Remembering Rafi on his 26th Death Anniversary
This tribute is brought to you by Rafi fans.
Voh Jab Yaad Aaye, Bahut Yaad Aaye - the line that so unwaveringly holds so fit on our beloved Mohd Rafi Sahab. Today, a day that will never be forgotten for years to come. Its been 26 years since we lost Rafi Sahab to the absolute power called God.
Millions of Indians shed a tear remembering this singing colossus on this day. Televisions and radio’s play their tributes, fans visit his grave and pay their respects in their own humble way. For us Rafians, Rafi is no less than a GOD. Many of us idolize Rafi Sahab and adapt his humble self in our day to day life and activities. There never has been a single day that we have not heard Rafi Sahab.
A Tribute
Download Part 1 (51.02 MB), Part 2 (30.39 MB) and listen to a tribute remembering Rafi Sahab on this dolorous day - 31st July 2006. The tribute is presented by Mr. Unni Menon.
K.S. Ramachandran says:
The heart and soul would like to sing every song that you have sung during your life time. But then, unfortunately you have the matchless and unparallel, extremely enviable blend of all that is needed for a voice as a playback singer. To compliment it further, you have that extra mileage in terms of your extreme dedication in every song that you have sung which cannot be even reproduced by any singer today. As Sonu Nigam rightly points it out (I read it somewhere in this website mohdrafi.com) that it is pointless to even compare Rafi Sahab with any other playback singer. Just dip your palm and try and drink the sacred water of Rafi Sahab’s musical ocean, full of lilt, passion, range, love, punch, softness, expression and modulating expertise and you feel that you have become pious and spiritual all of a sudden. Any amount of praise for this great legend is an understatement. Long live his voice for years to come and beyond.
Acharya Shammi Bhaskar says:
Today is the 26th Death Anniversary of the God of Voice Shri Mohammed Rafi Sahab. It is hard to believe that Rafi Sahab is no more with us. His Golden voice and quality of songs are rare treasures for music industry. I am sad and fan like me are too sad because, music industry and concerned authority have not given any direction to introduce any award in his name or any memorial for the genius. I am also sad that till after 26 years “Bharat Rana” is not conferred to Mohammed Rafi Sahab which is equally painful for music lovers. I will miss you entirely, you were God, you were and will remain the ultimate king of songs and voice. No one ever in this world will come even half way of your quality. Truly God has gifted us “Mohammed Rafi” and also taken him away from us very early. You will be remembered forever as the greatest voice & sould of music. I pray to God to keep your soul always with us. Miss you always forever.
Rahul says:
Rafians, its a matter of great pleasure for me to say something about this greatest singer of all times. I myself had been an ardent follower of rafisaheb. I used to give my performances on stage and always followed rafisaab’s style. In 1991 I presented a proramme titled “Sadabahar Gayak Mohmmed Rafi”. Curtains still unopened, My comperer started the programme, by saying few of these lines:
Voh Kaise Buja, Jisko Zamane Ki Dua Thi;
Allah, Voh Roza Tha, Ki Tha Roz-e-Qayamat;
Iftari Ka Tha Waqt; Udhar Sar Pe Kaza Thi;
Hazi Tha; Namazi Tha; Bada Nek Tha Banda;
Kya Iske Alawa, Bhi Koyi Uski Khata Thi?
Nakhush Hai Khuda Apne Farishto Se, Varna,
Dharti Ke Farishte Ki, Zarurat Use Kya Thi?
There was complete silence. The first song that I presented was Jaanewalon Zara Mudke Dekho Mujhe from film Dosti. The Alaap of this particular song before it actually starts is so beautiful that it moves anybody. From that point onwards I presented the songs which usually people rarely go for. For example, Yehi Armaan Lekar Aaj Apne Ghar Se Ham Nikale, Koyi Sone Ka Dilwala Koyi Chandi Ka Dilwala from Maya, Aaj Purani Rahon Se, Chale The Saath Milkar, Tere Mere Sapne Ab Ek Rang Hai. Duets like Yeh Parbaton Ke Dayare Yeh Sham Ka Dhuan, Tasveer Teri Dil Mein, the program went till midnight and ended with a song, Jaanewale Kabhi Nahin Aate, Jaanewale Ki Yaad Aati Hai. I can say that I received a great applause from the audience though I am a small artiste, having been learnt basics in classical music, I have shaped my voice near to the tone of rafisaab’s voice. Today, July 31, I am here to pay my tribute to our own rafisaab:
Kaanch Ke Tukade Jawahar Ban Nahin Sakate,
Chahe Bane Kuch, Rafi Par Ban Nahin Sakate.
