The Rafi-Kishore saga
The following article appeared in The Statesman,Calcutta, on Aug.7 th 2005. It will give more food for thought to the ongoing debate about the Rafi personality and magic - Mohan Flora .
Mohd. Rafi was the greatest playback singer, asserts Ranjan Das Gupta as he pays tribute on the melody kings 25th death anniversary. Rafi was a classically trained singer while Kishore was naturally endowed with excellent resonance. The latter was a versatile genius, singer, music director, actor, writer and director all rolled into one. Both were proficient singers but had separate individual styles.
In the 1950s Rafi literally ruled the roost. He was the most favoured singer for veteran composers like Naushad, S.D. Burman, Shanker Jaikishan, Madan Mohan while Kishore was preferred by S.D. Burman and Salil Choudhury who was playback mainly for Dev Anand and his own films. Rafi on the other hand could balance his melodious voice for diverse stars like Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, Guru Dutt, Rajendra Kumar and Shammi Kapoor.
It is an astonishing fact that O.P. Nayar used Rafi to sing for Kishore Kumar the unforgettable tune Man Mora Bawra in Ragini in 1957. Shanker Jaikishan also had Rafi to sing Ajab Hai Dastan in Shararat in 1958. Says record museum owner Vinod Santhalia, It is simply amazing. Imagine Mohd. Rafi sang for Kishore Kumar in films Kishore himself acted.
Shanker Jaikishan commented, No doubt Kishore Kumar is a good singer. He sang beautifully for me in Rangoli. But Ajab Hai Dastan was simply not Kishores cup of tea. The mukhdas and antaras required a singer of Rafis range and classical background.
Although Kishore Kumar felt bad about this, he could only marvel at Rafis brilliant rendering of the two songs. Rafi characteristically remarked, No one else except Kishore could sing Dukhi Man Mera in Funtoosh so well.
Salil Choudhury was not favourably inclined towards Rafi at one point of time, but even he was compelled to use Rafi for the unforgettable Tootey Huey Khuabo Nay in Madhumati and Koi Soney Ke Dil Wala in Maya and confess that Rafi was indeed peerless.
It is generally known that Rafi and Kishore went through a bad patch in their relationship. Yet it is also true that both liked and respected each other. S.D. Burman openly admitted to Kishore that the three solos in Guide by Rafi could not be matched by any singer. On Dev Anands special request, he composed the Kishore-Lata super hit duet Gata Rahe Mera Dil for Guide. Similarly, Rafis numbers in Teen Deviyan and the haunting duet with Lata Mangeshkar in Jewel Thief were far superior to the Kishore numbers in these films.
In the late 60s when R.D. Burman composed the melody for Tum Bin Jaaun Kahan in Pyar Ka Mausam, he experimented the same solo with both Rafi and Kishore. True, Kishore sang this number by melodiously incorporating his inimitable yodelling. But in the romantic number, Rafi scored over Kishore in melody.
The 60s was also considered Rafis decade though Kishore matured considerably as a singer during this period. The Jungle Mein Mangal number Woh Din Ke Baat Sharan Karo had both Rafi and Kishore together but is somehow not remembered that well. But Shanker Jaikishans Hanste Gate Jahan Se Guzar in Andaz by Rafi quite eclipsed Kishores entire Zindagi Ek Safar in 1971.
Madan Mohan also used both Rafi and Kishore in the song Yu Na Sharma for Parwana in 1972. Kishore sang the happy rendition for hero Navin Nischal. But there was Rafi again to do full justice to the Are Hansnewale, the melancholic aspect of the same song for Amitabh Bachchan.
In the 1970s the Kishore Kumar wave took the Hindi film music by storm and was backed by R.D. Burman. Some critics felt R.D was partial to Kishore and avoided using Rafi. The Rafi Kishore duet Yaadon Ki Barat from the film with the same title in 1973 turned out to be a superhit. But it cannot be categorised either as an exclusive Rafi or a Kishore gem for both sang in perfect harmony.
