The 5th Mohammed Rafi Memorial Award
This information is shared by Mr. Hashim Khan –
I am extremly happy to inform you all that The 5th Mohamed Rafi Memorial Award was conferred on Playback Singer of yesteryears Mubarak Begum, at a graceful musical concert organised by the Rafi Lovers Circle of Kolkata on 25th Oct, 09.
A detailed review of the event and photographs appended below / attached.
The 5th Mohammed Rafi Memorial Award
Rafi Lovers Circle organized a musical concert Remembering Melody Queens with Mubarak Begum to confer Mohamed Rafi Memorial Award 2009, on Mubarak Begum, reputed Playback Singer of yesteryears .
The programme was held on 25th Oct, 09 at the Satyajit Ray Auditorium, Rabindranath Tagore Centre, of The Indian Council for Cultural Relations Kolkata.
The Programme took off with a Rafi Saheb and Mubarak Begum Cutain Raiser song……. Bahut Khoobsurat Hai Ankhen Tumhai from the 1966 film Sushila. Rich tributes were then paid to the incomparable Rafi Saheb by Calcutta’s famous aspiring singer playback Debajit Dutta of Indian Idol and Sa Re Ga Ma fame, who sang 2 of Rafi Saheb’s chartbusters ..Deewana Hua Badal, and Hui Shaam Unka Khayal Aa Gaya.
Noorjehan, Suraiyya, Shamshad Begum and Geeta Dutt were fondly remembered by crooning their hit songs by the local artists and circle members, as well as by Smt Ruhi Khan, Founder of the Circle who concieved and executed the 3 hour audio visual event with finesse. Some of the songs which cast a slow mesmerising spell on the audience are listed below :
| Awaaz De Kahan Hai | Noorjahan | Anmol Ghadi |
| Dil-e Nadaan Tujhe Huva Kya Hai | Suraiyya | Mirza Ghalib |
| Milte Hi Ankhen Dil Huva | Shamshad Begum | Babul |
| Rim Jhim Ke Tarane Le Ke | Geeta Dutt | Kala Bazar |
| Sun Sun Sun Sun Zalima | Geeta Dutt | Aar Paar |
| Mehlon Mein Rehne Wale | Mubarak Begum | Shabab |
| Mujh Ko Apne Gale Laga Lo | Mubarak Begum | Hamrahi |
When the singers begun the song Meri Neendon Mein Tum, Mere Khwabon Mein Tum… the hall was amused and enthralled. The Hamrahi song “Mujhko Apne Gala Laga Lo…” was the centre of all discussions even during personal talk. Members in audience hummed this song several times as if it was the Signature song to remember Mubarak Begum. She fondly remembered this song and sang it on the stage. She also sang Bemurrawwat Bewafa, and Kabhi Tanhaiyon mein, Hamari Yaad Aayegi, which got similar weightage and applause from the well attended concert.
After tributes were paid to the Melody Queens of yesteryears, The Rafi Lovers Circle Founder President Ruhi Khan conferred the Mohd Rafi Memorial Award, along with a stream of gifts by the Executive Committee members, Circle members. Many of the Guests who were invited also came forward and presented her gifts.
A documentary on Mubarak Begum produced by Film Division was also shown during the programme which went very well with the proceedings When asked to speak about her association with Rafi Saheb, Begum Saheba said that she had the good fortune to record 13 songs with him.
She said that Rafi Saheb was a very pious and simple person, during song recordings his focus and committment was divine. He used to be self absorbed, oblivious of his surroundings and totally immersed and in command of the song. He performed Hajj multiple times including Hajj-e-Akbar. At the end of the concert, on behalf of the Circle, Begum Saheb presented to the entire orchestra, all the singers and technicians, a replica of the Mohamed Rafi Memorial Award 2009.
Truely a vintage evening, and after Music Director Ravi Sb ( 2005 ), Music Director Omiji of the Sonik – Omi team ( 2006 ) Music Director & Playback Singer Shardaji ( 2007 ) and Mahendra Kapoor Sb, posthumously in ( 2008 ). The name Mubarak Begum justified another well deserved recipient of the Mohamed Rafi Memorial Award being conferred to an artist from Rafi Saheb’s era who was fortunate enough to rub shoulders with him in 8 to 9 Films.
