True Voice - Mohd Rafi
The following article was brought to my notice when Sharad posted it on MAS. The article has been trimmed down a bit keeping afloat Rafi details. However, anyone interested can go visit the source at http://tfmpage.com/forum/4980.6302.04.57.19.html
I am Swaminatha Iyer and I am 78 years old. I hail from Tiruchi and I am a part of music associations in Tiruchi, M’as as well as in West Bengal and Maharashtra.
I think it is wrong to condemn music or artists on either side of Vindhyas. Our Indian music is one of the few which has not been cleaned off by the western music though there has always been a influence. It speaks a lot of the richness of our music. Sometime back director of MTV had said that MTV westernized the music wherever it went but in India , MTV had to be Indianized for it to be accepted. A lot of this credit goes to the Indian film music.
I have been fortunate to have close personal association with Rafi, Sirkali, TMS, Dr. BMK, Kishore, SPB & KJY, PS, Mannadey and the one and only Lata Mangeshkar.
Comparisons are bound to come, but almost every artist or I have met considers Lata to be beyond comparison. Her talents are beyond anyone’s reach. Even Sirkazi used to talk of her singing like a die-hard fan as do countless others.
Now coming to the Rafi-SPB discussion. It might be difficult to convince an South Indian to believe Rafi is the better and at the same time Rafi crowd will never believe any other male singer comes anywhere nearer. There is one more mobile crowd, which is well conversant with Hindi and some south Indian language. Majority of them tilt to either Rafi or Kishore.
During one of my stays in M’as I had stayed with SPB. While talking of true voices he said, I don’t feel like half a singer when listening to Rafi. True voice is not a tech term but many in circle use it. Perfect example would be lata, but to understand consider our own PS who within her range is superb. People who do not have such true voices can never do justice to original. They generally underplay many parts of the song or fake it with bass/superficial singing. True voices make people like Sirkazi, Nusrat Fateh Ali khan, Lata… Inimitable. However since Sirkazi and Nusrat did not have the filmy voices their “real” following is limited to their local arena.
In addition to the true voice if the singer has a very good voice then in “most” cases he/she can better songs of others. It is this combination which makes Rafi stand out among the other male singers. There are many here who seem to have mistaken notions on a good bass and also on high pitch.
Bryan Adams does not require a monster bass in “Summer of 69″ to sound real manly. It is the punch which gives that feel and that is decided only by the comfort level in most ranges (that is by what your throat can support). This you CAN never disguise with bass. Since people have talked about lack of manly voice viz. a viz. Rafi it was necessary to bring this point out. I have had the fortune of listening to most singers in studio and some times without a mike, practicing with MD’s.When Lata or Rafi do, the level is so high that people hesitate to even hum. It felt silly to sing in their presence (and it feels silly when someone says his voice isn’t manly).
In RD’s tribute when SPB sang “Aaja Aaja mein hoon” or “Chaand mera dil” it sounded only sweet and lacked punch if you compare with Rafi’s original.
Yesu once told me God has been partial to Rafi. He said “god gift term anavasyamaa romba common aa ippo use aardu”.. but idu Rafi kee thaan 100% porundu”. This person could sing “as intricately as a lady without sounding thin”, “cover any mood”, “versatility odey perfect example Rafi”. Yesu said most important is the comfort level over ranges which makes you feel God has been partial to Rafi. (But Of course in Rafi’s early career (1950’s) the voice was relatively feeble).
To people exposed to Rafi’s talent, these or any amount of praise can only seem less. I just wish he was alive and you people could get a live chance to hear him. Probably you can get hold of the DD album for the Geet Gaata Chal series where the first four episodes were dedicated to Rafi. Rafi is on camera singing “O Duniya Ke Rakwaaley” and many other songs. If you see and hear the last part you will realize why SPB said “impossible”. I think particularly those people who have talked about scales w.r.t Rafi should see this album. Its a known fact in industry that Rafi ruled high pitch and there is no male singer better in switching notes so easily. There are artists who can go beyond but then they sound strained or they don’t have pleasant voices when they venture into those territories.
