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Rafi Sahab – the man I worship on Guru Purnima

By Achal Rangaswamy

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Today is Guru Purnima. The day we bow before our Gurus and offer our obeisance in total humility and gratitude.

Today is also the day we recall each and every lesson taught to us directly or indirectly by these Gurus.

When I look at my list of Gurus who I want to express my deepest regards and gratitude to, I can see quite a few names. People who made a deep impact on my life, either as teachers, parents, sports coaches and business mentors. But the most interesting name is of a person who I never met. A man who nevertheless created such an impact that he ranks very high in this list of Gurus.

Mohd Rafi Sahab is no less a Guru for me than someone who taught me at school, or mentored me on the playing field, or taught me how to sell or manage a company.

I will tell you why. Look at any Guru. Why is that Guru called so? Because he is said to remove the darkness from your life and show you the way to light and knowledge and success and happiness. He is said to show you the way to lead a meaningful and purposeful life. He is said to be selfless and revels in the happiness and peace that he helps his student or pupil or protégé achieves.

Rafi Sahab fulfills all the above qualities and a little more. Let us look at his life. As a young boy he was a keen follower of a fakir, running after him as the venerable old man walked through the village singing a song with a deep philosophy. The song would take of the impermanence of anything – happiness or sorrow. The song would comfort, console, give confidence and restore to any human being the sanity that this modern world craves like never before.

He grew up, respecting his elders and never doing anything that would bring disrepute to his family or his brethren. He learnt the art that he would go on to excel in, even though as per his own confession, it was God’s gift and that God had been very kind to him in passing on to him such a glorious gift.

Rafi Sahab went on to impress people with his great ability to manoeuvre through the most difficult of songs or the ups and downs of life, like a true philosopher and a person deeply immersed in his learning of the art as well as the art of living life.

Thus emerged a true teacher, a quiet, unassuming and most humble Guru who himself didn’t know how many followers he had across the world. People who would listen to him sing, whether at an impromptu time filler at a K L Saigal performance or a packed audience at Shanmukhananda Hall, he performed the same way, with total dedication, sublime submission to the Almighty and love for singing.

A Guru is disciplined. So was Rafi Sahab. He woke up early to perform his riyaaz, stuck to a schedule that could be termed as punishing or even monotonous. But because he loved what he was doing, he did it with the elan of a master for whom anything required hardly any effort. The effort was very much there and that may have taken its toll on him in his relatively shorter life span as compared to other singers. But he gave himself to the art, without asking any questions or extra rewards.

A Guru is humble. And I cannot think of a man more humble than him. Almost inaudible in speech when conversing with people, self effacing by nature, Rafi Sahab endeared himself to one and all with his simplicity and gentle nature. He harmed nobody, he wished nobody ill.

A Guru lives a life that people would want to follow. Rafi Sahab actually lived an envious life. Always surrounded by family, always in the company of talented and successful people, always at peace with himself and the world around him, he gave nobody a chance to say anything derogatory or damaging about him. The greatest tribute sadly happened on the day of his funeral when over ten thousand people braved the Bombay showers to walk alongside him to his final place of rest. In life everybody will show he wants to walk with a successful man. But when that man passes away and people still walk with him, it shows undiluted respect and affection.

He lived a simple life. Even though he wanted to give his family and the communities that depended on him the very best. Not for him the glamorous world so close to the silver screen and its trappings. It was a daily routine of riyaaz, rehearsal, recording and relaxation, when finally at home with family.

He shunned publicity of cheap nature, even publicly declared that monetary benefits were not the only reward for displaying your talent and always told his kin to remain simple and down to earth.

God-fearing, yet respectful of all religions and faiths, Rafi Sahab exemplified all this through the numerous bhajans, qawwalis and songs of various faiths. If his bhajans moved us, his Christmas songs and his qawwalis made us realize that he lived his own song- Insaan ki Aulaad Hai Insaan Banega, tu Hindu banega na Musalman banega.

Gurus always keep that innocence around them in their aura. Rafi Sahab lived and died a simple innocent soul.

