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ABADRAFI – Rendezvous with Mubarak Begum Sahiba

This article is written by Mr. A.S.Murty

mubarak-begum-sahiba-jamunaji-garlanding-the-photograph-of-rafi-sahab-as-a-mark-of-inauguration-of-the-musical-show.jpg5TH July, 2008 will be remembered by music lovers in Hyderabad as a day of revival of the vintage music of the hfm. For nearly six months now, we have been trying to organize a grand musical show and also invite some well known playback singer of the yesteryears to Hyderabad. The closest we came to was the name of Mubarak Begum Sahiba and our good friend Samarjit Acharjee was in continuous contact with her. Either the glorious singer with the golden voice was not available when we had wanted to organize a show or we were preoccupied with our normal lives and thus we could not go ahead with the idea that remained in our minds. However, we did not lose heart and kept our trials going.

Almost a month back Samarjit Acharjee informed me that he would shortly be leaving India for better prospects in the U.S. and he has thus invited Mubarak Begum Sahiba to Hyderabad for a rendezvous with our musical group of ABADRAFI. He asked me to organize a musical show, however small and that the legendary singer would attend the same. That set the ball rolling. Ours is still a small group and in its infancy. How were we going to arrange a musical show where the Chief Guest would be Mubarak Begum Sahiba herself. We had to get our act together, and fast. First, we got all the details of the gifted singer – her profile so to say. Websites helped. Other music lovers too helped in gathering all the data. We had wanted all her songs and our messages went in all directions seeking the rare gems of Begum Sahiba’s songs. Good friends like Hussein Sheikh helped a lot in this regard. Samarjit too could gather a few from other sources. Many in our group too had not heard of some of the very best songs of Begum Sahiba.

Three songs that were know to all of us were
(1) Kabhi Tanhaiyon Mein Yun Hamari Yaad Ayegi,
(2) Hum Haale Dil Sunayenge, Suniye Ke Na Suniye and
(3) the evergreen duet with Rafi Sahab – Mujhko Apne Gale Lagalo (Humrahi).

The other songs were not too common for our group. The idea was that we know all the notable songs much before Begum Sahiba comes to Hyderabad. 5th July 2008 (Saturday) was fixed after consulting many of our friends. It was convenient for some while others had to make room for attending the musical program. The basics done, we got down to the real ground work. A suitable venue had to be arranged. Orchestra had to be negotiated, photographs and videography to be arranged. Banners had to be made and so also word had to be spread around in the musical circles of Hyderabad about the upcoming event. We were running against the time and all the members of ABADRAFI got going.

Begum Sahiba landed in Hyderabad on the evening of 4th July 2008. Her accommodation was arranged by a well known music lover and organizer of musical sessions – Prof. Ramchandra Reddy Sahab. Himself a good singer of Talat Mahmood Sahab’s songs, Prof. Reddy is a very ardent music lover. His gesture in providing all the hospitality to Begum Sahiba not only came in very handy for us, but it would go down in the history of ABADRAFI and the Rafi Foundation as a gesture unparalleled.

Mubarak Begum Sahiba being welcomed by Jamuna, the yesteryear heroin of Humrahi. Samarjit also looks on
Mubarak Begum Sahiba being welcomed by Jamuna, the yesteryear heroin of Humrahi. Samarjit also looks on..

Begum Sahiba wanted to meet the golden girl of Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and also Hindi films Jamuna (remember her in Humrahi, Milan, Beti Bete, Sasural, etc.?). This was immediately arranged on the morning of 5th July 2008, much to the surprise of the southern actress. Begum Sahiba invited her for the evening’s programme and the “Mujhko Apne Gale Lagalo”-girl promptly agreed. In fact she arrived a good half hour before Begum Sahiba herself showed up. Mubarak Begumji had a spate of interviews throughout the day and had got delayed on account of these. However, no sooner had she entered the lovely A.V.College Auditorium, than the entire audience gave her a standing ovation. ABADRAFI invited her, Jamunaji and the Begum Sahiba’s daughter-in-law Zareena Sheikh on the stage.

