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
August 11th, 2006 at 11:25 am
Ashwani,
True to your reputation, you have started running your mouth.
Please understand, there is a difference between “rubbish” and the truth and if you cant handle the truth, piss off.
You talked about changes, here is one you could make-
*********************************************************
ashwani Says:
August 9th, 2006 at 10:06 am
My dear friend Mohan Flora,
I am totally agree with you (what grammar is this, and the “am” in this sentence should not have been there)
“His voice brought fantasy to life, and he continues to inspire succeeding generations”
Rafi along with KISHORE, ASHA, LATA and they forget to mention MUKESH, inspire the new generation.
*******************************************************
Obviously, you are so oblivious of your flaws mate, you think what ever you blabber is correct, the fact is you are just spiting at the sky.
You know about “THE GREATEST” Rafi??? what a joke, you are still in elementary school, listing to KK, if you ever grow up, then try graduating from the Rafi University.
Mohan, thanks for the links each comment on that web site was a slap to the faces of the ungrateful.
LONG LIVE THE KING.
Cheers!!
Pravin.
August 11th, 2006 at 10:39 am
Thanx Pravin,
Thanx for ur observation.
But it would be appreciated if you suggest few valid chnages.
But my dear friend, Are you free to talk rubbish against Kishore?
Pravin, I don’t require any proof abt Rafi’s songs. I have enough info and i have vast collection of Rafi’s songs.
August 10th, 2006 at 9:39 pm
Hi, I am an old wine in a new bottle. Guess who?
August 10th, 2006 at 6:45 pm
Ashwani,
Before even continuing this discussion, please get your English sorted.
Your phrases are as shabbily framed as the songs KK sang.
And be careful of what you say, cause when you talk of “THE GREATEST” Rafi, you are supposed to be only humbled and on holy ground.
Manoj, why are you even providing this guy any proofs? no matter how much one tries, a blind man will never see light.
Cheers!!
Pravin.
August 10th, 2006 at 9:18 am
My dear friend Roger,
Don’t give credit to AVI. It is me who wrote this.
I always write the truth. But you people only accept Rafi.
If you had read my comments then you would have realized that i added MUKESH also.
Roger, Don’t shy to appraise others.
U r appraising AVI is same as you are blindly appraining RAFI.
I understood what you wanted to convery from this blog.
I don’t mind if you identify me as AVI/SHANKAR
August 9th, 2006 at 9:53 pm
Avi, nice to see you speak some encouraging words at last about Rafi. Keep it up!
August 9th, 2006 at 10:06 am
My dear driend Mohan FLora,
I am totally agree with you
“His voice brought fantasy to life, and he continues to inspire succeeding generations ”
Rafi along with KISHORE, ASHA, LATA and they forget to mention MUKESH, inspire the new generation.
August 9th, 2006 at 5:41 am
In their forward to his being the best selling indian singer online, amazon .com says this about rafisaab and other singers:
Over the years, Bollywood’s dream-weavers have adopted many faces and many voices. Since the late 1940s, people have known, or suspected, that the face in close-up on the screen is probably lip-synching to a ‘playback singer’, and in the annals of Bollywood, Mohd. Rafi’s star shines bright. Decades after his death in July 1980 (at the age of 56), he remains one of the four most influential playback singers ever, alongside Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar. His voice brought fantasy to life, and he continues to inspire succeeding generations
August 9th, 2006 at 5:18 am
Taken from the Siliconeer, California(USA).
Culture:
Remembering Rafi
A Performer’s Tribute - By Vishwesh Ranganathan
Evergreen playback singer Mohammed Rafi has been Bay Area performer Rakesh Kumar’s long-time idol. He will pay a musical tribute to Rafi in a performance in September, writes Vishwesh Ranganathan.
Way back when he was 18, when Rakesh Kumar decided to begin to take lessons in light classical music at the Bharatiya Sangeet Kala Bhavan in Amritsar, his inspiration was one of the great titans of Bollywood music — the evergreen Mohammed Rafi. After over 1,000 live concerts in India, England and the U.S. including performing at London’s Wembley Stadium and an album with Kavitha Krishnamurthy, his love for Mohd. Rafi is undiminished.
So come Sept. 15, Kumar will perform evergreen hits of Mohd. Rafi at a concert at Chandni Restaurant in Newark, Calif. He will perform with several other singers, both male and female. A seven-member orchestra will accompany the performance. Slides of films will create the mood for Rafi film songs that he will present, Kumar says.
“Mohammed Rafi was not only a singer of great versatility, but he sang songs long ago which are still popular today with millions of people” Kumar says. “Which is remarkable, when you consider, say the last 10 years. So many songs have come and gone, how many do we remember?”
After a three-year stint at Chandigarh, Kumar moved to Delhi where he continued taking lessons in music. He also started performing at live shows with a band of his own, and became so successful that at one point he was doing at least a show every day, he says.
Kumar moved to Mumbai to try his luck at playback singing, and also continued his musical training under Sulakshana Pandit He also spent a year in England, performing frequently in live shows for Punjabi audiences.
In the Bay Area, Kumar has a band, Anmol, with whom he presents live shows. His Antakshari show at the Fremont Hilton a few years back has been one of his most successful in the Bay Area. In addition Kumar has also extensively presented Mata Ki Jagriti at various temples to large audiences. Mata Ki Jagriti events are devotional sessions paying obeisance to Vaishno Devi.