July 31st, 2006 at 6:20 pm
bina apke zindagi guzarna gavara natha
par bin apke kudhako hamara marna gavara natha (u live in our hearts)
hum us parvane ko abh bhi dundhdthe hain jise kudha ne hamare andar basliya . rafi tu hamari ruh jo husn aur ishq se bhadkar hai ham tujhe pujhthe hai par kya karein jo bhagwan kein paas gaya woh nahin atha
god is also incomplete without you
July 31st, 2006 at 6:05 pm
A true maestro…nothing more i can tell….his voice is most interactve and important thing for me…
July 31st, 2006 at 5:34 pm
Tu Kahi Aas Paas Hai Dost…………….
These were last lines sung by the Great Rafisaheb a day before his departure.
A good twenty years have passed and we are still singing it for you.
Thank you Rafisaab for being with us in every emotion.
July 31st, 2006 at 5:19 pm
The following lines will hold true for centuries to come
TUM MUJHE YUN, BHULLA NA PAAO GE
JAB KABHI BHI, SUNO GE GEET MERE
SANG SANG TUM BHI GUN GUNAO GE
HAAN TUM MUJHE YUN
A tribute to MOHD RAFI THE GREAT
July 31st, 2006 at 4:54 pm
Rafi Saab - a legend, an extraordinary voice - which will remain in the circuit and until the human life exists - its 26 years - his songs will remain alive even after a lapse of 260 years - I promise from the core of my heart - han tum mujhe yu bhula na paoge jab kabhi bhi sunoge geet mere sang sang yun gungunaoge!!!
July 31st, 2006 at 4:30 pm
Tumne kisike jaanko jaate hue dekha hai? Rafi saab asked a long ago. and today my answer is yes. i ve seen it . and if anyone wanna see it then see how i am today. i will be going to masjid today i dont know after how many months. I love u Sir. I need you.plz comeback. please.
July 31st, 2006 at 3:41 pm
why did u go sir we all luv u u would remain the best
July 31st, 2006 at 3:27 pm
Rafi Sahab’s fan….
The vaccum ur heavenly departure has left ….a void in the male Play back singing for no male singer of this genre is so capable and have the calibre u had. The higher octaves u were blessed with, were simply divine.
The present incumbent who “The Pirate’ Sonu Nigam is no match of u not even a speck. I am amazed at the balatant liking for Kishore Kumar even by the genious Lata and Asha is pathetic.
Even Lataji admits that Rafi sahab was no match as far as nazm, bazm, patriotic songs, romantic songs, sad songs, songs for kids, and of every type. Still she only makes passing references to him in her interviews…may be coz’ she once had a decade old quarell with him.
Very few people know that he was more than a master of 60’s era. His songs in the prime years of 1975-1981 were too soulful and still humable.
I particularly liked his rendition of higher octave songs even for which Lata ji was found wanting….vocally.. I can vouch for …like the song…Jiya o jiya o kuch bol do…where she applied all her Dum but Rafi sahab’s rendition is still enjoyable. Even Shammi Kapoors’ Tum mujhe yun bhula na paaoge…
The hoarse kishore was lucky when rafi sahab gave his voice as playback for him…..
The most difficult songs were given to Rafi sahab while kishore went away with the humble ones..
Must say Ke aaja teri yaad aaaye……
Some of his master pieces are :-
MERI DUNIYA MEIN TUM AAYE KYA KYA DIL KE SAATH LIYE, TAN KI CHANDI MAN KA SONA, AANKHON MEIN YEH RAAT LIYE….
TUMSE KAHOON EK BAAT KHI MAIN……HALKE HALKE….
EVEN OLD LAL KILA FILM SONGS….
I m 35 but a very die hard fan of rafi sahab…and know around 200 of his songs……
KHUDA KARE YEH DIWANGI RAHE BAKI……
Words are not less in my arsenal of verbosity nor are the adjectives but …….
The Rajinder Kumars’ Dharmendra’s Dilip Kumars’ Joy Mukherjee, Amitabh Bachan, Mukri, Rishi Kapoor, viswajeet, shammi Kapoor, vinod Khanna’s Firoz & sanjay Khans,
Jonny Walkers, u name and they were made popular by this one DOYEN.