The 5th Mohammed Rafi Memorial Award
A view of the stage backdrop-flank
Founder President Ruhi Khan with Mubarak Begum at the Satyajit Ray Auditorium Kolkata
Mubarak Begum singing ‘Mujhko apne gale laga lo, ae mere Humrahi’
Mubarak Begum conferred with the Mohamed Rafi Memorial Award 2009 by President Ruhi Khan – VP Shakeel Ansari applauding
(From Left to Right) Suuchandra Bhutoria, VP – Shakeel Ansari, Committee member Partha Pratim Acharya, Committee member Sarosh Khan reading out the citation, Convenor Hashim Khan & President Ruhi Khan
The RLC team with Mubarak Begum – group photograph at the end of the show
The curtains came down at 9.00pm and Rafi lovers left the hall with gladdened hearts.
Subha Na Ayee, Shaam Na Ayee…. Jis Din Teri Yaad na Ayee
Dear Ms Ruhi Khan & Friends,
Nice to hear of the event & the thought of remembering the yesteryears stalwarts, who have done their bit in entertaining the audience & the populace with their talent. I wish you & your team success all the WAY IN ALL YOUR FUTURE PROGRAMMES. Hearty congrats. Pl make it a point of putting up schedule of all such events on the site well n advance for benefit of all of us. will facilitate max attendence.
Congratulations to Mrs.Ruhi Khan, Mr Hashim Khan and all the participants of this 5th Mohd. Rafi Memorial award function.
This shows that how much you love Rafi Sahab.Keep up the good work.
With regards to all Rafi lovers,
An ardent fan of Rafi sahab,
Dr. Khaja Aliuddin
Chicago
hashim bhai aadab!
hum intezar karengay tera qayamat tak
khuda karay ke qayamat ho aur…….. aapka doosra show manzar-e-aam pe aaey aur rafi saheb ke diwaanon ki pyas bujhaey.
jazba, muhabbat, dedication aur khiraaj-e-aqeedat ka doosra naam hai “rafi lovers circle” aur is circle ke darmiyan ka woh nuqta jahan se circle shru hota hai woh hain hashim khan. aapne jis mohabbat aur jazbe se is circle ki shruaat ki aur dekhte dekhte iss circle ka cicumfrence jitna phailta ja raha hai isay dekh kar bahut khushi ka ehsaas hota hai.
agle show pe bulaana na bhoolen warna shikayat hojaegi.
aur rafi saheb ke baare mein kya kahoon sewa iske ke
‘kashish wohi hai geeton mein tumhaare aaj bhi lekin
yeh pehle phool barsaate thay ab daaman bhigotey hain”
aap ka bhai
jawaid naseem
09836540639
jawaid77in@yahoo.com
I would like to acknowledge the following :
Post No 16 /17 – Ms Shaheen Pirzada. Thanks for reminding me about siraj bhai. Yes indeed, we rafi lovers are grateful to him for discovering melody queens like Shamshad begum and Mubarak begum. I must confess that it was on his recommendation that we went ahead and did this concert. Midway also a few issue had cropped up but Siraj bhai called several times from overseas and completely resolved the matter. Siraj bhai dil se aap ka shukriya. If you have any direct access or reference to Nimmi, please put it in a mail and send to hashimk45@hotmail.com.. thanks also for your appreciation and encouragement, it does refuel our passion taking rlc to another level, butalways rafi saheb ke irdh gird.
Mr S.Nawathe and Binuji, Once again your warm blessings have percolated to the last cell in our minds.. This global awareness about Rafi Saheb in the form of mohdrafi.com is a brillant endeavour, and committed people like you and me, must stay vigilant against any trash / junk article. In my opinion, our moderator must use his tools invasively and cut out any negative / malignant writeup before it spreads to the next level.
Hashim bhai :The second or third time around i got the invite three weeks “after” the event. please post it in the website and otherwise atleast three weeks before the event.
praying that ur No profit rafi organisation grow to a thousand odd membership of true rafi lovers.
binu nair, mumbai, binus2000@hotmail.com
Hashim Khan sb and Ruhi Khan ji,
Congratulations for excellent work done by all of you at Kolkata.
Regards;
shrirang nawathe
Further to my post no 13, I would also like to express the gratitude of the Rafi Lovers Circle to Mr Siva, Mr Pralhad Avalaskar, and Mr Nitish Sinha. Thanks for your the heartwarming comments. Above all, Thanks to the entire team behind mohdrafi.com, we all stand up and applaud you for the unstinting efforts to bond the shaydaiee’s of Rafi saheb. Keep it up.
For Jawaid Naseem Saheb….. Shukriya janab, hum dono ki taraf se beshumaar duaein aur hamara pyar aap tak bhi pohchey. mashaallah aap ka andaaz-e-bayaan ka kya kehna, kalam se nikal kar teer ki tarah dil aur dimaag pe chha gaya….
