My visit to RAFI MANSION on 5th and 6th june 2010
By Sanjeev Kumar Dixit, Lucknow
Aadab Rafi friends, I visited the House of Rafi Sahab,”RAFI MANSION” and his holy Grave on 5th & 6th june 2010.
I reached mumbai in the morning of 5th june and Miraz ahmed saab (elder son in law of Rafi Sahab) has given the time to visit Rafi Mansion at 7:30pm to me. I reached to Rafi mansion at 7:30pm and met with Nasreen didi (elder daughter of Rafi sahab). Miraz saab could not arrived at time because he was in hospital for delivery of his grandson and Nasreen didi was also going there.
Rafi chowk in Mumbai
Family of Yasmeen didi was also there in hospital. I waited few mins. and then Miraz saab called to Irfan saab (son of Yasmeen didi). Irfan saab came to home & we entered in Rafi mansion and then after I was in music room of RAFI SAHAB with Irfan sahab. It was very grand and all the trophies were there kept in his room. I was there approximately one hour and taken many photographs of that room. I also asked Irfan saab about his favourite singer and it is written in my survey register with his signature.
Me with grandson of Rafi Saab
On the next day I visited the Holy Grave of Rafi Sahab and collected some holy soil from there. I was there approximately 30 minutes. It was very peaceful there at the holy grave of Rafi sahab.
Holy Grave of Rafi Sahab
That evening I re-visited Rafi mansion again and this time I was fortunate to meet with Parwez Sahab & Yasmeen Didi. Irfan saab entered a while after. They all were too polite and humble with us and spent more than one hour with us. I also asked to Parwez ji and Yasmeen Didi for their favorite singer and written in my survey register with their signature. I invited to Parwez ji and Yasmeen didi to visit Lucknow & my home in near future and they accepted my invitation.
This was ONLY DREAM of my life which became true with the kind help of “Narayan sahab(Bangalore),Beena Didi(Bangalore),AS Murty sahab(Hyderabad),Srikant ji(Mumbai), Miraz Ahmed Sahab, Nasreen Didi, Parwez Ahmed Sahab,Yasmeen Didi & Irfan sahab.” I will always be grateful to them whole my life.
“My visit to Rafi Mansion & Grave of Rafi sahab is like a PILGRIMAGE OF CHAR DHAM OR HAZ YATRA & after this visit no wish remains in my life for me“, because God has only given birth to me on this earth but Rafi Sahab has given the true direction to my life through his songs and his great character and personality.I can say proudly that Rafi Sahab has given me the SECOND LIFE, he was always with me in all difficult time of my life & my whole life will dedicate to Rafi Sahab.
I have one more dream for Rafi Sahab which I will disclose to you after some time.
I am sending some pictures regarding my visit of RAFI MANSION. Date on pictures is wrong because I forgot to set the date in camera. Pl don’t care about this.
Best playback singer of the millennium award
Chair of Rafi Sahab
HARMONIUM of Rafi Sahab, still in pristine condition
Santoor of Rafi sahab
Lamp of Rafi Sahab
National award to Rafi Sahab
Filfare awards of Rafi Sahab
Visiting card of our Farishta
Visiting card of our Farishta
i am a huge fan of mohammed rafi.. i am leaving tto mumbai for holiday with my family to mumbai for 7 days from 12th of this month. its always been a dream to visit our beloved rafi sahab’s mansion. someone please help me fulfill my dream.i dont know when would be my next visit to mumbai after this, so dont want to miss it!! somebody please help me…
I am an Agnostic, Mohd Fafi Sahe’b voice is Nature’s voice. I have a dream to visit Rafi Saheb’s house. You are one of the luckiest person to avail this opportunity. There is not a single day of my life with out hearing his Voice. I have a feeling that his voice heals all my problems. I am never feel alone till i have this voice with me. Rafi Saheb’s voice shall act as a Voice therapy to the depressed in this World. Hope others too have the same feelings. All other singers are also good i hear them but it is only Voice of Rafi.
Nobody can match Rafi Saab, only Rafi Saab can match Rafi Saab.
Woh jaane wale hosake to lauteke aana.
The legend of legends Rafi sahab, ur greatest of all singers..I’m Mushtaq bhat the greatest fan of Rafi sahab..I had lots of conversation wd Rafi sahab in my dream he wants me to sing. He’s my mentor I’m requesting u Shahid bhai plz put me in your band..
Lata Ji is great but Rafi Sahib is greatest.
Rafi Saab Bhagwaan hain. Rafi Sahib is God. So please never use word “Late” before his name. God never dies.
No words can match his talents. He was outstanding. he was genius. I keep on listening his songs and i miss that era. Such person can never die, and that is how he has become immortal.
Dear rafians the great followers of late great farishta ( angel) mohammed rafi sahab, I am from chennai, ardent fan of rafi sahab, i have been trying to get to visit the great ashiana of rafi sahab in mumbai.. i really dont know how and whome to contact pls. if some one could direct it would be really really great.
As regard to the few followers praying that rafi sahab should be honoured with the highest award of india bharath rathna bestowed on rafi sahab, I TOTALLY AGREE WITH THEM , rafi sahab was not just a singer, he was greatest human being , very down to earth person and very very god fearing , he has contributed to the indian cinema the greatest songs, he was one of the greatest and most secular singer of india, who did justice to all the songs, let it be sad, romantic, peppy, bhajans , qawali and any type of songs he has sung he has done justice to it and he had also given life to many many music directors and new and poor producers by not charging them.. YOu name one singer who has been like him even 10 percent. i have heard. stories where kishore kumar never used to reduce or wait for the payment. Lata mangeshkar ji.. has sung many many songs… with rafi sahab.. kindly FOLLOW THE INTERVIEWS OF LATA JI… SHE HAS NEVER SPOKEN OF RAFI SAHAB.. MAY BE SHE WOULD HAVE TAKEN HIS NAME LAST. where in her popularity was at peak. just because of rafi combination at that time.
EVEN THE INDUSTRY AS SUCH NOW A DAYS TALKS BIG OF RAFI SAHAB.. BUT THEY HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING FOR RAFI SAHAB, OR HIS FAMILY . EVEN MR SONU NIGAM. WHO CLAIMS TO BE ARDENT FAN OF RAFI SAHAB AND HE HAS BECOME POPULAR JUST CALLING HIMSELF AS RAFI SAHAB DESCIPLE.. DID NOT EVEN ATTEND RAFI ACADEMY FUNCTION WHICH WAS STARTED A YEAR BEFORE BY RAFI SAHABS SON. SUCH IS PLIGHT OF PPL.
till the qayamath,( dooms day or last day of the wordl) iam sure rafi sahabs songs wil be played and heard and liked and loved. Aameen.
I am thankful to shammi kappoor sahab. who had before his death inevery interview gave so much respect and due thanks for his success to rafi sahab. HE WAS REAL GREAT AND THANKFUL PERSON.
I WOULD LIKE TO RECORD MY APPRECIATION AND COMPLIMENTS, FOR THE COMMENDABLE INITIATIVE OF MR DIXIT SAHAB, IT IS REALY GREAT HONOUR TO SEE SUCH GOOD AND LOVING PPL .
MY NUMBER IS 9841180087 AND I AM LOOKING FORWARD FOR SOME ONE TO GIVE ME THE WHEREABOUTS OR MRS RAFI AND HIS FAMILY FOR VISTING THAT SHRINE OF RAFI SAHAB AND ALSO VISIT RAFI MANSION TOUCH THE FEET OF THE GREAT SELFLESS LADY MRS RAFI SAHAB.. WHO WAS NEVER GREEDY OF MONEY AND FAME. I HAVE READ ABOUT HER. IAM 38 YRS OLD SINGLE AND HAD MY KIDNEY TRANSPLANT 3 YEARS BEFORE.. IAM OK NOW.. BACK TO NORMAL. HOPE BEFORE MY DEATH I HAPPEN TO VISIT RAFI SAHAB ASHIANA .
RAFI SAHAB WAS NOT A HUMAN BEING, HE WAS GOD SENT FARISHTA ( ANGEL) THATS WHY GOD DID NOT LIKE HIM TO LEFT IN THIS SELFISH AND MEAN WORLD FOR HIM TO GET WORRIED AND HURT. SO HE TOOK HIM TO HIMSELF TO THE HEAVEN. SMILING FACE HE GAVE US SUCH A GOOD SONGS WHICH BECOME OUR DAY TO DAY TONIC AND ENERGY AND ALSO SILENTLY HE HELPED HUNDREDS WHEN HE WAS ALIVE AND AFTER HIS DEATH AS WELL.. PPL STILL TAKE HIS NAME AND BECOME SHABBIT KUMAR, ANWAR, MOHAMMED AZIZ, SONU NIGAM ETC., AND BECAME POPULAR.
Hope my write up here is worth for the rafi sahab followers.. do comment if you like this write up pls.
Hi, farrukh from lahore.
I can only see that time will never see such a great singer ever again. Please keep this site running and thank you very much for sharing this much valuable information.
Love and prayers for Rafi Shb
From Lahore
kindly let me know the address of Rafi Shaab’s house, so that i can visit my dream. I’ll ever remain thankfull for whole of my life ,if i could get his address and can make a visit to his house.
dear sir,
aap ka jitna bhi sukriya kiya jaye kam he.Rafi shaab ki
jindegi se jude andekhe pehluo ko samne lane ke liye.
thank you
Rafi jesa gayak naa to kabhi aaya hai aur naa hi kabhi aayega kyon ki allah paak ne jo aawaz unhe di hai aur kisi gayak ke paas nahi hai ……….allah unhe jannat naseeb kare …….aamin
dearest dixit ji.
I am very ha am happy that you visited mumbai and fulfill your dream.i am very pleased to see the rare pictures of rafi sahib.so keep on doing the good work
I was working in an Architect’s office on linking road bandra in 1976. At 2.30 p.m. on vividbharati ,rafisahab’s “tute hue khabone” no. was played, I was listning the no, by the time it got over, a person entered the Office, in white cloths, He looked at the Chair of my Boss and made a gusture, I said , The Architect shall come at 3o’clock. He turned back and was leaving the Office, I went behind and Asked him His Name ” mohammed Rafi”. I was totally overwelmed. …… Next time when he came I stared talking to him but to my surprise, rafi sahab never replied, Najeer sahab told me that he dosent talk, one has to listen to his records…..I said Rafisahab …you have sung song in my language “Kokani”…………after that I saw one of his recording with SJ ,film Yakeen……..To me he is the greatest singer..and a humble humanbeing ……..If my voice was like him …I would have never practise Architecture profession…..girish kelekar.16\11\2010
I VISITED Rafi mansion on 10th November 2010. Unfotunately there was nobody at home. I think we all Rafi fans must see to it that he gets Bharat Ratna . Shocking that he did not get Dada saheb Phalke . I think Her Majesty LAta has some role in it.
Bharati
I would just like to add a note about one of his sons – Hamid. I went to school with him in the early 1970s and we were good friends. I was upset to see that he passed away in 1995. He was quite a character with a great sense of humour.
The school was not a boarding school or private school but an ordinary state school in West London.
I had the privelage of meeting Mohammed on a couple of occasions when he visited, though unfortunately I did not hear him sing.
Rafi Sahab was a great singer,no one can take his place.
post 127:
Dear Mr. D. P. Bijoor Saab,
Thanks for the correction. Being a resident of Bandra, you would know the exact details. You are so lucky that you stayed so close to Rafi saab’s house; I would have done anything to trade places with you. Staying hundreds of miles away from Bombay, I could only imagine things in my mind’s eyes.
I knew that Rafi saab used to stay in a different house in Bandra before he moved to Rafi Villa. From your account, it seems that the old house was Sea Bird. If I’m not mistaken, Manna da used to be his next-door neigbour there.
