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.

This entry was posted on Monday, July 31st, 2006 at 12:05 am and is filed under Meri Awaaz Suno. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.