The mellifluous and unmistakable voice of the late Mohammed Rafi continues to reverberate the corridors of music schools, radio and television studios, remix laboratories and auditoria all over the world, for, behind that voice was a man with a golden heart and soul.
Thirty years after the icon passed on, his life and his dedicated service to music remain a source of endearment.
There have been scores of professionally qualified singers who have dedicated their singing life to Rafi, just as those in the West have done to Elvis Presley.
Bankim Pathak must be the most distinguished them of all.
It has been 30 years since his journey on the music path of Rafi began and with hundreds of concerts to his credit, Bankim is almost a clone of the latter today.
That mastery was evident at Ek Yaad Rafi Ke Baad, held at the Dorothy Winstone Centre of Auckland Girls Grammar School on July 17.
Beginning the concert with Yaad Na Jaaye Beete Dino Ki. (‘Dil Ek Mandir’), he rendered Chahoonga Main Tujhe (‘Dosti’) and the title track of Pathar Ke Sanam, followed by Aaj Purani Rahon Se (‘Aadmi’).
The evening’s mood changed as he sang Yeh Chand Sa Roshan Chehra, a vivacious composition of the late O P Nayyar (picturised on Shammi Kapoor for ‘Kashmir Ki Kali’), Khoya Khoya Chand Khula Aasman (‘Kala Bazaar’) and Kya Se Kya Ho Gaya (‘Guide’).
Bankim’s partnership with Daksha Gohil yielded a number of hits, the most vibrant of which were Jo Wada Kiya Ho (‘Taj Mahal’) Tere Duniya Se Door (‘Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya’), Lagi Choote Na Aab To Sanam (‘Kali Topi Lal Rumal’) and Chahe Paas Ho Chahe Door Ho (‘Samrat Chandragupta’).
Our own Umesh Sharma drew wide applause as he rendered Badan Pe Sitare, a riveting number from ‘Prince’ (picturised on Shammi Kapoor), while his son Avish presented Aaja Aaja Main Hoon Pyar Tera (‘Teesri Manzil’) with Bhavana.
Among the supporting performers were Alex James (Electric Drums), Basant Madhur (Tabla), Bhupendra (Organ), Faize (Dholak), Jocel Alex (Acoustic Drums) and Navin (Guitar).
Photo : Bankim Pathak with Daksha Gohil at the concert
