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
July 11th, 2006 at 9:22 pm
Dear Prashant,
I want to reply to your posts , but right now I just had a heavy dinner cant write more just wrote to ASHWANI I am sorry, but don’t worry very soon u will get a reply from me about your post.
Till Then SHABBA KHAIR
Regards
Sagar
July 11th, 2006 at 9:16 pm
DEAR ASHWANI,
IF YOU REALLY LIKE RAFI SAHAB, THEN PLEASE TALK ONLY ABOUT HIM …DON’T BRING KK HERE WITH YOU AND START BARKING LIKE HIM…. WE RAFIANS KNOW WHAT HE IS YOU NO NEED TO TELL US YOUR VIEWS…IF YOU WANNA TALK MUSIC THEN DO OR ELSE YOU CAN FIND KK FORUMS AND CAN TAKE OUR KIND LEAVE…AS PER MY MANNERS ARE CONCERNED YOU DON’T WORRY I WILL IMPROVE MY SELF WHEN YOU AND KK WILL LEAVE THIS FORUM IMMEDIATELY.
REGARDS
SAGAR
July 11th, 2006 at 7:12 pm
Dear Usha,
I am surprised to read ur comments on Bandita. Bandita wrote what she felt abt Rafi but she never abuse Rafi as Saagar did for KISHORE.
Do u think Saagar has manners?
You should first look at ur side then points others.
And why you people go beyond the limit when somebody says KISHORE is better than Rafi. As you like Rafi, somebody like KISHORE so where is a problem. For u Rafi is great but for us KISHORE is great.
July 11th, 2006 at 6:19 pm
Dear Rajan,
I am not avi but nodoubt he is thinking like me.
I am great fan of Rafi too but i am more inlcined to KISHORE. It is my personal choice and i can;t toleate if someone says Rafi is better than KISHORE.
Both are great.
few of my Rafi ’s fav. songs:
1. Mujhe Teri Mohhabbat ka…sang better than Lata
2. TUm jo mil gaye ho..
3. Pukarata chala hu main..
4. Rimjhim ke geet saawan gaaye.
There are many and i have hugh collection of Rafi’s songs.
There are immature people like Saagar who writes nonsense things.
July 7th, 2006 at 5:00 pm
Dear Bandita, I think u are the same person who are the likes of Swami with no manners whatsover. Please show some decorum as this unique website is to enjoy the Farishta n God like voice of the greatest legend Rafi.
I do not recommend anyone to fight like ingnorant musical fools.
If Rafi fans feel he is the greatest in this website I think it is very natural Why u are intruding like a peeping tom?
U can say whatever u like but with respect n reverance to Rafi Sahab who is liked by crores of music lovers not only in our country but abroad also.
I have also requested Sagar not to make uncharitable remarks against others as our own Rafi Sahab who is gentle gaint n doyen of music world has never even spoken ill about others.
Till his unfortunate death he had the best of relationship with all including Kishore da.
Let us forget these squabbles n be in the midst of MELODY KING RAFI THE MAESTRO.
Usha
July 1st, 2006 at 8:00 pm
Dear Sagar,
Please tell me is there any law which tells that yodelling is not allowed while singing..? Do u know what was the aim of KK and Rafi while they were singing ? Its was because they wanted to entertain people like u and me, they never sang because they wanted to become great.. both of them had the same singer whom they considered was their idol… and he was K.L.SAIGAL… KK and Rafi considered him as their guru.. Moreover whoever tries to compare both of them is the biggest loser and uneducated about music in this world.. People should compare singers having similar voices and according to me KK and Rafi were toooootally different.. everyone should compare Sonu nigam with Rafi and Kumar sanu with KK.. [ i think u will agree at this point ].. i will give u an example How can u compare Adnan sami and Shaan ? both r totally different.. same is the case of Rafi and KK..[ i hope whosoever understands and reads this he will agree with me ]
Regards,
PRASHANT.
