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Rafi in Background

This article is written by Mr. Anmol Singh.

Rafi in BackgroundSongs in background in films are used to describe a special occasion in a film where either there is turning point in the story or a special message to be conveyed. Among all the singers a classic example would be the legendary composer S D Burman who never gave play back to any actor as a singer. He sang for only special occasions in many classics like Bandhni, Sujata, Guide, etc. All most every singer has contributed incredible songs sung in background. There are few gems contributed by Rafi Sahab as well.

Majority films are about fiction & entertainment, which relives stress to some extend from this day to day hectic life. There are filmmakers like Guru Dutt who have dared to made films highlighting the materialistic world where all relationships are temporary. There one such gem is in the film “Kaagaz Ke Phool”. The song “Dekhi Zamane Ki Yaari…Bichde Sabhi Baari Baari” is an incredible score delivered by Rafi under S D Burman. The song starts in background with a very high pitch Alap and later describes the materialistic attitude of this unforgivable world.

The year 1962 sees the Indo-China war where India suffered maximum casualty of soldiers. It was a huge defeat on part of India. The scenario is described the best by the film “Haqeekat” which has a patriotic song in background “Kar Chle Hum Fida”. The song is an ultimate tribute to soldiers who lost their lives in the battle. Rafi Sahab starts with a slow Alap and operates full throttle there after. The song is a great source of motivation in every aspect of life. Even if one has lost every thing, there is still enough strength left within us to recharge ourselves and fight back.

Mohd Rafi

The song “Tujh To Pukre Mera Pyar” from “Neel Kamal” can best describe a soul, which is trying to seek salvation from centuries. The words “Aaja…Aaja…Aaja” in the Alap describes the eternal pain of the soul the best. Full marks to Rafi Sahab and Ravi for rendering this magnificent gem with great sensitivity. The song appears in background since the soul is invisible. Finally the song ends with same eternal pain “Aaja…Aaja…Aaja”. There is another song on similar lines “Sau Baar Janam Lenge” from “Ustaadon Ke Ustaadon”. Once again it is the magic of the Rafi-Ravi combo.

Life is a combination Good and Bad times. The song “Waqt Se Din Aur Raat” from the film “Waqt” describes it the best. The song is a formation of great lyrics written by Sahir. It appears in background in the film where the story has a turning point portraying the separation of the families due the natural calamity. Rafi Sahab once again deliverers a great High Pitch Alap “Kal Jahaan Basi The Khushiaan; Aaj Hai Maatam Vahan; Waqt Laya Tha Baharen; Waqt Laya Hai Khiza”. Yesterday where there was happiness, Today there is Sorrow; Time had brought happiness, Time has brought sorrow. There is no poetry other than this song which can define a “Time (Waqt)” so well. Rafi Sahab gives outstanding expression to Sahir’s work. Despite the differences with the B R banner, Ravi wanted only Rafi Sahab to sing this number. (Courtesy – Jai Mala Programme).

From a film “Daastan” where an individual is held on the cross roads of life where one doesn’t know where to go; is best described by the song “Na Tu Zameen Ke Liye Hai Na Aasma Ke Liye” from “Daastan”. Once again it is Rafi at his best for LP.

As we move ahead in the late 70s there are more such incredible gems delivered my Rafi Saab. The film “Mukti” starts with the following words “Mil Jaati Hai; Sasaar Se Mukti; Miltee Nahi Marke Bhi Magar Pyaar Se Mukti”. This is a music-less Alap sung by Rafi Saab to the perfection for Pancham. The song is “Pyar Hai Ek Nishan Kadmo Ka” written by Anand Bakshi speaks the summary of the entire film just in a few words. This song is a tribute to Rafi Sahab and all the great legends; who have left their physical form from this world, but are very much associated with their fans and all the well wishers through the love they had left behind. There is a very beautiful line in the song “Rok Leti Hai Rah Mein Yaaden, Jap Bhi Raahon Se Hum Guzarte Hai”. This line is dedicated to all the loved ones who have been very closely associated with Rafi Sahab.

Mohd Rafi

There is a devotional song (Gurbani) from a Punjabi film “Guru Maneo Granth” which needs a special mention. The Gurbani “Koi Bole Ram Ram, Koi Khudaae, Koi Sewe Goseyaan, Koi Allaae” sung by Rafi Sahab appears in background. It signifies the realization of God where the devotee listens to his inner voice (conscience) after spending his entire life in improper deeds. Rafi Sahab has sung most Punjabi devotional songs in the early 70s during his lean phase under S Mohindar.

Possibly the last song sung by Rafi Saab is also in background from the film “Aas-Paas”. “Tu Kahin Aas Paas Hai Dost”. It is indeed a very unfortunate coincidence that after singing this song Rafi Sahab goes in background forever from his world. We as Rafi fans are left nothing but to feel Rafi Sahab’s present through his songs speaking to ourselves “Tere Aane Ki Aas Hai Dost….Sham Phir Udaas Hai Dost….Tu Kahin Aas Paas Hai Dost”. Indeed without Rafi our every moment is Udaas.

Some of the other incredible songs sung by Rafi Sahab in background are – “Sapne Jhade…Caravan Guzar Gaya” from Nayi Umar Ki Nayi Fasal; “Ab Koi Gulshan Na Ujade” from Mujhe Jeene Do; “Rahein Na Rahein Hum” from Mamta; The title song “Ganga Tera Pani Amrit”; “Taqdeer Ke Suron Se Koi Bach Na Payegaa” from Be-Rehem.