I can think of a dozen songs that exemplified and clearly demonstrated the life and love of Mohd Rafi. But I wanted to write this note about the man more than his songs. Because who are we mere mortals to even think about analysing any of his songs? They are immortal. Just like the man himself.

I bow before you, my Guru Mohd Rafi Sahab. I offer my humble tribute and seek your blessings. May I too be a good man, a fraction of what you have been for all of us.

Magar yeh musafir dua maangta hai
Khuda aap se bhi kisi din milaye
Bahut shukriya Badi meherbani…….

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22 Blog Comments to “Rafi Sahab – the man I worship on Guru Purnima”

  1. Venkat Krishnan says:

    Achal Rangaswamy,

    A beautiful expression of love of the highest order has emerged from your pen ! A true representation of the utmost devotion we all feel towards Rafi Sahab. Life is so beautiful with such a lovable Guru to lead us. There is a song from this Master for every conceivable moment and occasion of life, and that’s the way he re assures us and guides us !

  2. Mahesh Tiwari says:

    Wah Achal ji
    Kya bayan karun es aawaz ki zadugari ai dost
    jamuna ke tat pe mohan banshi baja raha ho.. “MaheshTiwari”

  3. Binu Nair says:

    Great Write Up On WORLDs Greatest Singer.

    Kudos Achal ji

  4. anil Labroo says:

    What a wonderful article, which like a mathematical derivation proves that Rafi Sahab is a true Guru for his ardent fans; worth worshiping as a Guru. Rafi Sahab is a great Guru to all his fans and aspirants who continually learn from his songs as well as from his personal life.

    Personally since my childhood, I have also proclaimed Rafi Sahab as my Guru and have attempted to pick up bits & pieces of his songs. I have a huge collection of his songs and also a very small collection of my singing of his songs which can be seen at ‘Youtube Anil Labroo’. I am adding to it slowly. It is my way of paying tribute to Gurudev Rafi.

    Like the Sun, Rafi Sahab’s will keep shining for ever.

  5. I consider Rafi saahib as an angel sent by God to give peace and happiness to millions of troubled souls. In a depressed state of mind? Just search in the enormous repertoire of his songs and sure there will be one which will sooth your nerves. I place him amongst the greatest Indians of all times. May more of his ilk be sent by God for humanities benefit.

  6. GOLOK says:

    wonderful writeup about rafi sahaab-i totally endorse these views

  7. A S MURTY says:

    Terrific tribute to Rafi Sahab, Achalbhai.

  8. P.S.Gill says:

    I cannot forget that day of my childhood when I listened one song while sitting in my home in Punjab. The song was Pardesyon se na akhian milana. I was so much impressed with the quality of voice , the way the song was rendered. I came to know from my uncle that the singer was none other than the Great Mohammed Rafi. From that day onwards Rafi songs became my way of life. I love you Rafi Sahab, you live in our hearts. People talk about Bharat Ratna for you but I would say you deserve Universe Ratna.

  9. Ahamed Kutty says:

    “A Guru lives a life that people would want to follow.”Also a singer
    renders the songs that people want to hear.This unique combination
    we can see in the world of art is only Rafi Saab. That is why we feel
    that he is still with us 24/7 and people cannot agree that he has
    passed away 35 years back!

    Long live Rafi Saab to make people be happy with his everlasting
    smiling face and innumerable sweet songs.

  10. Binu Nair says:

    Lovely Write Up Sir.Real Guru is Rafi Saheb.

    No Parallel in History of Bollywood.

    He is Indeed Bharat Ke Ratna.

  11. A K Chawla says:

    This is one of the best articles dedicated for Rafi Sahab. We have to believe in God’s miracles and how HE had chosen some of the most cherished human qualities and created a Man Sahab. Rafi Sahab had all magnetic qualities to attract people from all walks of life towards him. Yes, there will never anyone like him. My best regards for Mr. Achal Rangaswamy for highlighting Rafi Sahab’s qualities for the world.

