Venkat Raman –
The greatest tribute that can be paid to living or past legends is to emulate their legacy and eulogise their work; in the case of celebrity singers like the Great Mohammed Rafi, rendering their songs with dedication and talent would be justice rendered.
That was how it was at the Eighth Edition of ‘Old is Gold’ held on Waitangi Day (February 6) at Dorothy Winstone Centre, Auckland Girls Grammar School.
Contrary to earlier apprehension that it was too early in the year to organise an entertainment programme, the auditorium was filled to capacity, demonstrating the fact public support of quality events is timeless.
Organised by the Mohammed Rafi Academy of Music, more significantly by its Director & Principal Amit Sengupta, it was an event to remember with almost 30 performers on stage, rendering numbers that made Rafi’s voice and the films in which his songs were featured immortal and inimitable.
Thriving talent
Amit deserves credit for continuing to put together shows that give vent to local talent, rather than depending on the whimsicalities of singers from Mumbai.
He however did not maintain his record of commencing the show two minutes early.
‘Old is Gold VIII’ commenced on the dot at 7 pm.
Thereafter, there was no stopping. Unlike most other entertainment programmes, the flow was smooth, and the performers confident of their delivery. Despite apprehensions, the auditorium was packed to capacity.
Picking 34 songs out of more than 25,000 songs rendered by the late Rafi is no easy task but Amit deserves credit for having done good homework to satisfy the tastes of a cross-section of the society. He would however do better to intersperse buoyant and fast numbers along with melancholic and mellow numbers to achieve better balance.
But none of these comments would cast a spell on the quality of the show.
Beginning the programme with ‘Ramji Ki Nikli Sawari’ (from Sargam) Amit and other performers) set the tone for the evening with ‘Tum Mujhe Yun Bhula Na Paoge (Pagla Kahin Ka).
Courageous attempt
While most singers proved their mettle as singers, it took courage for a number of female singers to attempt the songs of Rafi; that they succeeded was a compliment to the Academy and its Director.
Rohitesh Prasad deserves a special mention for having rendered ‘Aasman Se Aaya Farishta,’ this reporter’s request with elegance- taking the mind back to 1967 watching the song sequence in ‘An Evening in Paris.’
Rachit Bhatia proved his singing prowess again as he presented ‘Madhuban Radhika Nachere’ with dancers Ratna Venkat and Divya Krishnamurthy, adding colour and rhythm to the ever-green song featured in ‘Kohinoor.’
Ratna was back later with Nirmita Ghosh to present ‘Tu Hai Mera Prem Devta’ (Kalpana) to the voices of Siddharth Krish and Amit.
Siddharth stimulates
Earlier, Siddharth was in his elements rendering ‘Yun To Humne Lakh Haseen Dekha Hai’ (Tum Sa Nehi Dekha).
Among the other notable numbers heard at the event were ‘Abhi Na Jao Chodkar’ (Hum Dono) by Siddharth & Akhila Puthigae; ‘Parda Hai Parda’ (Amar, Akbar Anthony) by Amit Sengupta; ‘Jo Wada Kiya Tho Nibhana Padega’ (Taj Mahal) by Amit & Rita Krishnamurthy; ‘Hum Intezar Karenge’ (Bahu Begam) and ‘Ehsan Tera Hoga’ (Junglee) by Guncha Singh; ‘Mujhko Apne Gale Lagalo’ (Humrahi) by Vibha Trivedi & Amit; ‘Jan Pahchan Ho’ (Gumnam) and ‘Pardesiyo Se Na’ by Akhila Puthigae, and ‘Deewane Ka Naam To Poocho’ (An Evening in Paris), by 11-year-old Abhaya Puthigae the youngest member of the Group.
The ‘Old is Gold’ is well established on the entertainment scene of Auckland. The mellifluous music that ruled Hindi films up to the 1970s may not appeal to all, but it still has a growing number of young fans.
That alone should justify Amit and his Group prepare for ‘Old is Gold IX’ next year.