Many singers of today are his compulsive followers. But they end up inheriting only part of his quality. Md. Aziz ended up with a sad voice. Mahendra Kapoor with a thick nasal voice. Anwar with a nasal voice. Sonu Nigam with a feminine voice. Rafi neither had a soft voice nor a heavy (bass) voice he had a good voice. Importantly did not strain at high notes, and voice if at all only became better at higher notes. If you see him singing it will remind you of Janaki. However diff the song is or the note is he will be smiling and singing. It is unthinkable that he cannot sing something.
There seems to be lot of talk about “Shankara Bharanamo” song. SPB has sung many a great numbers and things being said about this song in this forum are rather amusing, particularly b’cos 3 out of 4 people who can be called as singers will be able sing it and at least one out of 10 will sing it with the same effect. There are lot of other songs of SPB where this great singer has played with songs in total control. You will find most south Indian singers who have had a good exposure say that it is beneficial to learn Hindustani as it gives better breath control and improves expression.
Rafi was not only able to glide over a song, the important thing was that he could express each word/sound when singing. It is one thing to hold your breath, start and reach a crescendo (high note), as like in “Shankara”, “Anbey (Yennai kaan villaye)” it is different ballgame if you have to do it from low notes or suddenly switch notes. With practice the former can be done, latter requires a special gift. Rafi had a natural ability to do the latter. In “Tum joh mil gaye ho” there is such a transition in the “karwaan mil gaya” part. I have never seen anyone do justice to most of his songs in my life time. In “parda hai parda” quawaali the similar part is “kar doon to, Akbar mera naam”. In fact most of his songs will have these specialty as it was his natural ability to sing freely in a wide range at the same time giving that extra expression.
Whereas SPB takes us to heavens with “Idu oru pon maali”,”Ilaya nila” “bisiladarenu”(kannada), when he sings Rafi’s song it lacks the punch or expression, though it has the bass. But at least most agree that SPB does some justice to original, whereas most others murder the original.
One trivial point I would like to add is that singing in Hindi is harder. There are more “JHA”,”CHA”,”HA”,”THA”, “KHA”,”JA”,”FA”. These take away the breath faster. The more expressive you are the more air you are using up. Just singing from Nabhi will not help, your throat also needs to do a lot, for singing in Hindi, Bengali etc. SPB makes you fall in love with his south Indian songs but same cannot be said about his Hindi songs. If you just glide through words having these sounds, you will never be expressive. Doing this as well as reaching high notes is not easy. Rafi had this gift and that’s why it is difficult to imagine anyone else in his shoes. Song “Chalkaaye jaam” has so much expression that it is unthinkable how anyone can sing it. When Rafi switches to a high note with “Mitwaa” in the song “Chaahunga mein tughey” you cannot replicate it with bass. Most others will sound as if they are shouting in such cases. That man’s throat had the ability to freely sing at such levels.
Versatility is not just the ability to sing in various styles, more important is how good you are singing in those styles. You have lot of Ghazal singers today but when Rafi sings a Ghazal you will sit up and take notice. You don’t have to be part of the Ghazal listeners crowd. This is one important aspect. Whatever style you sing you should be able to pull the common man to listen and not just a particular crowd. Pick “parda hai parda” or any qawalli and it will stand tall among other qawalli’s.
Variety is amazing :
songs of Guru Dutt’s Khagaz key phool or songs like abhi naa jao chod key, Aaja teri yaad aayi, Aaj kal mein dhal gaya, Aaj kal terey merey pyaar, Aasmaan sey aaya farishta, Dil ney pyaar kiya hai, Deewana mujh saa nahi, Din dhal jaaye, Duniya paagal hai, Jaane walon jara, Dil joh na kaha saka, Dil key jharokon mein, Dil kaa bhavar, Chalkey teri aakkhon sey, Kar chaley hum fida, khilona jaan kar tum, Woh jab yaad aay, Woh hain jara khafa, Vaadian mera daaman, Pathar key sanam, Chaand mera dil, Main zindagi kaa saath, Mainey poocha chaand sey, sun sun jaalima, Koi jab raah na paay, hum to chaley pardes, badan pey sitaarey, laal chadi maidaan, Tum jo mil gaye, O meri shaahey, Sau baar janam lengey, Tum mujhey yoon bhula, Tumney mujhey dekha, Terey merey sapney, Tumny pukaara hum chaley aay
Name a situation/mood and Rafi’s song will be there on the top.
