Sau Saal Pehle: Sonu Nigam’s Homage to Mohammed Rafi on His 100th Birth Anniversary

Deepak Dua

Christmas Eve 2024 marked a momentous occasion for India – the 100th birth anniversary of the legendary singer Mohammed Rafi. To commemorate this milestone, Padma Shri Sonu Nigam took to the stage at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) with a heartfelt tribute to his idol. The concert, titled Sau Saal Pehle, organised by NR Talent and Event Management, marked Sonu Nigam’s first-ever Mohammed Rafi tribute show in India, where he delivered an extraordinary lineup of nearly 50 evergreen classics from Rafi’s timeless repertoire, accompanied by a 50-member live orchestra.

The evening was graced by the presence of Mohammed Rafi’s family, including his son Shahid Rafi and daughter-in-law Firdaus Rafi. Rabbani Mustafa Khan and Namrata Gupta Khan, son and daughter-in-law of the late Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan, played the perfect hosts for this touching tribute.

Sonu Nigam opened the performance with beautiful renditions of Tu Kahin Aas Paas Hai Dost, Mera Toh Jo Bhi Kadam, and Dil Ka Soona Saaz.

He sang Yeh Chand Sa Roshan Chehra, Maine Poocha Chand Se, Baharon Phool Barsao, Pukarta Chala Hoon Main, Kya Hua Tera Wada, Pardesiyon Se Na Akhiyan Milana, Dard E Dil, O Haseena Zulfonwali, Aaja Aaja, and many more.

In a heartfelt moment, Sonu’s father, Agam Kumar Nigam, joined him on stage to honour the legendary singer as well. An emotional Sonu reflected on the impact of Rafi on his life, sharing, “Rafi Sahab is my musical father. It was my father who introduced me to Rafi Sahab’s music, and it was Rafi Sahab who made me who I am today… Rafi Sahab ki wajah se main hoon, mera wajood hai.”