Lata ji still owes to us Rafi’s Fans the years of the quarrel she had with him ….and we remained deprived of the duo’s melifluous songs to other mortals…
July 31st, 2006 at 2:41 pm
It is with great sorrow to believe that the GOLDEN VOICE OF THE INDIAN FILM INDUSTRY (Mohammed Rafi Sahab) is not with us but has left his colorful songs behind as his remembrance. Anyways that was the ALMIGHTY’s wish. I know one thing for sure ” THERE WAS NO SINGER LIKE RAFI SAHAB AT HIS TIME, THERE IS NO SINGER LIKE HIM NOW, AND FOR SURE, THERE WILL BE NO SINGER LIKE HIM. ” I am sorry to say that ” APART FROM TWO TO THREE SONGS OF KISHORE KUMAR THAT WON THE AWARDS, THE OTHERS WERE NOT EVEN DESERVING. THE SONGS OF RAFI SAHAB THAT DID NOT WON THE AWARDS (ALTHOUGH ALL HIS SONGS WERE TOTALLY DESERVING AWARDS) WERE MUCH BETTER THAN THOSE SONGS OF KISORE KUMAR THAT WON THE AWARDS. FOR SURE KISHORE KUMAR COULD NOT HAVE SUNG THE SONGS OF RAFI SAHAB THAT DID NOT WIN THE AWARDS. YES KISHORE IS A BETTER SINGER THAN THE ONE OF NOW DAYS BUT THERE IS NO WAY THAT WE CAN COMPARE HIM TO THE GOLDEN VOICE (Rafi Sahab).
July 31st, 2006 at 1:54 pm
Unkey Khayal Aayee tau Aatey Chaley Gayey…..Just take the name of Rafi Sahib and hundreds and hundreds of song sung by him cross your mind. Its very difficult to say which song sung him was the best because each song seems better than the rest. I think this is the quality of a real genius that he can keep his best for years together.
I dont think we will ever hear a voice as melodius as his.
May his soul rest in peace.
July 31st, 2006 at 1:47 pm
Sometime I feel that there is nothing left in my life.(nervous)
But when I listen song of Rafi I realise there is also joy in my life
Thanks
July 31st, 2006 at 1:07 pm
Today, as we look back at the past 26 years, since that fateful day in 1980, we are compelled to believe, that not even time can erase the name of our most cherished “Shree Rafi” from the core of our hearts.
I am too small to even draw comparisons of the great man, but I would say this much, he is the dictionary of music, there may be others, whom others regard as great, but only with this blessed soul has been certified by GOD himself, now when would we again behold GOD’s miracle in human form, when would GOD again remind us that he is capable of unbelievable things? Perhaps never, and I dare say, even GOD will not be able to replicate the voice that binds us so easily.
I am so please to read all the comments by you friends, whom I have never met, but we are bound by mutual admiration for the true legend and are a part of the family of followers of our beloved “Shree Rafi”
I was just three when the final call came for “HIM”. No one introduced me to His songs, my father is an ardent fan himself, but I really don’t know how his voice reached my life, and ever since then I have just been on a journey, amazed and bedazzled, in awe and thankful for GOD’s revelation.
I know I may sound generous with praise, but what praise is there that is good enough for this ones in a life time man.
“Rafi Je” I feel proud of being a Human Being, of being a Man, of being an India, for just one reason, and that is you.
In this life we haven’t met, but surely I will request GOD for a rendezvous’ with you in haven.
I have written these lines for you “Har Shaam ko Yaad aate ho tum, Muskurate huae diye bhi jalate ho tum, Zindagi to baas Verana he Verana hai, ese Gulshan banate ho tum, Hai yahken dil ko ke tum miloge kabhi, bas thoda intezar hai baki”
July 31st, 2006 at 12:55 pm
‘’na fankar tujsa tere baad aaya, muhammed rafi tu bahot yaad aaya'’…HE IS STILL ALIVE IN OUR HEARTS…..! M.RAFI fans continue listening and singing HIS songs.
+91 98250 84523
July 31st, 2006 at 12:34 pm
Rafi Shb indeed the all time greates singer in the earth. Even after 26yrs of his departure it is to be beleived that even next 1000 yrs there will be no one in the earth like Rafi Shb.
I m fm Bangladesh and he is equally poplular here and even this generation kids likes his songs very much..
As a example, I can tell you all that my 7 years daugther is being listening a perticular song of Rafi Shb called: O Nannese Fresehte, Tujhse Yie Keysa Natha, Keyse Yie Dilke Reshte. O Nannese Fereshte. Happy Birth Day to you…. When she is in the car with me, she must listhen this songs and smiles and puts the CD button Repeating Mode the same…
This is how the Rafi Shb song power is that a kid without knowing anything about him how love his songs… Imaging..
We are very fortunate that his all songs are so close to our heart and whenever we are in depression, we can just hear any of his song and get re-freshed.