Swami
January 16th, 2008 at 3:31 am
Halder is complaining as to why everyone is comparing their favourite to Muhammad Rafi. Halder is further implying that this is ironical as it speaks of the greatness of Muhammad Rafi. No doubt Muhammad Rafi was a great singer, but you must understand that this is a Rafi fan site and the article is about the “true voice”, that’s why many have come to compare their favourites with Muhammad Rafi.
On another note, I want to know what halder and other rafi fans think about the song “yeh jo chilman hai, dushman hai hamari”. I really love this song.
January 16th, 2008 at 3:26 am
Compare Muhammad Rafi to Mehdi Hassan. I think the later in superior in at least ghazal genre.
January 15th, 2008 at 9:58 am
ref post 745,
sri vasu garu,
your comments at this stage are acting like negative catalists. of course i appreciate that you have mentioned the facts but please let us not generalise like this. please excuse me if i have hurt you. its not my intention.
ref post 739
khan sahab,
salam alaikum.
i am repeating your post here———-further binu sahab, (post 735 please) your statement for honouring of rafi sahab is laudable, but i feel, pl. think correctly, what happened to this view all these years. have people awakened after 27 years of rafi sahab’s departure. is it not a shame that we have to do effort and represent for honouring rafi sahab. rather the legend (who is quite famous) should be honoured on his own by the concerned authorities taking into view his achievements and skills and not on the basis of some representations received by some fans. it will be sorry to note that the great legend is depending upon fans for some award or recognition , rather the recognition should itself come, otherwise it will be completely better if it does not come if it is the recognition depending upon requesting of fans.
khan sahab please dont think that any one is begging here for an award for rafi sahab. here we are emphasiing that the most deserving talent of our country who has hypnotised the people of the world with his romantic, patriotic, emotional ever parenial voice has been ignored for the last 27 years. here the hypocricy is that the aspiring talents render rafi sahab’s voice in all compititions just to get a recognition of their talent where in they forget the source of inspiration, the creator of this melodies. so is the case with the listeners, organisers and the people around. to awaken these sleeping and selfish people some people have guard up their loins & we got a forum.
this forum is ‘ rafi foundation’ spread in all major cities . its to achieve a positive responce from the source. its not any ‘begging ‘ or ‘crying’ please.khan sahab you are a seasoned musician i am not here to comfront your views saab.
this is my view . khan sahab i always adore rafi sahab and have not made any comparison between rafi sahab and ghantasaala garu. but unfortunately some ‘bull headed megalomaniacs’ understand me with a different perspective. similarly some ‘ tail lifters’ just think that i have a passion for rafi sahab. its a passion only thats what they think.
its their view point. let them go on crying and crying.
i know what music is, what melody is and what rafi sahab is. for me its 3 in 1. like our narayanan sahab in my car also the music is rafi sahab’s melodies. jab tak gaadi chal raheehey, rafi sahab ke gaane chaltey rahenhain’
rafi sahab, rafi sahab, sirf rafi sahab. aap isey jonoon kahen ya diwangi mujhey kuch fark naheen padtaa.
aakhir main yeh hamari roohani awaz hai ki rafi sahab ko ‘ bharat ratna’ se nawasa jaye. hukumat sai yahee hamaree guzaarish hai khan sahab.
January 15th, 2008 at 9:01 am
ref post 742
ohhhhhhhhhhhh i forgot to mention that the doctor has also advised me to be away from ‘ megalomaniacs’ and ‘ hypocrites ‘ as well.
sir, your good wishes are always with me as i presume from your post with extreme positive attitude.