The confusion arose because the picture on the cover of the “An Evening with Mohd Rafi” LP has Rafi saab standing with his right palm on a multi-coloured tiled wall with his Audi in the background (not the foreground, as I had mistakenly written earlier). I’m recalling this from memory as I don’t have the LP with me anymore — I made the mistake of lending the LP to one of my friends. This LP was released sometime in the late 60s, if I’m not mistaken. In the inset of “Around the World” LP, which was released around 1977, the musicians in Rafi saab’s orchestra appear with the same patterned tiles in the background, which made me believe that the older picture was inside Rafi villa.
Thanks for providing the correct details.
Regards,
P. Haldar
congratulations to the organizers of this website. wonderful tributes to the legendary rafisahab.
I once knew a lady who used to go rafi sahabs house to give tuition to the kids. Around the time he died we came to know about it as she stayed in the same colony. My earliest memories of rafi sahab alongwith the sea of people at the janaza (t.v. news clipping). she had only taarifs of his generosity and gentle nature and sharafat and farishta sifat(angle like qualities).
Mohammed rafi is beyond praises that we can shower on him posthomeosly. he does not need them. he never coveted such material things. and sang from his very soul without any realization of his own greatness.
may his soul rest in peace.
Post #123
Thank you Haldar Saab for sharing your knowledge of Rafi Saab’s family.
Bijoor Saab, you have rightly pointed out the address on his visiting card. I have seen that myself.
Bina
Irfan,
Lata is indeed showering praises on Rafi saab these days. Even Ashaji tweeted in her twitter account on Rafi saab.
http://twitter.com/ashabhosle
“Rafisaab aapki himalaya ki tarah bulund awaz aur aapka namra swabhav hume phir na sunne na dekhne milega. Aapki bahut yaad ati hai.”
But,the best tributes came from today’s music composers on Rafi’s immortality and relevance even today:
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-today-singer/652440/
How fortunate you are. Visiting Rafi Mansion and giving homage at his grave is indeed not lesser than doing Char Dham Yatra or Haj for all Rafians.
I have also the same wish May god full fill my wish one day when i get a chance to go Mumbai in future. Rafi Sahab sun rahe ho na ek din meri bhi tamanna puri karva dena. Truely yours
@Sudip(and those who have read it)The interview by the nightingale was soo different.Didn’t thought it would be so different compared to her other interviews in which has nothing much to say of Rafisaab except that he loved good food.Considering the fact that she has sung the maximum duets with Rafisaab she should have been one with maximum inputs.
May be someone gave her the truth serum before this particular interview.
Post 123: Dearest P Haldar Sahab,
Rafi Sahab earlier used to stay in a palatial 3 storeyed bunglow situated at 34, Sea Bird, 114 Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Road, which was very near to the Bhaba Hospital Lane. The visiting card of Rafi Sahab shows this address.
The LP — “an evening with mohd rafi” clearly shows the picture of Sea Bird. Rafi Sahab later sold this palatial bunglow to the popular character actor Sajjan and shifted to Rafi Villa.
Thank You Haldar Sahab
please can u give me the address of rafi mansion @ contact no of the person whom to meet
Bina is accurate.
Salilda grew impatient and showed flashes of anger, but Rafi bhaiya would not react. He politely asked Salilda to explain it to him and ultimately delivered it even better than what Salilda expected.
~ Lataji !
Thanks Sudip ji!
post 122:
I knew about Saeed Rafi’s death in a car accident but I didn’t want to point it out because it was a minor glitch in such a vivid and gripping portrayal of your visit to the Rafi mansion. But since you’ve made a correction, I’d like to make another one, that rafi saab’s sons were not sent to boarding schools in England at the age of 8. Shahid Rafi and I believe his other sons too went to school in Bombay and once in a while Rafi saab used to drop in at his sons’ school and entertain the students with one of his songs. After they graduated from school, Rafi saab packed the eldest three off to England.
You are right that the Rafi mansion that you see now is not the house where Rafi saab used to stay. A picture of part of his house, the Rafi Villa, which stood on the same plot of land, is available on the cover of one of his old LP’s, “An Evening with Mohd Rafi”. You’ll see Rafi saab dressed in a dark blue suit standing next to a wall, with his favourite Audi in the foreground. A picture of the room where his trophies used to be kept is available on the cover of the LP titled “Hits of Mohd Rafi”.
I’d like to share another piece of information with you. My friend, a Chartered Accountant, had stayed in the Rafi mansion on one of his business trips to Bombay. During the trip, he met an auditor who told him that he handled both Rafi saab’s and Pancham da’s accounts. Cosmic connection!
Best regards,
P. Haldar
Doston:
Regarding my post #88:
I would like to make a correction about Rafi Saab’s family details. I got the correct details from a sources in Mumbai, who got the details from Shahid himself.
1. Son : Saeed Rafi – died in a car accident in London in 1998.
2. Daughter : Parveen Ahmed – lives in London
3. Son : Khalid Rafi – died in London in 2005 of a heart-attack.
4. Daughter : Nasreen Ahmed – lives in Mumbai
5. Son : Hamid Rafi : Died in 1995 of heart-attack in London.
6. Daughter : Yasmin Ahmed – lives in Mumbai.
7. Son : Shahid Rafi – lives In Mumbai.
Regards,
Bina
I wish I was with you to visit & see the memorials of the One & Only MOHD RAFI
Lata on Rafi:
http://www.thehindu.com/arts/music/article528270.ece
“He was one singer whose vocal range could outclass any other singer, whether it was me, Asha, Mannada or Kishore bhaiya. Yet, he never believed in dominating the scene.”
“It is very wrong to say that Kishore Kumar overtook Rafi bhaiya in the early 1970s.Kishore was no doubt at his peak, but Rafi bhaiya was equally effective with Tere naam ka diwana, Gulabi aankhen, Yeh duniya yeh mehfil and Tum jo mil gaye ho. Even Kishore bhaiya never felt he was ahead of Rafi.”
Hi Dixit sab ,
My dream is also same to you .I am basically singer & copy the voice of late legend shri rafi sab . But i dont know how to contact rafi sab family members to visit home .
So i request you please tell me name of person & contact no so that i can take appointment in advance to visit this holy place .Its give me pleausre .
Thanks
Tarun Nagar
Dear Haldar-ji,
Old Monk XXX is very busy at the moment, which is why he has not been visiting this forum much of late. It would be nice to see him here more often again.
Looking forward to your article
md. rafi is ever great singer of all time. rafi saab made super stars because of his melodious songs. if anyone takes out rafi saab’s songs from the movies, then neither movies nor heroes would have been remembered till this day.
Dear Ali Rashid,
Really happy to see you on this forum after a long time. Do you know of the whereabouts of old monk XXX? Haven’t seen him on this forum in a long time; really miss him.
I’ll definitely write an article that will involve Manohari da, but the focus of the article will be on Rafi saab. I am in Manohari da’s city right now.
Regards,
P. Haldar
Haldar-ji,
Please write a short tribute to Manohari Singh.
He was closely associated with Rafi-saab for many years.
The golden sax is now silent forever.
Listening to “Aji humse bachkar” from Arzoo as I write this.
haldar ji, we r into it now, absolutely!
although we have our own collections and mode to access all these songs, yet when we listen them at other place…feelings tell it all!
Thanks for ur maths, I would deliver it to my friend. She would take it as reward as we do!
adabrafi!
post 109…PRIYA JI…
ANY PERSON WITH SOME KNOWLEDGE OF MUSIC WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER MOHD RAFI.. IN SHORT NO ONE CAN IGNORE RAFI SAAHEB….
WHICH OTHER SINGER WILL HAVE 9000 SHOWS ALL OVER THE WORLD – EVERY JULY??
dont worry too much for the few people who “ignore” mohd rafi saab. they are being jealous.
some may have their “vested interests” like this female singer who is “so” hungry for wealth and royalties of her late second husband nd her father in law – that she will run down every one associated “with her” during the last 50 years. shame on these… this is the tragedy of commercial music.
Undoubtedly Mohammed Rafi was most talented and most versatile singer in Hindi Film Industry. His voice was very sweet and has sang all types of songs from low pitch as well as very high pitch. In his personal life he was very simple,religious and he always encouraged new music directors/singers.
In his life he helped to a no. of people in film industry.
He was a REAL KOHINOOR in Film Industry. His songs will remain for a long time. I salute to his memory and his voice which is still very much present in thousands of songs he sang in his career. May his soul rest in peace.
Priya ji,
What your friend said is absolutely true. 1 song of Rafi is equal to 5 songs. That’s why I don’t dispute the 26,000 number. Rafi saab may have had sung 5,200 songs, but multiply it by 5 and you’ll get 26,000. Simple math! I arrived in Kolkata today and the first song I heard is the one from hawas.
Regards to all Rafians,
P. Haldar
Post no. 88,
Bina didi,
heartfelt thanks for sharing your experiences. sorry, for the
late reply. it was another guided tour to the sacred mansion
of rafi sab.
adab rafi
Suresh
Dear Narayanji, adaab Rafi! This is how I only greet to my affectionate ones
)
Adaab Rafi, rafians all over.
My conscience of regard for u all reach the level of reverence when I witness Love of everyone here towards our Rafi Sahab!
“for the 31st July there are more than 9000 official Rafi tributes paid by his lover’s in various auditoriums” Wow! superb!
Yes, radios ignored him and still does. So its the effect of campaign,I didn`t know, lets make it louder!
But I`ve also observed the change in trend now. these days I frequently got chance to listen fm while driving. Even in Delhi they play now so many Rafi songs even the “Tum bin” in Rafi ji`s voice!
One of my friend,a Rafi ji Bhakta, in Nippon Japan,was here, who financed remastering of many Rafi sahab`s song from old trodden records and cassettes to modern format and donated them all to music companies for free. She told, “Yeah, Fms is fairly good here.Its true even if u r partial with ur choice,there is no way to escape from Rafi if one talks of Golden era music. They play it well, one song of Rafi saab is equivalent to 5 songs of other singer. We r happy with whatever we have”
31 july isthe death ceremony of our beloved singer janab rafi saab may allah givepeace to there soul yea dua hum karte hai
Dear Priyaji,
Adaab Rafi ! this is how we all greet in our fan’s club in Bangalore… Every fan will be pleasantly surprised to note that for the 31st July there are more than 9000 official Rafi tributes paid by his lover’s in various auditoriums. This was mentioned in a leading Gujarati news paper of Mumbai.. And mind you this is just official ones where the media would have got references….
Even Delhi the illustrous daughter of Anil Biswas da has conducted lot of Rafi shows with singer Srikant ….
Infact for the 30th anniversary 1 leading group from Belgaum has inspired many 30 cities in Karnataka and Maharashtra to conduct 30 shows at the same time. Some of the cities are Belgaum, Hubli,Dharwar,Gulbarga,kolhapur,Sangli,Raichur,Satara,Latur,Osmanabad etc etc
Here also initially we thought that radio is ignoring our legend but with a campaign by emails and calls to them now our Farishta is heard more….
Please get in touch with Rafi foundation office bearers for any events in Delhi
with regards,
Narayan
Dear Binaji, Priyaji, Sanjeevji & all rafians,
Its heartening to see such fervour in all your posts. We are truely blessed to be associated with such a gr8 personality -Rafi sahab & his forum where we share our personal feelings, anecdotes, info about rafi sahab, his music, family, etc. Lets keep the bonhomie, love & healthy respect for each other intact & ever growing. Nice to see new names in the forum & ever growing!! Lets nudge other friends to vote for rafi sahab-The daily scores for rafi sahab has to cross the 500 mark. Pl do needful-strive & go all out if we want his name to be in the top.
Regards & Best wishes to all rafians.