We all pray for his departed soul…
July 31st, 2006 at 12:26 pm
Allahummaghfirhu Warrhamhu…
May Allah forgive him and shower his merciy onto him.
May Allah place him in “Jannat-Ul-Firdaus”…Ameen.
A great singer of all the times. I have no adequate words to express the legend’s capability of singing. A honest, charming, respectfull, jolly and a very smoothly spoken man.
I still remember the time was early morning of 31st July 1980 when I was in 8th standard. I heard from radio SriLanka (SLBC) that Mohammed Rafi is no more and I got shocked. Although I was not well aware of singers of that time but felt we lost something invaluable and the whole day my heart was full of sorrow.
The real legend of singing legends….
Ashfaque Hussain
Nanded, India
July 31st, 2006 at 12:02 pm
Dear Music Lovers,
IT IS INDEED A SAD DAY TODAY FOR ALL MUSIC LOVERS AS OUR DEMI MUSICAL PLAYBACK WIZARD RAFI SAB IS NOT THERE WITH US. ON BEHALF OF ALL I PAY HOMAGE TO THE GREATEST SINGER.
RAFI SAB LIVES WITH ALL OF US AMIDST THE INNUMERABLE IMMORTAL GEMS LEFT BY THIS GREAT GENIUS.
LOVING YOURS AN ARDENT RAFI BAKTH
P.NARAYANAN
July 31st, 2006 at 11:59 am
I know you will be watching all these sitting in the heavens next to God, am sure if you are not in the heavens who else will be?? You were so well created even God became so jealous of the people who enjoy your talent thus called you back early! Yeah to be closer to you.
I have no idea how can I pay you back for all the pleasures and contributions you are giving to me in every walks of life. No other singer in world, no matter how hard I try has given me anything closer to the feelings your songs (your voice in fact) provides.
I am blessed to be an Indian only because I am able to enjoy your voice.
A true artistic legend possesses the character matching to his talent. That is the sign of God-Sent people
Do I have to say anything more?
July 31st, 2006 at 11:58 am
Rafi Sahab ki awaaz is duniyan ke liya Khuda ki taraf se baqshi hui ek neymat thi jise sun sun kar log bekhud hote thai aur rahen gey. Rafi Sahab ki awaz sun kar aisa lagta hai ke un tamam saazon ke saath alag se ek aisa sureela saaz baj raha hai jo tamam saazon ke upar bhari hai.
Kahaan Gaye Woh Log
Kahaan Gaye Woh Din.
Kahan Gayee Woh Shaiyree
Kahan Gayee Woh Dhun
Ab To Mausiqee Ke Naam Par
Shor Ne Sab Kuch Kar Diya Hai Gum
Thanks & Regards
July 31st, 2006 at 11:38 am
rafi sahab is a great great singer in the world nobody could have reached equal to rafi sahab i am a big fan of mohd. rafi. unhone gaaya tha tum mujhe yu bhula na paoge bilkul hum aapko kabhi bhi nahi bhula paayenge unke jaisa fankaar jeevan me sirf ek baar hi janm leta hai.
Sajjan Jangir
July 31st, 2006 at 11:13 am
Mohd Rafi Sahab,
The greatest singer of our country. He was & will remain forever in our hearts, conquering hearts of all generations with his memerising melodious voice.
May his soul rest in peace
Jahangir
July 31st, 2006 at 10:19 am
Rafi Sahab,
Jeete hain aap ke suron ke sahare,
Marenge aap hi ki suron ke saaye mein,
Hamari zindagi ko kuchh maayne diye aapne,
Aap ki yaad karte hain aur bas rote hain.
May your soul rest in peace.
Nitin
July 31st, 2006 at 10:17 am
Dear All,
We have been hearing so many songs sung by so many singers but ultimately one can feel content only after hearing one Rafi Saab’s song. He is not with us physically but will stay with us till Music lives. Long Live Rafi Saab.. Sh.. Dont Disturb too much Gods are listening to him singing and they are also lost…..
July 31st, 2006 at 9:57 am
Rafi Sahab we miss you.
But you continue to live with us in your songs.
July 31st, 2006 at 8:51 am
allah unki rooh ku sukoon ata farmaye
today after 26 years still we feel that rafi saab is very near to us and i know that hum bhi ek din chale jayenge lekin rafi saab ki awaz hamesha duniya sunti rahegi
July 31st, 2006 at 4:42 am
so true.>>>> ( Rafi Sahab to the absolute power called God )
wat can i say– wat ever i say or think is not enough. some time i cry for ……
M.Rafi ji voice is the my mood changer never felt alone………