July 1st, 2006 at 1:33 pm
Dear Prashant,
Well said !! I am in complete agree with you !! But I don’t agree with your one statement ” Rafi Sahab was not able to give masti to song like KK did ” … If you wanna know what MASTI is and how it is added to a song then kindly listen ” TUMSA ACHCHA KAUN HAIN ” , if you think that YODELLING adds masti to a song or jumping while singing like KK did then you are making a mistake, No Rafian have any disregard for KK , neither do we have any problem against any KK Fans to come here and post any blog , but they should be aware that here we are talking about ” MUSIC ” and not ” MONKEY MUSIC “.
RAFI SAHAB = ” MUSIC ” + ” SOUL ” + ” HUMANITY ” + ” TALENT ” + ” DEVOTION ” + ” AFFECTION ” + ” PROFESSIONALISIM ” + ” KNOWLEDGE ” + ” SINGING ” + ” SOUL STIRRING SINGING ”
KISHORE KUMAR = ” JUMPING ” + ” HOPPING ” + ” VERSATILE ” + ” MONKEY BUSINESS ” + ” LITTLE BIT OF MUSIC ” + ” LITTLE BIT OF SINGING ” + ” COMMERCIALISM ” + ” LACK OF CONCENTRATION ” + ” SAME FLAW FLOW ” + ” LACK OF VARIATION ”
Regards
Sagar
June 30th, 2006 at 6:32 pm
Both were so great that after them there came so many singers who were compared to them.. Mahendra kapoor,Mohd aziz,Sonu Nigam were under the shadow of Rafi throughout their carriers,[though sonu nigam has come out because he is still singing]. Kumar sanu,Abhijeet,Shaan are compared to KK.. if u hear to the new versions of the old songs [i m not talking about these stupid remixes] all KK songs and Rafi songs have been sung by the above mentioned singers who have been compared to them. That was the magic of Rafi and KK.. right guys.. ?
And i dont think singers of today are doing a bad job.
June 30th, 2006 at 6:21 pm
I want to tell this to both rafi and kishore fans out there.. Guys u r fighting like India and pakistan. All rafi fans why do u care about what the kishore fans say.. and why r the kishore fans trying to prove that he is the greatest singer.. Guys please enjoy MUSIC.. Do u all guys know that rafi and kishore were the best of friends whaen they were alive. I love both of them, both of them have their totally diffrent styles which were unique.. Rafi couldn’t give the masti to the song like KK and KK could not become as soulful as Rafi.. Moreover it is good to know trough the above debate that people of todays generation have the interest in old songs.. So please guys remember that people are called great trough the work that they do. The songs which u people are mentioning in your blog were all made to be sung by Rafi and KK and whomso ever’s voice suited the song were made to sing..
Regards to all KK fans and Rafians….
June 30th, 2006 at 5:34 pm
Dear KHALID,
Very well said ” ENOUGH SAID ”
she is not ” BANDITA ” she is ” BAND IT “
June 30th, 2006 at 3:37 pm
Bandita
Wow what a name. Looks like even bandits have an opinion these days.
Enough said
June 30th, 2006 at 2:06 pm
Dear BANITA,
It seems that you want to convince others to follow you , very good then why don’t you do one thing , this is not the right place for shouting , there is a world famous mental asylum in AGRA , they have admissions open for people like you , why don’t you try that out, There was a advertisement in paper u missed it I guess, but never mind you may still get it done.
So please take your TASHRIF out of this room and stop disturbing others.
Regards
Sagar
June 30th, 2006 at 1:47 pm
KISHORE KUMAR IS ALL TIME GREATEST SINGER,PERFORMER ,COMEDY HERO & VERSATILE GENIUS.I HAVE HEARD MANY SINGERS & MUSIC DIRECTORS TELLING THAT KISHORE KUMAR IS GREATEST,HE IS LIKE GOD.AS FAR AS RAFI IS CONCERNED,HIS NAME CAN BE NOMINATED FOR THE WORST SINGER CATEGORY.
June 29th, 2006 at 10:31 pm
June 29,2006.
Kishore Kumar is 1000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
times
better than Mohd. Rafi. He is the greatest singer in the world.Also he succeeded in acting,music direction,film direction,singing bengali songs etc.
