Comments on: Rafisaab,The Mood Maker

By: A S MURTY

A S MURTY — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 18:56:36 +0000

devrajbhai, not just the opening lines before the mukhada, some of the songs have that very soothing and heavenly humming by rafi sahab which compels one to pay attention and immerse oneself into the song. for e.g. as i was listening to this all time beauty of a song : paas baitho tabiyat bahal jayegi maut bhi aa gayi to tal jayegi: the start that rafi sahab gives with a very mesmerizing humming is more than enough for anyone to pay attention to the song that is going to follow. this aspect of rafi sahab distinguishes him from the rest of the playback singers – while all others sang a song, most to a perfection too, rafi sahab enacted the mood of the scene with his adayigi and gayiki. the above one song that i heard today once again made me comeback to your article.

By: Narayan

Narayan — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 13:38:10 +0000

Devraj saab,
As usual you have put all the emotions in this article bringing tear of joy to all poojaris of the farishta….
With ur profound knowledge and equally good voice as a singer you have touched the right chord…
congrats and please keep writing all our favourite songs review of the one and only Rafi sahab
Narayan

By: Prakash shah

Prakash shah — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 06:27:49 +0000

devraj ji,

The aalap of film Raajhath,ganga jamuna,gunj uthi sahnai,tere gar ke saamne,are marvelous.

By: mvdevraj

mvdevraj — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:07:22 +0000

Dear Murty,many thanks for your concurring comments. As you say it is not mere hero worship but a fact that many MDs and lyricists must have been flattered with their songs having been elevated, beyond their own wildest dreams, by Rafisaab by his own creative inputs.
Thanks Sanjeev Dixitji,I am glad I echoed your own feelings.
Prakashji,you are right that all the songs by Rafisaab had that magic touch.But what I was trying to highlight was about the Rafi effect even before the actual commencement of the song by way of his alaps,pre-mukhda lines or humming etc.
Mohan,Sukhjit Makkarji,Anwar-ul-Haquesaab, thanks a million for your complements.
Pradeep Kumarsaab,many many thanks for your detailed comments with a wonderful list of songs.I appreciate and value your complements.
Binuji,I am indeed grateful for your lovely words of appreciation.We will celebrate 24th Dec.
Anmolji,thanks a ton for the nice complements.Will definitely attempt such out pourings once in a while.
Best wishes to all
M V Devraj

By: Anmol Singh

Anmol Singh — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 04:13:04 +0000

Hello M.V.Devraj Ji,

Your writings have touch my heart. Every song sung by Rafi Sahab has it’s own mood. You think of the mood whether, sad, happy, romace, seduction, fear, devotion, anger, motivation, etc. one can find it.

Great write up !!!! Please do keep writing !!!

By: BINU NAIR

BINU NAIR — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:15:08 +0000

DEVRAJ BHAIYA…..

GREAT THOUGHTS. TWO TIMES MY COMP WITH MESSAGES FOR THIS WRITE UP – BLACKED OUT…… KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK…

BEST WISHES TO RAFI LOVERS, FRIENDS AND WELL WISHERS ON THE WORLDWIDE “RAFI CELEBRATION DAY” , DEC 24 –

THE MUSIC IS GOOOD, SO THE HEART WILL SING….

LONG LIVE INDIAN MUSIC, LONG LIVE RAFI SAAHEB…

BINU NAIR – RAFI FOUNDATION, MUMBAI…
CELL : 9833 250 701

By: Pradeep S. Kumar

Pradeep S. Kumar — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:19:07 +0000

Mr. M V Devraj has written a brilliant essay that brings together the song situations as envisioned by the writer and director, lyricist, music director, the picturisation and the mood that characterised the start of a classic everlasting Rafi Saab gem. Rafi Saab was way ahead of his times and miles ahead of many singers of that bygone era that could fuly grasp the requirements required to lay the foundation or structure of the song sequence to be recorded. Mr. Devraj has meticulously listed several of these songs in such a beautiful writing style. There are multiple instances (too numerous) – if you look at Rafi Saab entire singing career, where the lyricists, musicians, MDs were all floored by his singing and interpretation of a song. The lyricist asked “did I really write these words”; the MD asked “did I really create this tune”. It is said that MDs SD Burman, Madan Mohan, Roshan, OPN and others used to just weep after some of their “classic everlasting gem” recordings with Mohd Rafi. Some other senior MDs were more reserved and kept their emotions to themselves or burst out after reaching home. Nobody could figure out how Rafi Saab could pour the right sort of emotion to the required song. Many producers requested (more like cajoled) their directors and MDs with “Rafi ko abhi bulayo”, after hearing other singers record a particular song in poor style or could not create the correct mood required for picturisation.

