At the same time i dont agree with some remarks on Kishore and SPB here. Anything SPB says about others shows his ultimate humility. To me SPB is as much a “miracle” as Rafi is. In fact in south (except Kerala) the definition of a singer starts and ends with SPB. In each of the three distinct language regions ( TN,Karnataka, AP) he is looked upon as “ours”. Factually speaking he holds “7″ national awards whereas most singers would dream of getting at least one in their lifetime– and yes he is natural singer not formally trained.

That is what makes him perfect.

Many classical or ghazal or qwaali or devotional singers may find it difficult to digest the reality that one voice can contain every thing. But that’s what makes Rafi Saab unique and different from every one.

some kishore blind fans dare to compare their guru with rafi. some of them are even renowned singers like kumar sanu, abhijit, babul supriyo and etc etc. and trust me whenever you discuss with them about indian singing or abour rafi-kishore matter, they bring kishore’s other activities like writing, directing, acting. i want to tell those great idiots that we are talking about singing and rafi’s singing was enough. he didnt need other stuffs to do.

rafi’s singing >>>……>>>>……>>>…kishore’s singing+acting+writing+directing+…whatever(not interested a bit)

south indian peopel dont even think kishore as a singer. he is a joker. they think sp bala is close to rafi and some even rate bala higher, well that’s out of emotion, cause even bala says no one is half way near to rafi.

so its crystal clear that almighty so far has not made anyone who can beat rafi. but i am not saying that rafi is ultimate. all depends on almighty. may be today right now a child is born who after 20 years will show that he is next rafi or even better, who knows! all depends of almighty. but at least, its clear that so far rafi is the ultimate destination of singing. one may reach manna dey or sp bala’s standard, not rafi.

recently some 30 singers and musicians voted rafi and lata the greatest singers ever and “maan re tu kahe” from chitralekha sung by rafi the best song ever in indian history. but they forget “dekhi zamaneki yaari” [the most touchable song], “o duniya ke rakhwale” [the most difficult song], “chahunga mai tujhe”, “app ke pehlu”, “teri ankho ke”, “mere mehboob”, “tumhari zulf ke”, “pookarta chala hu”, “kabhi khud pe”…and so on and on and on. if you make top 50 or 100, 95% or more songs will be those sung by rafi.

people may like his singing or not, i am not bothered. truth might hurt them. i am with truth. and truth is clear.

Rafi Saab was true perfectionist. Most perfectionsts are very roughtless human beings in comes to work & results. These can be said about most of the music composers like Naushad, O P Nayyar, Madan Mohan or S D Burman. These people never compromised on their principles to provide hanky panky music in their entire span.

Same can be said about professionals from other fields as well. But coming back to Rafi Saab, dispite being a true perfectionist he was very humble natured person. It is a very rare to find both perfection & humbleness existing within the same individual. Rafi Saab had it in him and no wonder many small time music composers prospered during his existence.

Listen to Saint Rafi giving his views on “Zindagi Kya Hai” with the emotion and passion in his voice only he could give in any situation:

Clicl http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fCWWL5k_g0

Possibly your point is quiet valid. In India Hero worship is quiet common and this is due to corrupt Governence and yesmanship over the last few decades. The result of which true worth is never recognized. As Rafi Fans we have highlight how extra ordinary Rafi Saab was.

The Bharat Ratan to Lata has been criticized openly by Pandit Jasraj in one of the news channels. Perhaps his criticism may have resulted in Government hounouring Ustab Bismillah Khan also with a Bharat Ratna.

Rafi Saabs co-relation with India refers to many ascepts, possibly we have discussed in detail. India is a country with many languages where Rafi Saab excels in all areas of singing. Earlier we discussed various music composers coming various cultures bring a treasury of melody with them to Bombay. Rafi Saab meets every possible requirment of such great geneouses.

With my perosnal experience I observed it is impossible at many occasions to be kind for a common people like us. By Saints remain cool irrespective of how ever bad the situation they are subjected to. This is only possible by the blessings of the Almighty. Rafi Saab was one of them. One in Billion have such destiny.