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134 Blog Comments to “Rafi in Background”

  1. Binu Nair says:

    post 96 and post 99 : a billion people cannot think alike and censorship is alien to us and it “does” prove to be counter-productive. rafi saaheb is like the holy river ganga where water from various streams join to become a fusion of thought and life – in the music sphere.
    various people will have various theories and a grand design. it’s better to hear them out than shunting them out. again, i maintain personal attack must be banned/deleted/ignored and discussions supported.

    binu nair, mumbai, http://www.rafifoundation.com

  2. Rajesh says:

    your expections of the admin are unfair. one can choose only a single option (1) express your opinions candidly and have disagreements. have the occasions where people lack the maturity and bicker (2) always praise everyone and nothing else. this way you can’t offend anyone.

    i suppose rafi fans of this site would prefer the latter (where we all just praise rafi). while i admire rafi very much, i don’t want to endlessly praise him and fail to acknowledge my honest opinion that at certain times i prefer other singers.

    this is the internet with billions of people with a billion different tastes / likes. disagreement is inevitable (very, very big disagreements mind you). you just have to accept that at the end of the day, all that matters is each to his own. some people like to bicker on the internet as way to release the frustrations they cannot in real life. you just have to ignore remarks / ideas you don’t share. bickering doesn’t help. with all these rafi kishore debates we have – has anyone from one side convinced the other to join? of course not. the purpose of such debates is for the fun of debating (provided someone doesn’t see it as an inconclusive waste of time).

  3. Binu Nair says:

    post no : 96 murthy ji: a discussion is a discussion and some educated fools will use personal comments when they have no stocks to write/or when they are incompetent to write on matters.
    why blame the administrator? dont shoot the messenger is the saying which comes to my mind.

    at the most, we may ask the moderator to delete personal attacks by writers.

    binu nair… rafi foundation, mumbai

  4. anil cherian says:

    I’m with Murthy ji. It’s time for the administrator to take action. One wouldn’t like to see this site deteriorating to the level of certain others.

  5. A S MURTY says:

    Dear administrator, “your comment is under moderation” is just a facade. Will you please stop further ‘war-of-words commentary’ on these pages?? Like a reader suggested, rafi sahab has indeed been relegated into the ‘background’ and there is no point in lovers of rafi sahab visiting these pages, unless some concrete steps are taken to eradicate this menace once and for all from this otherwise good website which we all had thought to be ‘home’ for many months now. you may or not publish this comment by me, but do take the steps immediately. it is doing immense harm to the name of rafi sahab, which is simply contradictory to the name of this websie.

  6. Binu Nair says:

    correction to post 94: should read as : paagal ho jaayega….
    sorry for the error

    binu nair.

  7. Binu Nair says:

    Sanjay ji : agar baat keh de to yeh ladka “behosh” hokar paagal hot jaayega. chod do paaglon ko jo anjane me logon ko “certificates” dete hai. kyon samay apna barbad kare …. sir..,

    binu nair… mumbai…

  8. vikas sharma says:

    Dear JAWAID NASEEM bhai,
    i cant tell you how happy i m feeling by reading your comments .U R INFACT A TRUE MUSIC LOVER AND I REALLY APPRECIATE AND APPLAUDE YOUR VIEWS
    DEAR I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AGAINST ANY SORT OF COMPARISIONS YOU CAN READ MY COMMENTS POSTED HERE NO – 79 .THOSE VIEWS WERE POSTED AGAINST ANY SORT OF COMPARISIONS THAT PEOPLE USELESSLEY DO IN ORDER TO SERVE THIER OWN PURPOSES.AS U SAID THAT NO COMPARISONS SHOULD BE MADE DEAR THIS IS THE POINT WHICH I HAVE BEEN TELLING ALL THE FANS INCLUDING BINU NAIR SAHIB THAT THIS SITE WHICH IS DEDICATED TO THE GREATEST ARTIST THE WORLD HAS EVER SEEN, SHOULD CONTAIN ALL THE INFORMATION RELEVENT ONLY TO MOHAMMED RAFI SAHIB AND THERE SHOULD BE NO COVERING UP OF FUNNY ISSUES LIKE THAT OF THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT EXISTED BETWEEN THEM.INFACT I M NOT READY AT ALL TO ADMIT THAT THERE WAS ANY SORT OF BAD FEELINGS BETWEEEN THESE LEGENDS IN THE GOLDEN ERA OF INDIAN MUSIC.
    I M READY TO ADMIT THAT THERE MAY SOME SORT OF PROBLEMS B/W THEM BUT THAT IS PART AND PARCEL OF LIFE AND IT IS EXPERINCED BY ALL THE HUMAN BEINGS AND NO ONE CAN CLAIM TO HAVE A PERFECT SORT OF RELATIONSHIP WITH THE OTHER PERSON
    BUT TO ADMIT THAT THEY HAVE BAD FEELINGS FOR EACH OTHER IS LIKE A CURSE AND A BANTER .IT GIVES A FEELING AS IF WE ARE NOT LEADING THE MUSIC IN THE FUTURE DIRECTION BUT BRINGING IT BACK BY UNNECESSARY ARGUMENTS.THANKS FOR YOUR VIEWS BHAI.

  9. SANJAY ARORA says:

    MR.BINU NAIR,PLEASE RESPOND TO MAIL NO.86 BY SENDING HIM A TICKET O KOLHAPUR,AND LET HIM CONFIRM THE STATUS OF STUDIO OF SH.BHALJI PENDARKAR.

  10. Binu Nair says:

    vikas ji: i am no great fan of mohd rafi saaheb and i do not have to prove anything to any one. i am only a small time fan of rafi saaheb and a lover of music appreciating the works of most of the performing artists. yes . at rafi foundation we have various “novel” plans which we execute and we have very less time with us to argue with you. so please leavs us alone and live with your thoughts/opinions – which is your right. thankyou and good bye.

    binu nair. rafi foundation, mumbai,…..

