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
April 21st, 2008 at 9:49 am
Singh saaheb and rafi ji lovers : i would love to hear shri ghantasala
sir as i am a music lover . i know his voice has great qualities.
but, few ghantasala fans have “put me off”, “irritated” me and i have hence decided “miss” this singers songs - due to the misguided representation and comparisons being done with rafi saaheb.
i know that to sing in hindi like rafi ji, ghantasala would have to take another birth. but, alas these few handful 3 persons will not realise this fact and continue their “trouble making” sojourns in these threads. mr.khan please do not tire, we are used to your stupid remarks by now.
binu nair. mumbai.
April 21st, 2008 at 12:19 am
Mr. Hussein sheikh garu,
I feel you have not heard ghantasala garu and simply bluffing about the singer that you have heard him, his songs, this and that. This is not fair pl. Because you are the only person who have written such remark against a singer who is appreciated at all times by all the musicians.
April 21st, 2008 at 12:15 am
post 835 - binu nair saheb, - pranams
Thank you sir, for sharing my message on same lines of humour as i wanted here. Sir, we are pure and true music lovers and indeed writing what is true. We have nothing to do with any people who bring forth contorversial issues. Sir, whatever issue it may be, it will be focussed on our beloved unparalleled rafi saab only. What do you say sir.
Let us continue to play and create records sir.
April 20th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
Post 841 - Mr. Hussein sheikh
Sir, i personally feel you have to revisit your comments. Because great musician like khan sahab, ramakrishna sahab, vasu sahab, our friends and rafi fans here, who have analysed the songs of ghantasala and rafi have written in a very dignified manner about the greatness of songs posted here. Not only these, even other rafi fans have written similarly.
I can say with certainty,you are the only person who have made a unpleasant comment here and this will only project you as a person making wrong statements and will in no way give any credit for you. In fact you are degrading yourself sheikh saab. Pl. do not write such horrible and unpleasant statements in future.
April 20th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
Mr. hussein sheikh saab, posts 834 and 841
I am surprised. i can understand you are talking out of your love for the great rafi saab, who is indeed my greatest favourite singer. But pl. mind you, it does not befit a rafi fan, to support unparalleled rafi saab , you have to stoop to write degrading comments against a great singer like ghantasala ji. If you are capable, make healthy arguments. Otherwise pl. keep quiet. Are you not having a taste for music. You were mentioning not even 10%. Could you pl. clarify what are the areas in which the telugu rendering accounts to 10% pl. Is it high pitch, (all telugu songs are in higher pitch than hindi renditions pl.) Is it musical notes. (pl. note ghantasala ji, is much more trained in classical music than rafi saab - as stated by some telugu friends here) Is it melody. (Rafi saab has himself acknowledged the telugu songs as more melodious and great) Is it your taste of music (you might not have any taste of music), Is it love for unparalleled rafi saab (rafi saab had great respect and love for other singers, not like you pl.) All points you are wrong sir, Pl. do not take offense, but such comments against a great musician shows the low mentality of a person, whom certainly the great rafi also will not accept.
April 20th, 2008 at 11:37 pm
Mr. Hussein sheikh
Sorry sir, you are not a true rafi fan. Because our great rafi saab does not except rafi fans to comment like that. I do not know about your taste of music. I have heard shri ghantasala for first time from post 825, the song chali chali re patang meri, and chal ud ja re panchi and are quite great renditions, on par with rafi saab as shri singh remarks. And the suvarna sundari song, kuhu kuhu bole koyaliya, in telugu is indeed stupendous. And similarly, the number shiva shankari, which is indeed amazing and incomparable. So ghantasala fans, we are extremely thankful for introducing another gem like our great rafi saab in these pages.
Hussein sheikh sahab, I do not know how you have made bad comments against such great singer from the south.
My remarks have nothing to do with rafi saab, as our beloved rafi saab is always rafi saab and unparalleled and unequalled singer in hindi like shri ghantasala in the south and we along with rafi saab have always great regard and respect for other singers.
I personally apologise to all our southern friends on behalf of hussein sheikh saab, for such bad remarks against a great singer, as it is equivalent to insulting our great rafi saab himself, who was an example for outstanding humility with respect and great regard for other musicians (specially shri ghantasala), and which factors sadly, so called fans like hussein sheikh ji are bringing down.
