Senior citizens mesmerised by evergreen Hindi and Chhattisgarhi songs at ‘Yaad-E-Rafi’ musical evening

• Senior citizens mesmerised by evergreen Hindi and Chhattisgarhi songs at ‘Yaad-E-Rafi’ musical evening

• Mohammed Rafi was a shining star of Indian music; his voice continues to live in the hearts of music lovers : Ghanshyam Dewangan

Bhilai ( Dewangan Times) . Senior citizens organised a grand and dignified musical evening, ‘Yaad-E-Rafi’, at Siyan Sadan, Vaishali Nagar, Bhilai, to commemorate the death anniversary of legendary playback singer Mohammed Rafi. The audience was enthralled by the melodious Hindi and Chhattisgarhi songs sung by Rafi, while a quiz competition based on his life and musical journey added excitement and enthusiasm to the programme.

Popular Chhattisgarhi songs such as ‘Gonda Phoolge Mor Raja’, ‘Tor Pairi Ke Jhanar Jhanar’ and ‘Sun-Sun Mor Peera Ke Sangwari Re’ brought back cherished memories of the golden era of music.

In his opening address, Mahasangh President Ghanshyam Kumar Dewangan highlighted Mohammed Rafi’s life, achievements and his unparalleled contribution to Indian and Chhattisgarhi film music. He said, “Mohammed Rafi was a shining star of the Indian music world. His immortal voice continues to live in the hearts of music lovers even today. The songs he sang in Chhattisgarhi are particularly memorable and will always be cherished.”

A lively quiz competition based on Mohammed Rafi’s life and musical journey was also organised, in which senior citizens participated enthusiastically and won prizes. Questions related to Rafi Sahab’s life, songs, films and musical career made the quiz both informative and entertaining.

The programme thereafter came alive with captivating performances by local artistes and senior citizens, who presented some of Mohammed Rafi’s most popular songs. The evergreen melodies of Rafi Sahab took the audience down memory lane, enabling everyone to relive the nostalgia of the golden era of Hindi film music.

Those who enthralled the audience with their melodious renditions included Joseph, Santosh Shukla, Ghanshyam Kumar Dewangan, D.A. Karmakar, Suresh Joshi and Dinesh Gupta. The singers presented evergreen Hindi songs rendered by Rafi Sahab, including ‘Baharon Phool Barsao’, ‘Likhe Jo Khat Tujhe’, ‘Tum Mujhe Yun Bhula Na Paoge’, ‘Kya Hua Tera Wada’, ‘Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho’, ‘Yahoo… Chahe Koi Mujhe Junglee Kahe’, ‘Gulabi Aankhen Jo Dekhi Teri’, ‘Chhup Gaye Saare Nazare, Oye Kya Baat Ho Gayi’ and ‘Yeh Duniya Yeh Mehfil Mere Kaam Ki Nahin’, among others.

The programme began with a collective recitation of the Hanuman Chalisa, followed by Aarti and distribution of Prasad. On the occasion, the collective birthday celebration of 10 senior citizens born in the month of July was organised. Kanhaiyalal Khabani, Rambhau Shrikhandey, Kumar Sahu, Ram Borkar, Rameshchandra Batghare, Ramayan Mishra, Suresh Joshi, G.D. Singh, Pawan Kumar Jain and Sunil Kathale were felicitated and extended warm birthday greetings.

Senior citizens including R.S. Prasad, Dinesh Gupta, Dinesh Mishra, Sureshchandra Jain, Rajendra Varshney, Ramayan Mishra, Rameshchandra Batghare, Rajpal Singh Raghav, G.L. Agrawal, A. Jagyasi, R.S. Paliwal, Ram Borkar, Sunil Kathale, Rambhau Shrikhandey, Shankar Shende, Ramadhar Verma, M.L. Gopal, Surendra Rai, G.D. Singh, Devendra Chauhan, Satish Gupta, Santosh Shukla, Mahesh Ratnani and Kumar Sahu, among others, were present.

The programme was compered by Joseph, while Dinesh Gupta proposed the vote of thanks. A community meal was also organised for all senior citizens.

The memorable event strengthened the bonds of mutual affection, warmth and happiness among senior citizens while promoting a deeper cultural and musical connection. On the occasion, heartfelt tributes were also paid to legendary playback singer Padma Shri Mohammed Rafi and renowned Pandavani singer Padma Vibhushan Teejan Bai, remembering their invaluable contributions to Indian music and culture.