Hindi film music may have become a multi-billion dollar industry worldwide today but many would agree that it has lost the originality, melody and the ability to stir up a volley of emotions in men and women.
We have to be content with the memory of the ingenuity of great singers such as Mohammed Rafi. Shameless plagiarists dominate today’s Bollywood.
You can of course revel in ecstasy if someone like Bankim Pathak comes along to present a concert dedicated to the songs of Mohammed Rafi.
From the time of the great singer’s death in 1980, Bankim has been the true voice of Rafi, reflecting the same rare qualities of friendliness and humility.
“I am thrilled that lovers of Rafi’s music want me to perform again in New Zealand. I look forward to the visit,” he said, speaking to Indian Newslink last fortnight from London, where he had a number of engagements.
UA International Director Umesh Sharma is organising the show on June 24 at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre in Eden Terrace.
His son Avish, who has proved his prowess in music in the past, will also perform at the Concert.
Bankim said he would prepare a list of songs for the show in due course.
“There will be a number of popular songs of Rafi, including Chahunga Main Tujhe (Dosti), Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho (Chaudhvin Ka Chand), Tarif Karoon Kya Uski (Kashmir Ki Kali), Uden Jab Jab Zulfen Teri (Naya Daur) and Yaad Na Jaye (Dil Ek Mandir),” he said.
His fans would perhaps expect rendition of a number of other hits. These could include Baharo Phool Barsao (Suraj), Dil Ke Jharoke Mein (Brahmachari), Jawanian Yeh Mast Mast (Tumsa Nahi Dekha), Koya Koya Chand (Kala Bazaar),
Kya Hua Tera Wada (Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin), Sar Jo Tera Chakraye (Pyaasa),
Teri Pyaari Pyaari Surat Ko (Sasural) and Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan (CID).
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What: Ek Yaad Rafi Ke Baad, Tribute to Mohammed Rafi By Whom: Bankim Pathak When: Friday, June 24 at 7pm Where: Mahatma Gandhi Centre, 145 New North Road, Eden Terrace, Auckland Tickets: $40 (VIP) & $30 Contact: Umesh Sharma on 021-1111055 Email: umeshrima@yahoo.co.nz |
Mohammed Rafi- Some facts
Nickname: Pheeko
Maiden Performance: At a K L Saigal Concert when he was 13
There were 100 chorus singers for ‘Ae Mohabbat Zindabad’ (Mughal-E-Azam 1960)
A record number of 369 songs (186 solo) for Laxmikant-Pyarelal
A record 23 Filmfare Nominations, Six wins
Kishore Kumar, unable to render ‘Man Mora Bawra (Ragini), favoured Rafi for the song
A man, sentenced to be hanged, said his last wish was to listen to ‘O Duniya Ke Rakhwale’ (Baiju Bawra)
When a persistent audience in Raipur called for encore after the orchestra refused to continue, Rafi rendered five songs on the harmonium, the last of which was the Indian National Anthem
