The immortal Rafi
Article from The Hindu Business Line. Contributed by Mohan Flora.
Shammi Kapoor hero-worshipped him, Dilip Kumar was grateful that “Rafi saab sang with so much emotion, that it lightened the burden on the actor during song sequences”.
On the evening of July 31, 1980, after recording a song for the J. Om Prakash film, Aas Paas, Mohammad Rafi asked music directors Laxmikant-Pyarelal if he could leave for home. This was an unusual request because Rafi was always the last to leave the recording session. Hours later, he suffered a heart attack and died.
Thus ended the remarkable 39-year career of the most famous and versatile playback singer of Hindi cinema that had generated a mind-blowing 25,000-odd songs. Rafi gave his melodious voice to hit and flop films, famous and ordinary music directors, best and worst actors. But he sang with the same gusto for all of them and it was no surprise that less talented actors like Joy Mukherjee and Biswajeet enjoyed an occasional hit film because of Rafi’s songs.
In the bitchy, backbiting film industry he remained above controversy, doing his work quietly, with dignity and attributing his success and fame to Allah. He had one minor disagreement with Lata Mangeshkar (she had several with stars, music directors and fellow playback singers) over some royalty issue. They did not sing together for some time. But he just shrugged it off and did not speak about it.
In fact, he spoke very little. Says Ameen Sayani, well-known broadcaster and music buff, “It was impossible to make him talk. He would not give interviews and was not comfortable talking about his profession where he was the greatest.”
Music directors fell over one another in praising Rafi’s dedication, greatness and more important, versatility. “Give him a ghazal, a bhajan, a qawwali, a soft solo or a boisterous masti number… Mohammad Rafi would put his heart and soul into it,” observed veteran music director Naushad, who was among those who gave a break to Rafi in the early 1940s.
It was Naushad who discovered the singer’s potential for higher notes. Early in his career, in films such as Dillagi, Mela and Anmol Ghadi, Rafi handled a number of popular songs in lower notes. Recollects Naushad, “Rafi saab had tremendous potential for the higher notes too and I used this talent of his in films like Deedar, Amar, Uran Khatola and most important, Baiju Bawara.”
Today, Rafi is more remembered for songs of this kind and no Rafi album is complete without Meri kahani bhoolnewale, Insaaaf ka mandir hain yeh Bhagwan ka ghar hain and O duniya ke rakhwale… Such versatility was possible because Rafi, the youngest of five brothers from an Amritsar family, despite parental objections, learnt classical music from Ustad Wahid Ali Khan and later Ustad Barkhat Ali Khan.
At a K.L. Saigal concert in Lahore, the power failed and Rafi, then 17, was roped in to sing a couple of songs to keep the restive audience quiet. Music director Shyam Sunder, who was in the audience, was impressed. Rafi got his first break in Hindi films in a Shyam Sunder film and his dream of working with Saigal was realised when Naushad gave him two lines to sing in the Saigal film, Shahjahan.
The Rafi-Naushad combination clicked in the 1946 hits, Anmol Ghadi and Jugnu where his duet with Noor Jehan, Yahan badla wafa ka… became the rage. This was the first time Rafi sang for Dilip Kumar. His popularity soared when he sang the immortal Husanlal Bhagatram tribute to Gandhiji after his assassination, Suno suno ae duniyawalon Bapuji ki amar kahani.
But the competition in those days was stiff. Raj Kapoor depended on Mukesh, Talat Mahmood was the preferred choice for Dilip Kumar and the classical songs went to Manna Dey. Yet Rafi created an impact with hit numbers in the films he sang. In 1952, Baiju Bawara became a major turning point in his career and thereafter, the famous Naushad-Dilip combination opted for Rafi.
This was the beginning of the golden era for Rafi, and he was now wooed by all music directors. S.D. Burman opted for Kishore Kumar to sing lively romantic songs for Dev Anand, but when it came to soulful melodies, such as Tere mere sapne, ab ek rang hain in Guide, he turned to Rafi. And believe it not, O.P. Nayyar chose Rafi to sing a classical number for Kishore Kumar in Raagini (Man moraa baawara).