I an die hard core fan of RAFI SAAB, I am very very much interested to visit his mansion, cud you guide me please
Mohammed Rafi saab was the most verstile singer in Hindi Film industry. In spite achieving no. 1 position in playback singing he was very simple,polite and down to earth. He was very kind hearted and helped no of needy persons in his lift. He was Kohinoor of hindi film music . His songs touched to the hearts of millions of people . He was Gem of person and i liked his voice and songs very much. Though he passed away at the age of 57 and 30 years back , his voice will remain forever. It will give immense pleasure to listeners for years to come. I can’t forget his melodious voice during my life.
can somebody tell me how can I go to Rafi Mansion. Do I need to get an appointment and set up time? If yes, can somebody let me know how to get it. I’m living in this world only for Rafi saab, nothing else.
Thanks for sharing this information about this great singer.
I am a big fan of rafi sahib.
Please let us know more about his family: viz: about his wife and childrens etc.
Thanks
Amanjit
Rafi saab is timeless magic. When I listen to any of his songs, I am transported into a different world and when the song is over, a sense of refreshment prevails. Verily, Rafi saab is a wonder of the Supreme Lord’s creations.
Hi all,
It is very interesting to see Rafi Sahab’s family pictures. His daughter in particular looks very polite and humble – much like her father.
I regret not visiting Rafi sahab’s mansion during my numerous trips to Bombay in 70s – though 90′s, though I have seen Rafi chowk. I would like to share an interesting expereience, way back around 1966-67 when I was in grade 8 or 9. I was with my father and an uncle who wanted to purchase an imported car from STC auction in Delhi. Little did we know that Rafi Sahab was also amongst 20-25 persons in that room where open auction was on. Bidders were making bids raising it by hundreds, when suddenly, Rafi Sahab’s accompliance shut the bid by raising it by a huge margin in his only bid ( I do not rtemember the exact amount, but my guess is that it was raised from 44,000 to 50,000 Rs -A lot of moey then). My rich uncle was not surprised as according to him, such people do not like face off. My uncle further mentioned that had any other bidder even raised it by one hundred, Rafi Sahab would not have bid again. My regret, I did not see him so closely as I was still very young, but I distinctly remember him leaving quietly immediately after winning the bid.
Rafi Sahab tuseen great ho !
Thank you Priya, Binu, Sanjeev, Vitthal, Jasbir, Mehboob for your response. The pleasure of writing on Sanjeev’s article and sharing the details of my visit with you, was entirely mine.
Adaab Rafi!
Bina
post 88..binajee//thanks for ur nice visit to rafisaab pilgrimage….but shocked to read about sad demise of three elder sons of rafisaab who were settled in london since long…i had read in the newspaper about the accidental death(car) of second son in london some years ago…his youngest son shahid rafi is settled in mumbai in the same mansion…since i am rafosaab great lover since the age of 7,i was reading n keeping information all abt him in newspapers n megazines..in a very keen way..no other voice than rafisaab so far ever gave me complete contentment, satisfaction and hearty entertainment…deeply pained n angry the way our politicians are handling the issue of bharat rattan to our anmol rattan…rafisaab….he rightly said..meri awaazsuno pyar ka raag suno….
Bina jee,
ref post 88.
Thanks for sharing your visit to the Rafi mansion.
Brought tears to my eyes.
Best wishes to all rafians.
Mehboob
IMPORTANT:::::::Plz, lets no one miss the post 88 by Bina ji,few moments while reading it feels like living in Rafi mansion with the live memory of the Master; Thank u!
Bina Ji, one complain first, u should have published ur post not as comment but as an article so that we all could read it, very easily.
I complained first for I know when I would start talking of ur post 88. I would not be able to say u anything other than doing unlimited number of prayers for u for ur sharing. reading ur article is like walking through ages with Rafi sahab and then unfortunately after him. But yes, God has been little harsh on us to take away our master (never mind I really call him master because I`m a exe-classical dancer and from a music family) leaving the “mela” of false light behind us. But there is a song(naat) of Rafi sahab,
“meri zindagi sirf Ishk-e Nabi hai, jo gham mujko eesme mila wo khusi hai…”
So, God can never be harsh ever, even harshness of God is love, we r blessed with so much in form of Rafi sahab`s divine voice and such a humble master(master, not just in music sense but in social sense also,a companion a friend). thanks God, for making Rafi sahab eternal—– the singer Rafi is still here with countless songs, each song we can listen millions times.——Person rafi is also still here, every member of Rafi sahab family is so sweet and exactly like Rafi sahab.
H.A.K. Walijah ji( 56, 94)
If our recognisation is from the eternal Rafi, then how come any true beloved of Rafi sahab be insignificant in sense whatsoever. I know its ur modesty as ur rank other higher, hence, I bowed u. As we callRafi sahab,master, I feel Rafi sahab is also having classes with all of us (living in our hearts)in the language of humbleness, doing our work with perfection and never give up attitude for work “is not dedicated to these selfish people but to Allah!”
Thats why under the hymnic tribute of Rafi sahab all critics either appeared noise or gone mute!
Even beyond Bharat Ratna we all united as heart of all the Rafians feels in common same divine person,Rafi and his presence in his singing!
I really got crazy looking the pics of Rafi mansion!Plz never mind any misunderstandings for we all r family here. I`m not expert with writing, sometimes when a person is unable to express what they actually feels, words mislead. Lets follow the Rythm of divinity gifted to us in form of person and singer Rafi!
If we r not pure enough to dedicate our work to God, Rafi sahab is still helping our mind and heart directed towards the saintly person like him,even in the midst of fake media/film persona,so none is insgnificant here and u never!
Priya ji,
Reference to your post # 93 I know you are one among the stalwart Rafians of this forum. Your comments and counter comments are very authoritative and commendable. I have high regards for you and other rafians of this forum who decorated this forum with their thoughtful and subjective comments .
Let me remind once again that rafi saab is not only the dignified singer but now became a phenomenon, he is beyond of all admiration and criticism. We all love our rafi saab and his ideals. We know what were his likes and dislikes. If any rafian commit an error, it is the duty of other rafian to correct it or at least to inform about it, so it can be rectified instantly. There is slightly an objection has raised about some photos of rafi saab family on this website, which have been notified to the writer (Mr. Sajeev Kumar Dixit) and he noticed the sensitivity of the matter, then he removed the photos. There ends the matter.
Now let us be united and march forward for the sought after demand (Bharat Ratna) to our rafi saab. This is the agenda and dream of every rafi fan now that our rafi saab be honored with this highest civilian award as he is the most deserved candidate for Bharat ratna.
An insignificant fan of Rafi saab
H.A.K. Walijah
H.A.K. Walijah ji,post 56, as according to u my blood boils, even if it really does, ………………………………I can never have anything heated for u other than warmth of the affection,reverence and respect for u, plz accept this as I don`t see any one here as any Individual with their social recognisation but everyone,here, is a part of the divinity that God overpowered in Rafi sahab. Rafi sahab would become incomplete if we remove even a single Rafi fan/lover/devotee from him. One body of Rafi sahab had lead him to heaven of Gods but so many body of we fan keep him still on this earth in the realm of love of our heart.
=======================================================
My personal view for Rafi sahab;
If we all love same person….let the critics say whatever they want against this humble soul of Rafi sahab,but why should we Rafian have harsh conflict among us on any subject whatsoever. We can request if we don`t like something in an article but whats the meaning of blame? r we different, atleast at this place….Is this website less than a Rafi Mansion?
I`ve read so many times in this forum people saying,
“u have told or done this, this would surly have hurt soul of Rafi sahab”……………Can a person Rafi sahab who is nothing other than an immortal voice,who never got angry or Rafi saab had praise even on the person who show Rafi low and also tried to insult him or stop his singing career directly or indirectly, Can such a Rafi be ever hurt by the words or any mistake(if there must be any) of any person,as everyone is here for their tribute to master singer/person.
We must see motive first(thats the adoration,love,inspiration for the master) of any person, then the expression!
BINA JI…. post no 88. (dont miss it rafi saab lovers)
KAISE HO?… many many thanks for the wonderful narration. everything is as perfect to the letter t ( in capitals ). pankha ho to aisa…. all the best .
binu nair
rafi foundation,mumbai
cell : 9833 250 701
Post 87…
VARUN JI….since you have made a reference to me, this is my take .
let me tell you that lots and lots of rafi saaheb fans have clicked pictures with mohd rafi family. but they have’nt put them on a website.
the rafi family is very courteous. they treat rafi lovers with dignity. every second month i visit the rafi mansion and each time the family has received us very well.
the customs , traditions and mores of any cultural group has to be respected. the social customs you follow will not be the same with others. it would differ from people to people.
the rafi family “mostly” avoids public appearances – even in music shows. this must be respected.
since the family pictures are now removed. the topic must not be discussed further . it may be treated as closed.
Respected Priya Didi, Ref. post-84-
Very emotional but very true every word is.How great was our beloved Rafi Sahab, They never feel bad about anything… its totally true.Only because of this virtue RAFI SAHAB is totally different in all persons in industry. He was so sweet and soft in speaking.He always wanted “good” for everyone.Only therefore we Rafians called him GOD OR FARISHTA.
Priya Didi thanks for sharing this rare & emotional moment with us.
Pls excuse me for my mistakes in writing english,I am not very good in english.
Mohit Sir, post-86,
Dear sir, “JAI RAFI SAHAB” many thanks for giving your kind views on my description.Thanks a lot for your precious wishes…
Dear Varun,Post 87-
I never think about this which you and 2 more are saying.I don’t wants to show or prove anything about me…I am nothing here.I am only a small fan & devotee of RAFI SAHAB. I only wants to share happiness among all of you and pics. were posted only for them who Never have seen the family members of RAFI SAHAB and his music room. At the time of posting article nothing was in my mind like as you are saying..
By the way as per your wish i removed few of the pictures of daughter and son in law of RAFI SAHAB.
Respected Bina Didi, Post 88,
Thanks a ton for sharing your feelings and emotions with us during your visit to RAFI MANSION……
Really it was a amazing moment for you and every Rafi bhakt who went there as temple like mansion of RAFI SAHAB……
Regards,
-Sanjeev Kr. Dixit
Bina ji, – following line really awe inspiring.
“Nasreen shared with us that all his songs were written for him only in Urdu, which is the only language he could read (not even Hindi)”
No one could believe that rafi did not know reading hindi if we hear his songs in hindi. Written songs in urdu and singing in perfect hindi – rafi was rafi a talent awe inspiring.
Dear Bhakton:
Its an honour for me to to share with you the details of my visit to Rafi Saab’s house on January 12, 2010.
I am reproducing the mail that I had sent at that time to my very dear friends detailing my visit.
Mere pyaare Rafi ke Bhakton:
Adaab Rafi!
My visit to Rafi Saab’s house is and always will be dedicated to each of you…yours is the love and warmth that I carried with me when I visited Rafi Mansion on Tuesday Jan 12, 2010. Aap sabko bahut yaad kiya maine jab main unke room mein thi…aur aap sab ke liye lekar aayi hoon kuch meethe pal jo maine Rafi Saab ke family ke saath guzaare…
Just a little background for those of you who dont know..I was born and brought up in Bombay, and though I have been living in Bangalore for the last 25 years, Bombay is a very familiar place to me..
When I met Nasreen jee along with her husband, Miraz Ahmed Saab in Blore in August, I found her a soft, forthcoming and a loving personality. I therefore had asked her and her husband if I could visit them when I came to Bombay in January, to which they had consented.
When I called Nasreen jee on the morning of the 11th, she had just landed from Blore the previous evening with her daughter, Firdaus (who has come to Bombay for her confinement) and who lives in Mysore. I arranged to meet her on Tuesday at 3.
My sister accompanied me and we reached Rafi Mansion.
Nasreen jee (who is the middle born among the female children, the other two daughters being Parveen and Yasmin) runs a boutique called A.R. Zari Works, on the ground floor of Rafi Mansion. That is where we went first where we met her and her daughter Firdaus, Having just got back after a 15-day trip to Blore to see her daughter, Nasreen jee had gone out to attend to some pending work and this gave me the opportunity to talk to Firdaus, a very refined lady expecting her first twins.