98% of indians will tell that KK is greatest.Listen to Kolkata’s Radio Mirchi,different T.V channels,singing competitions & live shows,the ratio of Kishore to Rafi’s song is 16:1.If few Rafians disagree,Iwill tell lakhs of Kishore fanatics to write at this site.
June 24th, 2006 at 12:27 pm
dear friends
this is really a good site from where u can get every details . It is a true gift to the fan……………………
regards
sujib
June 22nd, 2006 at 4:03 pm
Hello My dear DIE HARD RAFIANS,
This is my ULTIMATE MEMO TO ALL KK FANS , IN PURE ENGLISH , THIS IS A RAFI ROOM FOR RAFI LOVERS AND IT CONNECS TO MUSIC , PLEASE COME ONLY IF YOU HAVE MUSIC CONNECTIVITY WITH YOU , PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT CONNECTED TO MUSIC ARE NOT ALLOWED ESPECIALLY SHOULD NOT COME WITH KK.
Rest All is Fine
Regards
Sagar
June 22nd, 2006 at 3:34 pm
Dear Sagar,
I can understand your emotions but as a good n ardent Rafi fan do not get provoked from the likes of Swami n others.
The world knows that Rafi was very humble,pious,gentle and kind which we should emulate as his fans and not react to provocation.
Dear Ashvani,
I have voiced my personal opinion on the playback singing field of Hindi Film music and in my opinion like others Rafi n Lata are the best in their category.
This is not to belittle Kishore or other singers. Infact some songs from like Koi hamdam na raha, phoolon ke rangse etc to zindagi ka safar hai ye kaisa safar,tere naian, yeh jeevan hai is jeevan ka are also liked by me.
But overall my taste of classics is from the period 1945 to 1980 only where Rafi n Lata has sung innumerable melodies for us to cherish.
Also because of my office n professsion I cannot come frequently like you and others.
Regards,
Usha
June 22nd, 2006 at 3:22 pm
Dear Ashwani/Avi,
I think you are the same person giving opinion on both the blogs but anyway since you also like Rafis songs u are welcome to air your views . But if u carefully go to all the comments whatever may be the provocation u also made comments like workless/jobless etc which the Rafians found not in good taste.And u have also realised the folly and ur reactions r
ecently in the Saga is good n postive.
Yes minority of Rafi fans have reacted wrongly to your provocation which I earnestly,humbly request them not to do so.
From ur side please give consturctive comments and let us all enjoy the good music.
Boss life is short but let us together make them sweet in the memories of the legends of Music.
Again comparison like Sanjeev n Amitabh is ur personal opinion which many of us totally disagree.
It is like some like Blue color, n some green or some like Idlis n some dosas.
So boss avoid any comparison and leave the sanctity n decorum of this forum as it is even if u r provoked.
Rajan
June 21st, 2006 at 4:25 pm
Dear Usha,
I think u have not read my replied on ur comments long back.
This is with reference to songs you said kishore sang for old people. I am again sending the same blog to make u aware that RAFI sang for Old more that KISHORE.
===============================================
Dear Usha, why you people are so biased toward Rafi. You remember that KISHORE sang for BHARAt BHUSHAN and Rafi sang for SHASHI KAPOOR, FYI KISHORE was tremendous according to me and many MDs. That was the first song when people started comparing RAFI with KISHORE.
I personally believe KISHORE sang 100 times better than RAFI, may be u differ.
OK, You remember KISHORE sang for older man in “PYAAR KA MOUSAM”, and I am 100% sure that u don’t remember RAFI sang for MEhMOOD’s father in KUNWARA BAAP and KISHORE sang for MEHMOOD. I am sure u don’t remember “DHARAMA” where KISHORE sang for NAVIN NISCHAl and RAFI sang for PRAN (played father of Navin Nischal).
Dear USHA, don’t get biased and try to get the real facts.
There is proven case study which shows KISHORE was greatest among all singers, Technically Rafi many great but noone can touch KISHORE.
It is like, sanjeev kumar who was much better actor than AMITABH but people remember AMITABH.
Thanx
June 21st, 2006 at 3:50 pm
Dear Usha,
I replied ur comment and since then u have not replied my comments.
