Mohd Rafi

Circa 1959 I guess… Kala Bazaar .. Madras.. a rainy evening.. slick pavement.. as we got out of the theatre into semi darkness I slipped on the road and a lot of people had a great laugh… but all I could remember was… Khoya Khoya Chaand. I even forgot to cry after falling.

The hero fascinated me. But his voice fascinated me even more. Little did I know that it was the voice of a person I was going to worship over the years. Little did I know that the hero actually never sang.  My grandmother kept making fun of me as I tried singing the same song after we got home. I never got it right. I realized many many years later that I could never ever get it right. It was no use trying to be so perfect. Only God can be so perfect. Read the rest of this entry »

Mohd Rafi and Kishore Kumar

During my life times, I have had the great pleasure of interacting with innumerable music fans – lovers of retro music – but today, I wish to bring forth and highlight a peculiar kind – un-matchable in its unique negativity. Bhakton, I wish to appear to have started off on a controversial note by saying Rafi Sahab – So What? – I wish to put down a few lines in support of the innumerable music fans of the legendary singer Kishore Kumar.

It may really sound as though I am here to sing pains on KK but all that I wish to do is to highlight the innermost feelings of a Kishore Kumar Fan who has it in abundance all against Rafi sahab. And he exults often – Rafi Sahab – So What??? Read the rest of this entry »

Mohd Rafi

Mohammad Rafi virtually ruled bollywood music during the 50s and 60s. Therefore his contribution was unique in the career of all the leading stars of the golden age including Dilip Kumar, Rajender Kumar, Shammi Kapoor, Pradeep Kumar, Bharat Bhushan, Guru Dutt, Pradip Kumar, Joy Mukherjee, Biswajeet, Dharmender, Jeetender and others.

But in the 70s, Rafi did not get the same amount of songs from the upcoming composers if compared with his domination in the 60s. He made his existence felt in style with romantic combination in the films of Rishi Kapoor. Two factors went in his favour. Firstly Rishi Kapoor was the leading romantic actor of that age who balanced the action films of Big B, Vinod Khanna, Shatrughun Sinha and others with his romantic films. At the other hand Laxmikant Pyarellal, the composer who was loyal to Rafi till the last day of his life was the main contributor in Rishi Kapoor’s films. Read the rest of this entry »

Mohd Rafi

Khayyam is a fine music director who created his own niche in HFM. But, he had to be among those highly talented, but not-so-fortunate, music directors. The main reason is, of course, lack of big banner films in his fold!

Khayyam actually started music direction in late forties under the name of “Sharma Ji”. Probably, only after mid-fifties did he revert back to his own original name.

Once in 1961, after Shola Aur Shabnam, Khayyam was seriously contemplating a total change in his style of music hoping that it would lead to greater success. But, in Khayyam’s own words on Vividhbharati, he was once passing by S.D.Burman who then advised him not to change his own natural style at any cost! Read the rest of this entry »

Rafi Sahab

On the 12^th of February, the Times of India carried a front page article on the news of Mohd Rafi Saab’s mazaar having been demolished to accomodate more bodies for burial. In this process many luminaries’ tombs also have been razed. This includes Sahir, Jan Nisar Akhtar, Naushad Saab and Madhubala, amongst others. Islamic law- the shariyat says it does not approve of tombs to be made for the dead. How come we still sing praises of the Taj, Humayun’s tomb, Bibi ka Makbara and so many other monuments and show them off to the whole world? Read the rest of this entry »

Mohd Rafi

For the past several years now, I have had a very close interaction with many Rafi Bhakts, from across the globe.  Fans of Rafi Sahab,  like that of any other legend, come from all walks of life.  They have very varied lifestyles and come from different cultural backgrounds.  Yet they have many commonalities in them.  I have found some very dedicated Rafi Bhakts, who indulge in a wide spectrum of activities that spread the works of Rafi Sahab. All of them do it selflessly and purely out of their own personal passion for Rafi Sahab and his songs.  Most of them work ceaselessly, devoting a lot of time and money on their activities – unmindful of any rewards. Their only reward is their personal satisfaction of doing what they like most – spreading the fragrance of Rafi Sahab.  There are several communities of Rafi Sahab on social networking sites on the internet. Several groups exist in almost all the major cities. These groups conduct musical shows, musical sessions, get togethers, mehfils and so much more. They inter-act and discuss the movies for which Rafi Sahab has given his impeccable renditions and relive the magic of these immortal songs. Read the rest of this entry »

Mohd Rafi

Roshan Lal Nagrath, better known as Roshan was born in Gujranwala on 14^th July, 1917. His lessons from Ustad Allauddin and Sarangi King Bundu Khan transformed himself into regular composer of All India Radio in the 40s.

He started his career as composer in bollywood films with the film Neki Aur Badi in 1949. In the early 50s Mukesh and Talat Mehmood featured in most of the films of Roshan. Some of the hit songs included “khayalon me”, “sun bairi balam” from Bawre Nain, “tare toote duniya dekhe” from Malhar. Although he had success in the films Shisham, Anhonee, Malhar, etc., his immense talent did not get recognition until he used the man with the golden voice Mohammad Rafi. Read the rest of this entry »

Mohd Rafi

Mubarak Begum was a singer known only for her peculiar, nasal voice. Her vocal range and singing prowess had many limitations, of course. In my humble view, as a singer, she could attain only limited success that was just proportionate to her abilities!! However, in one interview of hers, she seemed to blame Suraiya for blocking her progress! Well, that is a different story for a different time!!

With Rafi Saab, she had the opportunity of singing about 10 duets, of which the only one that became very popular is from Film: Hamraahi (1963), composed by Shankar Jaikishan. The song is: “Mujhko Apne Gale Lagaa Lo, Ae Mere Hamraahi”. Read the rest of this entry »

Mohd Rafi

Can one describe God? In 1,000 words? Even in 10,000 words? It is impossible to capture the magic and genius of Mohammed Rafi, the singing God, whose voice you can go on listening to forever.

He lifted mediocre into sparkling gem. His usual was better than the best around him. The kind of range and brilliance he had is unparalleled. From low-pitched whispering songs like Tum se ek baar to high-pitched ones like the O duniya ke rakhwale climax, Rafi sang with ease. Another song which comes to mind is the thought-provoking number in Pyaasa. The song __ Yeh mehlon, yeh takhton __ Rafi begins the song as a murmur, gradually his voice rises and in the end, he gives full rein to his vocal prowess when he exposes the hypocrisy of the society __ his voice soars saying Jalado jalado ise phoonk dalo yeh duniya. Is it possible to imagine anyone else singing this song bringing out all the frustration, bitterness and helpless anger? Read the rest of this entry »