She said she had very pleasant memories of her grandfather, but vaguely, He passed away when she was 4-1/2 years old. Tasneem, her older sister seemed to have been the cyanosure of Rafi Saab’s eyes. Nasreen too shared that when Tasneem was born, Rafi Saab used to keep the child with him all the time, taking care of her including changing nappies, only sending her to the mother (Nasreen) for timely feeds. He used to dote on her, so much so, that when Tasneem was just 1 year old, he made a passport for her and took her to London along with him without her mother…!!
Nasreen returned almost immediately in 15 minutes after Firdaus called her and welcomed us with hugs. She first offered us tea, and then in her soft, refined and informative way talked to us about her father.
She says she was fortunate to accompany Rafi Saab on Haj in 1970. Rafi Saab did the Haj trip twice, once in 1969 and once in 1970. He always was extremely fond of his daughters and never allowed them to do an ounce of work at home, not even lifting a glass..! In 1980, in the month of July, Nasreen suffered from a slip disc and Rafi Saab insisted that she recuperate at his house. She fondly remembers that on her birthday, July 20, he and her mom greeted her with a huge bouquet of flowers. But he passed away.days after that, she recalled with tears in her eyes.
We then went to the mansion itself to Yasmin’s house, who gets her facial features from Rafi Saab. She has two grandchildren, two adorable boys, who came out to say hello to us. Not as talkative as Nasreen, but sweet all the same, she took us to the room where all mementos of Rafi Saab have been preserved by her husband. The photo of Rafi Saab and Kishoreda that you see is on the inside wall, just when you enter the room. Its the picture of friendship and I was so happy to see that photo..it shows the respect that the Rafi family has for Kishore, and the huge respect is there for all to see…
Of course, I didnt know where to begin clicking pictures, so overawed was I by the whole atmosphere…Let me share with you that I didnt carry a camera from Bangalore..I had a broken camera at home, and my sister’s was being used by her son, so on my request she borrowed a camera from a friend (God bless his soul!) and we could click some snaps to share with you. Many of the mementos in the room look like antique pieces, and the names are not visible. The 6 Filmfare awards that he won have been displayed on the wooden branches of a tree-like piece. There were 2 harmoniums, got the picture of one. Of course, there was his chair, his desk, his harp, his tanpura, his carrom board, The room was filled with awards and trophies. There was a chain of discs made of silver inscribed with names of songs from each year given by Prithviraj Kapoor to Rafi Saab on completing 25 years in the film industry.
I asked how was it that Rafi Saab signed in English. Nasreen shared with us that all his songs were written for him only in Urdu, which is the only language he could read (not even Hindi) but that later he learnt some English from the erudite actor Harindranath Chattopadhyay (brother of Sarojini Naidu) who used to come to their house to teach English with some audio tapes etc. That is how he learned to sign in English.
Rafi Saab had a total of 7 children, 4 boys and 3 girls. The oldest 3 male children are no more, having died young like Rafi Saab, of heart ailments. Shahid Rafi is the youngest and lives on the 5th floor of Rafi Mansion. All male children were sent to London to boarding school at the age of 8. Nasreen told us that two sons and she herself had an interest in singing, but Rafi Saab would not hear of them taking on anything professional. After Rafi Saab’s passing away, the original Rafi Mansion was brought down and this 5-storeyed house was built. Rafi Saab’s wife, Bilkees, died in 1998.
These incidents that I share with you with so much pleasure made my day that day. After the 45-minute tour of that sacred room, Yasmin invited us for another tea and we spent another half an hour chatting, before we took their leave. They actually thanked us for coming to their house and spendiing time with them…what can I say for such humility..both my sister and I were overwhelmed..
May God bless them always and keep them ever happy..
Much love,
Bina
Mr. Dixit,
I gone through the web sites of rafi Saab I have seen your photos of Rafi Saab family. Every thing is ok Mr. Dixit but one thing you have shown on website is totally disgusting the photos of the family’s members of rafi Saab means you love rafi Saab we can understand but how why you shown their members on website look they are not a small person like me or like other they are dynamic personalities of versatile singer (RAFI SAAB)
Look privacy is privacy aap unki family se pyar karte hain dekh kar aacha laga
YEH PHOTO DIKHA KAR AAPNE RAFI SAAB KI AATMA KO BAHUT DHUK PHOCHHAYA HAI OR
SABI RAFI FANS KO BHI
MY DEAR THIS IS NOT A MISTAKE THIS IS A BLUNDER MISTAKE THAT YOU HAVE DONE
I have also visited in rafi mansion and met with nasreen didi & took lots of photos but I haven’t done such type of thing that you have did
BINU SIR,
RAFI SAAB IS KO KABHI MAAF NAHIN KARENGE
sanjeev sir, “JAI RAFI SAHAB”
first of all please forgive me for replying so late. But i am very glad that ultimately you have fulfilled your dream.
May god fulfill your next wish also.
Good Bye & take Care
Mohit tandon
sanjeevji , I`m habituated of replying late,but I reply every comments that meant to me as Rafi sahab lives in heart of everyone here,but so many comments that I reply so late that it never reaches whom its meant for.
Please follow the link listed in post 52 above by me. After editing wikipedia page about Rafi sahab`s last song, I replied u but perhaps u missed to read that. Thanking u!
Namaste!
how much personal respect Ashaji even have for kishore da, I could understand fro a TV show( saa re ga ma paa, zee Tv) in which she told, ” Give me anyone, I can make many Kishore ,Rafi in few days”……..
Can u make Rafi sahab, or even kishore kumar?
We get hurt by listening such egoistic reply from the ones like ashaji who is integral part of golden era music. Her whole life is done and still going on defending RD burman`s loosing move to ignore Rafi sahab and having Kishore kumar instead even for the the song that best suits Rafi sahab and not the former. So she only talks of kishore kumar over Rafi sahab.
whatever, don`t we all know, that in 60s so many duets that Ashaji got in company of Rafi sahab is the foundation of making what Ashaji is today. And RDB, it was Rafi sahab who helped him to become music director from assitant one. The song of chhote nawab was toughest rendition of hindi film,the song,whatever the composition would have been but Rafi sahab sang the song ” Illahi tu sun le”, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTeRWTod9Hs
in such a matchless wa that whenever we listen that song get overcome with tears. The master of playback singing, sang for a stammering adult, with underdeveloped child mind but a pure heart” and in last part of the song when actor`s father dies, the breakup voice with broken heart that Rafi sahab delivered ,its something thats beyond the real of a normal human`s expression. Rafi sahab made RDB being established as the critics fav and years later, when he renderred all the songs of teesri Manzil, in a modern rocking way, RDB became favourite of youths also. But the later ignored him, and when again fell in career Rafi sahab once again helped him,in Hum kisi se kam nahi. Doesn`t their heart know it, if not then why still they would need to defend that kishore da was better choice.
We can understand why ashaji ignores all, and especially Rafi saab, for the song like chura liya, where whole song is sung by ashaji and rafi sahab comes with last line stealing the soul of the song with him and so many other numbers in 60s as well!
If Ashaji fav was kishore da, why she chose Rafi sahab`s voice in his son`s(music director) film, —reason is that only Rafi sahab who never feel bad about anything can assure even better melody than the composition, here is the song, “http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK6kWWCCjyk “
Dear Sir
I was so pleased to read the article of one of your writers who went to vist Rafi Saheb’s residence. I have lived in London for the past 40 years and am a great fan of Rafi Saheb. I would like to know if it might be possible for me too visist Rafi Saheb’s residence? Please can you put me in touch with someone who can oraganise it? I should be mowould be really grateful. I will make a special journey from London for this purpose.
Many thanks.
Pinder
Post 81- Lt Col Javed Sayyed saab,
You rightly said “Dignity specifies that one should be admirable of ones colleagues” but unfortunately Asha ji has many times fell short on that account. She has rarely come out of mental mould of RDB- KK. I have hardly heard her saying anything about Rafi saab with whom she gave some of the finest duets of HFM. Not only Rafi, she has never mentioned Mukesh ji, Talat saab or Hemantda. And how about music directors? She seems to have forgotten even her mentor O.P. Nayyar. Did anyone hear Asha ji saying something about Ravi (who gave us many gems in her voice) or Madan Mohan or S.D. Burman? From an artist of her stature who is the pillar of the golden times of HFM, her admirers like us expect her to be more balanced and ‘fair’.
-J.K. Bhagchandani
Dear Priyaji,
Its so heartening to read your posts & your affection for our rafi sahab. Rafi sahab was seen as a very competitive singer for the two sisters. They have acknowledged this in many a forum & that they had to make spl prep for their duets with him!! They were extra careful in the recording studios during the recordings. Lataji, as you have brought out-speaks affectionately about rafi sahabs genius & divinity though they had differences-real & perceived. But ashaji is always about rd & kk. She had even tried to belittle rafi sahab in one of her rdo pgme saying that she sung one of the duet song in HKKN better than rAFI!!! Self aggrandoisement!!! Despite all her might, carrer moves etal, she remained the proverbial #2 in female singers!! Dignity specifies that one should be admirable of ones colleagues-sply if the collegue is in heaven & not try to prove ones false sense of supremacy. Not with rafi sahab at all!
The rdo fm channels also show this tilt towards the trio-rd,kk,asha. The bias is evident. However, these days the fm people have understood rAFI SAHABS OVERWHELMING popularity & now play his songs too.
some people try to bring in comparison of the song tum bin jaon kahan..Where is the comparison? The soft melliflous voice of rafi fitting shashi Kapoor like a glove-his own voice with such superb emotions-in both happy & sad version is incomparable in any sense! Yodelling or no yodelling!!
Sanjeevji, we all are with U in all your endeavours for rafi sahab. Keep the flag flying high & the torch burning bright!!
Sanjeev ji, in a family we have atleast four or five person, friends and relatives makes it bigger. So letter form all of us would surly make it a mega appeal. May God bless u, Binuji, Murty ji, Bhagchandani,javedji,Gurbeer singh and all of `em who r associated with this compaign.
Well, said Mr Nair, plz accept a heartfealt applause from this side also—
~“bharat ratna to bharat ka ratna mohd rafi saaheb,”~
big names r on twitter. Although I`m not there, I`ve read few tweets of Ashaji and Lataji.
Asha ji initial words were only of comparison who`s her fav composer who`s not. In every next comment she appears of talking about Pancham and then about kishore kumar as main playback singer and her coming autobiography. She tells, Rd burman`s fav r only 3 singers, Asha, Lata, Kishore…… same 70s again, Kishore ,kishore Kishore with rarest mention of Rafi. Even talking of legends, she don`t mention Rafi name there.
However, sun is sun, even we sketch it on dark paper, the sun appears brightest,so whoever would take name of Rafi sahab willingly or not,we can feel what kind of person Rafi sahab was.
I chose two of her tweets to be shared here, first for kishore da(although there r many even the ones demanding award for him),
~”Kishoreda’s favourite phrase: once you squeeze toothpaste out can you put it back in ? Same way once I receive money I can’t give it back.”~
& only 3 comments for Rafi sahab was there, one of `em as follows,
~”Rafisaab diligently sent me home made khichada on Id Day. I associate Id and Rafisaab. God’s own man. Gentle soul.”~
GOD`s own man, gentlest soul……I know even Raju Bhartan of filmfare would also say this for Rafi sahab who have criticized him so many times.
