Sri Vijaya Puram, July 29: As the music world remembers Mohammed Rafi ahead of his 46th death anniversary on July 31 and prepares to celebrate Kishore Kumar’s 97th birth anniversary on August 4, “The Harmony,” a unit of Jhumurr Socio-Cultural Society, will present a special Facebook Live musical programme, “Salamat Rahe Dostana Humara,” today (July 30) from 7 p.m. onwards in association with Hotel Driftwood & Resorts, Sri Vijaya Puram. Under the concept of Ashees Poddar, Creative Director & Programme Designer, the programme will feature leading singers of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands presenting memorable duets of the two legendary artistes while remembering and celebrating the friendship, mutual admiration and respect they shared.
For decades, music lovers have debated ‘Rafi or Kishore?’ While professional competition certainly existed—Rafi dominating much of the 1950s and 1960s and Kishore reigning through much of the 1970s—the personal rivalry often associated with them was largely a creation of public perception and media speculation.
Accounts from those closest to the two legends tell a different story. Rafi’s son Shahid Rafi has often recalled that his father enjoyed recording with Kishore because of his lively humour and deeply valued their friendship. Amit Kumar has similarly remembered the two as friendly colleagues who respected each other immensely, despite being professional competitors.
Their mutual regard was reflected in their work as well. Rafi sang playback for Kishore Kumar the actor, while Kishore reportedly recommended Rafi for songs he felt suited Rafi’s voice better. Their memorable collaborations, including Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Hum Premi Prem Karna Jaane, Mere Dildar Ka Bakpan, Ye Duniya Ke Badalte Rishte, Tumko Kush Dekhkar, Sa Re Ga Ma and above all ‘Bane Chahe Dushman,’ continue to stand as enduring reminders that friendship always rose above competition.
Featuring some of the most prominent and popular Island exponents of Rafi and Kishore genres, including Shri/s Abdul Rasheed, Abdul Nisar, Aboo, Mohd. Nisar, Hassan Shah, Raaj, Shailender Singh, Aktar Hussain, Junaid Ali and Asheesh Poddar, among others, today’s programme will pay tribute to this unique musical legacy. Music lovers can watch the programme live on Facebook from 7 p.m.
Perhaps no words capture the relationship between the two legends more beautifully than the immortal line they once sang together: “Bane Chahe Dushman Zamana Hamara, Salamat Rahe Dostana Hamara.”