Bokaro: In a heartfelt tribute to iconic actor, filmmaker, and writer Manoj Kumar, artists from across Bokaro came together on Tuesday evening for a soulful musical gathering celebrating his remarkable contributions to Indian cinema. The event, organized by the Swaragini Musical Group at Sector 12, drew an emotional crowd united in admiration for the late cinematic legend.
The evening commenced with the ceremonial garlanding of Manoj Kumar’s portrait, accompanied by floral tributes from prominent members of the city’s artistic and cultural community. Among those present were Dr. Rakesh Ranjan, veteran tabla maestro and secretary of the Indian Music Academy; acclaimed singer and educationist R. E. Singh; cultural secretary of the Mithila Sanskritik Parishad Arun Pathak; senior theatre artist Shambhu Jha; music enthusiast and educator Neeraj Singh; programme coordinator Raman Choudhary; and music connoisseur Ragini Sinha Ambasht.
Reflecting on the legacy of Manoj Kumar, the speakers hailed his unparalleled ability to weave patriotism and social consciousness into mainstream cinema. “He was not just a cinematic icon, but a voice of the nation’s soul,” remarked one of the attendees. They remembered him as a man of integrity whose artistic vision left an indelible mark on Indian film history.
The highlight of the evening was a series of live performances featuring timeless melodies from Manoj Kumar’s classic films. Each rendition evoked powerful emotions, transporting the audience back to a golden era of cinema and rekindling memories of Kumar’s unforgettable screen presence and storytelling brilliance.
The tribute served as a poignant reminder of the lasting impact of Manoj Kumar’s work, affirming his place as a revered figure whose art continues to inspire generations.
During the musical evening, artists paid a heartfelt tribute to Manoj Kumar ji by performing some of the most iconic songs from his films.
Arun Pathak captivated the audience with his soulful renditions of timeless melodies such as ‘Koi jab tumhara hriday tod de…’, ‘Main to ek khwaab hoon is khwaab se tu pyaar na kar…’, ‘Bas yahi aparadh main har baar karta hoon, aadmi hoon aadmi se pyaar karta hoon…’, ‘Kasmein waade pyaar wafaa sab baatein hain baaton ka kya…’, ‘Raha gardishon mein hardam mere ishq ka sitaara…’, ‘Hai preet jahan ki reet sada, main geet wahan ke gaata hoon…’, and ‘Chaand si mehbooba ho meri kab aisa maine socha tha…’ His melodious performance left the audience spellbound.
Raman Chaudhary also paid tribute with his heartfelt presentations of ‘Door rehkar na karo baat…’, ‘Teri yaad dil se bhulane chala hoon…’, and ‘Teri jawani tapta mahina…’
Ram Iqbal Singh followed with emotional renditions of ‘Gore gore chaand se mukh par…’, ‘Diwanon se ye mat poocho…’, and ‘Tum bin jeevan kaise beeta…’, further enriching the tribute with musical nostalgia.
