There is more than an element of truth in it when we say singers who are able to touch one’s soul through their music just never die. This past July 31, such a priceless singer was remembered. A musical tribute was paid to legendary singer Mohammad Rafi on his 32nd death anniversary in presence of a packed audience in New Delhi. The event, organised at the city’s Sir Fort Auditorium, was hosted by the Mohammad Rafi Foundation.
The event began on a grand note, with a performance by veteran Indian composer Anandji of Kalyanji-Anandji fame. He sang the Rafi song, “Badi door se aya hoon main’ and later shared with those present that Mohammed Rafi always used to start his live performances with this song, both in India and abroad.
With non-stop performances from artistes like Suresh Raheja, Anil Bajpai, Nayan Raheja and Simrant Chhabra followed, the audience was left asking for more. Nayan Raheja particularly sang some soul-stirring numbers of Rafi such as “Gulabi aankhen” and “Dard-e-Dil” and was appreciated the most. The audience was clearly on a nostalgia trip, mesmerised by the atmosphere created through Rafi’s songs. An orchestra team specially came from Mumbai to play the music for the songs. A short movie was also screened on the life of Rafi.
