'Abhi Na Jao Chodkar': Biggest names in music unite for Mohammed Rafi tribute

New Delhi: Celebrated music personalities, including Amjad Ali Khan, Shubha Mudgal and Shankar Mahadevan from across the classical and pop traditions, have joined hands to celebrate the musical legacy of the great Mohammed Rafi with a performance on his timeless song Abhi Na Jao Chodkar.

Rafi, one of the greatest playback singers who lent his voice to several melodies in Indian films, would have turned 100 on December 24.

The pre-recorded stage performance on Abhi Na Jao Chodkar is produced by pianist Sourendro Mullick and vocalist Soumyojit Das, who also make an appearance in the 5.44-minute video shared on their official YouTube page on Tuesday.

"Presenting our first song from the World Music Day 24 Concert, 'Abhi Na Jao Chodkar', originally sung by the evergreen Md. Rafi. His music lives in our hearts and here is a tribute to him from us," Sourendro-Soumyojit said.

"Celebrating 100 years of Rafi Sahab," read the closing credits.

Other artistes who were part of the performance were Rekha Bhardwaj, Vishal Bhardwaj, and Lesle Lewis, Papon, Shweta Mohan, Usha Uthup, Mame Khan, Ornob, Lopamudra Mitra, Aninda Chatterjee, and Aruna Sairam.

Till around 11.30, the video garnered over 19,000 views on YouTube and more than 1,800 likes.

Several fans commented on the clip thanking the producers, who have around 2.8 lakh subscribers on YouTube, for their initiative.

"Love this arrangement..... Got very emotional and also goosebumps ahead...... Thank you so much sir for this beautiful rendition," said a fan.

"Love from Nepal..... Happy birthday Mohammad Rafi saheb." Another observed that the video felt like a tribute to many industry stalwarts who passed away this year, including tabla maestro Zakir Hussain.

A fan said he missed the voice of Ustad Rashid Khan, who died in January after a prolonged battle with cancer at the age of 55. Khan previously collaborated with Sourendro-Soumyojit on a rendition of the song "Mere Naina Sawan Bhadon" in 2022.

"The entire production is musically enriching. Absolute Masterpiece. quite literally," wrote another.

Sourendro-Soumyojit also have social media presence on Instagram and Facebook with 55 lakh followers and 2.4 lakh followers, respectively.

Picturised on Dev Anand and Sadhana, Abhi Na Jao Chodkar originally featured in the 1961 film "Hum Dono". Penned by Sahir Ludhianvi and composed by Jaidev, this song is a duet sung by Rafi and Asha Bhosle.