  11. Binu Nair says:

    vikas ji : you are “again” not on the point and treading on wrong path, once again.

    no . i do not care for “any” personal relation-ships as they are matters of gossips and entertainment. i never do care for such talks.

    i am talking of the professional standards of some of the music legends and their “selfish” acts. and when they bad-mouth a saint like rafi , they are “no legends” for us. they are ordinary “mortals”. no you must not visit a doctor yet but learn to live with another opinion – which is based on many many facts – not alone how well a person performs on stage and before the cameras.

    binu nair…………

    mumbai

  12. JAWAID NASEEM says:

    Namaste and Aadab to all the music lovers arguing here,
    I just want to know that why are we wasting our time and energy upon such a reluctant issue. There may be a difference of opinion and it has been found always;even amongst the family members and in intimate relationships too,so it is up to the person who wnats to take the entire facts accordingly,either to act as a crystal and be transparent while assessing the heights,values, talents ,performance,qualities of the peoples who are far far beyound reach to their thoughts.
    Tell me, a Mohd.Rafi sahibs’fan is much more talented and qualified to raise a word upon the qualities of Kishore Kumar or any other artiste?
    And any Kishore fan is eligible to deliver a nonsence about the Legend Rafi sb?
    some facts are glittering like gold,and we the music lovers should accept the reality. I love my father very very much but does it possibly proof that my father is greatest than my Grandfather??
    Please love your favorite artiste but dont abuse the others.
    I am an Asha lover but still I admit that apart from my love and dedication towards Asha Bhonsle, Lata is the greatest female singer, the indian film industry has ever had
    I love Kishore Kumar very much, I adore him,I appraise him I salute him because he is the person I love to listen. I just wanna die listening his songs BUT
    I ALWAYS ADMIT THAT ‘RAFI’ IS RAFI …. AND NOBODY CAN BE A SUBSTITUTE TO THIS HEAVENLY VOICE
    Otherwise the music listeners would have found a better version.
    ‘K’ for KISHORE….. making this programme was easy because we have at least ten singers out of 100, who can match their voice and singing style of KISHORE JI …….
    BUT….
    A PROGRAMME “R” FOR RAFI…..LIKE ‘K’ FOR KISHORE.CAN NOT BE MADE BECAUSE ONLY ONE SINGER OUT OF MILLION IS HARD TO FIND LIKE RAFI SB.
    WE AVAIL THE LIGHTS OF THE LUMANIRIES,HALOGEN,FLOOD LIGHTS, AND ARE THANKFUL AND GRATEFUL TO THE EFFICIENCY OF THESE SOURCES OF LIGHT WHO TURN OUR DARKENS INTO BRIGHTNESS BUT WE CAN NOT RESIST THE POWER AND ENERGY AND EFFICIENCY OF THE SUN, NEITHER WE CAN MAKE A COMPARISON BETWEEN THE SUN AND A FLOOD LIGHT.
    TO BHAIYA KAHANI KHATAM KARO, APNI ZEHAN KI GANDAGI SE IN LEGENDS KE NAAM KO TO GANDA MAT KARO,
    VIKAS BHAI AAP BHI IN CHAKKARON MEIN NA PADEN BINU NAIR SB KI TARAH KUCHH VIKAS KA KAAM KAREN.
    MERI BAAT BURI LAGAY TO DO ROTI ZYADA KHAEN AUR KHUSH RAHEN.

    JAWAID NASEEM
    09836540639
    jawaid77in@yahoo.com

  13. vikas sharma says:

    BINU NAIR PLEASE LET ME KNOW THAT IS IT POSSIBLE THAT A PERSON KNOWN TO YOU AND HIGHLY WELL AQUAINTED WITH YOU WHO MEETS YOU EVERY SECOND DAY CAN COMMENT ON YOUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUR LOVED ONES.IT IS YOU WHO KNOWS WHAT WARM SORT OF RELATIONSHIPS THAT YOU HAVE WITH THEM BUT THE WELL KNOW PERSON CAN COMMENT ACCORDING TO HIS OWN PERCEPTION.

    I HAVE NOTICED THAT PEOPLE IN ORDER TO PROVE THAT THEY ARE INFACT GREAT RAFI SAHIB FANS AND HAVE SOME UNIQUE KNOWLEGDE OF VARIOUS FACTS AND INCIDENTS INVOLVING RAFI SAHIB THAT THEY ACTUALLY CROSS THAT THIN LINE OF DECENCY AND THAN START COMMENTING IN AKWARD MANNER TRYING TO DOMINATE EACH OTHER WITH THEIR UNIQUE AND REDICULOUS COMMENTS.
    NOW PLEASE TELL ME WHY DO U WANT TO CREATE A SORT OF MUTUAL HAVOC BY TRYING TO ELEBORATE ON A USELESS ISSUES LIKE THAT OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE GREAT ARTISTS .

    ANSWER ME THAT DO LAXMI-PYARE,MADAN MOHAN,SD BURMAN,RD BURMAN,OP NAYYAR OR OTHER MUSIC STALWARTS USED TO THINK ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT RAFI SHARE WITH LATA OR ASHA BEFORE ASSIGNING THEM THE JOB OF SINGING TO THIER RESPECTIVE TUNES.

    YOU ARE A MIDDLE AGED PERSON SO U MIGHT BE WELL AWARE OF THE FACT THAT IF A REALTIONSHIP IS FULL OF LOVE THAN THAT REALTIONSHIP IS NOT ACTUALLY A STRONG REALTIONSHIP EVEN U MIGHT BE HAVING SOME SORT OF ARGUMENTS WITH UR FAMILY MEMBERS AND OTHER FRIENDS EVEN WE OFTEN GET INVOLVED IN ARGUMENTS WITH OUR OWN MOTHER IN SOME DAILY COMPULSIONS AND DIFFICULTIES OF LIFE BUT THAT DOESNT MEAN WE DONT LOVE THEM OR WE HAVE SOME ILL FELLINGS REGARDING THEM.