Rafi did not mind singing for heroes, villains or comedians, as long as the songs were melodious and suited the situation. Some of his best songs were pictured on comedians such as Johny Walker (Pyaasa and Naya Daur) and Mehmood. He had a special rapport with top heroes such as Dilip Kumar. “Rafi saab sang with so much emotion, that it lightened the burden on the actor during song sequences,” observed the thespian.
Shammi Kapoor hero-worshipped Rafi, who first sang for him in the musical, Shama Parwana. “He was responsible for my success as the rebel star and dashing romantic hero,” recalls Kapoor. “Often Rafi saab instructed me on how I should perform in song sequences. During the shooting of Kashmir Ki Kali, I wanted to repeat the first lines of the theme song at the end of the number to create an impact. Rafi saab backed me and finally music director O.P. Nayyar agreed. “Such was the rapport between us that even if I was absent during some of the song recordings, nothing went wrong.”
At the same time, Rafi was aware of the fickleness of the industry and when he was eclipsed by the Kishore Kumar euphoria following the Aradhana days in the early 1970s, he did not show his hurt. That was the time when every musical director and star ran after Kishore Kumar. But Rafi was unperturbed and his dedication remained the same. Once while running a high temperature he recorded five songs in a day for Laxmikant-Pyarelal! Recalls Pyarelal, “He would bring thermos jugs filled with special tea spiced with almond, pista and elaichi, and pour out cups for us during recording. I never saw him in a bad mood.”
The gentleman that he was, he conveniently `forgot’ to remind producers for dues when a film did not do well. Rafi did not want his sons in the show business because he knew that singing talent cannot be inherited. He must have witnessed the struggles of Nitin Mukesh or Khalid Mahmood, sons of his colleagues Mukesh and Talat Mahmood. He gave his sons a sound education and set them up in business enterprises.
Twenty-five years after his death, some of his best songs continue to haunt music rasikas.
May 7th, 2006 at 1:10 pm
i am from a very small country called maldives. some of u guys may not know, but we are quite close to india.
sometimes i quite feel jealous, and envy indians….well dont mind. its because u indians are reallu lucky that u are the natives of the nation where mohad rafi sahab hailed from….i think that gives enough reaon for indians to be proud. afterall, rafi sahab will always be regarded as the greatest singer ever…..i am a gr8888888888 fan of him, and his voice….we are from a smal country, we speak a different language, we have our own local singers. but we all maldivians simply love rafi sahab,. and his casstes and cds are very much in demand here…may Allah bless his soul
May 6th, 2006 at 2:16 pm
well said andy……there wasnt, and there will never be a another singer like rafi…….kishoreda might have ruled the 70’s, but rafi saab was too in demand even in that time…….rafi gave playback for bigb, vinod khanna, jeetendra, rajesh khanna, dharam, mithun…al in the 70’s
May 5th, 2006 at 7:18 am
Mohammad Rafi is the greatest playback singer in the film
industry period……………………………………………………….
who wants to argue.
April 27th, 2006 at 10:24 pm
I agree with all of u. Rafisab was certainly one of the best singers of the world. The song Diwana hua badal is according to me one of the most melodious and romantic songs of hindi film music. I wonder why there are no sites from where one could download the favourite great old numbers free when thousands of English songs are available. If anyof u know of any such site for hindi and bengali songs please let me know. my id is supriyo_reetu@rediffmail.com.
April 27th, 2006 at 11:23 am
I am a 47 yrs. old ordinary indian born in January 1959. I grew up in the times when Rafi sahab was at its peak. The most impressionable part of my life, when tv was a newly introduced luxury and radio the only source of entertainment for the common man, was spent listening to his immortal songs especially from films like Haqiqat, Aakashdeep, Patthar Ke Sanam, J Om Prakash movies, Shammi Kapoor and Dev Anand movies etc. With life moving on, I lost my father and my sister very untimely. I am very introvert and find solace in crying alone while listening to Rafi sahab’s songs. I am fortunate to be his contemporary. My greatest regret is not having been able to meet him in this life. My greatest wish is to meet Rafi Sahab when I die. God bless Rafi Sahab
April 18th, 2006 at 6:21 pm
Hi Kamil Saab
Yes you are right the world would be a better place if there were more people like Rafi saab but there is not because human beings like Rafi saab are very very hard to find.
