Singer Shrikant Narayan in Limca Book of Records in Mohammed Rafi’s Honour ~ by : Niilesh A Raje

With a soul devoted to music and singing, when one is bestowed with a voice that resembles and reminiscences with an immortal singer like Mohammed Rafi, he needs to fulfill the memories with lilting tunes bringing the legendary singer to the fore. This exemplary person is none other than gifted singer Shrikant Narayan.

            On the occasion of Mohammed Rafi’s 88^th birth anniversary, Shrikant Narayan paid a rich tribute to the late iconic singer by performing 101 songs for non-stop 12 hours at Mumbai’s Rang Sharda auditorium. The event “Pukarta chala hoon main”, the first-ever of its kind was oragnised by Advocate Ashish Shelar, presented by Prasad Mahadkar of Jeevan Gani and managed by Rajesh Subramanian of Musicolor. Music arrangement was by Avinash Chandrachud and Chirag Panchal with the able support of female singers, Sarita Rajesh and Mona Kamat and 14 brilliant musicians giving a mellifluous support. Shrikant Narayan has recently been awarded National Record 2014 by Limca Book of Records for this melodious marathon feat. 

            The people who thronged around him in his college days for his singing talent asserted that he had the voice as melodious as that of the legend Late Mohammed Rafi. The style is still in vogue although now the singer has matured into creating his own persona in the field of music.

            Shrikant Narayan started more than 2 decades back and the first of his recordings won him a PLATINUM DISC for the Koli song ‘Dol Dotay Varyavar’. One can very well understand the dilemma that he must have gone through when he was adored as a singer who had the voice of Late Rafisaheb. This was a blessing in disguise so to say for the then young singer and he took upon himself to prove his merits. Studying all the songs in great depth, he was prepared for stage shows. At the same time he also appeared in LIVE stage performances under legendary music directors such as O. P. Nayyar, Ravi, Naushad, Khayyam and Laxmikant-Pyerelal duo.

            As a natural reward for his excellent musical presentations, Shrikant Narayan was awarded the coveted Government of Maharashtra award KALA BHUSHAN around a decade ago. He was the first South Indian to receive this award. He was also awarded the JAN PARISHAD AWARD from Madhya Pradesh…

            Music provides us pleasures that are soulful. Shrikant Narayan is one of those singers who has proved that only the dedication is supreme. As he rightly says, “Rafisaab ke jaisa gana mushkil nahi, namumkin hai…”

           

          A great future awaits Shrikant Narayan with more of his upcoming original albums. A musical treat to Thaneites is in the offing on the 21^st February 2014 at Dr.Kashinath Ghanekar Auditoirum, Thane, where Shrikant will perform immortal hits of Mohammed Rafi in WeCare’s upcoming event “Karishma of Kumars - Evergreen hits of Dilip Kumar and Rajendra Kumar”.  

Usha Uthup: The audience to me has changed only cosmetically but their love, care and profound respect towards me is the same as it was before

by : Niilesh A Raje 

In a freewheeling chat with Niilesh A Raje (Editor ; Nosstalgiaaa) Usha Uthup shares her experience and how proud she feels to be part of this vibrant Worli Festival who had been a resident of this Mumbai Suburb, Worli many years ago while she was staying with her parents. Her father was a Senior Police Officer in the Crime Branch.

Usha Uthup mesmerised the audience with her vocals which was set in the heart of Mumbai, the three day Worli Festival. It was indeed a promise of various cultural activities where music and dance enthusiasts got a chance to enjoy various cultural performances by artistes from various parts of the country. The festival took place in two different locations one being the Worli Sea Face promenade and other being RWITC at MahaLaxmi Race Course.

The sexagenarian a popular pop, jazz and playback singer Usha Uthup captivated hearts of the audience on Day One of the Worli Festival and took on the centre-stage with all toe tapping numbers Dum Maro Dum, Doston Se Pyar Kiya, Rambha Ho Ho and Hari Om Hari to name a few.

Excerpts from an interview:

Q: The first thing that registers in my mind when we remember Usha Ji is your signature style your love for Kanjeevaram sarees and coin sized bindis?

A : Yes, I love them. Well, I was born in a middle class Tamil Brahmin family of Vaidyanath Someshwar Sami that hailed from Chennai in Tamil Nadu. And, as we all know that Kanjeevaram sarees are traditionally made by weavers from Kanchipuram located in state where we hailed from. Might be that regional influence as well.

Q: We recall the era where we enjoyed then and even today all your toe tapping numbers Dum Maro Dum, Doston Se Pyar Kiya, Rambha Ho Ho and Hari Om Hari. What has been your experience and pulse with your audience from back and then?

A: [smiles] The audience to me has changed only cosmetically but their love, care and profound respect towards me is the same as it was before. The auditoriums where I had performed would have got new look in terms of new chairs, lights or ambience but all these has not changed my audience at all. The way they respond even today during my live performance is just the same which warms up my heart. It’s only because of their love, blessings and continued support I am still performing for past four decades.      

Q: My observation being there is always a line sung in English in between your Hindi songs. Say for example in Hari Om Hari (Once in every lifetime comes a song like this, I need you you need me, oh my      friends now can’t you see) or Rambho Ho Ho (Living we are living,Dancing ya ya dancing).

A: It’s all about communication and the ability to understand and be understood. Communicating in English to me even then (Early 70’s) came in very naturally and I am thankful to all the individuals with whom I worked who gave me this opportunity for exploring something different. 

Niilesh A Raje (Editor ; Nosstalgiaaa) with Usha Uthup 

Q: What has been your experience working with music director R D Burman who was always known to experiment something new each time?

A: My experience with Rahul Dev Burman was indeed good. He had an open mind and was ready to accept suggestions that came his way. He revolutionized Hindi film music then in 1970’s with special emphasis on rhythm and western beats that people could connect from across the globe.

Q: Today's generation of songs may bore listeners after a week of their production whereas some have been soothing the ears of people for several decades.

A: I think we should give them all some more time. I am positive they all would be music to one’s ears down the line.

How true, she truly lives up to her signature - "I believe in Music". Here’s wishing the Padma Shri award winner with her gifted, velvet, smooth voice Usha Uthup Ji All the Best on her roads to achievements.