    SO DRIFT IN THE RELATIONSHIPS IS ACTUALLY A PART AND PARCEL OF LIFE . IF U BLAME SOMEBODY FOR HIS REALTIONSHIPS WITH SOMEONE THAN U NEED TO PROVE U HAVE NOT HAVE DIFFERENT OPINION FROM THE OTHER PERSON AT ANY MOMENT IN YOUR LIFE . I DONT THINK IN THE GOLDEN ERA OF MUSIC THAT THE MUSIC DIRECTORS SO TALENTED AND ORIGINAL WOULD HAVE EVER THOUGHT ABOUT REALTIONSHIPS THAT THE SINGERS HAVE WITH EACH OTHER BEFORE ASSIGNING THEM THE SONGS.

    THE REAL THINK IS THAT IF U PROVE THAT U DONT HAVE ANY SORT OF MISUNDERSTANDING WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS UNTILL NOW THAN ONLY U ARE FREE TO COMMENT ON SUCH SENSTIVE AND PERSONAL SORT OF REMARKS THAT U POSTED REAGRDING RAFI SAHIB AND ASHA BHONSLE.

    IT IS DIFFICULT TO JUDGE THE CHEMISTRY THAT THESE LEGENDS SHARED WITH EACH OTHER BY JUST LISTENING TO THIER ASSOCIATES AND I M STILL UNABLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT SORT OF POINT DO U WANT TO PROVE BY DWELLING UNNECCESARILY COMPARISIONS.
    THE ASSOCIATES WILL ALWAYS TRY TO DOMINATE EACH OTHER BY SHOWING THAT THEY HAVE SOME EXCLUSIVE INFORMATION CONCERING RAFI SAHIB. DEAR U NEED TO JUST ENJOY LISTENING TO THESE LEGENDS AND DONT PLAY WITH THE SENTIMENTS OF MILLIONS OF LOVERS ACROSS THE GLOBE BY TRYING TO DOMINATE THE MATTER AND SHOW YOU ILL MENTALITY.

  14. Binu Nair says:

    vikas ji : post : 86 : have you gone to the neurosurgeon for a check-up or to a clinical psychologist – ever in your life. no, i wont advise you to do that yet.

    let me tell you one thing : arguments are countered by arguments and when you do not have one, you resort to “other methods” to skip the issue. psychologists will advise you further on your mental condition , if you care to.

    but let me tell you, i will give you names and details of twenty persons, attached to the music industry in mumbai. they used to meet for forty years rafi, lata, asha, mukesh and kishore kumar – every second day. you can check with them the “facts” of the music industry, the opinion of them and facts about mohd rafi and his detractors, the great and other qualities of some of your favourites men and women.

    to your list, then you would add the names of these 20 music elders to be sent for a mental check-up. sorry, its you who need a break and a mental check up not from a neuro surgeon but from a clinical psychologist.

    binu nair. mumbai.

  15. vikas sharma says:

    YA BINU NAIR IS ALWAYS RIGHT COZ HE THINKS THAT THE MILLIONS OF MUSIC LOVERS WITH THE PRIVILEGE OF HAVING LISTENED TO IMMORTAL RAFI SAHIB THE ALLROUNDER KISHORE DA,SARASWATI MATA LATA MANGESHKAR,THE MELODY QUEEN ASHA BHONSLE THE ONE AND ONLY MUKESH SHOULD SEEK ADVICE FROM THE LIKES OF SONU NIGAM ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT THESE LEGENDS SHARE WITH EACH OTHER.

    SONU NIGAM IS A SPECIALIST IN GIVING HIS VIEWS ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT ASHA SHARED WITH RAFI SAHIB ACCORDING TO BINU NAIR .NOW IT IS UP TO THE MUSIC FRATENITY TO DECIDE WHO NEEDS TO GO IMMEDIATELY TO A NUERO SURGEON

  16. Binu Nair says:

    re: post no.79 i think i am right . pls see post no: 77…..

    binu nair.

  17. anil cherian says:

    The respected gentleman who started this thread wouldn’t have expected it to become what its title suggests- “Rafi in the back ground”. Now Rafisahab has indeed been pushed to the back ground and we have people trying to show-off as smart, know-all and what not.. (courtesy articles copied from other sites).

  18. Binu Nair says:

    post 58 anmol singh ji: true, the anti-rafi lobby has “failed” many a times and this time too it will fail. rafi saaheb stays in “peoples hearts” and no powers-that-be will ever be able to erase them.

    as a commentator said yesterday at a live rafi musical at vile parle : up to the day when “music is heard” rafi saaheb will be heard and remembered by music lovers.
    every minute and every second there is a rafi song played at some place. long live the king of music and melody.

    binu nair… rafi foundation, binus2000@hotmail.com : http://www.rafifoundation.com

  19. Binu Nair says:

    rafi lovers : RIGHTLY said that this forum should not have personal attacks but discussions are needed and facts recorded.

    let me say herein that as music lovers we love all the legends of the playback scene with no exceptions. its a fact that rafi saaheb has the greatest following and only yesterday at mumbai there was a music show with 36 musicians on stage, with no electronic synthesisers – playing rafi gems.

    among the audience we could see rafi jis two daughters : Nasreen and yasmeen; pyarelal being the chief guest who said that with rafi saaheb, they would not have become successful.

    its a fact that rafi ji had the greatest following and he had some great detractors in the industry – who wrote him off in the seventies. rafi saaheb was not bothered and went on to do great stage shows and we were fortunate to see some of these.

    rafi detractors and the camps in the music industry had to eat the humble pie after loyalists like usha khanna, madan mohan, laxmikant & Pyarelal brought back the king of playback singing to the numero uno position once again; this is unparalled in the annals of hfm.

    on sunday 18th May another musical : aasmaan se aaya farishta will be staged at mira road at gcc club from 6.30 p.m. onwards to be attended by 1000 rafi lovers.

    the rafi magic is spreading and rafi saahebs musicals ranks among the highest in terms of both quantity and quality. the magic is spreading.

    binu nair, rafi foundation.mumbai.