Subsequently, R.D. Burman opted for Rafi again after four years as no other singer could have rendered so skillfully Chand Mera Dil and Kya Hua in Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin; that too in a film with many Kishore Kumar superhits like Mil Gaya and Aa Meri Jaan.
When Rafi sang Darde Dil for Laxmikant Pyarelal in Karz in1980 based on a single note, he proved melody was indeed God-gifted to him, remembers upcoming singer Sujan Bose. Kishores Ay Mere Umar Ke and Ek Hasina Thi could not touch that level. The same can be said for Rajesh Roshan’s Yarana where Rafi’s Aare Re Aisa Tarana completely surpassed Kishore’s Sara Zamana and Tere Jaisa.
Mohd. Rafi left for his heavenly abode on 31 July, 25 years ago. Remembers author Nabaran Bhattacharya, The photo of a silent, sad and grief-struck Kishore in the newspapers portrayed very well that no one except him understood what an irreparable loss had taken place in Indian film music.
As Kishore himself said when Jagjit Singh criticised the Rafi gharana, How dare these so-called ghazal singers criticise an icon that Manna Dey, Mukesh and I dare not criticise. Rafi was unique.
July 5th, 2006 at 4:58 pm
dear Nair,
Mohd rafi is not only Bahart Ratna his voice is for all music lover and peace for all religions.when u listen his voice in any religions you will think that he is from same religions that was the magic of the great human.
July 5th, 2006 at 2:54 pm
Dear Mohan Flora,
Thanks for the piece. It seems that Rafi Sahab’s popularity is increasing day by day; all around the world. Now it is no more limited within the Indian Diasporas. He is known not only as a singer but as a voice of peace. Rafi Sahab truly lived in accordance with the message he sent through his songs. It is unfortunate that he is yet to be honored with Bahart Ratna.
July 5th, 2006 at 7:35 am
An excerpt from a speech given by Asst. Secretary of the ORGANISATION OF THE AMERICAN STATES:
PRESENTATION BY AMBASSADOR ALBERT R. RAMDIN ASSISTANT SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE OAS. A SEMINAR IN COOPERATION WITH ACS / HRI / UNESCO / FLASCO / CRIES / UNDP / ECLAC
September 22, 2005 - Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
We could ask ourselves “Where is the higher moral that supposedly accompanies higher levels of civilization? What has gone wrong with the noble objectives of advocating peace and solidarity, respect and understanding? These are basic questions we need to raise and try to analyze, with the aim to find lasting ways of securing peace.
The famous Indian singer Mohammed Rafi, who sang over 25,000 songs in the different languages of India, both Hindu and Muslim-oriented –bridging two major world civilizations and religions-, sang once in English:
“Although we hail from different lands,
We share one earth, and sky and sun,
Remember Friends, the World is One!”
And he continued…
“We want no hate and we want no strife
Since we were born for love and life”.
How fundamental and simple is the truth in these words and yet we continue to fight and enter into wars that cost lives, use scarce capital to kill instead to sustain life, and create profound social, psychological and material damage.
July 5th, 2006 at 1:30 am
Salam friends
This page is a great source to learn about M.Rafi.
Rafi Sahib is a legend.No one can challange their voice.I like Rafi very much.On the other hand Kishore was also a good singer.He had his own style.The both Rafi and Kishore were great singers.I like them very much.I have no more words for these two great singers.
Waqas Ahmad
July 4th, 2006 at 9:22 pm
Yes u r right dear Unknow.
They had a civil ceremony and Kishore converted to Islam and was renamed Karim Abdul. His parents refused to attend the wedding and never really accepted Madhubala as they thought she had broken their sons marriage. When Madhubala went to touch her father-in-law’s feet he moved away. Madhubala and Kishore also had a Hindu ceremony to please his parents but they were still not happy. This was all in 1960, the year they were married.
