Appeal for Bharat Ratna to Rafi
This appeal is written by Mr.Raju Korti, Mumbai.
This appeal is a chorus for The Voice of the sub continent, the singer of the millennium. A fervent, passionate appeal to correct what all his legion of admirers and devotees righteously feel is a historic wrong.
The mortal remains of, what the world undisputably acknowledges, of the legendary Mohammad Rafi may have bereaved us 27 years ago, but his ageless voice continues to throb and pulsate in our hearts even today.
But have we been fair to the genial giant whose voice soothes many a body and soul day unfailingly every day? The answer, unfortunately is a ‘no’. He swamped our lives for four decades, made his peerless voice an integral part of our psyche, rose above all petty human barriers and set a glorious example of impeccable dignity and honour in a strife-torn world. Rafisaab, as the world knew him, was an epitome of excellence and paragon of virtues in an industry notorious for its crass commercial values.
We as the people and government, have done precious little to perpetuate his memory. If this jewel lives on, it is because of his uniquely mind-boggling, 24-carat achievements that spanned an entire eon and swept generations. It must be the only instance of its kind where one personality has dominated the profession so comprehensively — four decades in a life that was cruelly cut short at just 56.
Mohammad Rafi is a jewel in India’s crown. His devotees have conferred their own Bharat Ratna on him. Still, it would be doing yeoman’s service to this shining light if the government gets its act together and confers this highest civilian award on him, although late in the day. Indeed, the title Bharat Ratna would feel honoured to be bestowed on this truly great son of the soil.
Unarguably among the greatest Indians born, Mohammad Rafi was the true ambassador of this country – an iconic symbol who persona and career can be succinctly euologised as cultural heritage. There is not a lexicon made that can encompass his astonishing feats. The respect, love and adoration the country has for him is phenomenal by all standards even today where tomorrow becomes yesterday in no time. He was past-perfect, and will remain future-perfect because time has very rarely shown the courtesy to stand still for mortals whose reputation also comes with a short shelf life.
It is hardly necessary to list the legendary exploits of this Great. To have provided unmatched brilliance to thousands of compositions, to have provided sparkle to the works of innumerable lyricists and composers is a feat unheard of in the annals of music. It could be only God’s own voice that could survive in a profession of cut-throats and with such a flourish. The sublime divinity in his voice tuned with his charitable disposition. To him, the song came first, rewards and remuneration later.
The eternal banyan tree of the film fraternity, this one-man music institution gave bread and butter to thousands of people. Today, twenty-seven years after his passing away, he is still a one-man ‘Gharana’.
It is a sad commentary that while we as people sing paens to him, we as government fail to recognize the greatness of this titan who was secularism personified. A formal Padma Shri and one busy throughfare in Mumbai’s suburban Bandra in his name is all that we have done for this wonderful singer who sang Bhajans with the same depth and gusto as the patriotic songs. When the country lapsed into its first worst riots in 1948 after Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination, Mohammed Rafi’s was the only sane voice that soothed our nerves with “Suno suno ae duniyawalon Bapu ki yeh amar kahani.” When the nation went through anxious times in the wake of Chinese aggression in 1962, his voice gave us the strength to guard our fronts with a soul-stirring “Kar chale hum fida jaan-o-tan saathiyon.” During the wars with Pakistan, his dimunitive presence and Pahadi voice fired the Indian soldiers, for whom he specially sang in war zones.
Mohammad Rafi deserves Bharat Ratna for more reasons than one. He was one simple soul who was above factional and religious politics. The government would be sending right signals to all right-thinking people of this country by conferring Bharat Ratna on Mohammad Rafi posthumously. The precedent to bestow this coveted award posthumously has already been set.
We earnestly feel that giving Mohammad Rafi this long-awaited due, will serve as a great binding force for the distanced Hindu-Muslims. For, here was a personality, who despite his lack of formal education, had the courage of conviction and the cultural resilience to bring these two religions together. The love for Rafisaab transcends religion, caste, creed, gender and nationalities.