  20. vikas sharma says:

    MOHAMMED PARVEZ SAHIB HAS SENT ME A AUDIO PROOF OF PAYING RESPECT TO LEGEND RAFI SAHIB BY NAUSHAD SAHIB , SARASWATI MATA LATA,MANNA DEY,MAHINDER KAPOOR , ANUP JALOTA SAHIB I HAD THIS AUDIO PREVIOUSLY ON CASEETEE TAPE BUT NOW I HAVE RECEIVED THE GEM ON CD COURTESY THE GREAT MOHAMMED PARVEZ SAHIB.

    IF ANYBODY NEEDS THE AUDIO TRIBUTE BY VARIOUS LEGEND TO RAFI SAHIB PLEASE MAIL TO ME MY EMAIL ID IS – VK23_VICKY@REDIFFMAIL.COM

    “HAZARO BAARAS NARGIS APNE BENURI PAAR ROTI HAI BADI MUSHKIL SE HOTA HAI CHAMAN MAIN DEEDAVAR PAIDA”

  21. vikas sharma says:

    IF ANYBODY NEEDS VIEWS OF VARIOUS GODS OF SINGING WORLD INCLUDING THE SARASWATI MATA LATA MANGESHKAR ,MANNA DEY,ASHA BHONSLE PLEASE GIVE YOUR EMAIL ID’S-

    MY EMAIL ID IS – VK23_VICKY@REDIFFMAIL.COM

  22. vikas sharma says:

    the guys who r comparing the phenomenons do this coz u will be prevented from doing a sin to music lover across the globe=

    compare these u will be prevented from doing a sin to music lovers =
    1. gavaskar vs kapil dev
    2. dilip sahib vs bandar(shahrukh)
    3. vivian richards vs tendulkar
    4. michael jackson vs madonna
    5. ferrari vs bmw
    6. sampras vs fedrer
    7 mohammed ali vs mike tyson
    8 dilip sahib vs big b
    9. zeenat aman vs bipasha
    10. mahatma ghandi vs jawaharlal nehru
    11 subash chander bose vs bhagat singh
    12 hitler vs stalin
    13 gorbachov vs vladimir putin
    14 elvis presley vs bob marley
    15 indira ghandhi vs mother teresa
    16. shane warne vs muttiah murlidharan
    17 . steve waugh vs (his own brother)mark waugh
    18 sonu nigam(a disciple of rafi sahib) vs kumar sanu( a disciple of kishore da)

    19 kashmir vs switzerland

    20 mirza galib vs amir khusroo

    21 sahir ludhanavi vs anand bakshi

    22 summers vs winters

    23 A normal day vs rainy day
    if u r done with comparing these properly than u can always have the privelege to listen to these legends but if u still go for comparision than i must admit these things
    1. u r not indian citizen
    2. no sense at all of music
    3 enjoy listening to himesh reshmiya
    4. u dont have ever listened to radio
    5 u r a couch potato
    6 u dont know what u r talking about
    7 ur unemployeed and so do tese kind of things

  23. SANJAY ARORA says:

    mr.binu nair why don`t you respond to mail specially 74 and 75,where nayyar saab was forced to record songs of `heera moti`,was it airwani?
    you know better than me.

  24. Binu Nair says:

    Post 74 : Vikas sharma has been advising people having another opinion to go to a doctor and he is posing as a “super specialist” from time to time. thanks for the advice given to me but i would wish to state a small tale about an incident happened to a person like vikas sharma.

    a person goes to a doctor and says : doctor, i feel that i am a god . the doctor asked the patient : “since when are your feeling this”?, the patient said : doctor, i feel that i am a god “ever” since i have made this world.

    mr.vikas, please consult your family elders and take few opinions about your condition – soonest.

    binu nair , mumbai.

  25. Binu Nair says:

    Post no. 75: mr shaad khan: yes. i appreciate your letter. a point herein. I have never claimed that I am the greatest rafi fan and i would never feel that as i have done only a very small act to express my thanks to rafi saaheb whom i consider – the greatest individual and the finest singer “yet”.

    we founded the rafi foundation in mumbay last year and it has been growing ever since. i am scared to use the word “founder” as some people do not like it. i have seen many many kind of people while working for rafi foundation and the best people i have found are those true “rafi lovers” who has given us all great support from time to time.
    and i am also glad to know that we are having discussion without personal malice, which i appreciate. i am sorry if i have made any personal comment on you.

    i welcome you as a great rafi lover.

    binu nair. rafi foundation

  26. Shad Khan says:

    Mr. Nair:

    I meant no disrespect to you sir. All I said was not to comment on something that cannot be vaildated via solid proof. You can call me “ignorant” or “foolish” all you want. I am not going to stoop to your level. You keep stating that you are one of the biggest fans of Rafi sahab. So am I. I have a huge collection of old vinyl records; cassettes; cds; videos; and dvds of the greatest singer ever, Rafi Sahab. His numerous songs; live recordings and interviews are viewed at a regular interval. In fact, I have sung and continue to sing his songs at numerous local events. I know Rafi Sahab never said anything bad about anyone. In fact he respected all of his peers. Being his ardent fans, shouldn’t we follow the same principles? Why put down other legends that he always loved and respected? As someone else commented earlier, let’s just stick to stories, events and comments about Rafi Sahab only.

    As far as the contributions of Rafi Foundation, I am absolutely not denying that. I am the first one to tell you that you have done a great service and I am hoping that you continue to do so. If I can be of any service here in Atlanta, GA to your foundation then please don’t hesitate to ask.