Mr Souvik Chatterjee, we share a common friend, Mr Sudarshan Pandey who keeps talking about you, Thank you for your kind words. It is our endeavour to bring more and more legends of Rafi Saheb’s era to Kolkata and honour them with the Mohd Rafi Memorial Award.If you have any inputs in this regard please feel free to give me a call at 98310 81230 or mail it to hashimk45@hotmail.com.
Ruhi and Hasim ji, There are no words to appreciate and thank you for the great work you are doing to honour the legends of music. Here I would like to mention the name of Siraj Khan as well as we owe him a debt of gratitude to find and introduce to the new generation stalwarts of playback singing Shamshad Begum and Mubarak Begum. These artists deserve much more recognition from us than what they have received. Rafi sahab can never be equaled in his variety of rendering different songs and the beauty of his melodious voice, ever. Interesting to note that no one had till now, in the last half a century thought of giving any award to Shamshad Begum and only due to the efforts of people like you she received Padma Bhushan for this year. So please keep up the good work and also keep in mind actress Nimmi ji who is also a poet herself and has also not been given her due place of merit in the film industry. I understand that your field is limited to music.May Allah Bless you for the noble work you are doing. Shaheen Pirzada. Boston.
Ruhi and Hasim ji, There are no words to appreciate and thank you for the great work you are doing to honour the legends of music. Here I would like to mention the name of Siraj Khan as well as we owe him a debt of gratitude to find and introduce to the new generation stalwarts of playback singing Shamshad Begum and Mubarak Begum. These artists deserve much more recognition from us than what they have received. Rafi sahab can never be equaled in his variety of rendering different songs and the beauty of his melodious voice, ever. Interesting to note that no one had till now, in the last half a century thought of giving any award to Shamshad Begum and only due to the efforts of people like you she received Padma Bhushan for this year. So please keep up the good work and also keep in mind actress Nimmi ji who is a poet and has also not been given her due place of merit in the film industry. May Allah Bless you for the noble work you are doing. Shaheen Pirzada. Boston.
My heartiest Greetings for Rafi Lovers Circle for facilitating Mubaraq Beghum Sahiba..
Shukriya Ruhi Jee.
Hashim Bhai and Roohi Baji!
Itna jazbaati ho raha hoon ke alfaaz nahi milte, jitni taarif karoon kam hai jitna shukriya ada karoon kam hai. Rafi saheb ki muhabbat ki roshni ko phailaane ke jo kaam RLC kar rahi hai yeh apne aap mein ek bemisaal qadam hai.
Binu ji Narayan ji Umesh Makhija ji Mohan Flora ji aur na jaane kitne Rafi ke matwaale apni apni kawishon mein lagay hain aur apne apne taur se Rafi saheb ki mohabbat ka izhaar karte rahay hain lekin Rafi sb ke naam pe yeh award jo unke hum asron ko diya jaa raha hai apne aap mein ek aisa achhoota qadam hai jiski taarif jitni bhi karoon kam hai.
Aap dono ki kaawishen aur Shakil ansari ka saath, aur aap ke singers, unki dedication yeh sari baaten aap logon ko bahut mumtaz karti hain.
Meri duaen aur muhabbatein har qadam pe aap ke saath hain
jawaid naseem
9836540639
Mrs Ruhi Khan and I would sincerely like to thank Dr Khwaja Aliuddin Sb, Mr Binu Nair, Mr Narayan, Mr A.S. Murty, Mr Salman Dar, Sudarshanjee, Ms Bina… Thanks for your good wishes and kind words of encouragement.
To Mr Manoj Bhanshali, I wish to say that it would be pleasure to have another ardent Rafi lover join the Circle. Please contact me on 98310 81230.
In response to Ms Nasreen’s post, I respond by saying, ” very good suggestion…Sure, we will try to advertise forthcoming shows in this site at least a fortnight in advance so that Rafi Lovers in Calcutta get a chance to witness this kind of concerts in future and strengthen our endeavour. We may have another show in January 2010, please keep in touch. contact no 983210 81230 / email id hashimk45@hotmail.com.
Congrats to Rafi Lovers Circle for the noble work. I wish I were in Kolkata at the time of the event.
My house is in Kolkata but as I work in Jodhpur, I could not attend it.
It should be published in all the relevant media.
