By Mr. K.S. Ramachandran

I firmly believe that it is a universal truth that Rafi Sahab is par excellence in every sphere of voice. He had that incredible combination of the best of the best possible factors that contribute to good singing. He was a gentleman who was ever smiling and pleasant. Good manners are seen from one’s face and Rafi Sahab was a perfect example. His music as Godly and literally all music directors exploited the inherent and invisible talents of the great legend. His voice had that magic spell. He had depth beyond limits when it came to pathos. Can anyone dare try singing “Din Dal Jaye Raat Na Jaye“, Kabhi Kudh Pe Kabhi Haalatpe Roma Aaya“?

I am 56 years old and I live in Chennai. I have lived with the songs of Rafi right from my childhood. When I was just a child, my eldest brother took me alongwith other members of our large family, to the movie “Babhi”. When I heard the song “Chal Udjaa Re Panchi“, I was spell bound by this magical voice. Right from that moment, I became a die hard fan of this great legend. I have now heard Rafi songs innumerable times – in fact same songs a thousand times and am still listening to it unending, but never seem tired of it. Every time I hear the same Rafi song, I see a new angle to his voice and rendition.

I don’t think there can be ever another Rafi in times to come and I really feel blessed and proud to have been born when Rafi was at his peak of singing. Long live Rafi and his memories….

I freezed when I heard about the death of Rafi Sahib…

I vividly remember the day of 31st July 1980 when I was in Mumbai and I was traveling in the local western line. There was this uneasy calm in the train when the news of Rafi Sahib’s demise must have broken out. There was this sudden rush of emotions in me that I decided to drop off the train and wanted to sit down in a place (unfortunately Dadar West Station like any other local station in Mumbai, was crowded) and weep to my hearts content. I wept and wept and never for a moment realized that I was in fact going to my office at Nariman Point. I was weak in my physical motion and truly very tired mentally to realise that Rafi Sahib is no more. Many wonderful songs of Rafi Sahib came to my mind like an avalanche and I had gone through an experience of extreme discomfort and melancholy. 31st July is still a black day for me and I am sure for most of us. “Music and the Seven Notes” had lost Rafi Sahib and I was feeling that some of the notes have died along with Rafi Sahib on the 31st July. This is very well demonstrated by the quality of music today and the singers who lend their vocal chord to them…

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