Mubarak Begum Program.

Mubarak Begum program.

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. First of all rich tributes were paid to the incomparable Rafi Saheb by Calcutta's famous aspiring singer Debajit Dutta of Indian Idol and Sa Re Ga Ma fame, who sang Kabhi Na Kabhi To Kahin Na Kahin and Hui Shaam Unka Khayal Aa Gaya.

The Programme took off with a Rafi Saheb and Mubarak Begum Cutain Raiser song....... 1966 film Sushila. 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. Some of the other 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 used to humm 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 also 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 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 ) another well deserved Mohamed Rafi Memorial Award given to an artist of Rafi Saheb's era who had the good fortunate to rub shoulders with him. Subha Na Ayee, Shaam Na Ayee.... Jis Din Teri Yaad na Ayee. The program had been compiled by Sudershan Pandey of Shankerjaikishen.com Forum.