Also, a great read, Mohanflora-ji thanks.

Although I don’t agree/support transforming Rafi Sahaab’s song, using elements of jazz, Afro and Indo motifs /rhythms etc. Guess, it’s personal choice.

ALL IN WAN’ for Independence 2006
By Neil Marks
“IN A riot of Guyana colours, the people had formed the biggest assembly in the history of the country to welcome the birth of their nationhood.”

This quote, extracted from the Guiana Graphic of May 26, 1966, describes the exuberance of national pride that flowed from Mount Ayangana in the Pakaraimas to Manchester on the Corentyne.

The occasion? For the first time, this country was proudly flying its own national flag, the Golden Arrowhead, in more than 150 villages and towns. Guyana was independent, free from colonial rule.

Can the celebration be relived? Importantly, how did the Guyanese people fare in the 40 years that followed?

On May 26, 2006, a list of eminent Guyanese in the field of drama, music, dance, and other creative arts would attempt to celebrate the resilience of the Guyanese people during the past 40 years. It’s a milestone that is not being passed lightly.

Imagine Dave Martins, Keith Waithe, Terry Gajraj, Ron Robinson, Gem Madhoo Nascimento, top Indian, African and Amerindian dancers, masquerade band, African drums and a bamboo set by Henry Muttoo – All in Wan!

The masterminds are the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T), in association with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.
The `All In Wan’ organisers invited Keith Waithe to make a contribution to the event after the success of his programme last June during the Walter Rodney Celebrations of bringing together Afro and Indo musicians and three members of his band, the Macusi Players, in Guyana. It was a unique and special happening.

For `All in Wan’, he tells the Sunday Chronicle, he has rearranged the “Guyanese” piece `Suhani Raat’ in a contemporary music style. In fact `Suhani Raat’ (Pleasant Night), the tune originally song by legendary Indian playback singer Mohamed Rafi for the movie `Dulaari’, is a household name. From 1953 to today, Ayube Hamid still plays it on local radio as his opening on Indian Memory Album.

Keith Waithe says he has transformed the song, using elements of jazz, Afro and Indo motifs /rhythms, his vocal gymnastic techniques, including playing the beautiful melody of his flute.
The piece will be developed with the help of the Cove John Ashram, the Conga Naya drummers, and George Reid on bass.

During the finale, he will play several pieces alongside a masquerade band.

WE ALL ARE BLESSED THAT WE ARE INDIANS , WE ALL HAD AND HAVE AND WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE PRIVILEDGE TO LISTEN,TALK AND DEBATE ON RAFI SAHAB’S MUSICAL JOURNEY.

THE ABOVE ARTCILE IS BEAUTIFUL BUT JUST A SMALL TRAILOR OF THE GREAT NOSTALGIC SINGER RAFI SAHAB.

Regards

SAGAR

Another True fact: Shaan and Abhijeet’s voices are much better than than sonu’s and there
is no similarity between the voice and singing style of Udit with Rafi’s.
That is also true and this is also true.

Thanks for the post

However, a small factual correction in the Para under Lata Mangeshkar: ‘Hum Bekhudi me tum’ was from Kala Paani and not from Teen Devian.