Mubarak Begum Sahiba and Jamunaji garlanding the photograph of Rafi Sahab as a mark of inauguration of the musical show
Begum Sahiba and Jamunaji garlanding the photograph of Rafi Sahab as a mark of inauguration of the musical show

Inauguration of the musical session began with garlanding the photograph of Rafi Sahab in the hands of Mubarak Begum Sahiba and Jamunaji. Both paid tributes to Rafi Sahab in total reverence. Jamunaji narrated how she was pleasantly shocked and also surprised at seeing Begum Sahiba at her doorstep that afternoon and paid rich tributes to the versatility of Begum Sahiba. A rapt audience gave a thunderous applause each time Jamunaji made reference to the great human being that Begum Sahiba is. She herself had gifted a shawl to Begum Sahiba and the latter informed the gathering that Jamunaji herself was a picture of virtues and great talent.

Begum Sahiba enthralled the audience with 8 of her best songs and the sweetness and range in her voice was intact. No strain whatsoever when she sang even in higher scales and a complete control of the small orchestra that was behind her. Song after song, she gave a brief peep or two to the music lovers of what real playback singing would resemble. Rare songs like “Devta Tum Ho Mera Sahara” from Daira went very well with the audience, just as much as the Mujhko Apne Gale Lagalo and Kabhi Tanhaiyon Mein. She took her seat in the audience for the rest of the evening to listen to the songs by members of ABADRAFI.

Mubarak Begum Sahiba at her vocal best, rendering songs for a musically learned audience
Mubarak Begum Sahiba at her vocal best, rendering songs for a musically learned audience

Begum Sahiba freely mingled with all who approached her. Autographs were freely signed by both Jamunaji and Mubarak Begumji. Many in the audience left their seats for photo sessions with her. The three-hour musical extravaganza was videotaped for posterity. The frenzied crowd patted the Rafi Foundation and ABADRAFI and words like “MUBARAK” ho ABADRAFI were heard until the last of the audience left for their homes.

The Rafi Foundation and ABADRAFI could not have bargained for a better start. We had the great privilege to have two legends – Mubarak Begum Sahiba and veteran actress Jamunaji in our maiden musical show. Begum Sahiba advised us to do bigger shows in the coming years and promised that she would come again to Hyderabad. Jamunaji too wanted her to be informed whenever such a big musical programme was being organized by us in Hyderabad.

Music lovers of Hyderabad who get to see this report may want to be in touch with us for future programmes. We welcome them all. They can contact ABADRAFI at our email abadrafi@gmail.com or on mobile number 93912 67272. BEGUM SAHIBA – we salute you.

Rafi-fans have coined a new greeting – ADABRAFI – instead of the usual “hello” when contacting one another. ABADRAFI therefore greets you all with a ADABRAFI.

This blog was published on Sunday, July 20th, 2008 at 2:30 pm and is filed under Meri Awaaz Suno, The Rafi Foundation. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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31 Blog Comments to “ABADRAFI – Rendezvous with Mubarak Begum Sahiba”

  1. DHARMENRA VYAS says:
    October 13, 2012 at 8:20 pm

    WE SHOULD VERY STRONGY FIGHT FOR ‘BHARAT RATNA’ FOR RAFI SAHAB. NO SINGER EVER BEEN BORN ON THE EARTH FOR LAST MANY THOUSAND YEARS, NO ONE IS EVEN NEAR TO THE TALENT OF RAFI SAHAB. HIS THOUSANDS OF VERSATILE SONGS TURNED THE MOOD OF MANY CRORE PEOPLE. UNKI AAWAZ NE LAKHO MOODLESS LOGO KO ACHCHHA MOOD DIYA. BHARTIYA SANGEET KI ZAN THE RAFI SAHAB. AISE ZABARDAST AADMI KO BHARAT RATNA KYUN NAHI MILA !. I AM PERSONALY GIVING MY ALL SUPPORT TO YOU ALL. PL. START. REPLY ME.

  2. Meenu says:
    January 10, 2012 at 2:16 pm

    I feel pity for Ahamed kutty’s opinion.
    Infact ‘Para kaya pravesh’ means singing according to the voice of actress, only LATA and ASHA did and none of the singers could do it. Exampl of song – Amar AKBAR Anthoney male voices keep changing as actor changes but for all the actress LATA given her voice. When you listen Dil-wil pyar.. it is for sure thin vice is for sairabano ,same time songs for Hemamalini , Jayabhaduri sounds different. In Sharmili song – Aaj madhosh hua jaye re – the word – Achha said in the song by LATA is exactly sounds like RAKHI’s voice.
    There are countless examples are there.
    Lata ke samne sare awards, sub kuch chota ho jata hai!