Apart from all these, Lataji,as Binu ji told, God is extra kind to her,too. Its the fact and we can see reflection of it on the personality of Lataji also. Lataji talks quite delicately with showing respect,regard and affection to all of the fans and celebrities. Irrespective of all her personal difference with Rafi sahab,and her preference to other singers,she mention and talks of him also.When she joined tweets she added two person only at first,Amitabh Bachhan and Sonu nigham. unlike her sis, While mentioning Godledn era,her language don`t appears comparative here,she don`t talk much of past days,of early early era, I found 3 msg of her, one about her fav duet of herself with her sis Asha ji, 2nd one for Pancham song of tessri Manjil mentioning Rafi sahab`s name. And then this one,
~”@drpusalkar namaskar,my fav.male song composed by madan bhaiyya is teri aankho ke siwa,sung by rafi sahab,….”~
I went to read their msg with the thoughts of Rafi sahab that these r the person who have spent so much time with Rafi,so I visualized how it would have felt If Rafi sahab were still here as he was.
PRIYA JI….. AAP NE DEKHA HOGA KE JIN LOGON NE MOHD RAFI SAAHEB TO NEECHA DIKHANE KI KOSHISH KI – UNHE MUSIC INDUSTRY NE HE “bhula” diya….
( whoever tried to belittle mohd rafi saaheb – they were thrown out in to the dustbins of music history – many times. there are some people even today who takes the name of the legend with an imaginary piece of bitter gourd in their vocal chords.) i would not take names here as it will offend some souls and their fans.
ignore them priya ji….
listen to any rafi song. there is divinity in the voice. lata mangeshkar knew this and she has said this ‘ON RECORD’…..
‘GOD’ has been extra kind to lata mangeshkar too….
binu nair,
rafi foundation, mumbai
cell : 9833 250 701
ACCORDING TO MY JOURNO FRIEND THIS IS WHAT HE SAID RE THE BHARAT RATNA CAMPAIGN….
THESE POLITICIANS WHILE GIVING AN AWARD WILL “FIRST” THINK : WHAT’s
MY “benefit” in the whole thing. other wise, they will NOT MOVE AN INCH.
previously, when ram vilas paswan strongly put the case of “bharat ratna for mohd rafi”, the political clans said, we want bharat ratna for charan sing – defector prime minister for few days, morarji desai and many unknown figures…
seeing the long list of names, the govt dropped the plan some three years back and said no posthumous awards would be given.
some english dailies even rediculed the b.r. to mohd rafi saab saying the singer of oh duniya ke rakhwale does’nt require bharat ratna to prove his supremacy… and such other stuffs.
the bharat ratna letters must be strongly given to the main political characters by a strong delegation. we must build the public opinion from every stage.
in a music function when i spoke on “bharat ratna to bharat ka ratna mohd rafi saaheb,” there was a big applause from the auditorium….
yes. we have to build up a “solid , strong public opinion” on the bharat ratna issue.
binu nair
rafi foundation
mumbai: cell 0 9833 250 701…..
Dear Sanjeev ji
sorry for delay for the comment
aap ne jo pictures di hain sachmuch ek naayab tohfa hai.
main in tasveeron ko dekhte huve mehssoos kar raha tha jaise rafi saab hamare saath hi hai
Muveen
9971748099
Priya ji (Post 66)
This world is not perfect. Had it been so, there would not have been any critic of singing giant and a noble soul like Rafi saab. I have also felt the under-current of anti-Rafi mentality in some quarters, in some forums, in psyches of some proven bigots. As Haldar ji rightly said “the operative word is envy”. Those handful of self-proclaimed supreme judges of all forms of music of this planet can go to any extent to shamelessly exhibit their jaundiced views.
Let us ignore these morons. Rafi saab has given us enough gems to get sub-merged into their melody.
Meanwhile I congratulate Mr. Sanjeev Dixit for visiting the holiest of musical places- “Rafi Mansion”. Wonderful description and photographs of the occasion has made this article a collector’s favorite.
-J.K. Bhagchandani
Respected Priya Didi,
ref. post no- 73
I Sanjeev Kumar Dixit and Gurbeer singh from Lucknow, prepared a letter for a campaign for “BHARAT RATNA FOR RAFI SAHAB” in FOUR formets for PM, PRESIDENT, MEDIA AND FOR OTHERS.I requested to pradeep ji to give a description & link for these letters on home page of “mohdrafi.com” as soon as possible so that many of Rafi bhakts can start to POST these letters to respective address FROM THIS MONTH OF JULY.
I wants that everybody in this forum and many more RAFI BHAKTS download these letters and send to the PM/PRESIDENT/MEDIA with ONLY THEIR individual name,VOTER ID and signature from different part of the country as well as from entire world .We must have to send too many letters as many as possible to PM/PRESIDENT/MEDIA OR ANY OTHER RAFI FANS LIKE MR. RAHUL GANDHI, MR. LALKRISHNA ADWANI, MR. RAMVILAS PASWAN & MR. NAVJOT SING SIDHU etc.
So friends, please start to send these letters INDIVIDULY from today and inspire to others to do so.We wants to send too many letters to the PM/PRESIDENT/MEDIA.
FORMET OF THESE LETTERS MAY BE SAME FOR ALL, IT SHOWS THAT WE ARE ONE ON THIS PLATEFORM.
IMPORTANT- “PLEASE SEND THESE LETTERS ATLEAST ONCE IN A MONTH TILL RAFI SAHAB GET THE BHARAT RATNA.”
Here are some contact details of few leaders.Pl send E-mails and post LETTERS to him with your VOTERS ID, NAME AND SIGNATURES.Indirectly we will show him that we RAFI FANS ARE THE VOTE BANK & At the correct time we will tell him directly.Here are some contact addresses on which you have to post the letter-
1)SONIA GANDHI JI
10, Janpath,
New Delhi 110011 India
PH: 91-11-23014161, 23014481
E-Mail: soniagandhi@sansad.nic.in
2)INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS
24, Akbar Road,
New Delhi – 110011 , INDIA
TEL : 91-11-23019080
FAX : 91-11-23017047
3)Rahul Gandhi
Indian Youth Congress, #5 Raisina Road, New Delhi – 110001, India.
4)SHRI RAM VILAS PASWAN
Permanent Address Vill. & P.O. Shaharbanni, Tola Bellai,
Distt. Khagaria,- 851 204 (Bihar)
Present Address
12, Janpath,
New Delhi – 110 001
Tel. (011) 23017681, 23794310,23015249
5)PRESIDENT’S SECRETARIAT HELPLINE
http://helpline.rb.nic.in/GrievanceNew.aspx
6)RTI PORTAL OF GOVT OF INDIA
http://rti.india.gov.in/index. php
7)Shri P. CHIDAMBARAM (Home Minister)
Permanent Address 16, Pycrofts Garden Road,
Chennai – 600 006 (Tamil Nadu)
Tel./Fax (044)28279025
Present Address 19, Safdarjung Road,
New Delhi-110 011
Tel. (011) 23792222
Also see:-
Coordination & Public Grievance Division
An Internal Grievances Redressal Machinery (IGRM), functioning in this Ministry, attends to all grievances promptly. The Joint Secretary (Coordination and Public Grievances) has been nominated as Director of Public Grievances. The name, designation, room number, telephone number, etc. of Director of Public Grievances are as under:
8)Shri K.C. Jain
Joint Secretary (Coordination and Public Grievances)
Room No. 9, North Block
New Delhi-110001
Telefax No.23092392
E-Mail: jscpg-mha@nic.in
dirpg-mha@nic.in
For lodging Grievances centrally, Please click
http://www.pgportal.gov.in/
2. A public Grievance Officer has been nominated in each Division of the Ministry as the Nodal Officer to monitor the progress of the redressal of Public Grievances relating to the respective Division..
9)PRIME MINISTER
Contact Address :
Manmohan Singh,
7, Race Course Road
New Delhi – 110011
Ph:23018939
23018668
23015470
Fax-23015603
REQUEST- PL SEARCH MORE CONTACT ADDRESSES OF MEDIA AND LEADERS AND SEND THE LETTERS TO THEM.CONTACT TO ME FOR COPIES OF THE LETTERS ON MY E-MAIL.
THANKS -
SANJEEV KUMAR DIXIT
LUCKNOW
rafisanjeev@gmail.com
sanjeev ji , we can feel new vibrant energy in u after ur visit to the holy grave of Rafi sahab…
Thanks for sharing the blessing with us too.Plz share details of the campaign in yet another article here,then it can reach to wider range of Rafians all over the world as not everyone read comments here.
Binuji, u can do it, its a humblest request to u. We so often read so many allegory related to Rafi sahab about his singing and beyond singing too as a person.So many of them shared by u to us. Why not lets compile them on a separate article here, for the most of the rarest incident of Rafi sahab`s life is revealed to us in form of comments here and has lost in the passing waves of time. we can arrange them at least most of them, to let the world know what really Rafi sahab was and why such a person like him deserves to be respected that such a divine voice with extrordinary singing is coming from a really blessed ,humble and a saintly person.
The popularity of Rafi sahab that was blocked by mean politics of film world has increased 10 times from last few years of Internet, especially last in 2 years of broadband and YouTUBE ,esnips and other music sites etc. Like the song Tumbin, they have tried their best to conceal it,there r numerous Rafi sahab`s songs on net most of them a masterpiece,so when listeners found Rafi versions on net they witnessed a new dimension of singing and by continuously by last 5 years,as I was told by a youtube executive from london, Rafi sahab`s songs r most listened hindi songs of all time> the likhey jo khat song made record in most watched video from India but its removed now as so many person spammed it (may be out of jealousy) and also for the copyright issue of music cos.!
sites like whopopular, mohdrafi dot com etc is a witness that his popularity and our devotion for him is growing day by day.
RE POST 70……BHARAT RATNA…
KINDLY TAKE OUT THE COPIES OF LETTER : bharat ratna to mohd rafi and forward it to the member of parliament in our resp. zones….
in mumbai there are five loksabha members. all of them will be given the appeal. there are some union ministers who are also rafi bakhts and we are forwarding the same to them….
all the best…
binu nair, rafi foundation, mumbai
You did not just fulfill your dream but also the dream of many deewaanas over here ! Thank you very very much
Dear Ali sahab:Ref.-post no-39 and all dear Rafi sahab’s lover,
Under the “Bharat Ratna” campaign for Rafi Sahab i has been posted the letter yesterday(1/07/10) to our respected PM Dr. Manmohan sing, Mrs. Sonia gandhi, Mr. Rahul Gandhi, Mr. Rambilas paswan and Mr Navjot singh sidhu. Navjot singh sidhu ji is a MP(BJP) from Amritser which is the land of birth of our beloved Rafi Sahab,therefore i also requested to sidhu ji to pls put our demand in parliament as well as in media.
This letter also has been published in the article form in a magazine “avijit” of lucknow and i am trying to publish that article in news papers also.
I am also requesting to all Rafi lovers, pls post a letter to concerning authorities with yours name, address, phone no and voter id no. One who wants the copies of letters & addresses where these letters have to send, pls contact me on my E-mail. I will send you the copies and addresses. Copies of the letters are already has been given to mr. as murty sir(Hyderabad), mr. narayan ji(bangalore), Mr. rajughose ji(Kolkata) & mr. zorawar ji(Delhi) etc. you can also get these copies from them. Pls starts to send right now and don’t be late……
Regards,
-Sanjeev Kumar Dixit
rafisanjeev@yahoo.com
rafisanjeev@rediffmail.com
Gautam banerjee: ref. Post-37
Rafi sahab got 6 filmfare awards in his carrier in those days when there was no separate category for best male and female singers.In those days award had given only in one category “BEST PLAYBACK SINGER”
Filmfare awards received by Mohd. Rafi Sahab are as follows-
Songs Film Year
1)Chaudahvi ka chand ho…. Title song 1960
2)Teri Pyari-2 surat ko……… Sasural 1961
3)Chahunga main tujhe ……. Dosti 1964
4)Baharon phool barsao…….. Suraj 1966
5)Dil ke jharokhe me……….. Brahmchari 1968
6)Kya hua tera wada………. Ham kisi se kam nahi 1977
Regards,
-Sanjeev Kumar Dixit
Sanjeevji
you are one of those lucky ones who get what they wish for in life.Not all are as lucky as you are sir.Congratulations
In that sense I must say bina didi too is lucky.
