This article is compiled by MR. BIMAN BARUAH, Gokuldham ONGC Colony, Goregaon(E), Mumbai-400063

On 15^th August, 2013 we celebrated INDIA’s 66^th Independence Day with most famous celluloid patriotic song like “Jahan Daal Daal Par Sone Ki Chidiya Karti Hai Bassera, Woh Bharat Desh Hai Mera” sung by golden voice of Mohammed Rafi. The song describes the exclusive and well-heeled natural, cultural, social characteristics of our country. The song was written by Qamar Jalalabadi and composed by Hansraj Behl from SIKANDAR-E-AZAM (1965) based on the story of Alexander and Puru.   (more…)

By Rajiv Nair

His Guru Rafi Sahab
Mahendra was around 13 when he heard the Mohammed Rafi number Yahan badla wafa ka (Jugnu, 1947) and was totally mesmerized by the singer. “Dad somehow found out Rafi saab’s house in Bhendi Bazaar and reached there even though it was a riot-affected area post-Partition,” recalls Ruhan. (more…)

This article is penned by Mr.Biman Baruah,Goregan(E), Mumbai

Legendary music composer Ravi Shankar Sharma popularly known as RAVI expired on 7th March, 2012 due to cardiac arrest who celebrated his 86th birthday with friends three days before his death. He was survived by his separated son Ajay and daughter in law, actress Varsha Ushgonkar.

On his death, his filmmaker friend, A. Krishnamurthi remarked, “Ravi was noted for his heart-touching, soft, melodious tunes, which made his songs and music immortal and is hummed even today, decades after he composed them. As well as he was a very fine gentlemen and a great human being.” (more…)

By Jagat Kant Choudhary

The Filmfare Awards, since its inception in 1953 has been one of the most coveted awards in the Hindi Film Industry. It was at the Regal Theatre in South Mumbai (then Bombay) on March 21, 1954, that the first awards were handed over to the winners. Hollywood star Gregory Peck, who was the guest of honour at the inaugural Awards ceremony, was delayed on a flight from Colombo and could only attend the banquet at Willingdon Sports Club later on.

Incidentally the Awards were called Clare Awards in the beginning, named after Clare Mendionca, the well known film critic of the Times of India in the 1940s and 50s. A couple of years down the line, however, the Awards began to be known as Filmfare Awards instead. (more…)

By H.V.Guru Murthy

Which is your most favourite song in the history of Hindi film music during the past eighty years? If any body puts this question to me, I would rather not answer, as how can you choose just one song out of thousands of songs especially if you consider that versatile singers like Rafi Saab, Lataji, KK, Ashaji, Mannada, Mukeshji, Hemantda, Talatji, etc. etc. have sung so many wonderful wonderful songs.

But precisely a similar exercise was carried by the Magazine OUTLOOK in their 2006 June issue. Thirty prominent musicians of the Hindi Film Industry including Manandey, Mahendra Kapoor, Khayyam, Rajesh Roshan, Gulzar, Javid Akhtar, etc. were chosen to be in the Jury and were given the task to select the best songs. (more…)

This article is written by Mr. H.V.Guru Murthy

Just imagine if Mohammed Rafi Saab had sung “Mere Naina Sawan Bhadon” from ‘Mehbooba’ instead of Kishore. Well, this classical song was a Do Pehlu, sung both by KK and Lata. RD Burman, the Music Director of the movie had chosen these two Singers for rendering the song. Where as Lata excelled, in fact sung effortlessly, KK showed the strain and could not match Lataji in this round and RDB lost a golden opportunity to give one of the best do-pehlu’s of Hindi film industry. KK was not suited for this classical number and if only RDB had given this song to Rafi, the Farishta would have converted this song to a memorable one, matching Lata, step by step, sur by sur. (more…)

This article is written by Mr. Hashim Khan

The one and only shagird of our mentor Mohamed Rafi Saheb, popular Playback Singer of the Sixties and Seventies, Padamshree Mahendra Kapoor, winner of 3 Filmfare Awards, as well as the Dada Saheb Phalke Award, who shot into fame in 1958, with the chartbuster hit Aadha Hai Chandrama, Raat Aadhi ( Navrang ) was honoured posthumously with the Rafi Memorial Award 2008. Concieved, scripted and executed by Founder President Ruhi Khan, the Rafi Lovers Circle hosted a grand musical concert in memory of the noble singer, who passed away on Sept 27, 2008. (more…)

This article is written by Mr. Biman Baruah, Sivasagar, Assam.

(A homage to Legendary Singer Mahendra Kapoor )

Legendary singer of Hindi cinema, Mahendra Kapoor passed away at 74, on Saturday evening (27^th September, 2008) at his residence, Bandra in Mumbai due to cardiac failure. He was a heart patient and suffering from heart and kidney related ailment for long time. He is survived by three daughters and actor son Rohan Kapoor. His funeral took place on Sunday ( 28^th September, 2008 ) at the Santacruz crematorium where Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed grief over death of veteran playback singer. In a condolence message, President Pratibha Patil said Kapoor delighted millions of Indians by his voice. Maharastha Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh expressed “Kapoor as a great and versatile singer”. (more…)