January 15th, 2008 at 7:38 am
vasu ji:
rafi saab “must” be honoured and the magic of rafi saab work’s
needs to be carried forward ..
rafi saab lives in the hearts of millions of rafi lovers and the
rafi foundation is an umbrella for these rafi saab lovers. we will
as said earlier try and take forward the legacy of rafi saabs music
wherever possible.
we will not lie dormant and pass comments but will be in the
forefront of taking the “rafi fragrance” forward.
i am aware that not many rafi lovers can join us due to practical
difficulties. we understand this. we will be happy with their silent
participation but the work has to continue and taken forward.
meanwhile the bharat ratna award issue is just “one” of the programmes
of our agenda if u care to look at the sargam magazine issue of
october 2007.
further, i am a very small person and not a giant as u said and
even today let me say that ghantasala ji is a very great and
accomplished singer.
but vasu ji , if i was a telugu speaking person still i would “not”
have brought the great singer here in a great way - as a matter
of protocol.
i hope u will appreciate this.
binu nair… the rafi foundation… mumbai..
January 14th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
binu ji,
sorry to come again, as i missed some important points which i felt i should state. as khan sahab stated, i too feel that legend like rafi sahab should not become the object of political moves which are not pure as the hearts of true rafi sahab fans. not winning a award does not in any way effect the recognition of the legend which is always there with the innumerable fan followers of the legend.
a few other interesting, similar and biased cases sir,
ghantasala garu was recommended padma vibushan by the government of andhra pradesh in 60’s but was awarded only padmashri - a biased political move.
kishore kumar ji, was recommended padmashri but was denied due to sheer political biase.
P susheela, acknowledged as lata mangeshkar of the south, and who has to her credit more than 20,000 songs in the entire southern languages, has not been awarded even the padmashri.
these days, almost artists with a b c knowledge are getting padmashri and even more sir.
what more to say binu ji.
January 14th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
binu ji,
your post 743
i am perplexed and astonished by the arguments between two giants here i.e. esteemed yourself and my great friend ramakrishna ji. in fact all regular contributors have kept quiet, watching in astonishment this kind of sudden development regarding surprising argument between two great rafi fans here. I hope the issue is closed now and will not repeat in future sir.
Regarding your other comment regarding 3 writers etc. let me as a true friend of yours say only one sentence sir, if you were a telugu person, i believe you would have even more strongly contested than what we are contesting.
January 14th, 2008 at 12:33 am
three writers herein have started writing about shri ghantasala
and tried to prove that he is similar to rafi saab or superior.
when this was contested : these wise men lost their cool and started
using words like : “go to hell” etc for rafi lovers..
post 739 writer khan saaheb is included among these wise men..
now he advises that we should not go ahead with our activities
which basically is “spreading the magic of rafi saab” wherever
or whenever possible…
in every good mission there are obscurantists and arm chair
critics who have done virtually ” nothing”in the last many years….
but they will register their comments….
this is expected in every organisation.
I care very less for their views and have scant regards too for the
same…
let me assure that our “mission” is spreading everywhere and we
will continue with the efforts…
binu nair. .. the rafi foundation… mumbai and 14 other branches
worldwide….
January 14th, 2008 at 12:14 am
Since u went to the doctor “it’s” surey a positive step……
i am confident u will be cured in some time…
all the best for now……
binu nair…. mumbai…
January 13th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
post 737
just now i have returned from a number one doctor. he has advised me the best treatment for cure of ‘ halucination ‘ is to make oneself free from ‘ psychophants ‘ and ‘ tail lifters’
thank you very much for your advice. i really value it. i salute you. you are superb.
January 13th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
@binu sir & Ramakrishna sir:
should u 2 senior, matured and good-natured gentlemen continue with these exchange of words? Would it be nice if one of you just call up the other, discuss everything and settle it once and for all. Plz..don’t get me wrong..I feel it pretty odd 2 see it all.
January 13th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
vasu sahab - post 738 and binu nair sahab - posts 733 and 737 and narayanan sahab - post 734
vasu sahab, i could understand the deep and secret meaning in your post, 738, ( i doubt how many readers have got the message clearly) praising at the same time but with a loving and affectionate slap on the face of the writer here who is trying to advise other people without setting him as example first.
binu nair sahab, i feel you are slowly drifting from your matured comments earlier, but advising others to set right themselves, which i feel is not in right spirit.
narayanan sahab, your views are similar to vasu sahab and ramakrishna sahab, and i hope all our friends shall take your message in true spirit.