  3. Ahamed Kutty Pazhayannur says:
    August 2, 2008 at 5:46 pm

    Dear Rafians,
    We cannot compare rafi saab with any other male or female
    singer.If we go through the qualities of rafi saab nobody is
    there to come near to him.The only singer to reach up to
    him to some extent only lataji. but if we see the singing
    ability as far as the body language and sound of actresses
    are concerned,lataji did not do anything.at the same time we
    can see that rafi saab has given separate singing styles to
    match the actor. to give sound,style to an actor, to give
    sweetness,depth,range,to sing according to the situation is
    not doing a magic.can any body try these above and sing!
    you will fell down unconciously.That is mohammed rafi saab.
    that is why his position is still there. I challenge nobody is
    there to fill the vaccum.

  4. arun gautam says:
    July 31, 2008 at 11:57 am

    बॉलीबुड में लता मंगेशकर बेशक सुरीली आवाज की धनी गायिका हैं किंतु उनका मस्तिष्क पूर्वाग्रह से ग्रसित है । एक दौर ऐसा भी आया था कि लता मंगेशर ने गीतों की रॉयल्टी लेने के लिए रफी साहब के साथ गीत गाने बंद कर दिए थे । रफी साहब ने लता मंगेशर को काफी समझाया था कि हमें जो भी गीत गाने के लिए पैसा मिलता है वो काफी है । हमें इसे व्यवसाय नहीं बनाना चाहिए । हमारे लिए श्रोताओं का प्यार ही सबसे बड़ी दौलत है । लता मंगेशर ने उनकी बात नहीं मानी और कई वर्षों तक उन्होंने रफी साहब के साथ कोई गीत नहीं गाए । लता मंगेशर ने अपनी बहनों को ही फिल्म इंड्रस्टी में स्थापित करने में ही संगीतकारों पर दबाब डाला । यही कारण है कि बेहतरीन आवाज की मलिका मुबारक बेगम, सुमन कल्याणपुर, शारदा तथा श्मशाद बेगम लता मंगेशकर की जगह नहीं ले सकी । किंतु रफी साहब ने इन गायिकाओं को प्रोत्साहित करते हुए उनके साथ एक से एक बेहतरीन गीत गाकर धूम मचा दी । मुबारक बेगम के साथ हमराही फिल्म का गीत मुझको अपने गले लगालो उस दौर का सबसे बेहतरीन गीत था । सुमन कल्याणपुर के साथ रफी साहब ने आजकल तेरे मेरे प्यार चर्चे हर जुबान पर गाकर उनके कैरियर को संवारा । रफी साहब ने शारदा के साथ भी गीत गाकर उनको स्थापित किया । मुबारक बेगम की आवाज में जो दर्द, कशिश थी वो आज तक लता मंगेशकर एंड कंपनी की गायिका पूरी नहीं कर सकी हैं । मुबारक बेगम की आवाज सबसे दिलकश आवाज है । उन्होंने बेशक कम गीत गाए मगर सभी गीत सुपरहिट रहे । मैं मुबारक बेगम के स्वास्थ्य,समृद्धि एंव सुख शांति की कामना करता हूँ । LONG LIVE !

    अरुण गौतम
    akgautam@inditimes.com
    9811447213 mobile
    31 July, 2008

  5. Raajkumar Akela says:
    July 31, 2008 at 5:47 am

    My dear friends !h
    Today is 31st July…an inauspicious day for all the music lovers.
    Today, in 1980, we lost our beloved singer Padmashree Mohammad
    Rafi Sahab. He was not less than an angel.
    Let us remember him on this day and pray for his divine soul !
    May God bless his soul eternal peace in the heaven !!!
    Thanks.
    -Raajkumar Akela

    ज़मी से फलक तक सभी आँख नम है
    सभी के दिलों मे बसा एक गम है
    कहाँ खो गया वो सुरों का सिकंदर
    बिना जिसके संगीत का सूर एक कम है

    -राजकुमार “अकेला”

  6. A S MURTY says:
    July 31, 2008 at 12:30 am

    ref post 20 by mr imtiyaz a sharif. the hyderabad chapter of rafi foundation is called ‘abadrafi’ and it was not the name for the specific concert. however, a few friends in recent times have also suggested for us to have a re-look at the name of hyderabad chapter and one good suggestion that came was by way of only a slight modification – “abad-e-rafi”. i invite suggestions from knowledgeable rafi-fans and there is absolutely no problem in making such a change.

