Immortal Rafi Sahab
This article is written by Mr. Shrirang Nawathe from Muscat (Sultante of Oman).
I am sure that, you are the ardent fan of RAFI SAAB, because you are spending your valuable time on these lines right now. Yes, you must be a Rafiaan. I salute Rafi Saab and then to all of you , who love him so much. Needless to mention that, I am too an ardent fan of Rafi SAAB.
Already, much had been written by numerous fans of Rafi Saab. Frankly speaking, for Rafiaans, every article on Rafi saab whether old or new one, has some value and special place in his/her emotional world. Therefore, these articles are the points of interest and are welcome by the fans.
Most of us know many facts about his Life. His birth, schooling, entry to Hindi film Music world and so on.. But, I want to share with all of you the rare of rarest facts, which surely gives the status to RAFI SAAB as NORTH STAR in FILM GALAXY.
Rafi Sahab entering movie hall
One of my friends, Mr. A.K.Shrivsastava who stays in Mumbai and runs an Orchestra since last 25 years, is a fan of Rafi SAAB to utmost degree. He shared this fact with me, telling that, while he (Mr. AKS) was a newcomer to industry and was setting up his orchestra, he had a chance to meet RAFI SAAB by vigorous follow ups with Recording Studio staff in Mumbai. On that day, my friend was having an information from sources that, Rafi Saab was going to visit the studio for Reocrding of a song to be composed by SAPAN JAGMAOHAN. Therefore, AKS had decided to wait for Rafi Saab. Ultimately, Rafi saab arrived in studio and went to rehearsal room for practice session. At the same time, my friend had an opportunity to meet Rafi Saab.
He met Rafi Saab the first ever in his life. The moment Rafi saab saw him, he (Mr. AKS) was full in tears, as he was unable to control the emotions. Then, my friend requested to Rafi Saab to have one photograph with him. Rafi saab promised him and asked him to wait for a photographer till the end of recording of a song.
To my firend’s greatest surprise, RAFI SAAB HIMSELF CALLED MY FRIEND AND THE AVAILABLE PHOTOGRAPHER TO TAKE THE PHOTO. THIS WAS JUST UNIMAGINABLE FROM A SINGER OF HIS REPUTE. THIS UNIQUE QUALITY WAS POSSESSED BY RAFI SAAB. ANY RAFIAAN AT SUCH MOMENTS WOULD HAVE HAD TEARS IN THE EYES, AND THE SAME HAPPENDED WITH MY FRIEND TOO ON THAT DAY. WHAT A PERSON RAFI SAAB WAS… JUST UNPARALLEL.
WE HAD ALL GREAT SINGERS DURING 50s & 60s, BUT, RAFI SAAB WAS NOT ONLY A GREAT SINGER, BUT ALSO, GREATER HUMAN BEING WHICH SEPARATES HIM FROM THE REST OF THE WORLD… RAFI SAAB HAD TOUCHED UNIMAGINABLE HEIGHTS DUE TO HIS SIMPLE LIVING HIGH THINKING STATURE.
The day of 31st July 1980 is unforgettable. In the constant company of Rafi Saab’s songs, last 27 years have gone by just like like 27 minutes. The voice of ALL INDIA RADIO ANNOUNCER (MR.DEVKI NANDAN PANDEY) still roams in the mind as fresh as it was sharing the news of sad demise of RAFI SAAB.
I feel that, the lines written by HASRAT JAIPURI for a film PAGLA KAHEEN KA, are just fit for RAFI SAAB. Please recollect his song… TUM MUJHE YUN BHULA NA PAAOGE, JAB KABHI BHI SUNOGE GEET MERE… SANG SANG TUM BHI GUNGUNAOGE… HAAN TUM MUJHE YUIN..
I am sure, YOU ARE WITH ME NOW…..
December 19th, 2007 at 8:41 pm
narayan sahab,
thank you very much for your deep regard for our saint. i understood on which context you have mentioned like this. before when i told the same some distinguished people had mentioned that in their mother tongue they address god in singular.
it makes no difference in what way they address our saint. that was their view. but i again insisted and slowly i found there is a difference & people have understood.
but still some are yet to be ‘ refined’ even though they are highly qualified.
dont worry sir, a diamond is a diamond where ever it is.
December 19th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
Dear fans,
Let us address our rev Guruji Maestro as Rafi sahab and avoid simple addressing by name.
Rafi sahab was called thus even by his mentor Naushad sahab and several leading film dignitaries.
December 19th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
Hello Mr. Nawathe,
if you had gone through my article on Dilip Kumar or Rajender Kumar, or Madanmohan, in http://stationhollywood.blogspot.com
automatically Rafi was referred over there. He was involved with most actors, composers, lyricists, directors for over 35 years and entered in our veins and arteries, without whom we cannot breathe or live. I always congratulated Mr. Pradeep for maintaining a blog like this. These days I find articles on Rafi in numerous websites like hamara forum, eternal rafi,etc.
The more people know him, the more they respect him. Keep writing more articles.
Thanking you,
Souvik Chatterji.
December 19th, 2007 at 4:01 am
Happy Birthday Mohd.Rafi Saab And Naushad