Sanjeev Rambhadran's first claim to fame was when he became the winner of the famous Saregama competition on Zee TV in the mid-90s. The program then was hosted by a young Sonu Nigam and the judge for the finals was none other than the doyen of Hindi film music- Anil Biswas.
Born and brought up in the US, Sanjee is now an acclaimed and much sought-after singer in the US program circuit. He is also a multi-instrumentalist. In this special series to commemorate Mohammed Rafi's 40th death anniversary, Sanjeev brings out various facets of Rafi's gaayaki through his songs with 40 different music directors. He also brilliantly pens his thoughts on these musical gems. Here is the fourth one from the series.Over to Sanjeev Rambhadran for a musical treat!
DAY 4: Madan Mohan's collaboration with Mohd. Rafi yielded some of the finest creations (both musically and lyrically) in this singer’s repertoire, but only came into full bloom in the 1960s.
The films Haqeeqat, Jahan Ara, and Gazal were all released in the mid-60s, putting listeners in a real fix to choose favorites between Mohd. Rafi’s various gems. After some indecision, I opted for a melody released in the same time frame, but from a different (and far less-known) soundtrack. Here too, I was torn between this song and the Des-based “Shamma Men Taaqat Kahaan”, but on this particular day this song proved just a smidge dearer to the heart. It is but one of the many instances of Mohd. Rafi showing, in quick succession, both the finessed light touch and the ebullient, emphatic, zestful expression extolling the many facets of the beloved’s beauty (captured so beautifully in writing by lyricist Hasrat Jaipuri).
Kesariya Balam
