Tumse Acha Kaun Hai: A Melodic Tribute to Mohammed Rafi’s Legacy
“Music has no boundaries; it transcends time, space, and hearts.”~ Mohammed Rafi
Commemorating the birth centenary of the great Mohammed Rafi, Bansuri Music Group along with Klub Nostalgia and Shikara Builders on 24th September 2024, organized a spectacular event “Tumse Acha Kaun Hai: Immortal Solos and Duets of Rafi Saheb.”. This majestic event occurred at Sri Shanmukhananda Fine Arts and Sangeet Sabha, Mumbai which offered some of the most melodious hits rendered by Rafi Saheb to its audience. The audience took a nostalgic trip that day where, more than half a century later, they relished abounding rhythms, music that even today echoes in the hearts of many.
A Tribute to an Icon
Among many, Mohammed Rafi is hailed as one of the finest playback singers that Indian cinema has ever known and his music is able to charm one even when decades past his earthly existence. With these features attributed to Rafi, he is recognized as one of the most celebrated singers of the golden era of Hindi films. He was comfortable in singing in classical-based raga systems, ghazals, light romantic songs as well as heart wrenching ballads. He was the only one who could sing for any actor, any mood and for any kind of a song. The show ‘Tumse Acha Kaun Hai’ hasn’t healed the scars but instead rejuvenated the soul as we revisited some of the unrestrained and most realistic pieces of music ever rendered by this musical genius. Songs such as “Kya Hua Tera Wada,” “Baharon Phool Barsao,” and “Teri Bindiya Re” echoed through the hall, taking the audience on a melodious journey back in time.
Star-Studded Performances
The evening witnessed great singers like Saurav Kishan who is notable for his renditions on Rafi Saheb classics. There was a hint of the nostalgia that Kishan so effortlessly appealed to their emotive range and mastery of the details of the Rafi’s music. Even Aaroh Shankar proved that he is adept at singing. He could swing between solos and duets in the way that was very much Rafi in all aspects. A notable performance of the night was the song “Tum Jo Mil Gaye Ho,” one which gained great accolades for Shankar due to how professional he was in his execution of the piece.
Sangeeta brought in her elegance to the duets as well and was particularly impressive in songs like “Teri Bindiya Re,” which by a stroke of luck happened to be a duet with Shankar. The effect of the music hall was thus spectacular as she mesmerized the audience. The musical rendezvous also saw more artists like Dr. Rahul Joshi, Raina Lahiri and Moumita who rendered some wonderful gems of Rafi which took the evening to a whole new level. However, each singer varied the classical theme while keeping the spirit of the songs performed by Rafi.
Klub Nostalgia and Bansuri Music Group: Keeping the Legacy Alive
Managed by Klub Nostalgia, the bansuri melodies of Rafi were brought back to life by the Bansuri Music Group. It is worth mentioning that Klub Nostalgia has done a fabulous job in saving the heart of India’s musical heritage and, without a doubt, has provided much needed platforms for the celebration of icons from days gone by. This collaboration with the Bansuri Music Group, which has worked hard to revive golden melodies, led to an event that did absolute justice to Rafi Saheb. It was great to see how the unison efforts of various groups can make this timeless music relevant again, and it all happened under the aegis of Shikara Builders. Together, they re-created the magic of an era wherein melody ruled supreme, and Rafi’s voice became the sound track to countless unforgettable moments in Bollywood. From the serious romantic ballads to jubilant celebratory tracks, performances covered the wide range of emotions in the musical career of Rafi.
Covered by Team Café Social
The event was covered by Team Café Social, who captured the essence of the memorable celebration. With that, the evening event at the Sri Shanmukhananda Fine Arts & Sangeet Sabha came to an end and the audience departed to their homes filled with music and pleasant recollections of the days. The birth centenary celebration for Mohammed Rafi was more than just celebrating his songs; it was creating a place for him in the music for eternity. With powerful performances by contemporary artists, the timeless magic of Rafi Saheb’s melodies was revived, ensuring that his legacy will continue to inspire future generations.
