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.
August 1st, 2006 at 1:54 pm
Jis ki Awaaz se Rooh Khush ho Jati hai,
Jis ki Awaaz se Kaano ko Sukoon Milta hai,
Gaor Karke Dekho doston, is Fani duniya me,
Aaj Uski Kami har ek shaksh mahsoos karta hai,
Rafi Sahab ke chahane walo ka karvaan kabhi katm nahi hoga, ye duniya jab tak khayam hai, unki yaad har chote bade me insaan samati rahegi….
August 1st, 2006 at 1:40 pm
Friends.
Yesterday, I went through “The Times of India”, Watched the News Channels, but none carried any article of programme on the occasion of “The Legends” death anniversary.
How shameful that the so called national daily’s and new channels, didn’t even flash a sentence on the a tragic moment that deprived us of the heavenly voice, men alive today have ever heard.
Its no doubt that everything today is profit driven, and in this mad raise, we have forgotten to remember our heroes.
I waited and prayed all day that doordarshan relay “The Legends” recording with Nushad ji, and thank God they did, it was pure bliss, what a voice, mesmerizing, me and my dad watched it, and we missed him, and grew fonder of him, hope you guys had the good fortune of watching “The Legend” sing.
The world is sick place, mean and greedy, and Rafi sahab is one of life’s support systems.
Thanks Doordarshan ( Sahayadri) for airing this, don’t forget watch the second part of this programme next Monday at 11pm, on the same channel
Yes long live the king……
Regards,
August 1st, 2006 at 1:32 pm
Seeing the number of fans paying tributes, one thing is beyond doubt; at his 260th death anniversary, there will be space only for group tributes. Mohammed Rafi creates magic in many hearts
August 1st, 2006 at 11:44 am
Dear Friends,
Another July 31st. Another year passsed away.The number of Rafisaab’s chahnewale grow more and more . I saw a news in Malayala manorama that a man at alleppey dist in kerala has immense respect of Rafi saab and his songs. He is a coolie and had permormed many shows for Rafi saab and have Collections around 4000 songs. He built a waiting shed at alleppey costing to Rs 16000/-. and named his son as Mohd.Rafi.
From,
manojrk.00@rediffmail.com
manojrk.00@yahoo.com
August 1st, 2006 at 9:04 am
lata is an legend dont compare lata to noorjehan
August 1st, 2006 at 9:02 am
i request mr zia not to use words like “thief” for rd burman pls for ur kindly information rd burman trend is still running the songs which he made 30yrs back are still in demand in remix
August 1st, 2006 at 8:20 am
lata should thank noorjaha she left india. kishore should thank rafi he was out of india and aradhna happen. and as for asha the ungrateful one she should thank o.p. nayyar for making a singer out of her and as far as r.d. burman is concerned he was nothing but a thief. rafi was the greatest singer ever who walked this earth. anyone who thinks otherwise should join himesh reshamiya donkey voice fan club.
August 1st, 2006 at 6:52 am
Dear Friends,
Another July 31st. Another year passes away.The number of Rafisaab’s chahnewale grow more. It has been this way since that fateful July in 1980.
Laxmikantji says that Rafi is more popular now than ever before and his songs sell much more than even Lataji.This saint singer was imbued with all virtues that a god fearing human being should have and was a paragon of humility even at the zenith of his career. His voice was pure and matchless-so was he himself. What can I say about someone who has become a symbol of humaneness, charity, honesty and modesty-even though he was matchless in the art of playback singing.He was the one who had an open heart, open mind and an open door policy towards all-rich,poor,high and low, successful or unsuccessful.Forget awards or honor-he was/is beyond these listless and political stuff. His award is the award he is given by his fans,music lovers, the public and by his being declared the number one and the best ever singer by everyone who matters in filmdom and elsewhere whenever a poll is taken. His stock of songs are such that they are going to last forever and entertain generations over generations to come! I know because the next generation in my family is already into Rafi(after shuffling with Sonu,Shaan,KK, Himmesh etc.) and I can hear the sounds of a Rafi song filtering into my room from my son’s room. The song goes:
Tu mere samne hai,
Teri zulfen hain khuli,
Tera anchal hai dhala,
Main bhala hosh mein kaise rahoon!
I am getting nostalgic! Rafisaab is still alive and very much in demand!
August 1st, 2006 at 6:33 am
rafi saheb is the great indian male playback singer.