Suresh jee ke saath , main bhi aap se aap ki experiences pooch rahee hoon madam Zara bataayiye.Hope you wont disappoint us.
avani
dear friend ,one more die heart rafi saab fan ,recently visited rafi mansion his name is qamaal mustafa aikander saab i have posted his pictures of rafi mansion. you will find some pictures with rafi saabs son,shahid rafi saab,kindly visit all the pages of rafi saabs blog to view this pictures take care
http://www.rafifanblog.blogspot.com
we mohd rafi fan should be better from Indian Gov’t and bollywood…
~Ali
sure Ali ji!
however about govt..well, nothing wrong with constitution and the country but politician ruins them……thanks God Rafi sahab is not honoured by these corrupt leaders and selfish musicians.Allah has already rewarded him with divinity.
recently, In Delhi they organised a music program by a big organiser. They had picture of all sort of singers and their main picture were Lataji and Kishore kumar. About 15 singers were there but Rafi sahab was not there.
Recently in magazine I saw the add of TIME now program of golden era of 60s, in their advertiment funny part was that even with picture of Dilip kumar and viswajeet they listed that were sung by other singer not Rafi sahab…..
Again same times group, who even played big role to oucaste Rafi sahab in 70s by not even including his songs to filmfare nominations, recently gave Shashi Kapoor life time achivement award….The smae shasi ji for whom we have countless Rafi sahab smashits, like pardesyon se na ankhiyan, dilbaer janiye, likhey jo khat tujhe, tum bin etc…. but at the time of awards they played in background Kishore kumar song Tumbin, that exactlt is play backed on Bharat bhushan ji not shasi ji……….
On Radio,fm ..even if people love Rafi sahab songs they play kishore kumar songs, lataji,ashaji songs and rarly Rafi sahab`s….
Whatever…how much these sick groups and people try they can`t ignore The farista of Indian singing….If they talk of hindi songs even they don`t take name of rafi they have to talk of him, because its Rafi sahab because of him Golden era was Golden era…even after mukesh ji`s death in 77 Rafi sahab alone helped Indian film in this 3 years till 80 to again establishing melodius song as main stream…………but after his death in 1980, melody dies,all else was here, call Lataji, kishore da, ashaji.what lost indeed?..perhaps It was Rafi himself who was the melody, personified!
Dear Sanjeevbhai,
You are a blessed soul to have visited Rafi sab’s mansion and mazahar. I am sure you felt his melodious energy everywhere. The photos are very good but dated 2006. Was it then?
I loved the picture of his chair and visiting card.
Post no. 9, Binadidi
Please post your experiences as well madam.
regards,
Suresh
I have been touched by your emotions and your worship…Dixitji…It is a great favour you have done by posting those photographs of Rafi saab’s family and his music room. I am also a humble fan of Rafi Saab..my mother is a great fan of Rafi Saab and she knows almost all the songs sung by him, and almost everyday he is cherished…in our household. He was and is the undisputed King of songs. Rafi Saab should have been bestowed by Bharat Ratna. With all the great regards for the legendary Raafi Saab…Mohandas Menon, New Delhi.
Please vote to mohd Rafi at http://www.whopopular.com/voteperson.aspx?PersonID=5651&?KeepThis=true&TB_iframe=true&width=510&height=450
I think we should take a same time daily to vote for mohd rafi because Mohd Rafi gave us great songs which we listen daily as we listen his songs I think we shou;d vote the same way,we mohd rafi fan should be better from Indian Gov’t and bollywood…
rafi saab jaisa singer nahi paida hua aur nahi hoga may allah bless there soul and give place in heaven (jannat)
Respected “HV Gurumurthy sahab (post-47), Zorawar sahab (post 49), Mahboob sahab (post 50), Priya sanyal didi (Post 52), AS Murty sahab (Post 55), Bina didi (By telephone) and Lt Col Javed Sayyed sahab(Post -59)”… Thank you so much for your kind support.
I had already cleared my intention that why i written this article in post no-51 and nothing else i want to say for clarification.
post-54:Binu ji thanks a lot for sharing your emotions with us.
Post-60: Javed sahab i am voting regularly voting to our FARISHTA and motivating to others also and very soon Rafi sahab will get 8th place.So let us keep voting fast, don’t be slow because 12th rank holder “Yahya Sweiss” is covering the distance very quickly.
Post- 58:sagar atre sahab sure sir, I will help you what ever possible from me.
Regards,
-SANJEEV KUMAR DIXIT
rafisanjeev@yahoo.com
Dear rafians,
Pl vote for rafi sahab in http://www.whopopular.com. He has moved up to World #10 in musicians category & soon should be moving further up in the rankings. Some may argue about the voting- let the logic rest for some time & let every rafian do his/her bit. For us-mere mortals-popularity of our beloved artist is important & we do want the very best for our fav personality. One can cast multiple votes after every hour. Lets all do our bit & encourage our family members, relatives, friends etc to do the same. Also, the campaign for Bharat Ratna for rafi sahab should gather steam now.
Dear Rafians,
Why this distraction on Rafi sahabs photographs, his belongongs etc. Post 47 Mr HV Gurumurthy has very nicely summed up the issue. Let the Bhakt rightfully regale in his pilgrimage & its after effects for life!! Let Rafi sahabs family also have their veil of privacy, yet continue to be gracious to accept visits of rafians to his abode. The fact that the family members very so happy to welcome Mr Sanjeev & extend him all possible hospitality speaks for itself. As I have said in earlier post- they are proudly carrying fwd the legacy of humbleness, humility & warmth of rafi sahabs personality with pride. However, it is the responsibility of each rafian to ensure that rafi sahab should not be exploited for personal or professional gains-that would be deceiving the noble soul. Its the right of every rafian to feel & show his/her fondness, love & affection for rafi sahab yet be sensitive to his family.
Ji apko sagar ka pyar bhara namaskar. Aap bahot hi khush kismat hai ke ap sahab ke ghar pe ja sake. Mai puna me rehata hu aur yehi koshish hai ki mere bhi akhari ichha puri ho aur mai sahab ke ghar par matha tek saku. Mai mera ghar ke divar par ek bahut bada (15 X 15 ft) ka colage banana bhi chahata hu. agar aap kuch photograph mi de sake to abharo rahunga. dhanyawad
wow so much information of RAFI saab thnks alot fr sharing……….
Sanjeev Jee
Where there is action, there will always be reaction. When you write something you should be ready to accept both admiration and criticism alike.
Post No. 29 and Post No.46 what they have written it sounds true. You give your clarification because this is international website and million and trillion of unknown Rafi lovers are there.
If anybody loves Rafi Saab truly visit Rafi Mansion and keep the photos in their personal album, no need to display on public website.
Priya jee
No need to boil your blood so profusely. Please calm down. Keep your energy to write some good write ups in future.
Regards
H.A.K. Walijah
Sanjeevbhai, good that you gave that apt clarification. Uncalled for advices should not detract you from what you are doing.
the rafi mansion’s music room is a ‘VIRTUAL MUSEUM’.
i take this opportunity to thank rafi saaheb family for their generosity in meeting mohd rafi fans – and giving their valuable time.
if the music is good the heart will sing,
if rafi sings, the world will sing….
mohd rafi “we” remember….
I would so much love to visit Rafi sahab’s house and meet his family. I hope I would get that chance one day if I ever visit India.
we had recently similar post by Sohail Butt on Rafi sahab, where picture of his real brother Mohd Saddique was posted.There is nothing unusual about it Dear Post 29 and 46.
http://www.mohdrafi.com/meri-awaaz-suno/a-journey-through-rafi-jees-hometown.html#comments
Even the divine voice of Rafi sahab couldn`t melt our heart in love and compassion that we react so strongly making verdict by our own assumption.
Rafi sahab didn`t like limelight so avoided being in focus and as Shahid Rafi ji(rafi sahab`s son) tell, Rafi sahab never wanted to force career on their children , he wanted their own will to win,that they become a good person mainly, so he never publicized his own children and also self praising was not the nature of Saintly Rafi. But does it means that Rafi sahab had intention to veil their family members? Never. Dear friends post 29,46. Plz never forget that watch word with Rafi sahab was freedom not slavry,even the way he sings is so free flow unlike other singers who sings sad songs stressing their thoughts Rafi sahab never cared going as high as sky or as low as the surface of the ocean. so u r request to plz be modest in ur words before alleging someone with such mean thoughts of “self -Praise”……
Perhaps u couldn`t feel how did I and so many other rafi lovers would have felt seeing the Grave about which we recently read in newspaper,that it is demoslished. Plz don`t divide Rafi sahab as two person, our Farista was same everywhere, smae innconec, smile everywhere in studio or with his family. Plz respect the tears and joy of all those lovers of divinity of Rafi sahab as a singer and “person” both!
Dear Kabeer Aman sahab ref: post no.-29 and dear andrea correa sahab ref. post no-46,
First of all thanks for given your kind views on this small description. I want to say to both of you that i have not written this article for my self publicity but only for sharing my happiness and emotions among maximum RAFI lovers all across the world.
I posted few pictures of RAFI MANSION for those RAFI SAHAB’S fan who worships him but not able to visit RAFI SAHAB’S house and his grand music room.
For kind information to both of you- “I POSTED THESE PICTURES ON THIS WEBSITE WITH KIND CONSENT & PERMISSION OF RAFI SAHAB’S FAMILY.”
“I am very grateful to all RAFI SAHAB’S family members in whole of my life that they had given proper time to us from their too much busy schedule.
Thanks again to PARWEZ JI, YASMEEN DIDI AND IRFAN SAHAB……”
Regards,
-SANJEEV KUMAR DIXIT
LUCKNOW
Sanjeev ji,
you are a very lucky man.
Kabeer ji,
ref post 29. I think you are over reacting.
I dont see anything wrong in what Sanjeev has done.
But I will say that whoever goes to visit the mansion etc to please be considerate of Rafi’s families time and not to be too intrusive.
After all it is there generosity that they are able to give their valuable time to those visiting. We should not take too much advantage of their hospitality, generosity etc.
regards
Mehboob
Dear Sanjeev Bhai,
Congratulations on visiting Rafi sahab’s grave and music room. As you say, it was a dream come true. I think that stands same for every Rafi Bhakt when he/she visits these two places. Because, when I visited, I had the same feeling and specially when I entered Rafi Sahab’s music room alongwith Parvez Bhai and Binu Ji, I got thrilled and a feeling like having Rafi Sahab around me started inside.
The best part was that whenever I looked at the chair, I could feel the words in Rafi Sahab’s voice saying “Aa wai Zorawar, Kee Haal Hai”.
Believe me, I still have that feeling inside me and when everyday morning, I bow my head in front of his photo, he seems to be asking me the same thing again and again.
Although these are illusions but then I could not find a better illusion/practical experience till this time in my life.
With ref. post 29, I would like to put on records that nobody is denied entry to Rafi Sahab’s music room by his family members, infact they feel happy about it. Therefore, I don’t think there is any harm in sharing your happiness with others. Moreover, his music room has turned out to be museum for all the Rafi Fans.
Long Live Rafi Sahab !
Regards,
Zorawar Chhugani
Founder Gen. Secy.
Rafi Foundation Memorial Society, Delhi
# 9810224991
thanks for sharing divine photographs and your wonderful expirence.may god bless you
Kabeer Aman Saab,
This is with reference to your post no. 29. Everyone has his own views. Every celebrity has to undergo this situation, when people due to their love and affection, want to know more about the man. This is true, whether the person is a politician or sportsman or filmy man or any body else. The author has only shared his visit to Rafi Mansion and showed the photos in Rafi Saab’s room. What is wrong with that? I am sure most people on the net would have admired the article and photos and perhaps, would have thanked the author profusely for the article.