We passionately appeal to the committee that names the civilian awards that he be honoured aptly with the Bharat Ratna – befitting of the 26 th January occasion. Rafisaab, as we all know, will never fade away from human memory. Such is his glittering career. An ideal citizen and an ideal professional, he was an embodiment of all virtues. He will remain a beacon light for not only music lovers, but also to all those who are blessed to be born in this country.
We at the Rafi Foundation feel it is a privilege to run this campaign for a path-breaker maverick who brings an unrequited joy to millions across the world. The humanity would be that much poorer not to acknowledge and appreciate his class act – stuff folklores are made of. For, honouring Mohammad Rafi is honouring humanity itself.
May we again ardently appeal to you to confer the country’s highest award on him and do justice that he so eminently deserves. While the Government of Maharashtra has agreed in principle for the same, it will be creditable if the government in Delhi announces his name at the earliest.
We hope this time round the government corrects this wrong true to the dictum “Der aaye, durust aaye.”
Long live Mohammad Rafi.
November 22nd, 2007 at 12:18 pm
a very well written article(although a bit tough for people like me, who doesn’t speak english well)
but sach puchho to is bharat ratna ki aukaat kya hai k wo Rafi sahab k naam k aage jud jaye?
are Rafi sahab wo cheez hain jinke liye hum sirf ye manke chalte hain k
Farishte bhi wahan raaton ko aakar ghumte honge
jahan rakhte ho tum paoon jagah wo chumte honge.
no human award can ever befit his stature, Tansen sharma gaya jab Rafi sahab gane lage….
dont get me wrong, i m not criticizing this effort par mera kahna hai k na bhi mile ye award to Rafi sahab kya niche gir jayenge? still best of luck in ur endeavour
regards to all
November 21st, 2007 at 11:15 pm
Well said Mr. Ashok Parekh. the Govt. has good chance to announce Bharat Ratna for Rafi Saheb on 24th Dec; and award the legend on 26th Jan. Hope the Govt. realize. rafi_magic@yahoo.com
November 21st, 2007 at 8:32 pm
Bharath Rathan for Rafi? No need he and Naushad were already International Rathans. What is that you folks are begging from the paupers who are so besotted with selfishness and calumny.
November 21st, 2007 at 9:03 am
I think every and each circle/group of rafi saab should come forward and join hand for this noble cause.
even there should be a demand for ‘dada sahab falke award’ for rafi saab which is still due.
the prestigiousness of such award will surely increase have it is given to the greatest singer ever.
November 20th, 2007 at 10:34 pm
Rajuji,
A great & written from bottom of heart article. We all agree with each and every word of it. As Ahmed Kutty saab said, 27 years is not a samll period. Its but natural that we in the group of our forties or fifties are well aware of greatest Rafisaab but with each passing day since he left all of us, innumerable new fans from upcoming generations also come to know this legendary man with his unparalled gift to the mankind he has left behind.
I distinctly remember having written years back on Yahoo forum for Rafisaab, “Meri Aawaz Suno” that the Government and Bharat Ratna Awards would be honoured more than the receipient Rafisaab if it is conferred to him posthumously.
With or without such Government sponsored award, he is remembered each day, each moment and living in the hearts of billions or trillions of fan followers whereas how many living or non-living Bharat Ratna awardees are even being remembered as recipient of this award?
It would be the Government’s good fortune to undo long outstanding injustice by announcing Bharat Ratna to Rafisaab on his birth anniversary on 24th December and awarded on 26th January.
November 20th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
Hi, I have gone thru each and every expression posted in this site on great legend Rafi Saab and thanks to all.
My strong feeling is that any media survey can get the 100% vote of choice favor to Rafi saab and he was the unanimous personality for the prestigious “Bharata Ratna” award.
Many people may have their own favorite singers but them too; all time special was the Rafi songs.
- I deeply regret for the late spotting him for this award, one has no more around us.
November 20th, 2007 at 5:17 pm
DEAR MR. RAJU KORTI
YOUR ONE LINE OF THE ARTICLE i.e. ” INDEED,THE TITLE BHARAT RATNA WOULD FEEL HONOURED TO BE BESTOWED ON THIS TRULY GREAT SON
( RAFI SAHAB) OF THE SOIL ” —- CONVEYED EVERYTHING AND PROVES WHY RAFI SAHAB ( WHO HIMSELF IS AN ANMOL RATAN ) DESERVES BHARAT
RATNA !