You can see this link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madhubala#Early_Life
July 4th, 2006 at 9:00 pm
Dear Friends,
So sorry I forgot to spread light on one more topic…that LATA once refused to sing with RAFI SAHAB it was I think MeenaKumari and RAJKUMAR starrer movie I don’t know the name but has beautiful compositions….Rafi Sahab suggested Suman Kalyanpur and the songs are superb …I think that was the begining where LATA got pissed and teamed up with BENGALI JUNKS …… And someone in previous posts has said that Suman Kalyanpur sounds like LATA , actually if you check out LATA’s Voice was good for 1st 10-15 years but compared to her SUMAN KALYANPUR was more melodious it was just she got in trap of these notorious sisters …..
July 4th, 2006 at 8:55 pm
Dear Friends ,
Let me spread light on this topic it’s my turn now….
Dilip Kumar ( YUSUF ALI KHAN ) was in love with MADHUBALA and so she was …so he went to formally propose to her where MADHUBALA’S father was also present but somewhat went wrong he said to DILIP KUMAR that he will give her DAUGHTER to a BEGGER than to him….and so did he later MADHUBALA married KK ( Kasim Ali )…This is not which I have cooked but its written in BIOGRAPHY penned down by MADHUBALA herself.
If you check DILIP KUMAR got married to SAIRA BANU when he was 44 years old. So you can imagine at what level he was disturbed……
Now lets move on to our MAESTRO ….please listen to the following song :
GUZRE HAIN AAJ ISHQ MEIN……………..wah kya baat hain…..suno to sahi yaaron………….
July 4th, 2006 at 8:47 pm
hi Unknow,
I think u r right when KK went 2 marry Madhubala and She said that she will marry him(kk)only if he(kk) become Muslim but I am not sure 100%,Is there anyone who is sure about that?I think maybe AVi or Shankar they know,
Dear Avi or Shankar because we are not sure we don’t want to say someting it is not right about a great singer(kk)
About Suman Kalyanpur I saw at TV as u She said that she has got help from Mohd Rafi and aslo from Amit kummar(kk son)he said that Mohd Rafi said him don’t sing more than 4 or 5 songs in same time you should have rest between.
July 4th, 2006 at 8:40 pm
hi Unknow,
I think u r right when KK went 2 marry Madhubala and She said that she will marry him(kk)only if he(kk) become Muslim but I am not sure 100%.
About Suman Kalyanpur I saw at TV as u She said that she has got help from Mohd Rafi.
July 4th, 2006 at 8:24 pm
dear friends,
Lata is great singer,We have heard so many stories of how the sisters kept new talent coming into the the music field If I am not wrong I think one of them was Suman Kalyanpur,Suman Kalyanpur once said(on TV)that Mohd Rafi helped her so much.
Any one know about KK that he became Muslim to marry and kk changed his name to Kassim Ali?!!!!!!!anyone have any Idea about that?
July 4th, 2006 at 7:21 pm
Many thanks Sagar saab and Mohanflora saab.
I have received the songs now.
Thanks you
Khalid Rashid
UK
July 4th, 2006 at 5:46 pm
Dear Khalid Bhai,
DEFINITELY YOU WILL GET IT
Regards
Sagar
July 4th, 2006 at 1:22 pm
Dear Mohanflora saab and Sagar saab
Please could you send me the DIL KE AAIENE MEIN SONG where Rafi saab yodels and if possible the live concert tracks from round the world.
My email is Khalidrashid85@hotmail.com.
Many Many Thanks
Khalid Rashid
UK
July 4th, 2006 at 11:45 am
Dear Mohan Flora Sir,
Thanx for your reply I am in complete agree with you, The MAESTRO was simply great, and there is a old saying ” HATHI CHALA BAZAAR , KUTTE BHONKEIN HAZAAR ” which means ” A ROYAL ELEPHANT WHEN GOES FOR A STROLL , DOGS KEEP ON BARKING ” Lata is one of those among her sisters.