Souvik Chatterji
My sincere thanks to Rafi Lovers Circle (RLC) for honouring Mubarak Begum Sahiba, one of the great singer of good old days, for her memorable contribution in music field. I have no words to express as to what exactly we got from legendary singers like Rafisahab, Ashaji, Lata Didi, Shamshad Begum Sahiba Mubarak Begum Sahiba and many others. They all made music an essestial thing for our survival like Roti, Kapda and Makan. Hats off to RLC. I wish RLC all success in their endeavour of expressing gratitude about old great artists.
This is a nice way of honouring Rafi sahab. We all should also keep sending numerous artices / letters to the mainstream newspapers for the forthcoming 85th birthday of Rafi sahab on 24th Dec 2009. Even if the government and mainstream media continue to ignore Rafi let us make all attempts to keep his memory alive…
HERE IS WISHING THE RAFI LOVERS TEAM OF CALCUTTA MANY MORE SUCCESS IN THEIR ENDEAVOUR OF KEEPING THE FLAG FLYING HIGH. IN THE COMING DAYS I CAN VISUALISE MORE PEOPLE JOINING THE MAINSTREAM WITH UR TEAM.
All the best Hashim saaheb, ruhi ji and all members.
binu nair, mumbai
Hashim Khan jee:
Bahut accha laga is article ko padhkar. You have felicitated a very respected singer!
Mubarak Begum ne kitne acche gaane gaayen hain..unke chand popular gaane jo aksar yaad aate hain woh hai..hum haal-e-dil sunaayenge from Madhumati, woh na aayenge palatkar from Devdas, nigaahon se dil mein chale aayiyega from Hameer Hath and neend ud jaaye teri from Juari sung by the rare combination of Mubarak Begum, Krishna Bose and Suman Kalyanpur. Rafi Saab ke saath unka Humrahi waala gaana toh aaj tak behad hi mashoor hai..
As a Rafi Bhakt I wish more strength to the Rafi Lovers of Kolkata for their efforts in keeping the memories of retro singers alive!
Bina
Member
BAAR BAAR RAFI, BANGALORE
Thanks Hashim Bhai, Ruhi ji and others who are continuously working on to keep Rafi Saheb’s flag high to let the youngster know about the heritage of their Indian Music. Conferring Awards to the forgotten artistes is such attempt that deserve kudos from the music lovers. You are fulfilling our desires. We can just think, you materialise them. You deserve our salute and I salute your desire,zeal & effort and all the troubles you take to make the show success.
This was so interesting! This is the city I come from but am no longer there. To think that such an event happened here, I was enthralled to read all about it and see the pictures. It is wonderful to know that Mubarak Begum received this great honour – very well deserved honour and that she even sang at the show. It is a very courageous thing to do at this age and a testimony to the love these artists have for music and for the one and only ever Rafi Sahab. I feel so glad that this Memorial Award has been started in my dear city – and Thank You Mr Hashim Khan for sharing all this on this website.
Will there be any Rafi Sahab show this winter (Dec/Jan) in Kolkata, as I will be there inshallah and will attend if I know about it. It will be great if upcoming Rafi Sahab events are advertised here.
What a wonderful site and what great events you guys have managed !! Cant say enough.Mashaallah 🙂
congratulations to rafi lovers circle, kolkata for organizing such a grand event, more so on conferring the Mohammed rafi memorial award 2009 on playback queen of yesteryears Mubarak Begum Sahiba. i remember our own programme last year with mubarak begum sahiba at hyderabad when she doled out song after song in an impeccable manner and style only synonimous with her name some fifteen songs. she had then too spoken very highly of rafi sahab and praised our efforts too in keeping the divine songs of rafi sahab and other yesteryear melodies alive. your write up brought back the memories of our own association with such a versatile singer and we at rafi foundation, hyderabad chapter salute you all.
a s murty
secretary
rafi foundation,
hyderabad chapter
KUDOS TO THE RAFI LOVER CIRCLE. KOLKATA FOR ORGANISING YET ANOTHER GREAT SHOW..
PRAY GOD THAT THEY CONTINUE TO DO YEOMAN SERVICE TO ALL MUSIC LOVERS OF THIS GREAT COUNTRY AND THIS LOVELY WORLD..
Narayan
I would earnestly like to join the Rafi Lovers’ Circle of Kolkata.Please let me know the procedure, or the contact numbers for the office bearers.
Congratulations to Mrs.Ruhi Khan, Mr Hashim Khan and all the participants of this 5th Mohd. Rafi Memorial award function.
This shows that how much you love Rafi Sahab.Keep up the good work.
With regards to all Rafi lovers,
An ardent fan of Rafi sahab,
Dr. Khaja Aliuddin
Chicago