Tribute to Rajinder Singh Bedi on his Birth Centenary by Om Music

By: Dolly Kaher

(Grand Daughter of Padma Shri Rajinder Singh Bedi)

 

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Since the beginning of 2015, it was my wish to do something to celebrate my grandfather, Padmashree Rajinder Singh Bedi’s birth centenary in Melbourne.  He was an Urdu writer of progressive writers’ movement, playwright, who later became a Hindi film director, screenwriter and dialogue writer.

 

I had approached a few people, but things did not materialise. The day I attended Mother’s Day program arranged by Om Music Group’s Amitabh Singh,it dawned on me that who other than Amitabh and his golden voice to sing  the songs from my grandfather’s movies? So I approached him and thus started our journey of creating the wonderful event that finally took place on the 11th September 2015 at Visy Cares Hub, Sunshine. It was a memorable occasion for all my family members, especially my mum, who will cherish it all her life.

 

Amitabh and his wife Priya were stars of the show. They sang the most nostalgic and beautiful numbers from the movies which my grandfather – Rajinder Singh Bedi (fondly called Bauji by family members) had produced, directed or had written dialogues / screenplay for.  The event was graced by the presence of Mrs Jaya Sharma – the voice of SBS Radio Hindi for 28 years – anchoring the program.  She was well versed with the facts about Bauji’s life and writings as she had hosted a program on SBS Radio on his 10th death anniversary in 1994.

 

Jaya’s husband, Mr Arun Sharma, Chairman of Celebrate India, rendered beautiful numbers that evening. He sang Yadilkisunoduniyawallofrom the award winning movie Aupama. Amitabh and Arun also sang Mai re mainkaisekahoon from Bauji’s most acclaimed and another award winning movie Dastak.  The performance was so flawless that it brought tears to my parents’ and all family member’s eyes.

 

The other singer who did equal justice to Bauji was Aditi Gunturu, a young classical singer, who sang Baiyannadharo from Dastak again.

Mandy Bansal, Kunal Mehta and Thilika  also sang beautifully, sending us down memory lane. Rohit Kumar (music and sound director) with Kunal Mehta did a sterling job on the keyboard. We were also honoured to have Dr Saratchandranji singing Chalrisajani  from Bombaika Babu.

 

Dr Nalin Sharda– president of NRISA – spoke about Bauji’s Sahitya Akademia ward winning novel – Ek Chadar Maili Si.  He gave a brief insight on the plight of a woman who is widowed at an early age in rural India.

 

We missed Mrs Neela Unadkat very much who is the part of the OM Music group as on the same day she became a grandmother – many congratulations to her!

 

We are very thankful to Mr Amitabh Singh and Priya Singh who entertain us every 2nd Friday of the month with a theme. This September was our day and what a perfect event he created for our family. We are truly blessed and thank Amitabh and Priya from Om Music Group.

 

As all good things have to come to an end, the evening too was concluded by Amitabh and his group singing Suhana safar aur yeh mausam  haseen from another award winning film Madhumati. Not only did he sing, but he had the audience involved in the singing too.

 

We wish Amitabh and Priya every success in their future endeavours and look forward to a Tribute to the living legend Sanjay Khan and the Style icon of Hindi cinema, Feroz Khan on Friday 9th October 2015 at VISY Cares Hub, Sunshine.

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