The author just wanted to share his happiness of visiting his Idol’s home, in fact I am jealous of the author. In spite of listening to Rafi Saab’s songs since I was born, I have not visited Rafi Mansion. I still feel if only I can visit his room, sit there quietly for few minutes, recalling his songs silently. Well, let us thank the author that atleast we could see the photos.
MOHD RAFI WAS THE MOST DIGNIFIED SINGER AND HUMAN BEING – BY FAR. ANYBODY COULD MEET HIM DURING HIS LIFETIME.
BUT HE KEPT HIS FAMILY OUT OF PUBLIC VIEW DURING HIS LIFETIME. THIS HAS TO BE MAINTAINED.
THE GRACEFUL RAFI FAMILY MEETS MANY MANY MANY RAFI LOVERS. BUT NO ONE HAS SO FAR GONE AND PUBLISHED THEIR PHOTOGRAPHS IN AN INTERNATIONAL WEBSITE. IF ITS WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT, THE PICTURES MUST BE REMOVED.
Aadab Rafi dear friends,
First of all i want to say thanks to all readers of this article who gave their precious comments on my small description.
I also wants to say very-very special thanks to “PRIYA SANYAL DIDI, NASREEN DIDI, BINA DIDI, AS MURTY SAHAB, P NARAYAN SAHAB, RAMESH N. KURPAD SAHAB, MEHTAAB SAHAB & MOHD. PARWEZ SAHAB ” for their kind views on the article AND their “PRICELESS BLESSINGS” for me.
MEHTAB sahab thanks again for your rare news for RAFI SAHAB’S fans(post-42) regarding unreleased songs of Rafi Sahab.
As par request of many Rafi Fans,i am posting the residential address of our beloved “MOHD. RAFI SAHAB” as given below-
“Rafi Mansion
Plot No. 43,
28th Road,
Bandra,
Mumbai -50″
Dear Rafians i am very-very sorry that i can’t share the phone No of any member of RAFI SAHAB’S family publicly on the internet without his permission because it will be against the privacy rule of any person.
At the last i want to say sorry to my friends in Mumbai that i could not met with them due to my very short & tight schedule in Mumbai.Igone there at first time and dependent upon one of my friend.It is my promise to all my friends in Mumbai i will meet them in my next visit.
Thanks again to all the visitors of this site for reading the description and sharing their valuable comments with us.
REGARDS,
-SANJEEV KUMAR DIXIT
Sir Kabeer Aman post 29
Mohd Rafi sent by God not only for his family but he was for all of us and his family members are lucky…..we love mohd rafi as singer but the people who worked with him they love Mohd Rafi more as human than a singer……..
I don’t think that Shahid Rafi going to take action against Sanjeev Kumar for presenting the pictures on this website because he is son of greater human than a singer…..
That true Mohd rafi didn’t like the film line and media because they were so selfish but we mohd rafi fans are not like them jest please visit http://www.whopopular.com/Musicians and you will go that how we love mohd rafi…..or facebook Farrukh Yaadein ……many many more
Mohd rafi is Bharat Ratna but not for INDIAN only …
Rafi saab jaisa na koi tha, na ko hoga! May god let him rest in peace.
Its a shame that the man who mesmerised India since last 6 decades and is a symbol of communal harmony, is yet to receive the highest civilian award of his country.
Let us all pray that the justice will be done soon.
I hope someday I’ll be able to visit Rafi’jis house.
The following news has been written by S. Raju for Hindustan Times, that may be really interesting for the Rafi Sahib’s fans. It ‘ll be published in the issue of 30th June, 2010. The Breaking News is :
Two unreleased songs sung by the legendary playback singer Mohd Rafi have been lying in a vault in Meerut for over 40 years. They are with octogenarian Ved Prakash Sharma, the lyricist who penned them for the 1970 film, Pyaar Ek Ret Ki Deewaar, which never got completed. The film was Sharma’s own production and was being directed by Raj Jalandhri. The songs, ‘Vaada karo pyaar nibhaane ka…’ and ‘Zamaane ke haathon sataye gaye hain…’ were composed by music director Roshan and recorded in Rafi’s voice for Rs 3,000.
They were picturised on actors Ravindra and Devika in Meerut and Mussoorie. About two more reels were yet to be shot, when the film was shelved due to financial problems. “Rafi’s voice is so soothing as compared to today’s loud music,” says Sharma, who now plans to release the songs in a local film, which is being produced in Meerut. “I want the songs to reach millions of Rafi fans. It is my tribute to him.”
(Rafi Sahib’s lovers should note, it is an important news.)
– MEHTAB
mehtabmasih@gmail.com, Mobile : +91-98157 03226
refrence to post 29 ,mujhe nahin laghta ke sanjeev kumar dixit ne koi bhura kaam kiya, main sanjeev kumar dixit ka shukriya adha kartha hoon ke usne hamare saath behtareen pictures rafi mansion ka aur unka family ka hamare saath share kiya
YOU ARE LUCKY..OTHERS, INCLUDING ME ARE NOT..,MOHAMMED RAFI IS ALIVE VERY MUCH, HE CAN NOT DIE, WE WILL NOT LET HIM..
Hi All
I think who visited mohd Rafi Grave he should be lucky and I think he should also visit the great Naushad ji Grave which is in same place…
Best playback singer of the millennium still not having Bharat Ratna award so sham to the Gov’t I think but he is the real Bharat Ratna and also the world Ratna….
If you lose some one from our family member we will going to forget them in few years and you are not going to cry from them but Mohd rafi the only we cry for him still….
We are lucky that we are Mohd rafi fans .sorry my english not good
Dear Sanjeev bhai,
Kudos for such a divine,lively and blissful write up.You need not pay a visit to Mecca aur Madina now.Thank you sooooo much for sharing your divine experience with all we Rafi bhakts.
I was just comparing the photo of Yasmeen didi in the 1st picture with Rafi Saheb photograph on its side in the column Vote for Rafi Sahab.She looks exactly the true carbon copy of Rafi Sahab with similar faces and the similar smiles and humble expressions.
I could see the sheer simplicity of his home/mansion..simple chair,ordinary man,s lamp,ordinary harmonium and the most significant view was (if any of the Rafi bhaktas have observed)..the simple tinned or cement chadder on its roof. What a simple living he had, needs no description.His simple holy grave is the last testimony to his divine simplicity.
He liked kite flying and playing with his children for most of his life and never liked publicity about him or his family in any form or kind.He would go to marriage parties straight to the bridal duo and their parents ,bless them and would leave immediately for his home as told by Rafi Sahab,s wife in one of her rare interviews.He would go to the cinema hall with his children and wife nearly 10-15 minutes later after start of the picture and would leave the hall 5-10 minute before the end of the picture.His children would complain him of not seeing the start or the end of a particular picture.Such a shy and simple divine soul he was !!! On the contrary,professionally what he was ..is a golden history of the whole world now.
Reference post no. 29…It is right he didn’t like publicity of his personal life but when he was live, He was like a God for all his bhakts and there is no need to look beyond one’s God divinity, so was the case then with all his followers. But now He is not physically with us hence it’s a natural human desire and curiosity to know more and more about Him.This is what history is all about.So I don’t think there is any element of His dislike now in following His way of life by his true followers.
Uske jaane ke saath hi sangeet ke sur bhi chale gaye,
Kya hua gar aaj koi adhure suron se mehfil saja raha hai.
Thank you so much for sharing this blissful experience with us.
dr.s.s.yadav,
haryana.
The photographs were great.I want to know how many Filmfare awards did Md. Rafi get and for which film song and the year. I would also like Rafi fans to put effort to find all songs that are lost. Like right now I can’t trace “O pagle der na hogi”,a duet with Usha Manngeskar from the film “Kinare kinare”.That will be a great help to Rafi fans.
Gautam Banerjee.
Great article by Sanjeev ji and some very rare pictures of Rafi sahab’s personal belongings. We are grateful to you Sanjeev ji for giving us a glimpse of Rafi sahab’s house and all his belongings. God bless you.
Rafi sahab was a farishta.
I have two rare personally signed black and white photographs of Rafi sahab which I wish to sell. If any Rafi sahab fan is interested please let me know.
Email: sunrise607@rediffmail.com
Best Wishes,
Suneel,
Mumbai.
DEAR SANJEE JI…
YOU ARE VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE VISITED OUR RAFISAHEB’S MANSION AND THE HOLY GRAVE SITE…THANKS FOR SHARING…HOPEFULLY ,IF I AM LUCKY,I WILL TRY AND VISIT THE HOUSE NEXT TIME WHEN I VISIT MUMBAI
THANKS ONCE AGAIN
AKBAR KHORAKIWALA…FROM LOS ANGELES,USA
Yes sanjeev Ji its a real pilgrimage. I too visited the house of our FARISHTA on 30th JUly 2007 along with Binu nair & Sirish Kulkarni. I narated my heavenly experince which is there in the archives of 2007. The chair, table, black dial telephone & than small sharp transistor radio which is rafi sahab’s most favourite are all there on the table. it was a true pilgrimage for us.
Vinod Kapoor Sahab and others who had wished for the address of Rafi Mansion. If you just check up this website under the head “site menu”, the third icon gives you all the address of Rafi Mansion.
A S MURTY
SECRETARY,
RAFI FOUNDATION,
HYDERABAD CHAPTER
Hello Sanjeev,
You did an exceptional job. Must hv been an exhilirating experience. Though I met Rafi Sahib on few occasions but getting a chance to visit his house is indeed an opportunity and honour. I dont know whether I should ask you but could the address be passed on to me also? After all who would’nt like going there !! Thanks.
Vinod Kapoor
Former Sr. Director
Doordarshan
vinodkapoor5@yahoo.com
Dearest Sanjeev. I knew soon you would go over to Mumbai for this teerth yatra and that nothing could stop you. I have seen some very dedicated Rafi Bhakts in my life and you belong right at the top of such a list. I had been enquiring with friends in Mumbai about your visit and I was fortunate to have been told all these details personally by you immediately after you returned back to Lucknow. What a great experience you have had and it was magnanimous of you to have share your inner feelings, interspread with all those lovely photos and details in such a lovely and inspiring write up. It is the charisma of Rafi Sahab that he has such noble fan following. I suggest you write a lovely write up for other magazines/newspapers, both in Hindi and English so that such information reaches millions of other Rafi Bhakts who may not have had the opportunity to visit this site. If we can be of any help in this regard, please do not hesitate. Your constant pleading to all to vote for Rafi Sahab on http://www.whopopular.com is a very commendable and untiring effort on your part.
A S MURTY
SECRETARY
RAFI FOUNDTION
HYDERABAD.
Dhanya Dhanya ho gaye hum aapke surile lekh aur photos dekhkar..
Sachmuch aapne Haj ki yatra aur Char dhamon ki yatra kar di..
Hamare Bhagvan ke ghar gaye aur ashirvad paya…
Aapne thamam cheejonka ankhe dekha haal pradhan kiya
Bahuth shukriya badi meherbani Sanjeevbhai
Narayan
If any sensible man analyze Rafi Saab personality that can be split into two parts – Rafi the family man and Rafi the Singer. Most of the fans belong to Rafi the singer side, we have full rights being his fans to talk, discuss, analyze his songs, singing art, etc. But we Rafi fans have no right to talk about Rafi the family man that part all in all is a personal matter. No body is allowed to bring his personal belongings on the net and exhibit to the world. That what he had done in his whole life. He hide his personal life as well as his family members from the eyes of the media and never allowed anyone to drag his family before the media. This may be the reason that none of his family members found in showbiz. When I look the pictures presented in this write up, I felt very much and thinking if Rafi Saab would have alive today, what sort of pain he would have felt for the injury done by way of exhibiting his personal belongings to the world. This is painful too for Rafi fans who really loves him. The family members of Rafi Saab are requested not to grant permission for such an exhibition on net. Further to remove all the pictures shown with immediate effect. I further request the younger son of Rafi Saab, Shahid Rafi to take action against Sanjeev Kumar Dixit for presenting the pictures on this website.