I had great respect for her at one stage but now I can proudly say she isn’t to that mark………….
Bottomline again…………… ENJOY RAFI SAHAB TO THE FULLEST….
Regards
Sagar
July 4th, 2006 at 6:22 am
D/Sagar,
You may have a point there, but as Rafi fans we should let bygones be bygones. Whatever Lata is or was makes/made no dent at all in Rafisaabs world and he was beyond these petty squabbles.He was a mast maula who was way above the politics of this small world.We have heard so many stories of how the sisters kept new talent coming into the the music field but Rafisaab encouraged other new singers e.g. Mahendra Kapoor, UditNarayan, Shabbir Kumar, Jaspal Singh, Anwar and many others. When he was busy he would ask producers/music directors to take other singers. Who in his proper senses would do such a thing in this competitive world?What a vast difference between personalities! This is what separates a person of common intelligence from one of a roohani intelligence. Just be happy with the knowledge we get about Rafi’s world and forget about others. What say you?
July 4th, 2006 at 4:22 am
You guys are seem to be correct.
July 4th, 2006 at 3:18 am
Sagar, may have a point. Lata could never reach Rafi’s level in singing, as evidenced by their duets they sang or the same songs they sang e.g. Ehsaan Tera Hoga, Mere Mehboob etc. How many people remember the Lata version? I think this may have made her angry and that is why she chose to have a conflict with Rafi over the royalty issue. Rafi being a moral person, did not want any more money for the songs that he sang, while Lata wanted more money. This definitely shows Lata’s greed, and Rafi’s sense of fairness. During this conflict, Rafi had no problem teaming up with Suman Kalyanpur, who sounded like Lata, and the pair had several huge hits.
July 2nd, 2006 at 7:31 pm
Dear MohanFlora Sir,
The post is fabulous and good , but one thing is wrong in it and that is the comments by LATA MANGESHKAR that lady is a bluff……… she was the one who teamed up Bengalis and rest we all know………….The fact is that whenever she use to sing with Rafi Sahab her scope for voice use to lower as the maestro use to take the innings away this made her jealous ……Also I would like to add one more true example that in 70s there was once called a strike by the employees all studios were closed….only one song was recorded and that was just because of Mohd.Rafi Sahab he was truly popular in common people also….After this incidence LATA started a new trend she made a rule that whenever she entered any studio each and everyone should get up and do a formal NAMASKAR to her and then continue with their work……O.P.Nayyar has been troubled by these sisters a lot LATA seems to be a NIGHTINGLE but she is a OWL , we can’t take her comments for a gem like RAFI SAHAB… I used to feel pious whenever I heard Rafi Sahab , LATA …but at one instance couple of years back I had the opportunity to meet O.P.NAYYAR sahab where he had came for a show , and trust me friends that man literally cried when he just took Rafi Sahab’s name , whatever statement he made for LATA, ASHA were not so pleasing , also downfall of the noted MD C.RAMCHANDRA was only due to our NIGHTINGLE LATA MANGESHKAR…..Few days back her brother HRIDAYNATH MANGESHKAR said that society should be thankful to LATA because she has build a hospital …he was talking as if socitey told her to build the society….she is just a commercial,jealous lady… I have one more example by NAYYAR sahab which was that LATA started asking for royalty of her songs solo or duet from Producers because she said that her voice is heard in all country and Producer earns a lot and he paid only for the song , so with a Rafi Sahab duet she raised the same question which Rafi Sahab took a objection from that instance she teamed up with R.D.KK and tried to sideline Rafi Sahab.Also there was a programme organized by AIR for ARMY where Rafi Sahab was also going to perform he was doping it for nation and ARMY so it was gift from him but LATA charged some LAKHS at that time just saying that her voice is not common at all……………………………….So friends lets not take such peoples comments for GEM LIKE RAFI SAHAB, he is like a star which has his own place and need no comments from evil persons like LATA.