If u go through all blog, u will find that it is SAAGAR who started talking rubbish abt KISHORE and his fans. He has done same not only here but also in “RAFI-KISHORE SAGA”
Please read all his blog first. Don’t act as blind. We (myself n SHANKAR)have never said anything against RAFI n why should we because we give him respect. He is one of the great legend but my dear friend pls. teach SAAGAR to behave properly otherwise he will get the same treatment what he got at “RAFI-KISHORE SAGA”.
Saagar, Pls. mind ur word. U can say anything abt KISHORE songs. I mean ur like n dislike but don;t get personal to him..It shows ur background so pls. don’t spoil ur parents image.
Saagar, Grown up n behave like a nice guy. Hope u remember from ur next blog.
We, KK fans, write in this blog because we want Rafi fans to feel that if theycan’t praise legends then atleast don’t abuse them.
Saagar, again reminder for u, behave ur word. Think twice before u write anything rubbish.
June 20th, 2006 at 8:09 pm
Dear USHA,
Hello, you are right but people like SWAMI , AVI , etc who are far away from MUSIC and its BEING come here and waste energy in a wrong path which I can’t tolerate and they don’t come alone but bring KISHORE KUMAR alongwith them.
Anyways, we are enjoying RAFI SAAB everyday , what about you ?
Regards
Sagar
June 20th, 2006 at 8:00 pm
Dear Rafi fans n true music lovers,
let us all continue to enjoy the lovely, beautiful, melodious, magical and mesemerising songs of the legend of legends Rafi sahab.
Yes if there are people who differ we have no issues.
First of all there should not be any comparison and if fans feel Rafi is the greatest n others choose someone else so be it.
Yes India is democratic country but there are some ethics to be maintained especially in such forums.
As informed by other members we dont go to other forums n spoil their party, simillarly we expect the same from others.
Yes Sagar has reacted in a offensive way but he has been provoked by persons like Swami.
All these controvesrsies can be avoided and let us enjoy the evergreen gems of Rafi all the way.
DEAR FANS I JUST NOW SAW THE BLOG ON RAFI-KISHORE SAGA WHERE IN THE COMMENTS ONE MEMBER MOHAN HAS PUT THE WEBSITE OF OUTLOOK WHEREIN MOHD RAFI HAS BEEN VOTED THE BEST N POPULAR MALE SINGERS BY THE CURRENT MUSIC WORLD OF BOLLYWOOD.
Thanks n Warm regards to all lovers of Music,
Usha coimbatore
June 20th, 2006 at 7:24 pm
Dear ASHWANI,
First of all let me tell you that you are right songs like ” PAG GHUNGROO BANDH ” etc….. these MEDIOCRE songs can be sung only by people like KISHORE KUMAR and probably your category falls into it. I agree India is a democratic country and also have illeterate people like you because inspite of knowing that this forum is specially and only for RAFI FANS still you and some of your friends come here and speak all GIBBRISH, RUBBISH AND GARBAGE, and when we reply to that you all get angry , buddy why do so , stop coming here rather no one needs you here.
Listen to KISHORE RATHER why waste time here and disturb us.
Also you sing this song several times you will sing better than your master. And no one is trying to improve u because RAFI cannot be compared with KISHORE , its you and your category people come barking here about KISHORE for no reasons, no one has invited you here.So take a check up from a PSHYCIATRIST we RAFI FANS will pay your bill.
Remember that PSHYCIATRIST should be from KHANDWA , b’coz people like you will get cured, last time we send one like you to KHANDWA.
This is a free suggestion KK FANS please follow the path.
God bless your poor soul
Sagar
June 20th, 2006 at 6:51 pm
Dear Swami ,
Thanx for you advice but I think this forum is for RAFI SAAB and not for KISHORE KUMAR and from the begining I am talking only about RAFI SAAB except you , avi and shankar , so why don’t you follow my advice and pass it on to the others.
Thanx.
June 20th, 2006 at 3:09 pm
Dear Sagar,
U should FUCK OFF.
U don’t deserve to be part of forum.
I know quality of Rafi’s fans. All BULLSHIT