Husseing sheikh ji, pl. try to be balanced, blind faith may bring the curtains down. Our rafi saab is always greatest, try to learn things from our beloved rafi saab. Our rafi saab even did not want padmashri, such was his humility and humbleness you know. Rafi saab had perfect ethics and respected principles and he followed them throughout his life with true spirit. Sheik ji, try to imbibe the qualities of our dear rafi saab, rather stooping down to a degraded level pl. I feel, no friend here, either our beloved rafi saab fan or shri ghantasala fan will appreciate your gesture.
April 20th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
I have heard those songs by Ghantasala in Telegu, they are great, but he doesn’t match up to Rafi as a singer. Ghantasala is definitely a great singer, but as Ilayaraaja said, “Rafi is Rafi”, there is abslutely no comparison. The Siva Sankari song is not as difficult as the song from Laila Majnu, Rafi has sang many classical songs with ease similar to the one from that film, and also many classical songs that are much tougher.
I would like to see a Ghantasala song in the same league as “Likhar tera naam zamin par”. If there is one, I still would not put him in the same class as Rafi, but since Ghantasala fans claim he is as good as Rafi and can sing songs that are similar to Rafi songs, it would be interesting to find a song similar to this.
April 20th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
Mr. Hussein sheikh
Are you greater than rafi saheb and true rafi fan. Rafi saheb himself complimented ghantasala for chal ud ja re panchi and suvarna sundari song and said that both songs were beautiful than hindi versions. By making undignified statements you are insulting and insulted the feelings of the great rafi sahab and by insulting a singer who has been acclaimed by greatest musicians. This shows the respect you have for rafi saheb’s feelings and also towards other musicians like spb, lata mangeshkar who have great regard and respect for ghantasala. Never had any fan of ghantasala written such derogatory remarks against any singer, but the argument was purely healthy and on technical aspects. I am sorry for your bad understanding of music and technical capabilities of singers. I am astonished how you have become a false fan of rafi when you are not able to respect a acclaimed singer. The great rafi saheb will feel extremely sorry to note that such fans who have no respect for great singers are his followers these days.
Regarding your 10% remark, friend, i advise you pl. to get your ears checked by a doctor, because your rafi saheb and i feel that your ears are not properly working to listen properly to a singer and analyse his capability.
Even binu nair, the leader of rafi foundation and rafi fan in true spirit in line with feelings of rafi saheb, addresses ghantasala as shri ghantasala and has great regard for the singer. Pl. learn from binu nair, how to respect a true musician.
With your derogatory remarks, you have proved that you are greater than rafi saheb (leave ghantasala or others) by making statements which rafi saheb never dreamt of.
All rafi fans, apologies if i have talked excess, but i had to comment seeing these bad remarks by a false and egoistic fan of the great and immortal legend rafi saheb. Will rafi saheb appreciate such remarks. Had he been alive today, he would have simply thrown this hussein sheikh ji out.
I am sorry for telling the plain truth, hussein sheikh ji, because i have told you in line with the feelings of great rafi saheb. Never try to post such derogatory remarks, and pl. desist from doing such things.
April 20th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Have you.. Ghantasala fan’s lost way off? Here is your home … http://www.ghantasala.info/ . Please go back to your family.
April 20th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Re. Post 827: Just heard the telugu version of Chal Udjaa Re Panchhi… and I don’t need to repeat again, this singer cannot touch Rafi Saheb. That’s all and I do not need to hear Ghantasala any more. Long Live Rafi Saheb.
April 20th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Recently, we have seen in websie that rafi foundation is establishing chapters at other places of india. This is indeed a good development. All rafi fans can join under one umbrella and carry the greatness of rafi saab.
April 20th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
this is a exclusive rafi saab site. discuss about only rafi saab and enjoy only rafi saab songs pl. we do not have wrong intentions towards other great singers, in fact we have great regard for other greatest playback singers like ghantasala and others. But this site is for rafi saab only, so kindly enlighten us about rafi saab on continuous basis.
April 20th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Whatever it may be rafisaab is the greatest for rafi fans. Other singers like ghantasala may be greatest but for rafi fans rafi is the alone greatest. So please stop comparisons and enjoy rafi saab only in this site. Comparison discussions may pl. be initiated in a separate site but not here pl.
April 20th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Rafi ji being associated with the national language, was more famous. Not only ghantasala from south, there may be other golden hidden singers who may not be available because of their environment and circumstances. Rafi fans hence cannot conclude that rafi is the greatest at all times. Today among the known and available singers, he is one of the best. Had he been with a regional language what would have been the fame of rafi ji - similar to that of a regional great like ghantasala. Is it not. So music lovers should enjoy music of singers at all times rather than always comparing.