RAFI SAHAB IS THE EPITOME OF MUSIC !
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS EXCELLENT ARTICLE .
BEST REGARDS/A.T.M. SALIM.
November 19th, 2007 at 11:11 pm
It is almost three days since this write up was posted on this website, but unfortunately only 15 responses have come up so far. Rafians everywhere .. we have a mission on our hands. A mission which cannot falter. A mission which cannot be left stranded. Spread the word around for all our friends to visit this site, read this article and to post their comments. This is a only a prelude for bigger campaigns ahead and if we do not air our comments and pledge our support, we are only doing disservice to ourselves and to the ideals of Rafi Sahab whom we so ardently adore.
I also happened to visit the “newspaper articles” column today and bumped into an extraordinary article - Travels with Mohammad Rafi
An article on Rafisaab by Syed Badrul Ahsan as it appeared in NEW AGE, Dhaka (Bangladesh) - mohanflora -. Fantastic write up and great commentary by Syed Badrul Ahsan. Mr. Mohanflora deserves all praise for posting on the site. It is a must read for all rafians. I am writing this here as this page is the latest to be visited by most rafi fans.
Each one of us can tell our friends and relatives who are also great fans of Rafi Sahab about this article by Mr. Raju Korti and slowly the momentum will start building up. I would also request the likes of Mr. Raju Korti and Mr. Binu Nair to draft out a pledge to all rafians which I am sure each one of us will gladly take and act on the same.
November 19th, 2007 at 9:39 pm
Great effort done to give our rafi saab what rightfully belongs to him.Shame that till now we have not done anything worthwhile for this cause except showering praises on ordingary singers such as kk & asha and copycats like RD burman.
I feel sad to be in a world where merrit is overlooked and undeserving street singers such as kk are praised.
I want to know that I being in Ahmedabad can in what way help this pious cause.
Pl let me know
November 19th, 2007 at 9:37 am
My sincere thanks to all who have taken such efforts for our rafi saab.He deserves the award more than any singer .he was the best without any doubt.this can be known only by people who have some music sense in them.This award will mean a lot to us even though late.Better late than never.Rafi saab’s voice was god’s voice.I am just not able to imagine any other voice with such divine nature.
Salute to all involved in this holy campaign
November 18th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
Excellent effort by Mr.Raju Korti. To all Rafians “MOHD.RAFI SAAB IS DUNIYA KA RATNA”. To awaken the govt., we should also conduct a programme in Delhi wherein all the ministers and MPs (especially information & broadcasting minister, education minister, President and the Prime Minister) should be invited. It should be a 3 or at least 2 hour programme since all the oldies in the govt. will not have the stamina to sit for hours together. We should have a qualified comperer and only Rafi Saab’s record should be played. No Rafi clone should sing. It should start with a Bhajan and slowly one by one patriotic, romantic, pathos, qawalis, fun filled, soft, duets, etc. etc. etc.should follow and in the end one more patriotic to give a finishing touch. We should also have performers for all the above type of songs who will only act or perform when the record is played. The comperer should describe each and every song before playing it and how only Rafi Saab can do justice to such type of songs.
We must go to the extend of pressurising the information and broadcasting minister and the education minister to include a chapter in the history books of the school children pertaining to our Rafi Saab and the title being “MOHD.RAFI - THE GREATEST SINGER OF ALL TIMES”. Feedback can be taken from Mohd.Rafi Foundation. Lastly, the govt. should also apologise for not having conferred the title when the greatest son of India was active.
With deep feeling,
“RAFI SAAB U ARE IMMORTAL AND U ARE ALWAYS IN OUR HEARTS”
Ramaswamy.
