Rafi Memorial Award conferred on playback singer Sharda
Tuesday, November 6th, 2007This news is shared by Mr. Hashim Khan and Ms. Ruhi Khan, founder and president of Rafi Lovers Cirlce, Calcutta.
Playback singer of the sixties and seventies, Sharda, who shot into fame with her chartbuster hits, “Titli Udi†from the film Suraj, and “Duniya Ki Sair Karlo†from around the world was felicated at a grand concert titled ‘remembering Shanker- Jaikishen with Sharda’ which was held on 25th Aug, 2007 at Kolkata’s kalamandir auditorium. The programme was presented by ‘Rafi lovers circle’ – a group of music lovers dedicated to the revival of evergreen songs of mohd rafi from the golden era of hindi film sangeet. (more…)
Seventies was the decade of experiments, the decade of change of guard and also the decade of Rafi Saab, again. The number of songs may be less but the singing quality of his songs was same as ever, even during the so called low phase i. e. 1971-1976. However the quaity is always more important thing and quantity always play the second fiddle. 
This marvelous song was written by Shakeel Bhaduyani, music direction by Naushadsab and sang by none other than Rafisahab. This three muslim personalities have given us lot of songs with Bhajans & classical songs also. Now, in this song one sentence is there “Aab tho Neer Bahaleâ€, but I want to point out that in the Kannada language “Neer†means “Waterâ€. What an word has been used by Mr.Shakeel Sahab, perfect one. Hear this song and you will find this word in the sentence. 
The dawn of independent India saw the blossoming of, perhaps the greatest singer this country has produced who answered to the name of Mohammed Rafi. Even to this day the vocal magic of Rafi Saab is embellishing the musical shelves of Rafi Saab’s aficionados. Why is he rated the greatest is a matter of conjecture, but the fact cannot be gainsaid that he had done full justice to any song we were and still are privileged to hear. The myriad moods and emotions every song requires are best brought out by the vocal genius of Rafi saab. 
Since the time songs have been introduced in hindi movies we have come across through many genres of expressions like – romatic,fun-filled, sad, emotional, alcoholic, patriotic, devotional, emotional, but there are a few songs which would not fit into any genre which are rare expressions songs and most of them are sung by the maestro himself. I would like the list down the following songs which do not belong to any genre:- 
Has any body listened to a good qawali from KK or Mukesh or Talat or Hemantha or even Saigal. Well all these singers were top class in their own way and had their own plus points. Talat was outstanding in Ghazals, Mukesh and Saigal in soulful songs, Hemantha in songs based on Rabeendra Sangeeth and 
Dev Anand’s films are best known for their great musical richness and melodious songs. Some most popular Rafi songs were picturised on him. Mohd. Rafi and Dev Anand’s association with music composers O.P. Nayyar, S.D. Burman, Jaidev, Shankar Jaikishan, Salil Chowdhury and lyricists Sahir Ludhiyanvi, Shailendra, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Hasrat Jaipuri, Neeraj has created some of the best memorable songs in the Hindi Cinema. 
Salil Chowdhury, noted poet, musician, lyricist, thinker is one of the most renowned intellectuals who had glorified the Silver Screen (both Bollywood and Bengali Cinema) with his stories, poetry, lyrics, dynamic musical compositions in the 50s, 60s and 70s. He was a member of the IPTA, an organisation which has been an instrument of public awareness during the pre-independence and post-independence period. 
Rahul Dev Burman, the son of eminent singer and composer Sachin Dev Burman, is one of the most popular composers of the last decade whose tunes are used by many modern composers in their own compositions. Being the son of the legendary Music Director, SD Burman, RD had a great challenge to match the sheer brilliance of his father. It happens with the son or daughter of all the famous personalities.