Renowned singer Sonu Nigam celebrated the centenary birth anniversary of legendary playback singer Mohammed Rafi with a grand tribute concert, Sau Saal Pehle, held on December 24 at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre Grand Theatre in Mumbai. The iconic evening saw Nigam perform 54 of Rafi’s timeless classics in a three-hour spectacle, accompanied by a 50-member symphony orchestra.
An Emotional Homage
Sonu Nigam, visibly moved by the occasion, expressed his gratitude and reverence for the late music maestro. “Rafi sahab is my musical father and guru. My papa introduced me to Rafi sahab’s music, and I grew up learning from him. Main aaj jo bhi hoon unki wajah se hoon. I could have never imagined that I would be paying tribute to a legend I idolized on his centenary birth anniversary. I cannot thank God enough,” said Nigam as he opened the evening with the poignant track Sau Saal Pehle.
A Star-Studded Event
The tribute concert was organized by NR Talent and Event Management and was graced by Rafi’s family, including his son Shahid Rafi and daughter-in-law Firdaus Rafi. During the event, Sonu Nigam shared a heartfelt moment on stage with Shahid Rafi, saying, “Shahid bhai ka Rafi sahab se rakht (blood) ka rishta hai, mera unse bhakt (devotee) ka rishta hai.”
Nigam performed an array of Rafi’s iconic songs, including Yeh Chand Sa Roshan Chehra, Maine Poocha Chand Se, Pukarta Chala Hoon Main, Kya Hua Tera Wada, Dard-e-Dil, O Haseena Zulfonwali, and Aaja Aaja Main Hoon Pyaar Tera. The audience, filling the theater to capacity, sang along and swayed to the tunes, making it a truly magical evening.
A Collaborative Effort
The event brought together the families of both Mohammed Rafi and legendary vocalist Padma Vibhushan Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan, another of Nigam’s mentors. Singer Rabbani Mustafa Khan, co-organizer of Sau Saal Pehle, said, “Sonu ji is my brother. This event was both a huge responsibility and an emotional journey for Namrata [Gupta Khan] and me. Seeing the audience smile and sway along made all our efforts worthwhile.”
Namrata Gupta Khan added, “Celebrating Rafi sahab’s 100th birth anniversary with Sonu ji’s magic was a dream. We knew it would be a one-of-a-kind endeavour because nobody could do justice to Rafi sahab’s music like Sonu ji. Watching him perform nonstop for three hours was a moment we will cherish forever.”
A Special Tribute
To commemorate the occasion, Rabbani and Namrata presented Nigam with a beautifully crafted bust of Mohammed Rafi. The concert concluded on an emotional high as the audience joined Nigam in singing Sau Saal Pehle, followed by a heartfelt rendition of Happy Birthday for Rafi sahab.
A Night to Remember
Sonu Nigam’s first-ever Mohammed Rafi tribute show in India was a fitting homage to one of India’s greatest musical legends. Through this extraordinary concert, Nigam reaffirmed his deep connection to Rafi’s legacy, leaving audiences with memories of a night filled with music, emotion, and gratitude.
Sources By Agencies