November 18th, 2007 at 1:43 pm
I have just posted a message at www.eternalrafi.com in the Guestbook column as under :
” All Rafi Fans across the world are invited to also visit www.mohdrafi.com where a sustained campaign is being now launched for conferrment of the Bharat Ratna to Mohd. Rafi Sahab, the greatest singer of our times. Those interested may get in touch with Mr. Binu Nair, Mr. P. Narayanan or Mr. Raju Korti of the Rafi Foundation. You may post your comments or enquiries to the article by Mr. Raju Korti. As Rafi Sahab would have said — YEH WAQT SONE KA NAHI, YEH WAQT KHONE KA NAHI - let all the Rafi Fans throughout the world unite and take part in this holy campaign.”
Others too may spread the word round on that website too. Thanks.
November 18th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
Ref post 11 and I have just visited the site mentioned and the efforts made there are simply laudable indeed. Rafi Sahab deserves all that has been done at Birmingham. It is the global way of honouring Rafi Sahab there. However, we in India need to put our act together and do our mite too, and the present step initiated by the Rafi Foundation and Mr. Binu Nair, Mr. Raju Korti, Mr. P. Narayanan and many more is a step in the right direction. The Rafi Foundation may please mail to me the copy of the appeal letter that is being prepared by our new delhi colleagues and we will start our signature campaign here in hyderabad in right earnest. my addresses and email ids are available with mr. binu nair. asmurty2@rediffmail.com
November 17th, 2007 at 8:21 am
mr.raju korti is one of the greatest admirers of rafi saab. his family
consists of ‘many’ rafi lovers and i admire him.
the rafi foundation in many cities will spearhead the ‘bharat ratna’
award . Mr.Zorawar and Mr. vinod viplav based in new delhi will
send the appeal to the powers that be in delhi.
we the rafi lovers will individually - put our signatures on the appeal
and send by post to 50 top govt. officials in delhi.
The addresses will be given by me from mumbai. Please write
to me at : binus2000@hotmail.com and i will send a copy
of addresses to all rafi lovers.
Mr. narayan will co-ordinate the above and please get in touch
with us - to move forward on the issue.
binu nair… the rafi foundation/// mumbai & sargam music…
November 17th, 2007 at 7:26 am
Bharat Ratna is no award compared to the awards of love and reverence showered on Rafisaab millions of his fans!
For one such example, please read at:
http://www.ethnicnow.com/channels/arts-culture/press-release/5/1450/mohammed-rafi-sainthood-attempt.html
November 16th, 2007 at 8:28 pm
Bharat Ratna is so small for Mohd rafi boz Mohd rafi is world Ratna,when people like naushand said that mohd Rafi is 50% his music,O P Nayar said if there was no Mohd Rafi there was No OP Nayar and Madan Mohan said he should not be paid when mohd rafi sing for him,I think Indian should be proud that they have a singer like mohd Rafi.
if u ask Pakistani do u have a singer like Mohd rafi they will say yes he is Mohd Rafi If u ask Indian they will say they will say he is Mohd rafi.
jest listen to the song “Kashmir hai Bharat ki”in film Johar in Kashmir…
A GOD gift no need award from human……………
November 16th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
To embark on our Bharat Ratan to Rafi mission,
To highlight the reasons accurately mentioned in the appeal by Mr Raju Korti.
To build up the appeal in a sustained step by step manner.
To create mass awareness of the appeal campaign across the length and breadth of the country.
We need one important association……. support from the print media to market the appeal campaign.
The appeal must be promoted by a brilliantly packaged campaign. A catchy caption which should motivate and excite all segments of the society, including the decision makers and the parliamentarians.
maybe an advertising agency could give us some ideas and impetus.
In my opinion, The Times of India, which has the largest circulation in the world and is published pan nationally, from most of the metros and major cities should be contacted at the topmost level to take up this issue.
Some synergy / benefit should also be forthcoming for The Times, which will act as an incentive for them to take up the campaign aggressively. What this can be needs to be brainstormed amongst us.
