On December 24, 2024, India celebrated the 100th birth anniversary of the legendary playback singer Mohammed Rafi with an unforgettable musical event. Renowned vocalist Padma Shri Sonu Nigam paid a soulful homage to his idol at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) with a grand concert titled Sau Saal Pehle. Organized by NR Talent and Event Management, this event marked Sonu Nigam’s first full-scale tribute show in India dedicated to Mohammed Rafi.
The concert featured an extraordinary lineup of nearly 50 iconic songs from Rafi’s treasure trove, performed alongside a magnificent 50-member live orchestra. The event saw a packed house at the NMACC Grand Theatre, with Rafi’s family members, including his son Shahid Rafi and daughter-in-law Firdaus Rafi, in attendance.
Sonu Nigam began the evening with a backstage pooja and opened his performance with a heartfelt ‘naman’ to Mohammed Rafi. He captivated the audience with mesmerizing renditions of songs like Tu Kahin Aas Paas Hai Dost, Mera Toh Jo Bhi Kadam, and Dil Ka Soona Saaz.
The energy in the theatre reached its peak as Sonu Nigam continued with timeless hits, including Yeh Chand Sa Roshan Chehra, Maine Poocha Chand Se, Baharon Phool Barsao, Pukarta Chala Hoon Main, Kya Hua Tera Wada, and many others. The audience, filled with music lovers, cheered with shouts of “We love you, Sonu Nigam!”
A touching moment unfolded when Sonu’s father, Agam Kumar Nigam, joined him on stage to honour the legendary Rafi. Reflecting on Rafi’s influence, an emotional Sonu Nigam said, “Rafi Sahab is my musical mentor. My father introduced me to his songs, and his music has shaped my life. Whatever I am today is because of Rafi Sahab’s legacy.”
The evening became even more special when Rabbani Mustafa Khan and Namrata Gupta Khan, hosts of the event, presented Sonu Nigam with a beautifully crafted bust of Mohammed Rafi. Rabbani expressed his gratitude, saying, “Sonu ji is like family to us. Organizing Sau Saal Pehle was both a responsibility and an emotional journey. Watching Sonu ji celebrate Rafi Sahab with such passion was truly heartwarming.”
The concert concluded with Sonu Nigam’s powerful rendition of Sau Saal Pehle and a collective singing of Happy Birthday to Mohammed Rafi. The audience joined in, their voices filling the theatre in unison, celebrating the everlasting legacy of one of India’s most beloved singers.