  7. Ali says:
    July 26, 2008 at 1:15 am

    Good News for Mohd Rafi Fans
    Mr. Farrukh doing great job at http://www.radio4fm.com/# and click on Listen Live there will be programs on Mohd Rafi from 26\7\2008 till 31/07/2008 from10 pm to 1 am Dubai time and in India time 11 30 pm to 2 30 am……from 26\78 to 30\7\2008 from 10 pm to 11pm and on 31\7\2008 from from 10 to 1 am.
    He is doing great job from few years, I hope people in media will be honest as he is as I think. also you can send sms msg at 0097504625891 from 10 pm to 1 am UAE(Dubai time)
    Thanks a lot Mr.Farrukh for this great job

  8. Ali says:
    July 26, 2008 at 12:51 am

    Good News for Mohd Rafi Fans
    Mr. Farrukh doing great job at http://www.radio4fm.com/# and click on Listen Live there will be programs on Mohd Rafi from 267\2008 till 31/07/2008 from10 pm to 1 am Dubai time and in India time 11 30 pm to 2 30 am……from 2678 to 307\2008 from 10 pm to 11pm and on 317\2008 from from 10 to 1 am.
    He is doing great job from few years, I hope people in media will be honest as he is as I think. also you can send sms msg at 0097504625891 from 10 pm to 1 am UAE(Dubai time)
    Thanks a lot Mr.Farrukh for this great job

  9. AHAMED KUTTY Pazhayannur says:
    July 25, 2008 at 10:51 am

    dear rafians,
    day by day we are finding new words on “the ustadom ke ustad” rafi saab
    and it will continue for ever.so many words have been written about rafi saab.so many speeches have been made about rafi saab.so many photos
    tken and so many programmes taken place on his name.

    i think the other artists name still live because of rafi saab.the fans of
    other singers are competing with rafians to do something for their idols.

    the most painful thing for me is when yesudasji told that he did not
    participate the funeral of rafi saab eventhough he was in mumbai
    on that dark day.he told the reason that he wants to keep the smiling
    face of rafi saab always in his mind.

  10. Binu Nair says:
    July 24, 2008 at 8:06 am

    thanks for the above inputs…. on abad-rafi…. i understand the meaning to be also – “grow”, “long live”, amar, etc. etc. and many many many thanks once again .

    binu nair, mumbai.

  11. Imtiyaz A. Sharif says:
    July 23, 2008 at 12:50 pm

    One more meaning could be get from the word “Abad” is long live.

  12. Imtiyaz A. Sharif says:
    July 23, 2008 at 12:40 pm

    Ref. post 13 & 14. The meaning of “adab” is same as “Namaste” or “Salaam”. But the word used for the concert is “Abad”, means rehabilitate/renovate.

  13. Narayan says:
    July 23, 2008 at 11:37 am

    Dear Binu, I think Abaad Rafi means Immortal Rafi sahab….Pl correct me

  14. A S MURTY says:
    July 23, 2008 at 8:51 am

    thanks to one and all for your best wishes and messages. binuji, the title ‘abadrafi’ has been basically derived from the ‘hyderabad’ itself where you have the “abad”. we had meant ‘abadrafi’ to be ‘the permanent abode of rafi sahab’ where rafi sahab would always be ‘available to all the music lovers’. while a name may convey different meanings to different people sometimes, it is the spirit behind it that matters more.

  15. SHRIRANG NAWATHE says:
    July 23, 2008 at 12:23 am

    GREAT WORK.BY ABADRAFI FOUNDATION…AAPKO SAU SAU SALAAAM..

  16. shashank says:
    July 22, 2008 at 12:12 pm

    Congrulation!!!!! to Murtyji and samarjeet acharjee for organising a superb and great successful program of Mubarak begumji by u all. Really great!

  17. shashank chickermane says:
    July 22, 2008 at 11:32 am

    Congrulates!!!! Murtyji and Samarjeetji for the grand success of the superb program organised by u all. Great. I wish tht Mubarak begumji like a legend will be really more happy for ths program. Keep it up murtyji and samarjeetji. Thanks for a superb program.