November 16th, 2007 at 8:57 am
great article by ramakrishna ji about rafisaab also thanx to mr raju korti for this great article
November 15th, 2007 at 10:40 pm
Rafi Saheb 100% deserves to get Bharat Ratna, much much before others. He was so capable that there are no words to describe here. But, to me, even Bharat Ratna is a small award for Rafi Saheb. He should be awarded as Vishwa Ratna. rafimagic@gmail.com
November 15th, 2007 at 10:30 pm
RAFI SAHAB was –
1. simple
2. sober
3. unassuming
4. helping natured
5. extremely talented
6. voice quality of exceptional range
7. divine melody
8. swift modulation
9. away from any propaganda
his spiritual renderings have carved deep impressions in the minds of the elderly as well as the elevated personalities.
his emotional numbers are still taking the breath of the youth.
his romantic numbers are still haunting & getting repeated, repeated & repeated in every musical concerts, compititions even till today. this process will be going on repeating till the end of time.
his pathetic renderings are still bringing tears in the eyes of millions of listeners around the world.
his funny & childlike songs are a source of tickle to the kids.
his patriotic numbers have the maximum motivation to our jawans at the snow peaks. in addtion to it our first prime minister was a great fan of this legendary personality.
as a fellow human being his heart was always vibrating for the poor & the needy. it was his routine task to give alms on every friday.
some sealed envelopes with currency were reaching the hands of the needy & helpless, where the identity of the donor was not known. latter when this process got ceased after the demise of rafi sahab the recipients were shocked to know who was helping them at their hour of need.
so a person having all such super human qualities does deserve a ‘ padmashri’ only ? its highly unjustified.
its the time for our government to realise the services rendered by the legendary rafi sahab to the country by way of his super human qualities and his divine musical talent which have stollen the hearts of millions around the world.
November 15th, 2007 at 6:46 pm
Dear Mr Raju,
1.-Your appeal is quite legitimate. A great singer should have been awarded bBharat Ratna during his time.ANyway, atleast Indian Govt. must take a note of this and decide to honour him atleast by 26 th January 2008….
2.-We all Rafians have the same feelings and I must congratulate you for writing such an article at the right time when January is approaching..
3.-Not only Rafians but,whole Indian public would have the same feeling of TRIBUTE TO THE GREAT SINGER IN THE RIGHT WAY…
4.-Let us hope that, our dreams come true on forthcoming 26th January 2008….
Regards;
SHRIRANG NAWATHE( FROM MUSCAT)
00968 92 899089
November 15th, 2007 at 5:33 pm
I had been to several countries, I realized the popularity of Rafi sahab there.it proves he is the universal singer.he is “UNIVERSE KA RATANA”We strongly appeal for him for being respected as bharat ratna which he deserves when he was alive also.being a regular visitor of mohdrafi.com & eternalrafi.com i got the opportunity to learn more about the king of singing and also i can not forget association with Rafi foundation where got the opprtunity to meet and share the information with the peoples who had been with Rafi sahab.
I can observe the golden voice of Rafi sahab is touching the hearts of young generation also, In one of the reality show for kids they are singing rafi sahab melodies like “main jat yemla pagla diwaana o rabba itni si baat na jana” “o haseena zulfon wali” etc…..it proves rafi sahab is number one choice of the young generation too….also again i appeal to the mass to come together and make this happen to respect the legend with BHARAT RATNA. Thank you.
Majeed Khan
9892361112
November 15th, 2007 at 5:32 pm
27 years not a small period.If 27 years passed after a great person’s
death and he is living still in the minds of people as a living legend
it is something extraordinay.So mohamed rafi saab is really deserve
for the great nation’s great award “bharat ratna” atleast at this time.
through his voice,he not only made the country one but the subcontinent
one.
November 15th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
The campaign started by the Rafi Foundation will not culminate until it reaches its logical end. We are all with you and shall do every thing possible to see that the Government of India feels it their honour to confer the Bharat Ratna to Rafi Sahab, who had richly deserved for a long long time. My detailed comments will follow separately, but I was overjoyed with this reporting by Mr. Raju Korti. asmurty2@rediffmail.com
November 15th, 2007 at 8:52 am
Certainly Rafi Saab is the true candidate for Bharat Ratna. Possibly to start with an online signature campaign needs to be organized. Plus to reach the masses we need to follow other ways to carry out a signature campaign.