July 2nd, 2006 at 1:54 pm
Please Let me add Yesydas also to the list. The following is taken from this website only:
South Indian singing sensation, Yesudas in one of his interviews posted on chennaionline.com today declared that:
I have worked with M S Viswanathan, Ilayaraja, Devarajan, Dhakshinamurthy, Baburaj… I like Mohammed Rafi’s voice. I got an opportunity to sing along with him but due to unavoidable circumstances it did not happen. He used to address me as his son, which made me feel proud. I have known Kishore Kumar also.
Also from Yesudas,com:
Role Models:
He has his own heroes among the musicians too. Mohammed Rafi, Chembai Vaydhyanatha Bhagavathor and Bala Muralikrishna are the ones he admire the most.
July 2nd, 2006 at 4:11 am
What the stars say about Rafi Sahab(taken from Geocities website) :-
OP Nayyar(Music director)
“I loved Mohammed Rafi. His death was a big loss to me. When I composed for Shammi Kapoor or Johnny Walker, he managed to sound like them. He sang so many wonderful songs for me. Rafi miyan was a wonderful person. Nobody can ever be compared to him.”
Lata Mangeshkar(singer)
“A man of unassuming temparament, Rafi Sahab was very melodious. It’s my good fortune that I sang the maximum number of duets with him. He sang every kind of song so brilliantly that even those listeners not very conversant with music, would spontaneously break into appreciative wahs - wahs. Singers like Rafi Sahab aren’t born everyday.”
Asha Bhosle(singer)
“His greatest ability was that he could sing at a high pitch and shift to a low pitch immediately. He could manage that very well. One of his songs which I love is Suhani raat dhal chuki.”
Johny Walker(comedian-actor)
“Rafi Sahab was such a dedicated singer that he would take time to meet with the actors and to study the actors’ personalities so that he could match his singing style with the actors’ style, accent and pronunciation. Jab Rafi Sahab mere liye gaate, tab aisa lagta ki main khud ga raha hoon(When Rafi Sahab sang for me, it seemed like I was singing)”.
Laxmikant(music director)
“He was a great human being. He would never ask what he was going to be paid for a song. Apart from waving off payments, he even helped producers financially. He’d help out the needy. He always gave without thinking of the returns.
Once Rafi recorded six songs in a day for us-two for Anjaam, one for Maa Aur Mamta, two for Man Ki Ankhen and one for Pyasi Shyam. Imagine, he could memorise six songs in a day! And he could do this at live recordings and not through the easy dubbing method that’s on today. If any singer claims that he has recorded 25-30 songs in a day, he’s talking nonsense. There’s only one singer in India who can even attempt that and that’s S.P.Balasubramaniam, not anyone else.
The demand for Mohammed Rafi’s songs is phenomenal. No other singer, not even Lata Mangeshkar, has been able to attract such a tremendous following. It’s almost as if he were still alive.”
Shahid Rafi(son)
“If a producer was in a tight spot Abba would’nt accept any money from him. He was a God fearing man. He felt he was an instrument through whom God was singing…whenever he was extra busy he’d ask the producer to give the song to another singer)”.
Naushad Ali(music director)
Tu hi tha pyar ka ek saaz
Nafrat ki is duniya mein
ganimat thi teri awaz
nafrat ki is duniya mein. On Rafi’s death Naushad sahab remarked…
Kehta hai koi dil gaya, dilbar chala gaya
Saahil pukarta hai, samundar chala gaya
Lekin jo baat sach hai, woh kehta nahin koi
Duniya se mausiqui ka paembar chala gaya !!!