  12. vinod mehru says:

    Dear Achal ji,

    good article.

    regards

    vinod mehru
    09769229728

  13. A fine article.
    One simple sentence is enough to pay my tribute on his death anniversary

    HE IS THE BEST SINGER EVER AND NONE CAN EQUAL OR REPLACE HIM

  14. Rajeev says:

    Very rightly put. I stand by you as I do share the same thoughts and emotions about Rafi saab.

    As a tribute, i recorded this song and put it on youtube on the occassion of his anniversary. Its a small token of gratitude towards the man who touched my life immensely.
    http://youtu.be/mZDh6j68IEA
    Barbaad mohabbat ki dua saath liye jaa from Laila Majnu

    What a song it is.

  15. J.K. Bhagchandani says:

    Absolutely brilliant narration (as always) Achal Bhai.. I expressed something similar in my post (at various Rafi forums in facebook). I am short of words to say anything more… just copy-pasting that FB post below:

    For millions of Rafi fans he was much more than just the tallest of all legendary playback singers. 35 years after his demise, for us, the ocean of his songs goes beyond the margins of musical excellence. They are a constant source of inspiration for all, an oasis for the tired mind, a divine support system for a distressed heart, a steadfast companion for lonely souls, and a very strong reason for making us proud Indians. The wide musical canvass that he painted with his magical voice remains unparalleled, unattainable by any mortal.

    His life is the most comprehensive text book of humanity, humility and care.

    My most humble tributes to one and only Mohammed Rafi on his death anniversary on 31st July.

  16. Anonymous says:

    Absolutely brilliant narration (as always) Achal Bhai.. I expressed something similar in my post (at various Rafi forums in facebook). I am short of words to say anything more… just copy-pasting that FB post below:

    For millions of Rafi fans he was much more than just the tallest of all legendary playback singers. 35 years after his demise, for us, the ocean of his songs goes beyond the margins of musical excellence. They are a constant source of inspiration for all, an oasis for the tired mind, a divine support system for a distressed heart, a steadfast companion for lonely souls, and a very strong reason for making us proud Indians. The wide musical canvass that he painted with his magical voice remains unparalleled, unattainable by any mortal.

    His life is the most comprehensive text book of humanity, humility and care.

    My most humble tributes to one and only Mohammed Rafi on his death anniversary on 31st July.

  17. Vibha Gupta says:

    Rafi Saab – the very name that unfolds many virtues, myriad hues of singing n a charismatic effect thereof on people from all classes n walks will and shud always be remembered thru his divine singing for ages n ages to follow. ..!!

  18. Zarinasiraj says:

    I missing him a greatest man rafi saheb song great we like rafi sahib oll ronder Mohammad rafi your soings oll times life Allah bless you in soul Jana Ameen

  19. shammi says:

    Anyone who can inspire others and bring so much joy and hapiness through their work definitely is worthy of being described as a guru. Even after 35 years if that person can be remembered and loved from generation to generation that speaks volumes of that person and for many die hard fans like me Mohd Rafi comes second only to god. Long live his memory!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  20. Zafar Ahmad says:

    We are missing this greatest singer of the world from the last 35-years. But his songs are enough for all rafians. May Allah rest his soul in peace!

    Please vote to Rafi Sahib in “www.whopopular.com/Mohammed-Rafi”. May be you know that Rafi Sahib is known as 4th rank in the history of music. Thanks

  21. Zafar Ahmad says:

    We are missing this greatest singer of the world from the last 35-years. But his songs and enough for all rafians. May Allah rest his soul in peace!

    Please vote to Rafi Sahib in “www.whopopular.com/Mohammed-Rafi”. May be you know that Rafi Sahib is known as 4th rank in the history of music. Thanks

  22. Achalji, Excellent write up. Whenever I think of Gurus, the very first name which is stuck to my lips is Rafi saheb. Just listen to his sloka rendering “Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu” in the song “Jahan daal daal par soneki chidiya”, we are transformed to the other world. Hats off to u Achalji once again.

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