A few more gems to add to Mr. Devraj’s list:
a) Ab Kya Misaal Doon (Aarti). Rafi fully hums the first two lines before the words (watch it on youtube). Added to the fine poetry and Roshan’s tune is a stunning looking Meena Kumari.
b) Ek Haseen Sham Ko (Dulhan Ek Raat Ki). Recorded on a day when Rafi Saab had a 100+ degree fever (who can ever tell upon hearing this beautiful song). Madan Mohan insisted on canceling the recording. Mohd Rafi insisted on continuing standing barefoot in the recording studio for several hours.
c) Tumse Kahoon Ek Baat (Dastak). Rafi Saab at his best giving hundred percent to what the MD (Madan Mohan) required of this song.
d) Rukh Se Zara Naqaab and Gham Uthane Ko – two SJ gems from the film Mere Huzoor
e) Mujhe Dard-E-Dil Ka Pata Na Tha (Akashdeep) – MD Chitragupta and Rafi Saab (listen to Jaag Dil-E-Diwana too). Beyond any description.
f) Taqdeer Ka Fasana (Sehra) – one of the most moving songs in HFM by MD Ramlal; lyrics by Hasrat Jaipuri. Nobody can ever again touch the stanza “Sanson Mein Aaj Mere, Toofan Ut Rahe Hein”. It is etched in all our memories forever.

Mr. Devraj – congratulations on a wonderful and thoughtful article that we can cherish for many years.

By: khaja Aliuddin,MD

khaja Aliuddin,MD — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:08:34 +0000

Sukhjit Makkar Sahib,
I totally agree with you about the song, “zulf lehrai teri, aur meri taqdeer bani”. What a song, Rafi sahab ki gayeki, bus poochiye mat. Wonderful.
With regards to all Rafi lovers,
Dr. Khaja Aliuddin

By: mvdevraj

mvdevraj — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:25:16 +0000

Dear Nasirsaab,thank you for your comments.
Achalji,I sincerely am grateful for your complements.As you very aptly say ‘Rafisaab excelled in all moods’. ‘Tu kahan ye bata,is nashili raat mein’ simply captures the essence of a lonely and yet intoxicating night without one’s beloved-wah what singing!
NRP,Rafisaab’s contribution in any song involving him was immense,without any doubt.Hence his share for the success of the song is bound to be very large.But this applies only to him and him alone.Thanks for your comments.
Dear Bina,as usual you have floored me with your lovely comments-mood banthi hai aur sanwarthi bhi hai-bhai wah!The mood is made and permeates when Rafisaab sings!Thanks for your nice words.
Bhagchandaniji,you have referred to some immortal songs–’kabhi khud pe’,'tere bin sooni’.You are absolutely right that the moment Rafisaab’s voice comes over the different moods are instantly created.Many thanks for your excellent comments.
Best wishes.
M V Devraj

By: mvdevraj

mvdevraj — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:00:35 +0000

Hello Fellow Rafi Devotees:
It is really humbling to read so many wonderful comments from all of you.
Siva ji,thank you. Many singers had come and many more will come.But the impact Rafisaab had left behind is something irreproduceable.
Dear Ramesh,I do not think all the lofty words used by you are deserved although it was very nice to read them.See my friend,just start writing about Rafisaab from the bottom of your heart and then words just come automatically-that’s all I had done.But many thanks for making me feel that I had written something which you liked.
Jawaid Naseembhai:Thank you for your nice comments about Rafisaab.
Khaja Aliuddinsaab, thanks for your nice comments.Ji haan Rafisaab ke gaane ho tho akele kaisa?
Guruji,in your very short comment you have said it all.Thank you.You are right when Rafisaab sings the diferent feelings swell up.When he says’sar kata sakte hain lekin sar jhuka sakte nahin’we become defiant,come what may.
Saluji,thanks for your complements.Please let me know your id so that I can send you the translation.
PVKS Rajuji,I appreciate your lovely words.Yes it is astonishing how Rafisaab could reproduce differing sentiments at different times and with so much ease.
Krishnanbhai,thanks for your beautiful comments.I too thought about ‘meri kahani’ but since I wanted to restrict only to a few examples,else it could have gone on and on,I could not accommodate it.It is indeed amazing when you start thinking in terms of what I had written how Rafisaab just brings about these different mood changes.
Best wishes.
M V Devraj