April 20th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Post 828 : thanks to khan and two others this thread is taking a great “lead” and i wonder how much “thick skinned” is mr. khan - to public-ly undermine rafi saaheb in favour of his favourite singer.
binu nair.
April 20th, 2008 at 10:04 am
post 821 singh saaheb: yes this topic : has indeed won the match and i enjoyed the “lighter vein” attributed to it. should we now take the score ahead or declare the innings….
no, we should wait until another “burning and controversial issue” comes back in these spaces.
binu nair, mumbai….
April 19th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Re. Post 825: I have just listened to Ghantasala singing telugu version of the Hindi song ‘Chali Chali Re Patang Meri Chali Re…’ from the film Bhabhi, I am very sorry Mr. Singh, he’s not even 10% to Rafi Saheb. I request all true Rafi Saheb fans to listen to Ghantasala singing telugu version of the Hindi song from the film ‘Bhabhi’ and pass on your comments. I request all Rafi Saheb fans to stop discussing Ghantasala here in this site. He’s nothing in front of Rafi Saheb. I just wasted my time to listen to Ghantasala. Come on friends, Rafi Saheb se kisi ka muqabla nahin…..
melodiousrafi@yahoo.com
April 19th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
I too have heard siva sankari song by ghantasala ji. Indeed it is amazing and extraordinary and certainly incomparable from a classical style. I feel any classical musician can render it. Ghantasala being a classically trained person has rendered it with ease.
That is ok
But what does it has to do with rafi’s extraordinary voice which has swayed millions the world over and continue to do so.
Each exceptional singer has his own speciality which cannot be surpassed by another. Each is best in his own way.
April 19th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
myk sir, again pl.
siva sankari song by g-ji, is such a divine rendering by him and such exalted composition, that a singer who has sung it can render any song of any genre with comfortable ease.
April 19th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
myk sir, i continue pl. as i missed one point.
Post 787 by rakesh malhotra is inspiring. he is a rafi fan pl. kindly hear what he says sir.
April 19th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Mr. Myk post 824 pl.
My similar friendly challenge to you sir? can you show one difficult and challenging song like siva sankari by ghantasala not only by mohd. rafi but in the entire bollywood by any singer at all times pl.
I guarantee sir, it simply No. Because such composition does not exist in bollywood.
If you want to hear the song ref. post 787 by Malhotra for the link pl.
April 19th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Friends,
Rafi is more famous and known all over than ghantasala ji. But please note that Ghantasala ji is known as mohd. rafi of south and was a fan of rafi.
This does not mean otherwise, Rafi too had great regard and respect for ghantasala ji.
April 19th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
MYK garu,
Rafi ji is a very great and incomparable singer in his own style and ways. He is the one whose voice could attract most of the people. Moreover being from bollywood, his fame has spread beyond India also. Undoubtedly, a great singer.
Sir, as rafi has made a everlasting influence, in telugu also ghantasala has made such everlasting influence. Millions of telugu people continue to hear his songs till date and continue to be mesmerised by his great voice.
Leave indentical songs, wherein both have reigned supreme in their own way, but as you hear rafi singing his own individual songs, if you hear ghantasala also for his individual songs in a musical way, you will change your statement.
To prove my credential, i post a super song of ghantasala ji, it is from the telugu film jayabheri. I hope you will appreciate it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQYLMktBE2I
April 19th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
myk sir, post 825
Ref. post 823 pl. suvarna sundari song telugu link is posted by singh saab. I have heard it. Definitely in this song ghantasala ji has an edge over rafi. Moreover this song was first sung in telugu by ghantasala ji. Similarly, other song duet also, is excellent and ghantasala surpasses this is the one chali chali re patang by rafi and lata from bhabhi. I have also heard chal ud ja re panchi telugu version from some earlier message here; there too ghantasala has an edge. No doubt about it.
Myk sir, i am posting the telugu link for chal ud ja re panchi here for your hearing pl.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nra86TX__hc
April 19th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Ref: post 815.
Let me add something about Ghantasalaji’s voice… it’s the kind of voice which appealed to the South Indian MDs as well as listeners in the 50s and 60s, infact almost all the leading singers in the South had this kind of voice… (eg. TMS, PBS)… it’s a kind of natural, full-throated, almost rustic kind of voice sans the smooth polish and resonance associated with Rafi sahab and Yesudas sir… I would say Mukeshji’s voice would also fall within this broad category.. this is why we find people who are fond of Mukeshji’s voice taking a liking for Ghantasalaji’s voice too. And that voice suited the speaking voice as well as the physical features of most of the South Indian heroes of that time..