    Best Regards,
    Shad Khan

  27. vikas sharma says:

    BINU NAIR has hurt rafi sahib fans across the globe by his shameful comments now he is sounding more funny as he is telling the fans to talk about the phenomenons like saraswati mata lata mangeshkar and asha bhonsle with the the singer of the class of sonu nigam.
    hoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

    Binu nair want all the fans to have a chat with sonu nigam about the gods of singing i advise binu nair sahib to please consult his family doctor for a immediate mediacal attention otherwise some day he will claim that sonu nigam used to teach the art of singing to the legends like rafi sahib.

    binu nair’s comment regarding the advice of having a talk with the likes of sonu nigam is quiet insane and mischevious i suppose he is a big fan of sonu nigam rather than the immortal legends.

  28. Pravin says:

    Isn’t there any moderator to this site? If yes, isn’t he seeing all this crap going on here? What the hell is this? is this some non-sense orkut community wherein one can write anything to anybody? Please stop this immediately and ban some idiots from writing some stupid personal comments. Just throw them out of this forum. else we would need to say such a great site has been fallen into wrong hands.

  29. Binu Nair says:

    mr salim shaikh : pls read post no.70 as its applicable to you. and pls go back to the gulf where you will not be able to ask for any proof on any matter without any risk to your life.

    you are too far from realities of life and i know some arabs who are rafi fans who talk to me every week. they know the dirt and the politics of rafi haters when rafi saaheb was alive and they are more enlightened than you. I pity your thinking and your ignorance . please be the 2 minute critic and we do not care about ur jaundiced and ignorant views on rafi haters.

    binu nair.

  30. Binu Nair says:

    salim shaikh : pls mind your own business and dont advise . we have the freedom of speech and if someone talks ill s about any legend we have a right to object.
    are u a chamcha of someone? it sems so . pls shut up and dont be a defender of someone who badmouths the great music legends of this land. we strongly object to it.

    binu nair, mumbai…

  31. Binu Nair says:

    Post 60 : Shaad khan : there is a word in the dictionary called “ignorant” which suits u – quite well.

    do you think a person badmouthing a legend will allow it to be recorded with camera and tape recorder in a recording studio.

    there is also a word called “foolish” in the oxford dictionary which i think you are aware of. pls do not become a laughing stock over here by your foolish remarks and show your skills

    i will also request you to write somethings concrete about music and rafi saaheb if possible and stop ur tirades directed at rafi lovers which will find no takers herein.

    ur frustrations are showing up and before late please mend it by listening to good music and following it up with positive things in life.

    binu nair, rafi foundation, mumbai….

  32. the only thing anmolji says the proof, please upload whatever the proof you have, dont write, give the proof to the entire rafi fans. sitting somewhere and giving the comments come forward. i read your comments, but not satisfied for such things.

  33. Mr.Anmolji, kumarji, Mehboobji, i tell u all write articles instead saying somethng against vikasji or others. we will give benefit of doubt to such people who want that the rafian site should be sacred instead of writting any thng illegal any such legends. do you understand. and post no 58: mr anmolji we dont want to read such things in the site which you have written to all the fans. aap sambaliye ye mat socho ki mukeshji, kishoreji aur kisiki against kuch liko. and the fact , whoever written the comments against ashabhosale who called besura to mohdrafi, tell him to keep his mouth shut for this illegal things. if you support such writer who says besura to mohdrafi and for excuse somebodies name like asha bhosale, i feel that fans should take a legal action to those fans who write against such great legends. if asha bhosale said this please come to the stage in front of asha bhosale and say this. sitting somewhere you are writing such an horrible and unwanted comments. Binuji as a founder such comments should nt be written by you. dont say anything who give you the answer in such a manner because when you have written this comment the fans got angry on you now. please apolozise for this comments immediately. i am staying in mumbai for some days, but orginally from gulf.

  34. Binu Nair says:

    the rafi foundation by its live programmes on second saturdays also gives work to musicians who have been displaced from the music industry due to the advent of electronic instruments. the live programmes also bring back the magic of yesteryear golden era songs and give the singers to perform on stage.

    music lovers are all loving it and joining us – slowly and steadily.

    our aim is to perform at the shanmukhananda hall one day sooner and i will ensure that our two critics (armchair ones who spend two and half minutes in underming rafi lovers) will be seated in the front seats, if that will make them happy. (free of cost of course)

    binu nair, rafi foundation, mumbai

  35. Anmol Singh says:

    Some readers have asked about proof.

    The biggest proof is a filmfare award for the best upcoming music director in the name of R D Burman. Film fare needs to be questioned on this. No wonder R D Burman was a great composer but there where many far superior than him. Shankar-Jaikishan(SJ) combo have won the max film fare wards followed by LP. Plus by giving such an award the entire achievement of all the great composers in the history of Indian music is being down played. Filmfare has lost his charm long back.

    But main question here is who influencing all this? The readers can think themselves.

  36. If we are daily visiting web sites like mohdrafi.com or rafifoundation.com, it is only to read about Rafiji and his songs and not to read about the personal abuses of some of our Rafi Fans. Please let us keep the web site sacred and clean and not indulge in some unparliamentary acts and degarde the sites.

  37. Binu Nair says:

    mr.shad khan: Post 63 : thankyou. because of our work in the rafi foundation you can see your name in print . good self publicity. can u do anything more than criticising the good work done by the rafi foundation – after all these long years.

    this is for our critics : we at rafi foundation at bombay and elsewhere, spend our time, money, efforts and our skills in promoting the good music of yesteryears and the works of rafi saaheb – whom we adore and love. We have helped a yesteryear singer with medicines for few months and given her work so that she earns at the age of 72.

    what have the critics done? take out two and a half minutes of their time and write garbage stuff about rafi lovers…. we definitely have scant regard for them and their “stupid thinking”.

    the armchair critics will never appreciate the good things. shaad khan writes : we are doing self publicity. yes sir, you are right. we do it for self publicity only…… be happy.

    and listen what naushad saaheb once said : some of the lady singers must have done a course on “art of living”.

    another singer says : op.nayyar, s.d.burman and others were all ordinary. only rd burman was the perfect singer and the composer, even though the former two composers were instrumental in giving her livelihood and songs in ample measure.
    we will difinitely talk of rafi saaheb, his admirers and his detractors in the industry and we do not care for some of the rare chamchas like shaad khan
    and his ilk who give stupid statements from their comfort zones.

    we promise that rafi foundation is growing everywhere and there would be “no stop” to this musical effort in taking the hfm legends works – further.

    binu nair , rafi foundation.. mumbai.