  18. Binu Nair says:
    July 22, 2008 at 9:42 am

    now please tell me the exact meaning of “abadrafi” in english language as my love for the language urdu is great but knowledge – very poor. also pls.clarify whether its abadrafi or adabrafi……….

    binus,

  19. Binu Nair says:
    July 22, 2008 at 9:38 am

    now please tell me the exact meaning of “abadrafi” in english language as my love for the language urdu is great but knowledge – very poor.

    binus,

  20. Dr. Khaja Aliuddin says:
    July 22, 2008 at 9:18 am

    Dear Murthy Sahab, Adab Araz hai,
    Hearty conratulations to you and your associates. I wish I could have been there with you and would have enjoyed Rafi Sahab’s magic, Mubarak Begum saheba and Jamunaji.
    Murthy Shab, Ek sher aapki nazar kartha hun.
    ” Har rahguzar pe shama jalana hai mera kaam
    Teever hain kiya hawa ke mai dekhta nahi ”
    I, totally agree with Mr. Hussein Sheikh Sahab that in the next program, the keynote person should be Sumanji and it is fact that Sumanji has sung beautiful and memorable duets with Rafi Sahab.
    With regards to all Rafi lovers.
    Long live Rafi Sahab,
    Dr. Khaja Aliuddin

  21. Nasir Ali says:
    July 22, 2008 at 2:44 am

    Please correct the typographical error to ABADRAFI in my above comments.

  22. Nasir Ali says:
    July 22, 2008 at 2:42 am

    Great effort ADABRAFI. Congratulations for the show’s success.
    Mubarak Begum and Jamuna has sent me down the memory lane. As a child I had personally visited a live show by Mubarak Begum during her BE-MURAWWAT BEWAFA days. Yes, she was so young. This show was held in Bombay’s Liberty Cinema and was attended by the celebrities too.
    Jamuna happens to be one of my favourite south Indian actress and I loved her role in Milan, Hamrahi and Miss Mary. I, on behalf of her millions of fans send her greetings for a long and happy life.
    And lastly, you deserve great admiration for keeping Rafi Sahaab’s memory alive even after 27 years of his sad demise. For all of us who are Rafi Sahaab’s fans this is indeed very heartening.

  23. Anil Cherian says:
    July 21, 2008 at 11:14 pm

    Grand work, Murthy sir and associates. Hats off to Samarjeet.

  24. Hussein Sheikh says:
    July 21, 2008 at 10:28 pm

    Nice job, please try to call Suman Kalyanpurji in such occassions, specially on the 31st of july, in memory of Mohammed Rafi Saheb. Sumanji has sung memorable duets with Rafi Saheb. Keep it up.
    melodiousrafi@yahoo.com

  25. Aamir Malik Rahi says:
    July 21, 2008 at 9:26 pm

    very lucky for you guys to be with the person who has sung with our great rafi saheb

  26. narayan says:
    July 21, 2008 at 5:57 pm

    Bravo Samrjit/Murty sir/Padmanbhan/Ramakrishna sir and their lovely team of Abaad Rafi.. Well done

  27. S.CHANDAR says:
    July 21, 2008 at 11:40 am

    It was a tremendous effort which culminated in it turning out to be an astounding achievement. And mind you, this was the maiden attempt by a small group of first timers with little experience in organising such events. All the hurdles faced were overcome and the final result was for all to see. Kudos to all concerned.

  28. jayaram.d says:
    July 21, 2008 at 9:53 am

    Dear Murthygi,

    Wonderful effort.congrats &best Wishes for future programs.

  29. Binu Nair says:
    July 21, 2008 at 8:16 am

    very commendable efforts. the magic is “spreading”. keep it up.

    binu nair. rafi foundation, mumbai…. cell : 9833 250 701

  30. mahmood hafeez says:
    July 21, 2008 at 1:25 am

    The person to be thank is Samrjit the young man has done the thing which we all music lover remember for ever.The ADABRAFI & RAFIFOUNDATION made their presence felt in HYDERABAD
    We should have this type of program in future to keep the tempo going.Mr.s.n.murty is trying his best one this front as he said in address to the gathering that this is small group baby in the age I pray for it s fast growth so we can have some thing good next time too.
    ********
    *********with best wishes *****
    Mahmood hafeez

  31. javed ahmed says:
    July 20, 2008 at 11:59 pm

    Nice Work Sir

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