
| [[Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak]]
| [[Anand–Milind]]
| Majrooh Sultanpuri
| [[Udit Narayan]]
|-
| 1989
| My Name Is Lakhan
| [[Ram Lakhan]]
| Laxmikant-Pyarelal
| Anand Bakshi
| [[Mohammed Aziz]], [[Anuradha Paudwal]], [[Nitin Mukesh]]
|-
| 1990
| Gori Hai Kalaiyaan
| [[Aaj Ka Arjun]]
| [[Bappi Lahiri]]
| Anjaan
| [[Lata Mangeshkar]], [[Shabbir Kumar]]
|-
| 1991
| Dekha Hai Pehli Baar
| [[Saajan]]
| [[Nadeem-Shravan]]
| [[Sameer (lyricist)|Sameer]]
| Alka Yagnik, [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]]
|-
| 1992
| Maine Pyar Tumhi Se
| [[Phool Aur Kaante]]
| Nadeem-Shravan
| Sameer
| [[Kumar Sanu]], Anuradha Paudwal
|-
| 1993
| Choli Ke Peechhe
| [[Khalnayak]]
| Laxmikant-Pyarelal
| Anand Bakshi
| Alka Yagnik, [[Ila Arun]]
|-
| 1994
| [[Didi Tera Devar Deewana]]
| [[Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!|Hum Apke Hain Kon]]
| Raamlaxman
| Dev Kohli
| [[Lata Mangeshkar]], S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
|-
| 1995
| [[Tujhe Dekha Toh]]
| [[Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge|Dilwale Dulhaniya Lejainge]]
| Jatin–Lalit
| Anand Bakshi
| [[Lata Mangeshkar]], [[Kumar Sanu]]
|-
| 1996
| Pardesi Jana nahin
| [[Raja Hindustani]]
| [[Nadeem-Shravan]]
| [[Sameer (lyricist)|Sameer]]
| Alka Yagnik, [[Udit Narayan]]
|-
| 1997
| [[Sandese Aate Hai]]
| [[Border (1997 film)|Border]]
| Anu Malik
| Javed Akhtar
| [[Sonu Nigam]], [[Roop Kumar Rathod]]
|-
| 1998
| [[Chaiyya Chaiyya]]
| [[Dil Se..|Dil Se]]
| AR Rahman
| Gulzar
| [[Sukhwinder Singh]], Sapna Awasthi
|-
| 1999
| Taal Se Taal
| [[Taal (film)|Taal]]
| AR Rahman
| Anand Bakshi
| [[Udit Narayan]], Alka Yagnik
|-
| 2000
| Humko Hame Sey Churra Lo
| [[Mohabbatein]]
| [[Jatin–Lalit]]
| Anand Bakshi
| [[Lata Mangeshkar]], [[Udit Narayan]]
|}

==Silver jubilee and LP record==
On 12 December 1977, Binaca Geetmala celebrated its 25-year anniversary in a social gathering organized in [[Bombay]]. Many well known composers, poets, and singers attended the show.{{Citation needed|date=March 2019}}

The [[#Lists of top songs per year|top songs]] from 1953 to 1977 were compiled and released in a two record volume set. Volume 1 has songs from 1953 to 1964; volume 2 has songs from 1965 to 1977. Between the songs on the volume set, there is commentary by Ameen Sayani.{{Citation needed|date=March 2019}}

==See also==
*[[Ameen Sayani]]
*[[Bollywood songs]]
*[[Radio Ceylon]]

==References==
{{reflist}}8 [https://web.archive.org/web/20160908195040/http://lyrics.redkok.in/2016/09/binaca-geetmala-annual-list-1964/ Binaca Geetmala 1964 Songs List]

[[Category:All India Radio]]
[[Category:Music chart shows]]
[[Category:Indian radio programmes]]
[[Category:Hindi-language radio programs]]

Binaca Geetmala - Revision history

Tudu Hommie at 21:35, 20 February 2026