  38. Pravin says:

    very well said mr. kumar. here you need to always market yourself and sell yourself. and this has been done by many ‘renowned’ artists.
    And I’m seeing too many personal (and very stupid) comments on this forum during these days. Don’t know what people try to achieve or prove by that. this should be stopped as this is a sacred place for us. one who abuses others doesn’t really deserve to be called as fan of Rafisaab. So guys, grow up and stop this. this is for good discussions and thought sharing and not for fighting over non-sense matters.

  39. Mehboob says:

    Ref post 61:

    Ditto.
    Well said Kn. Kumar.

    Binuji, we true Rafi fans appreciate the work you are doing.
    Thank You.

  40. kn.kumar says:

    I thank Mr Anmol Singh for enlightening many Rafi Fans on the great injustice done to Rafi Saab during the 60’s and 70’s by the biased Media.Even though he was the reigning male playback singer, there were constant articles written on some perceived drawbacks in his singing. No such articles were written on Lataji and Ashaji.The Film Industry is a cruel place and one has to constantly promote oneself to remain at the top.Rafi Saab,being the humble soul he was, never understood the politics played. He just sang the song,went home and spent his time with his family. He helped so many people that they literally worshipped him.
    What Mr Binu Nair has revealed is something many film industry people know and will vouch for. How can such comments by Ashaji or others be recorded?
    We all know that South india’s greatest female singer Susheela could not get a break in Bombay. She has sung more songs than Lataji in all the southern lanuages of Tamil ,Telugu,Kannanda and Malayalam. We also know what happened to a fine singer like Vani Jairam. It was only Rafi Saab, who never felt threatended by anybody else since he was blessed by God with the finest voice and who enjoyed singing with all, wheather old or new comers.
    We should be grateful to the wonderful work being done by the Rafi Foundation and Mr Binu Nair and his friends. We Rafi Fans don’t want to criticise others but just enjoy the life and songs of Rafi Saab, but at the same time we cannot allow others to say whatever nonsense they want to say about our idol Rafi Saab.

  41. Shad Khan says:

    Mr Binu Nair seems to be more interested in self-promotion (Rafi Foundation) and least interested in supplying the valid proofs against the allegations he has made against these legends (Ashaji included).

    Mr. Nair, there is an old english saying that goes like this “Either put up or shut up!!!”. This fits perfectly on you at this moment until you provide some proof. Once the proof has been provided, I will be the first to apologize to you and the entire Rafi Foundation.

    BTW – My name is Shad Khan and I live in Atlanta, GA (USA). I will be waiting for the legal papers. LOL

  42. Manish Kumar says:

    I wonder why Lata commented that she sang the maximum duets with Rafi. Of course it was an honest mistake. I think the reasoning is that for duets, Rafi and Lata were most associated with each other. When you think of a Lata duet – Rafi immediately comes to mind. When I think of Rafi duet – Lata immediately comes to mind. Maybe the same happened with Lata’s way of thinking. After all, their peaks both coincided. This is why I agree with the peculiar observation that Lata fans prefer Rafi or Rafi fans prefer Lata whereas Kishore fans prefer Asha or Asha fans prefer Kishore. The peaks of Kishore and Asha also coincided hence the associations.

  43. Anmol Singh says:

    Vikas Sharma Ji,

    We need to read between the lines. Possibly what we see and hear there is the huge difference.

    Just go though the following detailed analysis of the early 70s.

    The endless fued between Rafi and Kishore fans is result of wrong propaganda done by the media in the early 70s against Rafi. This was controlled by the Anti-Rafi lobby which also influenced the film fare awards criteria. Remember this Anti-Rafi lobby was never Pro Kishore at all. They used Kishore’s popularity to tarnish Rafi’s image. As a result Rafi fans had all the right to protest.

    When Rafi became popular in the 50s Mukesh, Talat, Manna Dey & Hemnat Kumar were already established singers. The media never wrote against any of these singers after Rafi success. When Mahendra K become famous in the 60s, again the media never wrote against Rafi. So why suddenly why the media became so much anti Rafi in the 70s. Plus in 1972 Rafi took a break for 8 months, which gave media enough excuss to write all sort of rubbish againt him at the cost of Kishore. The media has to an extend witten the Rafi and Kishore never use to talk to each other, they were rivals. But the fact remains Rafi and Kishore were “FRIENDS FOR LIFE”.

    Analyzing the period of early 70s, which was primarily a Kishore era. But Mukesh has won the maximum number of awards during 1971 to 1976. How come Mukesh got so much importance when Kishore was excellent during the early 70s. After going the nominations of early 70s it has been observed that there were mainly 2 film-makers Manoj K and Raj Kapoor who were the most influencial in winning film fare wards in old categories. Kishore won many nominations in early 70s but was Mukesh who walked away with Max awards including one national award as well.

    Coming back to Rafi, he won only 2 nominations between 1971 to 1976, that to songs composed by music composers of 60s i.e. SJ and Sharada. The songs nominated are very ordinary compared to the hits which Rafi delivered between this period for all composers. In the other words the Anti-Rafi lobby was powerfull enough to prove the world that Rafi cannot sing with new generation music composers. But Rafi proved it wrong in 1977 when he won film fare and national award for the same song sung for Pancham in “Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahi”. It was thrashing slap to the Anti-Rafi lobby who wrote against him.