“He earned respect and his popularity touched the sky. The magic of his voice enthralled the whole world. His popularity, respect and wealth all increased tremendously, YET he ALWAYS remained modest. Like a fruit-bearing tree, the more he fructified, the more he bent in front of the world. His heart was filled with fear of God and the love for truth. Generosity and altruism were part of his system. God and truth were the only sources of inspiration for him. And he always used to say Tum yahan jaisa karoge waisa bharoge, ye duniya ek mandir hai”
Jagjit Singh(ghazal singer)
“Rafi sahab had immense versatality and an ability to take on the personality of the hero on whom the song was picturised. Every time you hear a Rafi song, you see the hero, you can vividly put in place the situation and correctly access the mood.”
Raj Kapoor(Actor/producer/director)
Raj kapoor’s reaction on hearing the news about Rafi’s death wasb “In the world of music, the uncrowned king of singing has left us”.
Shammi Kapoor(actor)
Shammi Kapoor acknowledges that Rafi had a lot to do with his success. “It was amazing the way Rafisaab adapted himself to what I wanted him to do. I used to be terribly involved with my songs and go for all the recordings. I used to make it clear how I wanted a certain line sung and Rafisaab always responded. I remember when the song Tareef karoon kya uski (in Kashmir Ki Kali) was being recorded, I wanted the signature line Tareef karoon to be repeated till it reached a crescendo. O P Nayyar, the composer and a friend of mine, objected. He thought it would sound boring. But suddenly, Rafisaab spoke up and said ‘I would like to do it the way the boy wants it because I know what he wants’.” When the film was released, the song was a big hit. Nayyar hugged Kapoor and congratulated him for his foresight, but the actor maintains “it was possible only because Rafisaab had taken the song to such a pitch and had sung each repetition in a different style.” He adds, with a touch of pride, “Though Rafisaab sang for all the actors — be it Dilip Kumar or Johnny Walker — he was especially identified with me. Some songs sung by him and picturised on Joy Mukherjee and Biswajeet were actually my kind of songs. Baharon phool barsao, Pukarta chala hoon main or Teri pyari pyari surat ko — these were my songs, sung in Rafi’s special style for me. I remember when he sang Main gaoon tum so jaao for Brahmachari, I told him how I wanted him to sing one particular line. When he saw the picturisation he came and kissed my hand and said, ‘it’s very beautiful, why didn’t I think of that?’ I felt as if my own voice had been lost and could not utter a word for hours when I heard this shocking news of Rafi Sahab’s death.”
Shabir Kumar(singer)
“I have been singing Rafisahab’s songs since 1968 when I first started performing on stage in my hometown of Baroda. I have met Rafisahab only twice and both meetings were very moving. He was so nice and kind to me even though I was a nobody at that time. The first time I met him at Famous studio in 1972, there were a lot of people waiting to meet him. I used to sketch then and drew a sketch of him when he was recording. As soon as he passed me I showed the sketch in his hands to get his attention. He encouraged me a lot. Even today, there is a large audience for Rafi’s songs.”
Anand Bakshi(lyricist)
Even today when I write something I imagine how it would sound if Rafisahab had sung it. His place can never be filled again.”
Nitin Mukesh(singer)
“Amongst his contemporaries, my father’s favourite singer was Mohammed Rafi. He loved Rafisaab’s voice, and believed that nobody could replace him.”
Udit Narayan(singer)
Udit Narayan talks about his FIRST recording with Rafi Saheb “As it was a dream come true I was obviously excited, and to add to my excitement I was to sing none other than with Rafisaab, that very singer whom I worshipped as my guru, whose voice I used to hear on the radio, was in front of me! I can’t describe my ecstasy. But I was a bit nervous too. Rafisaab, realised this and the angel that he was, he comforted me by saying ‘You remind me of myself. I too was of your age when I came in the industry. Do not worry keep going.’(Mohd. Rafi was a chorus singer at the start of his career.) ”
Khayyam(music director)
“Rafisahab was the pride of India. His voice and his memories are still with us even though his body has left us.”