August 1st, 2006 at 5:20 am
Rafi saab,
Zindaki ke har ek moode pe mai geet gaata chala jaa rahoo
bequdi ka ye aalam na poocho manzilou pe badha jaa raha hoo…
Zindagi ka koe corner nahi jis per rafi saab ka song nahi.
Bhajan-Qawali-Sad-Happy-Babul ki duaae lete ja…………..no end.
All more than a million sing like Rafi saab together cannot be one rafi sab.
Every I listen to Rafi saab song with high volume and thing is it true a person can sing like this also.
Till the end of this world Rafi Saab will be alive in hearts of billions around the world.
August 1st, 2006 at 3:59 am
The most versitile human ‘Voice On Earth’ WAS, IS and WILL ever be of MOHAMMED RAFI SAHIB. Out of the thousands of songs he gave us during the span of almost 40 years of his singing carreer, pick Any One! and you will find in them the same sincerity, compassion, sweetness, smoothness filled with love and deep human emotions - entirely Flawless and full of Perfection!…..as if GOD himself SANG for us !!!
RAFI SAHIB was a very KIND, down to earth compassionate human being-a FARISHTA to us all music lovers. I shall always cherish the beautiful moments of his company when by chance, I had an opportunity of sitting besides the Godly man, travelling with him on the same Indian Airlines flight from Bombay to Delhi in November 1976. I was so overwhelmed that I could barely greet him and could not say anything else. Such a great personality, yet so Humble!…. It just seems like yesterday!
It is 26 years today, since he left for his heavenly abode, leaving us all so
lonely and SAD. His Songs shall always LIVE in our hearts and so SHALL he through his wonderful Songs. Locally around TORONTO Canada, we are today paying our tributes/shridhanjilys through various Radio Programs to this Great legendary singer. One of his songs comes to mind. How True ….
DIL KA SOONA SAAZ, TRANA DHOONDEGA……..
MUJHKO MERE BAAD, ZAMANA DHOONDEGA…..
RAFI SAHIB, your well wishers and fans are countless in this world and they all LOVE YOU !!!!
IQBAL BRAR, Brampton, Canada
August 1st, 2006 at 1:01 am
Three generations of our family have savoured the divinity of Rafi Saab’s voice. Some of the older members were blessed enough to have met him or seen him live in concert. Others have simply been mesmerised listening to his voice in their respective homes and cars. All of us have been lucky - over the years his enchanting and timeless voice has charmed, uplifted and comforted us.
Rafi the maestro…Rafi the legend…Never to be forgotten.
August 1st, 2006 at 12:58 am
There shall never be anyone like him ever.
I consider myself unfortunate that I was never able to meet him in this life.
Maybe in heaven that wish shall be fulfilled…
May his soul rest in peace.
July 31st, 2006 at 11:29 pm
Whar to say about rafi sahab,Diye ko Lou dikhane wali baat hai,Sumandar mein ek qatra daalne wali baat hai,
My age is 32 years and i have been a fan of rafi for more than 20 years.But till date, I am not able to tell myself about my favourite song,either 2 or 10 or 20,Every song of rafi I listen to, I feel that is my most favourite,It is really unending .Long live rafi and his songs.
July 31st, 2006 at 11:28 pm
Muhammad Rafi was the greatest personality of Hindustani film industry.
July 31st, 2006 at 11:23 pm
Dear Krishna,
On greatest male singer Rafi saheb’s death anniversary, everybody is paying such rich tributes. May his soul rest in peace and we enjoy countless songs he sang for us.
You have stated “Bengali trio” - this was not neccessary, on this day. Your information about Rajesh Khanna being Bengali is incorrect. Rajesh Khanna is an adopted child of a rich Punjabi family. If you had stated that Burmans, especially RD Burman went out of the way and allegedly unfairly and unethically to promote Kishore da, I would have accepted. It is alleged that RD gave rafi’s recorded number “Tum Bin Jaaoon Kahan” to Kishore to improve upon is unethical on RD’s part. It is also alleged that Aradhana’s songs were to be sung by Rafi, but with father SD sick and RD at helm, he got Kishore da to sing those songs. RD may have felt that a diffrent style would sell more and it did. We have to accept that Mere Sapnon ki raani has been sung marvelously by Kishore da to start a new era in hindi cinema.
If you want comparison between Rafi and Kishore. Go to any audio shop and see for yourself the demand for Rafi songs exceeds that of ALL singers put together. In outlook poll conducted in which only professional singers, musicians voted, Rafi has 7 songs against 2 of Kishore amongst 20 best songs of Indian cinema. Only Lata has more than Rafi.