    Another interesting fact has been observed that songs of Mukesh was appearing in the film fare nominations even after his death. But once Rafi and Kishore leave us there is no single nomination under the film fare criteria. So was Mukesh a better singer than Rafi and Kishore in the 70s? Certainly not. There are all great in their own respects.

    All this possibly could be the result of the rift between Lata and Rafi on the royalty issue in mid 60s.

    In other words what Binu Nair and other rafi fans have written is correct. One more interesting fact, there is discussion forum “Rafi Haters” under Yahoo Groups. Why there is no such group for Kishore, Mukesh, Talat else, why only Rafi. In the words the Anti-Rafi lobby is present today, actively involved in re-write film music history and misguiding all young generation.

  44. salim sheikh says:

    Aap ye gaana suno aur bhata dijiye , “kya miliye aaise logo se jiski fitrat chupi rahe”, ye gaane kaise aur kiskeliye likha huva hai. mein jo bhi comments lik te hai unse gujaris karunga ye jadga band kijiye aur rafisahaab ke baare mein kuch acha articles likiye. mein samjata hu ki ye ashaji aur doosre singers ke baare mein aaisa vaisa likna band kijiye aur acha kuch likiye, hum sab rafi ke fans hai. ashaji, lataji aur doosra kalakar ek legends hai unke baare mein likne ke pehle soch lijiye. isliyye ye sab kuch chodijiye aur kuch ache kaam kijiye. jo kuch articles likte hai unke baare mein achaiyi sochkar comments pass kijiye. sambalna aap ki haat mein hai. bura comments dena band kijiye. kuch aaisi baate hai ki is site mein bahut kuch publish huve hai jo logo ko aab bahut afsos ho raha hai. sab ke baare mein ulta seeda lika huva hai, sharam ki baat hai ki kohi kisine ye baate seriously nahi liya hai. mein kuch kehta hai ki agar kohi insaan ashaji, lataji, rafisahab unke against likte hai tho bahut bada action lenge hum log. dyan mein lijiye. bas huva.,.

  45. jasbir singh zando says:

    whenever i watch any movie with a background song so shabbily sung n picturised ….. i miss my mohdrafi saab whose voice was most impressive carried strong message with the story n characters of film…it was always dominant..his voice alwaysmost heroic ….perhaps his did not need any hero in the film…so much GOD GIFTED rafisaab…can not be forgotten for the centuries to come…mohd rafi was,is n will be greatest singer ever the country has produced….his voice so soothing to heart n soul…but our govt did very little for this genius….i appeal on behalf of billons of his fans accross the globe…to bestow him highest award…bharat rattan..plus memorial in his memory which will be relaying his songs in audio n video 24 hrs….sothat future generation can enjoy n soothe their mind n soul…..wah kya awaz hai…RAFISAAB AAP TOH BHAGWAN HO…..

  46. Binu Nair says:

    Vikas sharma: I am not writing for you. please ignore them and carry on listening to the radio and digesting all that is being said over this medium. and maturity must come with age but it seems different in your case. again, pls do not bother about the first hand accounts mentioned in my lines – from industry wallahs in mumbai who are hard core rafi fans. its not for you.

    binu nair.

  47. Monty says:

    Rafiji’s background songs had meanings, and were sung so nicely from his heart, one of them is “Us mulk ki sarhad ko koi chhoo nahin sakta…” from a movie called ‘Aankhen’.

  48. vikas sharma says:

    DEAR SALIM SAHIB AND G. S Sagir SAHIB,

    THANKS FOR UR SUPPORT AND WONDERFUL COMMENTS IT IS UNBELIEVABLE ON THE PART OF BINU NAIR SAHIB TO COMMENT LIKE THAT

    IF HE HAS ANY PROOF THAN HE SHOULD POST THAT ON http://WWW.YOUTUBE .COM OTHERWISE I ADVISE HIM TO KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT.

  49. vikas sharma says:

    BINU NAIR SAHIB,
    I DONT KNOW WHAT DO U WANT TO PROVE BY COMMENTING USELESSLY AND TRYING TO CREATE A RIFT BETWEEN THE LEGENDS OF INDIAN FILM INDUSTRY FURTHER UR ADVISE TO ME TO LISTEN TO RADIO IS QUIET AMAZING DONT U AT THIS AGE KNOW THE VALUE AND DOMINATION OF RADIO.

    RADIO HAS BEEN THE MOST PROLIFIC MEDIA OF ENTERTAINMENT FOR DECADES AND WILL REMAIN SO

    IN TODAYS TIMES WHEN WE SEE THOSE DIRTY SORT OF REMIXES AND OTHER VULGAR SORT OF DANCES AND SONGS WITH DOUBLE MEANINGS ON THE TELEVISION WE ALL TEND TO FIND THE COMFART OF RELAXING BY LISTENING TO THE RADIO AND VIVID BHARTHI. THEY HAVE KEPT THERE CLASS AND TRADITION.

    IT IS EVEN MORE FUNNY TO KNOW THAT U WANT ME TO ENJOY RADIO IN PUNJAB AND URSELF CLAIMS TO BE ENJOYING RAFI SAHIB IN MUMBAI THAT TOO LIVE , SIR PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME THAT WHAT SORT OF A DIFFERENCE IT WILL BE IN RAFI SAHIB’S VOICE .

    I DONT WANT TO COMMENT FURTHER AND APOLOGISE TO U BECAUSE U ARE THE PROUDEST RAFI SAHIB FAN THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE

  50. G. S Sagir says:

    Mr. Vikas this is fact that Ashaji sang more duets with Rafi Saab than Lataji. Even more than 200 songs

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