further binu sahab, (post 735 please) your statement for honouring of rafi sahab is laudable, but i feel, pl. think correctly, what happened to this view all these years. have people awakened after 27 years of rafi sahab’s departure. is it not a shame that we have to do effort and represent for honouring rafi sahab. rather the legend (who is quite famous) should be honoured on his own by the concerned authorities taking into view his achievements and skills and not on the basis of some representations received by some fans. it will be sorry to note that the great legend is depending upon fans for some award or recognition , rather the recognition should itself come, otherwise it will be completely better if it does not come if it is the recogntion depending upon request of fans. ( the legend shall continue to light the hearts of his fans i.e his true original recognition and not the recognition which is received due to begging of fans) it will be dis- respect for the great legend and we have to later convince ourselves and repent by saying that the legend got recognition only on request of fans and not otherwise.
January 13th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Narayanan ji, ref. your post 734 pl.
Sir, i deeply respect your really true views, this is indeed great sir. this is all we were also saying all these days but arguments were continuing because other friends views were not similar to your views. anyway sir, each has his own views (though truth is stated only by very few people) and we have been with you all these days and shall continue to be so.
Binu nair ji, ref. post 735 pl.
i deeply acknowledge with due respects your comments (along with your earlier comments) on sir narayanan’s message in post 734 and feel and expect that knowledgeable personality like you shall at all times continue to be acknowledged by all esteemed readers here as always right and diplomatic in your views/comments without giving rise to any unpleasant discussions/comments from other readers here.
January 13th, 2008 at 12:10 am
Post 736:
It seems u are suffering from ‘hallucinations’ as per ur statement.
please see a doctor and i assure u that the treatment will make it
all right..
u ought to find some cure for ur anger and frustrations as we need
pure hearted , cool minded rafi saab lovers in great numbers who
will discuss “soulful music” without breaking things..
Binu Nair.
January 12th, 2008 at 10:57 am
post 731
who has advised me sir ? really ? i wish to talk to them please.
secondly it pains me with such remarks 7 funny challenges.
i look at the mirror often and when i see your face these type of words are coming .
just now i have broken that mirror.
January 12th, 2008 at 9:00 am
narayanji : ur are right .. and diplomatic…
lets all keep the ’sanctity’ of this great pages and spread the magic
of rafi saab and see that the legend of legend’s is honoured by
the government.
writing “herein” is lot,lot easier than doing conrete things out in the
“field” which we have realised being in the forefront of the affairs of
the rafi foundation.
binu nair… the rafi foundation… mumbai…
January 11th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
TO ALL RAFI SAHAB LOVERS AND ESPECIALLY BINUJI AND RAMAKRISHNAJI
LET US PAY HUMBLE HOMAGE TO OUR GURUJI RAFI SAHAB WHO IS A GREAT SAINT BY COMMENTING POLITELY WITHOUT HURTING OHTERS.
ALL THESE HEATED ARGUMENTS STARTED BECUASE OF COMPARISON AS POOJARIS OF RAFI SAHAB WE REQUEST THE 4 GHANTASALA GARU FANS TO COMMENT ABOUT RAFI SAHABS GREATNESS SINCE THEY LIKE HIM AND WE ALL PAY RESPECT TO GHANTSALA GARU WHO WAS THE ICON IN THE TELUGU FILMS.
BOTH ARE INCOMPARABLE .TO LEARN MORE ABOUT GHANTASALA GARU PL PROVIDE HIS WEBSITE SOME OF THE ARDENT MUSIC LOVERS WILL VISIT THAT SITE ALSO.
BUT IF RAFISAHAB HAS SUNG 100 TELUGU SONGS AND GHANTASALAGARU HAS SUNG 100 HINDI SONGS PL COMPARE NOW AND FILL THESE BLOGS WITH ARGUMENTS N ARGUMENTS…
HENCE IT IS REQUESTED TO REFRAIN FROM COMPARING ANY LEGENDS AND PREPARE SPREADING UNHAPPINESS TO EVERYONE AS WE DO NOT AHIEVE ANYTHING …..