I mean does anyone know someone who will look down when he is speaking to you or that he will not raise his voice when speaking. I cannot find anyone like that nor have I come across anyone like him.
Truely a legend once in a lifetime IMO
Thanks
Khalid Rashid
UK
April 16th, 2006 at 4:30 am
Mohammed Rafi, A miraculous tone of voice which will always remain Impassive, and not just that, what a great personality too…’The world would be a better place if there were more people like Mohammed Rafi’
One of the greatest tunes ‘Tum mujhe yun, bhula na paaoge’ which is infact the truth in present living, his God gifted voice will never fade, “Simplicity Lasts Longer”.
…May Allah’s blessings be upon you…
April 14th, 2006 at 5:08 pm
Dear Rafi Fans,
I would like share some thing with you all.
Referring to one of Naushad Saab’s interview in Jai Mala program, broadcast on Akashwani, Bombay on the eve of Rafi Saab’s 6th death anniversary in 1986. Naushad was mentioning about Rafi Saab’s reaction when he heard about Mukesh’s death in 1976. Rafi Saab felt very sad stating “Ek Achaa Saathi Chalaa Gayaa”. Immediately when the radio was switched on, one can guess which song was being played, “O Door Ke Musafir, Hum Ko Bhi Saath Lele, Hum Reh Gaye Akele”. It’s a very unfortunate coincidence, after 4 years in 1980 Rafi Saab passed away.
Not much is know about Rafi Saab and Mukesh ji friendship. Perhaps both haven’t sung many songs together, compared to the Rafi-Kishore combination.
Regards,
Anmol Singh.
Mumbai
April 13th, 2006 at 11:00 pm
Rafi Sahib’s voice is indeed ‘God’s gift’ to enjoy the melodies which were sung from his soul. No one in this world can replace his voice. You can see his pictures his simplicity such a loving human being. May God be praised.
Prakash S.A.
Hyderabad-Deccan
April 7th, 2006 at 11:56 am
To all Rafi Fans,
This is the best website of Legend Rafi Sahab which I liked very much and thrilled. I will be forwarding this to all my friends,relatives and contacts to make this website alive forever.
No singer in the hindi film indusrty has made so much impact than Rafi sab and infact being female also I try and love to sing all the songs even if it is on a low pitch.
Regarding the fans emotion on Anil Biswas who did not adjust to Rafi Gharaana I can only say that this gentleman Biswas was the greatest loser in not understanding the timbre range n tone of Rafi Sahab. Also some fans or critics were talking about R.D.Burman showing preference to Kishore is not true if you listen to all the songs of my favourite Rafi Sahab in Teesri Manzil,Pyar ka Mausam,Chote Nawab,Buuth Bangla,Mela,The Train,Adhikar,Raton ka Raja,Yaadon ki Baraat, Caravan,Hum kisise kum Nahin,Shaan,Phandebaaz,Kalia,and many more which worked out well for R,D.Burman. Some accuse that for Dharam also Manna da was used in Sholay n Seeta aur Geetha but at that time Rafi Sahab was regaling his innumerable fans in U.S.A,Canada and West Indies.
Jagjit Singh again not liking the gharana cannot be true as he himself has openly paid homage to OUR GREATEST RAFI SAHAB IN THE LEGEND SPECIAL.Thatswhy I request fans to be judicious in their comments on our TOTALLY HUMBLE NON CONTRVERSIAL IDOL RAFI SAHAAB WHO MAKES EVERBODYS HEART SING…….
