ad_1]
“Rafi sahab is my musical father and guru. My papa launched me to Rafi sahab’s music, and I grew up studying from him. Foremost aaj jo bhi hoon unki wajah se hoon. I may have by no means imagined that I might be paying tribute to a legend who I grew up idolising on his centenary beginning anniversary. I can not thank God sufficient,” stated an emotional Sonu Nigam, as he took the stage for Sau Saal Pehle. The three-hour tribute live performance, held in Mumbai on December 24, marked the 100th beginning anniversary celebration of late music legend Mohammed Rafi.
The occasion, organised by NR Expertise and Occasion Administration, additionally had the late legend’s son Shahid Rafi and daughter-in-law Firdaus Rafi in attendance. Whereas interacting with them on stage, Sonu stated, “Shahid bhai ka Rafi sahab se rakht (blood) ka rishta hai, mera unse bhakt (devotee) ka rishta hai.”
The endeavour marked Sonu’s first-ever Mohammed Rafi tribute present in India, which noticed him carry out 54 Mohammed Rafi classics throughout genres accompanied by a 50-member symphony orchestra. The viewers on the totally packed Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre Grand Theatre sang alongside, because the singer carried out Yeh Chand Sa Roshan Chehra, Maine Poocha Chand Se, Pukarta Chala Hoon Foremost, Kya Hua Tera Wada, Dard-e-Dil, O Haseena Zulfonwali and Aaja Aaja Foremost Hoon Pyaar Tera, amongst others.
The Padma Shri recipient additionally highlighted how the households of each his gurus – Mohammed Rafi and legendary vocalist Padma Vibhushan Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan – put collectively the occasion. Singer Rabbani Mustafa Khan, Organiser, Sau Saal Pehle, stated, “Sonu ji is my brother. So, apart from being an enormous duty, this occasion was additionally an emotional journey for Namrata (Gupta Khan; spouse and organiser) and me. We spent months pouring our hearts and souls into it. Seeing it take form so fantastically, with audiences smiling and swaying alongside, made our hearts so full.”
Namrata Gupta Khan added, “Celebrating Rafi sahab’s 100th beginning anniversary with Sonu ji’s magic was a dream and we knew it could be a one-of-a-kind endeavour as a result of no person may do justice to Rafi sahab’s music like Sonu ji. Therefore, we made certain we left no stone unturned to make it as magical because it deserved to be. I really feel grateful to Sonu ji for trusting us with this and to see him breeze by means of these three hours continuous, belting out one Rafi sahab basic after one other, was one thing we are going to cherish perpetually. We additionally wish to thank his father, Agam (Kumar Nigam; veteran singer) ji for additionally taking the stage and rendering Rafi sahab’s classics so fantastically.”
To mark the special day, Rabbani and Namrata additionally offered Sonu with a fantastically crafted bust of Mohammed Rafi. The occasion ended with the tune Sau Saal Pehle, adopted by singing Pleased Birthday to Rafi sahab.