January 9th, 2008 at 10:45 am
now write a good article on rafi saab advises our rafi lover … Post 729….
prior to that he says, he should not be advised re: his harsh
language like : to hell with it… etc. etc.. to rafi lovers.
he can advise people ; he can use harsh language for
music lovers when they disagree with him when they say
this is a rafi saab site; pl. do not bring other singers herein,
compare with rafi saab and try to prove that he is equal
to rafi saab or even better.
Please also read his post in which he claims he is “straigthforward”..!
I wish to tell ramkrishnaji to tone down his harsh language,
be moderate and look at his mirror - occassionally..
the world loves music lovers and moderates… never the extremists
in various spheres of life..
binu nair…
January 8th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
post 729 ramkrishna ji…
i am “not” doing a great job as u say but “only” following my
heart which has lots of respects and love for legend rafi saab…
a person who likes even “one” song of rafi saab is a member
of the rafi foundation i often say…..to rafi lovers…
the great jobs are done by legends only…. and we are just
enjoying the great works of these “great men” who served
humanity and the cause of music many times “without food”
and a proper shelter over their heads…
lets all pay tributes to these great men… who take birth
only but once..
binu nair..
January 8th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
Ramkrishna ji…
we have differences of opinion but never a dispute.,.
plez. answer to my post no.. 727.. and substantiate ur views…
please do not and never use sentences like “go to hell”
“heavens sake”… etc…
U can be polite too if you leave ur frustrations or anger behind u..
friends have advised u on this which i have learnt…
i like u from the day one i met u…. but i will always and always
contest ur “rough language”.. its not a dispute but a matter of
principle that we use respectable language in an international
site of rafi saab….
i will be the same whenever i meet u as before… i promise u
but do take care of the language u use for music and rafi saab
lovers…
binu nair..
January 8th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
Mr. Sudheer, ref. post 728
I feel you are blowing out of proportion the statement made by s. janaki garu. You know s.janaki garu has sung songs with both rafi garu and ghantasala garu and she hence has a great respect and regard for both the singers. Similar is the case of regard for krishna kunj kishore kumar dada. this does not mean she has said one is number one and the other is second. S. janaki garu has expressed equal regard & respect for the singers i.e. rafi garu, ghantasala garu and kishore kumar dada and finally spb garu.
I feel you need not bring this point here one again since as you know many hundreds of past messages here are revolving around rafi garu, ghantasala garu and kishore kumar dada, who as described by s. janaki garu are indeed stalwarts in indian film history.
January 8th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
binu ji,
your post 727
i am not here to start again a fresh dispute . i know you are doing a great job as people say. we dont have a proper chemistry from day one. your authoritative & criticising attitude & my straightforwardness.
now everytime you keep on writing ‘ sangeet is saraswati’ what do you mean by this. are you again giving a critisizing look ?
i have lot of works to do and have no time now. i will substantiate my point at a latter date when i am free.
now write a good article about rafi sahab instead of creating a dispute again and again pleaase.
ppppp…..lllllll…….eeeee……aaaaaa……ssssss…….eeeeee
January 7th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
readers,
i want to share one interesting point. Very recently, i have seen in spb’s fans site, wherein s. janaki, one of the famous lady singer from south films had expressed the following views while commenting on spbalasubramaniam.
after the stalwarts in indian film music ; mohammad rafi, ghantasala and kishore kumar, in today’s film industry, s p balasubramaniam is the important, favourite and influential singer.
what more we have to say for our beloved rafi saab. if we carefully interpret above statement, we understand the regard and respect which south indian singers have for rafi saab. moreover, first rafi saab name is mentioned followed by ghantasala and kishore kumar. this proves the greatness of rafi saab.
January 7th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Ramkrishna ji..Please substantiate ur point and pl. do not
defend ur rough language which i have pointed out on two
occassions.. post 726….
Sangeet is saraswathi..
we all must have differences…but pen ur points without frustrations
or anger….. like the lucknow-is do….everywhere…
and before posting do pause and think whether rafi saab would
have ‘approved’ the language or one would have ‘uttered’ these
words in his magnificient presence…
binu nair…. the rafi foundation….
January 6th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
binu jee,
ref post - 718
noted your advice. but before giving advice to anybody check your language. i can give several examples of your comments. for heavens sake dont just give such type of advices. i know what i say. mr anil cheiran has got my point and so also others.