Ek Shaam Lata Ke Naam: A nostalgic trip down music lane
Sadiq Rehmani, Rucha Lange, Pushpa Jagdish and Riaz Shah sang memorable Lata songs
By Manju Mittal
”˜Lata – As we remember her’ was a splendid Saturday evening on 27th February 2016 at Castle Hill High School hall when it overflowed with Lata fans. Packed audience lapped up every song and wanted more even at 12 midnight. The evening was a befitting tribute to India’s legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar. Concert was a a nostalgic trip with stunning performances by Sydney’s most talented singers and musicians.
Lata Mangeshkar is a living legend of Bollywood playback singing. Lata, by calling her melody queen or malika-e-tarrannum we honour her, as she rules our hearts for more than five decades. Lata is a name which whenever we a;; mention in our talks, makes us think and feel music, rather we sing as we think of this beautiful singer. Lata’s voice creates a magical atmosphere as every listener all over the world identifies with Lata and her contribution to Indian music. Lata, Tumhari awaz hi pehchaan hai”¦
Avijit Sarkar is our local talented singer, apart from being a noted singer musician and director of Natraj Academy he is a painter, writer, poet, actor and editor of e-magazine ”˜The Mind Creative’. Avijit not only sings but tells interesting anecdotes as he closely associated with film industry’s musicians and singers. On this night Avijit warmed up the audience with many interesting stories and episodes of his times back home with the great singer.
Avijit Sarkar (4th from left) with his team of singers and musicians
On the night Avijit welcomed artists of the evening and introduced each and every singer and their special talent.
Voice of India Monika Geetmala’s broadcaster Shailja Chandra talked about Lata’s singing as she said, “I am united with you all in our love and dedication for Lata Mangeshkar. Lata for me is not a person or a name she is an epic and a living legend who is synonym of music & melody.”
The concert commenced with a devotional song “Allah tero naam” by the talented and well known Pushpa Jagdish, who is described as the Lata of Australia. Pushpa grew up in an environment soaked with music. Pushpa Jagdish was top rated artists for All India Radio and Doordarshan for 12 years before she moved to Sydney and has performed in many concerts here. Pushpa, on this wonderful musical night, included hit songs of Lata such as “Yeh sham ki tanhaayiyaan” and “Udte pavan ke sang chalungi”, “Kahin deep jale kahin dil”, “Inhi logo ne le lina dupatta mera”. Listening to her soothing voice was a sheer delight.
Rucha Lange another wonderful singer who indeed has some resemblance in voice to mystical Lata, captured the audience’ attention with beautiful classical number “Ja main tose nahin bolu kanhaiya”, what a high pitch that was. Her performance not only took Lata lovers of pure classical music down the memory lane but also she left audience asking for more. She sang few other memorable numbers of Lata “Aaja re perdesi”. “Wo bhuli daastaan”, “Honto pe aisi Baat”, Chhod de saari duniya kisi ke liye”, “Yeh Zindgi usi ki hai”, “E malik tere bande hum” and many more delightful numbers.
While the audience had anticipated singing talents, the magic of live Jazba band was just brilliant. The passionate duets of the evening followed by Pushpa Jagdish and Riaz Shah “Chali chali re patang” and “Jo vaada kiya wo nibhana padega”, Sydney’s popular singer Riaz Shah is known as Sydney’s voice of Rafi. His solo song “Ehsaan tera hoga” from movie ”˜Junglee’ was amazing as he performed few Rafi songs and treated us with is his brilliant impressions of Shammi Kapoor.
It is not possible to enumerate all Lata songs from the golden era but I enjoyed the duets “Is mod se jaate hai” and “Bhool gaya sab kuch” by Sadiq Rehmani and Rucha Lange. Sadiq Rehmani touched a chord with his melodious renditions. He has been conjuring up magic with his songs and acoustic guitar enthralling the audience. Old songs have deep seated emotions and memories that take us right back to our school days.
Avijit Sarkar started off to a thundering applause with the soft romantic Lata’s popular song “Bahon mein chale aao” from movie ”˜Anamika’. Another enjoyable song of the evening was duet by Avijit and Pushpa “Masti bhara hai sama” the audience sang along as the performers engaged the audience in the song. Watching Avijit play instruments especially Dholak with ease as well as sing on stage was undeniably surreal.
Another highlight of the show was medley by all four singers. Rucha Lange continued the mood with song from movie ”˜Bombay’ with Kaavya Jaishankar on chorus “Jiya jale jaan jale” it was capably rendered. The voice of Pushpa and Rucha did fitting justice to the songs of Lata Mangeshkar.
This has been the most delightful evening I have had in years as I sat mesmerised by the singers who took us to another world. SNSR Mahedi Sajwani and Abdul Sajwani presented the event which was hosted by Avijit Sarkar.
Avijit Sarkar and his Jazba team presented ”˜Ek Sham Lata Ke Naam’ and thus gave Sydney a fantastic unforgettable evening.
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