SD Batish(singer of 40s)
“His extremely humble way of showing respect for my seniority, before all gathered, left an impression of utmost respect and regard in my mind. Time went by, and Mr. Rafi, with his, ever flexible good voice and sensitively flexible behavior, did not waste much time, in becoming the favorite playback singer of the film industry. It had been observed that he would not disappoint any film producer or music director who would invite him to sing. Whether he could pay or not. This created no problem for the generous Mr. Rafi. At the appointed time, the song would be recorded to the satisfaction of the music director.”
Manna Dey(singer)
“Despite being an educated singer, I could never reach Rafi’s height of popularity. And he sang very good songs that I could never hope to sing. His style was unique. I sing Rafi’s songs to myself when I am alone. He was a singer par excellence. He was an uneducated singer like Lata, but their voices are gifts of God. It cannot be anything else!”
“I have been singing for many years now. I have seen and heard so many singers. But the most brilliant of all singers and all songs are the ones sung by Mohammed Rafi! ”
“Mohammad Rafi was king, and Manna never grudged him his success because he genuinely believed that Rafi was better than he was! ”
“In my time, there were giant singers. Rafi was there, and he was such a great singer. He used to sing for everybody — the hero, the villain and the comedian. ”
“How can you ever dream of singing what legendary singer like Rafi have sung? I do not claim to come up to his standards. ”
Dharmendra(Actor)
On being asked “Hemant Kumar, Mukesh, Mohammad Rafi, Kishore Kumar… all of them provided playback for you. Whose voice suited you the best?”, macho man Dharmendra said: ” Mohammad Rafi’s contribution to my career is immense. From numbers like Jaane kya dhoondti rehti hain yeh aankhen mujh mein (’Shola Aur Shabnam’) right till Main jat yamla pagla deewana (’Pratigyaa’) have remained evergreen. The other singers have also made huge contributions to my career. I can never forget that. But Rafi saab is a personal favourite. ” - Source: Filmfare 2000
Sonu Nigam(singer)
“Rafi Saab is God to me. I have grown up listening to him and imitating him in my early years. Rafi Saab sounded only like Rafi Saab if he sang Chahe koi mujhe junglee kahe from Junglee, or Man tarpat Hari darshan ko from Baiju Bawra which is what made him the legend he was.
The above says more about Rafisaab,the singer, the man and the saint-the singing saint! When people -who were so close to him both personally and professionally - have such magnanimous words for him, who are we to doubt about his capability. Just note what Laxmikant says about his phenomenal popularity even today(unmatched even by Lata!)
July 2nd, 2006 at 3:06 am
An excert from a recent interview of well-known playback singer
Mahendra Kapoor appearing in ChennaiVision. Please draw your own conclusions about what he has to say about our great Rafisaab:-
“Q: Your reverence of Mohammed Rafi and the subsequent initiation into classical music is Bollywood legend. Something on your relationship with the late singer?
A: In simple terms we shared a guru-chela (teacher-student) relationship. I often used to play the tanpura for Rafi saab during his performances. I used to call him Paaji (elder brother in Punjabi) and we used to speak in Punjabi mostly.
Once when we were stepping out of the All India Radio building after a performance and I was holding the tanpura behind him a group of school kids approached him for autograph.
He did not understand and asked me what the fuss was all about. When I told him what the kids wanted he, in a matter of fact manner, asked me to oblige them! And I signed their autographs as Mohammed Rafi! (Laughs) That shows the simplicity of the man. No airs, no arrogance. Just simple human being.
June 30th, 2006 at 6:32 pm
Dear ALL RAFIANS,
GREAT GOING N EXCELLENT PIECE OF WORK FROM ALL OF U.
IAM LITTLE TIED UP NOW BUT WILL COME WITH MORE CONTRIBUTION.
SEE U FOLKS LATER. KEEP THE TREND GOING N AVOID ALL BURI NAZAR FROM OTHERS.