Kabeer Aman
man_47@hotmail.com
Dear Mr Sanjeev,
My personal congrats to U to have been on this beautiful pilgrimage to Rafi Mansion. Grateful for sharing the precious photos of rafi sahabs house, his chair, the Harmonium, visiting cards etc. As is expected, his first & second generation too reflect his humility & personality!! Really happy to see this in todays materialistic world. Mr Binu NaIR -personal request to U, to programme & arng vis to rafi mansion for Rafians on monthly basis so that his family too is not taxed as also rafians get a chance to vis & meet family members as well as interact with rafians from across the country & the world at this holy place!!
A personal request to all rafians-Pl vote for rafi sahab in http://www.whopopular.com. currently he is world # 11. Why not #1. Multiple votes can be cast after ever hour. Also pl request & invite your friends to do the same. He should get max votes on daily basis.
dear sanjeev dixit ji and dear rafi saab fans ,i would like to inform every body that apart from this pictures of rafi saab mansion i have posted around 20 pictures of rafi mansion ,mr harold another rafi saab fan visited rafi mansion some times back, kindly visit all the pages of rafi saabs blog to view that pictures of rafi saabs family,for kind information of visitors of blog,to go to next page,kindly click older posts ,you will find bottom of every page,so i suggest you to visit all the pages of our beloved one and only rafi saabs blog,take care
http://www.rafifanblog.blogspot.com
I visited Rafi Mansion and the grave of Rafi Saheb many years ago. I was afraid that the grave no longer existed because of reports in the media that the entire cemetery had been cleared to make space available for projects for the city of Mumbai. I am glad that the grave is undisturbed.
Dear Sanjeev ji,
What can I say for this extra-ordinary visit and beautiful article. It is full of new and latest information about Rafi Sahab, including his family members and recent states of home, grave and other things. A unique information about Rafi Sahab’s Visiting Card (How MELODIOUS even the Rafi Sahab’s Visiting Cards were!). On the whole, it is a great article.
Many congratulations and thanks for sharing this lovely article.
Thanks and best regards.
Anwar-ul-Haque
anwarhq25@yahoo.com
dear friend
u r really lucky that u could meet family of great singer rafi i really liked the photographs its really astonishing that u could meet his family and they are as humble as rafisaab was by staying in mum my home is approximately 30 minutes away from his home his son shahidji runs business in area where i stay still i could not meet them althouhg its my wish i really feel proud to be part of rafi eara he left for heavenlu abode when i was 7 i also visited his grave which is 20 minutes away from my home but could not take darshan as time wasa 7.3o pm really rafi saab was singer of na bhuto na bhavishyati
Hello Sanjeev, thanks for sharing your lovely experience with us…It reminds me of my visit to rafi saab’s birth place in 1999.. I had gone to the Punjab to visit my relatives and arrived at Amritsar airport..When there it occurred to me that i had read in books and magazines that rafi saab was born in Kotla Amritsar. I thought it best to ask a local taxi driver who advised me that there were atleast 4 Kotlas in Amritsar. I thought it best to start off with the Kotla closest to the city.
So i asked the very taxi driver to take me there. After many hours of visiting the various Kotlas in Amritsar we reached the last one on our list. We arrived in the town centre of Majhithia and met a Sardaar who informed us that Rafi saab’s birthplace was Sultan Singh Kotla a small village about two miles from the town centre. We journeyed towards our destination until i read a sign in Punjabi which said Mohammad rafi marg, a little further was a school which had a large board on it stating mohammad rafi school.
It was a great and very humbling experience to visit the birth place of our great idol rafi saab.
Please note i am dedicating a show in the memory of rafi saab with mangal singh on 1st August 2010 at the Leicester Colosseum. This message is an invitation to all rafi fans the whole world over to grace my show with your presence…kind regards jas singh..contact no: 07875738730
sanjeev jee, aap mumbai aaye ,humse nahin mile ,koi baat nahin bachche, tumhare man ki saadh to puri ho gayi naa ( u visited mumbai but not called us , i am glad you fulfil your dreams). god bless u .
I am overwhelmed by seeing the photos ,you are a blessed man.Thoug the i am great fan of rafisaab i could not take up such a pilgrimage. you are very lucky,thanks for the sharing of the pics.
It must been very emotional moments for you. I send you my appreciations for sharing your experience with everyone who loves Rafi Sahab. This is a unique moment and I have been waiting for the same for a long time. You are lucky. If I want to visit Rafi Mansion, what do I have to do ? If you could please show me the way, I would be very grateful to you.
I enjoyed and love reading your story.
Rafi saab’s son Shahid was a classmate in school. I will be happy to visit Rafi Saab’s home but unable to do so as i have no contact of Shahid. Will be obliged if you could give me phone number of Irfaan with whom i can make contact.
Regards
Girish Masand : gtmluv@hotmail.com
93762 14996
sanjeev ji
you are truly blessed. that’s all i can say.
warm regards
achal rangaswamy
sanjeev bhai,
you, my dear friend is a true rafi bhakt. hallmark of a generous man is that you have shared the pictures and your wonderful experience with the other bhakts and fans.
since we are closely connected most of the time either vide sms, personal mails or various other movements, my sincere request to you would be to share the telephone numbers of his daughter, grandson, son-in-law – those who reside in rafi mansion and also give the postal address ( with directions and landmarks for easy access ), so that other rafi bhakts and fans would be able to visit rafi sahab and fulfill their life’s dream.
i see already people are requesting you for the above details and it would be in the fitness of the moods to share this info.
however, i would like to add here that, if any of rafi sahab’s familly members have asked you not to share their personal numbers to others then we should respect their privacy and not do it.
in which case you could just give the address of rafi mansion.
sanjeevbhai, i have no words to express my joy at your feat.
aap dhanya hogaye – rafi sahab sey mil aaye – unko chookar ayey – unkaa charn sparsh kiyaa – aur kyaa chahiye – merey hisaab sey – aapko moksh – jeetey jee milgaya hai.
iss teerth yatraa key baad – aap aur aapkaa sampoorna parivaar hameshaa sukhmai jeevan bitayengey.
god bless you my friend,
warmly,
ramesh narain kurpad.
Dear Dixit JI
Not only was Rafi Sab’s voice divine but he was a divine
person. To love and respect such a divine personality is like achieving
divinity. His voice, his emotions are like rare paintings. Any one who loves Rafi Sab can never remain depressed. This voice is a panacea for
all troubles.
He left this world early. It should not have happened. He
deserved to live to be around 90. The lovers of his voice deserved his
long life but God has strange ways. His memory and his benevolent life
tugs at my heart.
Good, you found peace. You are blessed one.
BALDEV SINGH
wonderful,outstanding and heavenly kudos to sanjeevji for sharing his experiences in visiting holy places of rafisaab….GOD.it was also my desire,somehow for some my wish remained unfulfilled and will be my ambition to have glimpse of his mansion as well as his resting place….saw all photos n his monuments….felt as if rafisaab before me n more in my heart….overwhelming satisfaction n pleasure passed through my soul like a current of great relief……dont hv words to explain…..further….. govt should declare his mansion as national museum ,after honouring him bharat rattan….so that future generations will be able to realise n cherish rafusaab greatness …..not only in singing but also human qualities…angel…..will any rafifan or binajee be able to give me mob no of shahid rafi…son of rafisaab..i shall be grateful……
dear sanjiv dixit ji
you are lucky , we are also some luck to see photographs
yur dedication is remarlkable
tell about final programe on 31st july at delhi
anil nakra
Sanjeev sir thanks 4 sharing the photos with us…bahut bahut shukriya
Dear Sanjeev,
It is really great to have seen the Rafi Mansion and his Holy Grave. It gave me the feeling as if I am there with Rafi Saheb. Also the musical instruments, awards whatever you have picturised will be an asset for me. I wish more and more people visit the Holy Rafi mansion and his grave frequently and write about Rafi Saheb. Though Rafi Saheb is not with us, his memories will always remain with us till the last moment.
Whenever I think of Rafi Saheb, I go into flash back when I was a child of 5-7 years and listening to Rafi Saheb songs and repeat the same throughout the day. I used to go on the roof top and seeing some object a little far away, I used to think that the voice is coming from there and I wanted to reach there. Though I could not see Rafi saheb in his life, but by the great contributions of people like you, I am able to feel Rafi Saheb always with me. When I grew up we bought Philips Radio and would listen Rafi Saheb whole day. Till today, I listen Rafi Saheb without fail and it has become a household thing for our whole family. My son is also fond of Rafi Saheb.
Thanks very much for this great contribution to my memories.
KK Chadha
Plz Correct the note below the Picture of soormandal. Its not Santoor of Rafi Saab. Its Soor Mandal. Sahab does not play Santoor, He sung with Soor mandal. any ways I like Very much The Photos of Rafi Mansion. Thanks a Lot Sir
Sanjeevji
You are indeed blessed. Tears came to my eyes when I saw the picture of Rafi Sahab’s visiting card. Thank you so much for sharing all this. Specially the picture of his holy grave. It looks like a such a modest grave with no frills, no show. Just like he was himself. It must have been an honour for you to have got the chance to meet his family I am sure. They seem to be such modest, beautiful and courteous people. Well, I am sure you have done something that pleased God and he rewarded you with this opportunity. Because it is not something everyone can say they have been able to do. congratulations, well done and thank you so much for sharing it all with us. What did you mean by saying there is one more thing you want to do? Whatever it is, may God grant you that wish too.
Sanjeev bhaiyya:
You are twice blessed since you could visit the temple/masjid, which is his house, as well as the place where Rafi Saab was laid to rest..! Thank you for sharing your glimpse of JANNAT with us..
Is Haj aur teerth yatra ke baad bhi koi khwaish reh gayi hai aapke dil mein Rafi Saab ke liye? I am very curious to know what..!
Bahut pyaar mila tha hume bhi Nasreen aur Yasmeen se pichle saal when I had the good fortune to step foot in Rafi Mansion and spend a few precious within its haloed precincts..its a beautiful memory for me too…of course, I could not visit the mazaar since ladies are not allowed there…and that is one dream that I still have!
Bina Didi
Dear Sanjeev ji…. YOU ARE BLESSED…
Lovely writeup on obviously a lovely trip. Happy to read about it and so glad that you shared these lovely pics with all of us.
Respected Sanjiv Kumar Dixit Ji,
Thanks for the valuable article. I think, all valuables of Rafi Sahib should be decalared the National Heritage of India. Indian Govt. must initiate the required steps. All the fans of Rafi Sahib should press upon the Government.
– MEHTAB, mehtabmasih@gmail.com, Mobile : +91-98157 03226
Grt8 Sanjeevji. Thanks for sharing every and each information which you enjoyed here.
dear sanjeev dixitji thanx for sharing experiance of visiting rafi mansion,also thanx for sharing pictures with us ,i will be posting rare pictures in rafi saabs blog,and face book,and orkut, i would like to share this pictures with rafi saabs fans ,kindly visit our beloved rafi saabs blog,recently i have posted some rare pictures of rafi saab with usha timothyji, to view this rare pictures kindly visit all the pages of rafi saabs blog,for kind information of visitors of rafi saabs blog,to go to next page kindly click older posts you will find bottom of every page ,take care
http://www.rafifanblog.blogspot.com
hi rafi fan
pl give ph number of shahid rafi or of rafi son in law so that i can comtact them and can visit rafi mansion
It must been very emotional moments for you. I send you my appreciations for sharing your experience with everyone who loves Rafi Sahab. This is a unique moment and I have been waiting for the same for a long time. You are lucky. If I want to visit Rafi Mansion, what do I have to do ? If you could please show me the way, I would be very grateful to you.
OH God, Oh God……….Oh God!!!!
a PILGRIMAGE OF CHAR DHAM
like always, eternal prayers for u from inner most heart,dear sanjeev ji!….