So enjoy “Meri Awaz Suno ” from Naunihal or “Rung Aur Noor ki saugat” from Ghazal, and see if anyone can come even close.
July 31st, 2006 at 10:48 pm
there is nothing to say jest feel sorry about Indain Tv channels.
July 31st, 2006 at 10:21 pm
Dear All,
We have been talking so much about Rafi Saab today but see how unfortunate that no Television channel tries to remember the TRUE LEGEND. Why is that we see lots of Asha talking about RD, Lata speaking more. S D Burman etc., BUT NOT RAFI.. WILL ANYBODY LOOK INTO THIS PLEASE.. Its very unfortunate.. Down with Political BENGALI TRIO RD BURMAN-KISHORE KUMAR-RAJESH KHANNA. I Strongly feel Rafi Saab was a strong scapegoat of Bengali Politics these trio did.. I Strongly argue Rafi Saab would have suited Rajesh Khanna better than Kishose Kumar Yunhi Tum Mujse Baat from Saccha Jhuta, Yeh Reshmi Zulphein, Baagon me Bahar hai etc., LIVE LIFE KING SIZE - LONG LIVE RAFI SAAB..
Phir milogi kabhi is baat ka vaada karlo…Humse ik our Mulaqatka vada karlo…
July 31st, 2006 at 9:14 pm
I just respect rafi saab as a godly person .I love him very much and still shed tears when I listen to his songs in the night.whenever I feel sad i listen to his songs and it gives me solace.
may god rest his soul in peace.My only regret is not to have oppurtunity to meet him in this janam but I am sure he is very near to me.It always happens that when i think of a particular song i automatically switch the channel in which that song appears.
I love u very much and not a single day passes without remembering you.
Now that ur grandson is going to sing in star tv programme i am looking forward to it.
In the end I am very sad and angered that rafisaab has not been given his due whereas ordinary singer like kishore ,sonunigam and kumar sanu are praised.And rafi was lot better than kishore who was just ordinary and even singers like abhijeet and shaan can sing his songs equally. Also no award in rafi saab name shame shame on all.and even media there is no reference very shameful.But i love u sir till the last breath of mine.
July 31st, 2006 at 9:04 pm
Jahan Mile Dharti Akaash,Wahi Se Koyi Mujhe Pukare,Kare Ishare,Ho Ho Ho…………..
How true has this sing of of Rafiji become ever since we lost him.Fans around the world are all missing this great meastro whose voice was such that even God became impatient and wanted to hear Rafiji sing.But God also created manificient brains for man who in turn created the computer age where we are able to hear our beloved Rafiji over and over again and share with one another what Rafiji has left for us.
Ek ke paas jyada hai to ek ke paas jo kaam hai
Baat le ek barabar apas mein to kiya gham hai .Long Live Rafiji.
July 31st, 2006 at 8:54 pm
What could I say. He is too too great to be described in words. I ,like millions of others am fortunate to have been born during this era and I thank god that he gave me a chaance to hear the leged at kolkatta in feb 80. live.. My life ambitions were fulfilled. Every thing there after means nothing to me.
I bow my head in reverence to the immortal singer
pk viswanath
July 31st, 2006 at 7:42 pm
hi
iam the biggest fan of rafiji. when i was 10 at 84 iam listing the songs of great singer coz at my home everybody is his great fan.
i have more then 5000 songs of rafi sahab. i left india in 1999 iam in africa. here on radio chanel rafi sahabs songs going on very well african also like the songs. iwant lots of person in the world know the great man
July 31st, 2006 at 6:59 pm
Rafi Saab,
Rafi Saab, aap itni jaldi hum chahanewalo sabko chhod ke chale gaye.
Sapnome dekha, to ye lagta hai ki aap humare saath abhi bhi hain.
Kash ! eisa hota. Phir Rafi Saabko samne paakar….
Please come in Rafi Saab… Please…. we all love you very very very much.
July 31st, 2006 at 6:35 pm
The question is : Why todays stars are made so important?
Look at this personality !
He had immense talent, fame and Allah’s blessing - yet the person was so approachable and humble. This I call real greatness !!
July 31st, 2006 at 6:21 pm
Today is the 26th anniversary of the death of Mohd.Rafi sahab, Mohd.Rafi’s name conjures up nostalgia and the memories that he has left behind
will accompany music lovers generally and Mohd.Rafi fans especially through good and bad times.
It doesn’t seem as though 26 years have passed by since the terrible news of his death.
” YAAD NA JAAYE BEETE DINON KI ”
The KING is dead long live the king.