THANKS
LOND LIVE RAFI SAHAB
NARAYANAN
June 30th, 2006 at 12:57 pm
Dear
Mohanflora
This is Rashid Khan
Thank you very much for sending me live song of Rafi sahab
If you more please send me
Regards
Rashid Khan
June 30th, 2006 at 12:03 pm
Dear friends,
Now that you have touched on the subject of Rafisaab’s songs influencing/affecting certain lives, I would like to share some of my tender moments too.
As a young kid in the early sixties, whenever the song “main zindagi ka saath nibhata chala gaya” from HumDono came on the radio, I would rush to hear it not just for Rafisaab’s voice but more for its ring-tone music. Little did I realise that the message behind the song would make it my anthem in the later stages of life. Ups and downs in career and finances are a part of life,people say. It is so easy to say so-yeh sab aati jaati cheez hai! Only the guy experiencing the downs knows the trials and tribulations he undergoes. I passed through a period of tremendous financial instability in business and a career as a engineer/entrepreneur was almost in shambles. Friends and relatives would do the vanishing trick at my sight! In a state of tremendous pressure and tension, I decided to take a few days off from work and went to a hill-station, Darjeeling, which was a few hours drive from my home.Next morning, I got out of my hotel room and went to a nearby tea-stall for a cup of tea. Sitting on one side of a bench and watching people and vehicles on the road, I was trying to figure out the programme for the day, when I heard the song from Humdono sung by Rafi
blare out from the radio. The tea-stall guy had just switched on to the All India Radio after listening to the morning news. I felt nostalgic reminiscencing how I used to listen to it in the younger days.But this time I was listening to the lyrics too! Wasn’t it a coincidence that the first song I heard during my off day to decide on the future course of my life would be that one!
No worries man, take life as it comes- on a day to day basis.
It took me time to bring the philosophy of the song into reality. Even now I worry sometimes. But the moot point was taken. And the way Rafisaab said it made it more soothing and gave confidence. Well, the result is that I saw myself through the bad phase and am doing very well now, thank you Rafisaab. Another song that had given me emotional support was the Waqt song,”Waqt se din aur raat”.
Even though I don’t live in India anymore, I always read the newspapers everyday online to keep in touch.Like they say-you can go out of India but you cannot take India out of you.But with Rafisaab,I even cannot “go out”of RafiSaab. I listen to his songs, and in the past few months have discovered this site too
and am learning more about this amazing saint of a man. Before I leave please sing along:
Main zindagi ka saath nibhata chala gaya,
Har fikra ko dhuyen main udata chala gaya,
Barbadiyon ka sog manana fazool tha,
Barbadiyon ka jashan manata chala gaya,
Jo mil gaya usiko muqadar samajh liya,
Jo kho gaya main usko bhulata chala gaya,
Gam aur khushi mein fark na mahsoos ho jahaan,
Main dil ko us mukam pe laata chala gaya!
June 30th, 2006 at 10:08 am
Dear Sagar/Unknown/Mohan/Hassan,
Thanks for your compliments.
Hi Hassan,
I read your coincidence, no wonder Rafi Saab voice indeed provides a mgic touch.
There is another coincidence through which one of my friend when through during my engg. tenure. He was weak in engg. mathematics. It was the 3rd year & 1st semister. There was paper leak for this mathematices subject. My friend could also manage to have one for himself after paying Rs. 300/-. He was very happy after the preparation and felt very relaxed as well. Our examinations were held in the afternoon at 1:30 PM. He was so existed that he didn’t felt the need for further preparation and deceided listen some songs on the MW. There was no FM at that time.
As he switches on the radio the song “Bure Kaam Ka Buraa Nateeja” from the film “ChaCha Bhatija” is being played. It is a Rafi/Shailendra duet. He gets a shock of his life for such a coincidence. In the afternoon as we proceed to appear for examination, the mathematices paper is cancelled, since the leak was too massive. When the re-examination of the same paper was held later, it was too tough that only 10% candidates could manage to clear. Unfornately my friend could not get through. He lost Rs. 300/-, + the incident was a learning lesson for him. He never tried such things again in his life.