post news network
Bhubaneswar, July 31: ‘Woh jab yaad aaye, bahot yaad aaye,/ gam-e-zindgi ke andhere mein humne,/ chiraag-e-mohabbat jalaaye, bujhaaye …’ The duet Mohammad Rafi had sung with Lata Mangeshkar in the film ‘Parasmani’ was the first to be presented at a musical evening dedicated to the legendary singer Sunday. Manoj Das and Chanda Mishra presented the song based on the lyrics of Asad Bhopali and music by Laxmikant Pyarelal before a packed Soochana Bhawan.
The event was organised by Geet Tarang as a tribute to the singer on his 36th death anniversary. Tipu and Nazia Alam were among the 15 singers who presented songs, including popular numbers of Rafi such as ‘Phir Miloge’ (‘Yeh Raat Phir Na Ayegi’), ‘Aa Ja Re Aa Ja Re’ (‘Love in Tokyo’), and Tumhari Nazar (‘Do Kaliyan’) at the event. Nazia and Manoj presented ‘Dil Pukare Aare Aare’ from the film ‘Jewel Thief’, which was specially appreciated by the audience.
Manoj later expressed his admiration for Rafi’s songs. “Although we sing his songs, we are unable to re-create the emotion and feelings he used to bring to his songs. He was a singer who lifted film music to very high standards,” Manoj said.
Geet Tarang also celebrated the birth centenary of former chief minister Biju Patnaik by conferring the 10th Geet Tarang Biju Patnaik Samman-2016 to Kamala Kant Mohanty (researcher), Chanda Mishra (writer and singer) Sasmita Das (singer) and Prem Shankar Das (percussionist).