USHA L.G COIMBATORE
April 4th, 2006 at 12:06 pm
Excellent website on my favourite legend Rafi sab which I was eanestly looking for. Infact Iam now settled in Bangalore after moving from Mumbai where I could attend Rafi sabs 3 lively programme during my school days. Iam now 49 yrs but Iam the crazy and Rafi maniac since the age of 8yrs . My first Rafi song heard was from the film Sasural Teri pyari pyari soorat ko…. In fact after the sad demise of Rafi sab we in Mumbai got together to form Rafi fan club in which Nalini Ramji, Ashish Bhushan, Bijoor and many of us started some activity but due to transfer,travel and other career could not continue.
My humble request would be to get together in an organised way as there are many organisations who actively promote Rafi sabs legacy in several towns. Also we should implore upon the Govt to institute awards in Rafi sabs name in the country for talented singer in the film industry.
Well done and Kudos to the team of Rafi sabs website.
P.Narayanan Bangalore
April 1st, 2006 at 9:20 pm
tere anay kee aas hai dost…sham phir kyun udhas hai dost
mehki mehki fiza..yeh kehti hai
tu kahin aas paas hai dost…tu kahin aas paas hai dost
Wah rafi sahab kiya baat thi aap kee! you will always be in our hearts
March 30th, 2006 at 12:59 pm
Rafi saab is not dead. who calls him dead is an idiot.how can he die if he is leaving in hearts of Rafi worshipper like me? The day my Grandpa died i listened to” Main zindagika saath nibhata chala gaya”.this is a damn good site.keep up the good work.
March 30th, 2006 at 11:51 am
Rafi saheb’s songs are immortal. You are entrenched in it from the first note and you are not tired listening to them over and over again. Some unexplainable transfomation takes place in you and when you leave his music you feel terribly home sick and the nostalgia yearns you to come back for more, more and more!
March 29th, 2006 at 5:50 pm
What I can say about a Musical man MD. rafi saheb who has enthralled all India with his tunes and left the rich legacy behind. I just love this man like anything.
March 27th, 2006 at 11:52 pm
Shri Mohammed Rafi saab - “if the almighty wanted to have a voice of his own - he would have chosed Rafi Saab’s”……
March 27th, 2006 at 9:13 pm
No words to say how Mohd Rafi is great jest we can feel it.
March 20th, 2006 at 7:17 pm
Rafi saab in one word GREATEST ever in my opinion.
Khalid
March 20th, 2006 at 7:16 pm
Rafi saab in on word GREATEST ever in my opinion.
Khalid
March 19th, 2006 at 9:30 am
Mohd. Rafi Sahab is the greatest playback singer to have graced the Indian music industry. I am an ardent Rafi fan for 31 years now (from the age of 14). It is 25 years since he passed away but his voice and songs are immortal. The songs of today do not live in the heart for even a few days but the great Rafi Sahab’s numbers can be heard hundreds of times and the pleasure is the same. May Rafi Sahab live in our hearts for ever!
March 18th, 2006 at 11:09 am
One of the greatest singer of all time.
March 18th, 2006 at 1:28 am
mohd. rafi is life of music. Viaduct rafi music is Death.
March 14th, 2006 at 4:44 pm
I’VE DISCOVERED THIS WEBSITE THRU GOOGLE.COM..& HAPPY TO KNOW ABOUT THE MUSIC MAESTRO. IM RAFI FAN AND RAFISAAB STILL SINGS FOR ME ‘TUM MUJHE YOUN BHULA NA PAO GE, JAB KABHI BHI SUNO_GE GEET MERE, SUN SUNG TUM BHI GUNGUNAO_GE. KEEP UP THIS GOOD WORK FOR RAFI FANS
March 13th, 2006 at 12:34 am
Hi, this is a really informative article.
I am rafi-fan ! So much so that my alarm clock in the computer plays “Man rey tu kahe na dheer dharey” to wake me up !
Keep up the real good work that you are doing and keep us, well, enlightened.
March 12th, 2006 at 4:09 am
IVE JUST DISCOVERD THIS WEBSITE AND IM VERY GRATEFULL THAT IM NOT THE ONLY RAFI FAN AROUND IN THIS DISCO/RAP ERA THERE ARE STILL THOUSANDS OF RAFI FANS STILL AROUND