To mark music director Madan Mohan’s birth centenary on June 25, Mumbai hosted some well-attended tribute concerts. Between June 22 and 29, two were held at the Dinanath Mangeshkar Hall in Vile Parle East, and one each at Rangsharda, Bandra, and Shanmukhananda, Sion. This writer attended the show at Dinanath Hall on the actual birthday, featuring singers Javed Ali, Sanjeevani Bhelande, Samir Date, Sarrika Singh, Rajashree Bag and Ananya Wadkar, daughter of Suresh Wadkar.
The orchestra was conducted by Yogesh Pradhan and the show was compered by RJ Gaurav. Naturally, the set list had a fair share of Lata Mangeshkar classics. After all, the combination of Madan Mohan and Mangeshkar was legendary, with many film music buffs rating it the best composer-singer partnership.
Quite a few songs written by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan were also performed, including Lag Ja Gale from Woh Kaun Thi, Aapki Nazron Ne Samjha from Anpadh, and Tu Jahaan Jahaan Chalega and Naino Mein Badra Chhaye from Mera Saaya. Javed Ali also did an improvised version Agar Mujhse Mohabbat Hai, from Aap Ki Parchhaiyan. Though Madan Mohan composed some iconic songs written by Rajendra Krishan, Kaifi Azmi and Majrooh Sultanpuri, among others, his work with Raja Mehdi Ali Khan was special.
Sadly, Khan died in 1966 at the age of 50, leaving behind many memories. That brings us to the main purpose of this column – to look back at the fantastic work done by the team of Madan Mohan, Mangeshkar and Khan. Besides the songs m.