THE Indian Commemoration Trust (ICT), last Saturday, hosted a tribute to one of the greatest Indian playback singers, the late Mohammed Rafi, as part of its fund-raising activities for 2014.
Mohammed Rafi was an Indian recording artiste, who is considered by many to be one of the greats in the Hindi film industry. In his lifetime, he was awarded the National Film Award, Best National Singer Award and six Filmfare Awards. In 1967, he was honoured with the Padma Shri Award by the Government of India.

His singing career spanned about 35 years and he was noted for his ability to sing songs of different moods and varieties. They ranged from classical to patriotic, sad lamentations, highly romantic numbers, qawwalis toghazals and bhajans.
But he is best known for romantic and duet songs and, as a playback singer, his ability to mould his voice to the persona of the actor lip-synching the song.
Today East Indians account for a major part of the population and their arrival in Guyana has certainly not been forgotten but remains etched in the minds and hearts of many. It was perhaps against this very background that the Indian Commemoration Trust (ICT) Foundation, chaired by Dr. Yesu Persaud, was founded.
Commemorative site
In 1987, earnest efforts were engaged to bring into being, a Monument Garden as a commemorative site for the Indians who arrived in Guyana.
As part of its commemoration mandate, the ICT commenced intensified efforts in 2012 to revamp the Monument Garden location as part of preparatory work for the observance of the 175th anniversary of the arrival of East Indians in Guyana.
Mr. Pradeep Samtani, who also spoke on the occasion in Camp Street, Georgetown, said all the proceeds will go towards the maintenance and security of the gardens.
The event saw a huge crowd despite the threat of rain, as patrons came out prepared, with their umbrellas. The tribute took the form of song as well as dance and both the old and the young showcased their various talents with renditions from the great Rafi.
Samtani related, too, that the ICT has other events planned but they are now in the planning stages and will be made public as soon as the dates are available.
He confirmed, though, that there will be a Phagwah celebration.