- Vishwesh Ranganathan is a freelance writer
who lives in Livermore, Calif.
|TOP|
August 6th, 2006 at 12:14 am
Saagar,
Tu sudhrega nahi, Teri Haalat Kutte ki tarah hai jiski DUM kitni bhi sidhi karo sidhi nahi hoti. Waisi hi teri haalat hai.
Aur ab bk1 urf Monu bhi teri category me aa gaya hai..
Accha Laga jaankar ki tum jaisi bhi Log hai jo apn eaapko ko Rafi ke fan kahte hai.
Rafi tum jaise logon ki baate sunkar or padhakr neer baha rahe honge.
Enjoy …
August 5th, 2006 at 10:05 pm
I Roger Federer, Admin ko support karega. This is unfair play from the Rafians side. I do my best.
I will take on the likes of Sagar& Monu myself.
K.K cassetes are available in shops. O.K. So,why criticise that? O.K whether you call him bandar or else you have admited that KK is more sought after which for your kind imformation is wrong.
By using abusive language Sagar is ony prooving his weaknees for fair argument.
REMEMBER: You cannot defend Rafi’s fort by bringing down Kishore by fantacy.
August 5th, 2006 at 8:47 pm
sagar teri meri jamegi , bina ashwani ke kisore ko support kaun karegi /karega, mana ke banda tha kisore bekar aur rafi tha mahan , par bakri (kishore) ko sher (rafi) se mahan sirf ashwani hi kahegi ……………… index:-
ashwni _avi_shanker …………………………………………………… bye bhai
August 5th, 2006 at 4:23 pm
MERE RAFI BHAIYO AUR BEHANO…..
SUNO SUNO … AVI = SHANKAR = ASHWANI…. YEH TEENO NAMUNE EK HI HAIN DAAL KE PAANCHI HAIN..
3 ALAGH INSAAN NAHI BALKI EK HI INSAAN HAIN JO NAAM BADALKE AATA HAIN………..
KK KA EK GAANA THA ” BACH KE RAHNE RE BABA …. ”
IN KK KE TEEN BANDARONSE BACH KE RAHNA
August 5th, 2006 at 4:21 pm
ASHWANI,
HOW DARE YOU ENTER THIS WEBSITE AGAIN ???
WELL LET ME EXPLAIN WHY YOU FIND KK CD MORE IN MUSIC SHOP … THE THING IS THAT ” BANDAR KYA JAANE ADRAK KA SWAAD “….
THE FACT IS THAT VERY FEW CLASSY PEOPLE LIKE RAFIANS ARE FOND OF RAFI SAHAB , NOT EVERYONE ARE ALLOWED TO BE ONE OF THEM ….. SO PEOPLE LIKE YOUR CATEGORY FOLLOW KK AND BARK ABOUT HIM EVERYWHERE IRRESPECTIVE OF THE TOPIC.
THATS WHY YOU FIND YOUNG GENERATION KNOWING ABT KK BECAUSE THEY DON’T WANT TO KNOW ABOUT MUSIC THEY JUST WANT TO KNOW ABOUT BARKING AND SHOUTING AS KK DID . BUT THOSE WHO ARE LOOKING FOR SOULFUL MUSIC AND VOICE THEY AUTOMATICALLY COME UNDER RAFI SAHAB’S SHADOW NO NEED FOR ANY MUSIC SHOP OR CENTRE TO HAVE HIS CD’S , ETC….
AND ONE MORE THING RAFI SAHAB’S SONGS ARE NOT FOR SALE ….. KK IS CHEAP SO HE IS SOLD EVERYWHERE……….
” RAFI SAHAB ANMOL HAIN, RAHENGE OR RAH RAHEIN HAIN …. ”
KK KA KUCH AISA ” NACH NA AANGAN THEDA “……. NA IDHAR KA RAHAN NA UDHAR KA ……….
REGARDS
SAGAR
August 5th, 2006 at 1:05 pm
Dear mohanflora,
Thanks for the above link. It should open the eyes of the likes of Ashwini, the globe-trotter. While going around the world listening to KK songs he must have met young, technocrats and other hi-fliers for whom it was”In alien land, indian music(read.mohd. rafi) is at home”. Please read the following about young and modern indians and how Rafisaab has influenced them(no mention of KK!):
http://www.sureelesapne.com/press.html
August 5th, 2006 at 11:36 am
For an update on the latest view out of the industry on the best please click on this link:
http://www.bangalorebest.com/Article/bollywood.asp
and the rest is self-explanatory!
August 5th, 2006 at 5:38 am
Dear Aswani,
Your argument to Sungma’s statement seems hollow!
August 5th, 2006 at 12:20 am
My dear friend Sugma,
I know many people who travel many time with me and many who already there in USA, UK and Japan. Since we all carry Laptop and in the evening in Hotel, People just listen Kishore more campare to rafi.
I have visited shop also there but to be very frank, Kishore’s songs sale are always more.
I have seen this in India also. Please go to any Music Shop, you can find 4 Kishore CDs/DVDs and 2 rafi’s. This is my experience.
Mere Pyare Dost Suhail,
Mujhe Rafi se koi nafrat nahi hai. Mujhe unse bahut pyar hai par jab aap log Kishore ke prati Bewakufi jatate hai to mujhe sachhai batani ke liye kuchh aisi baatein likhni padti hai jo sachhai hai par aap logon ke liye KADAWI hai.
August 4th, 2006 at 6:57 pm
Dear Ashwani,
Thanks for snooping around the laptops of guys in Japan,US and UK airports to hear what other people are listening. I hope you went to the shops of UK and US, too!
August 4th, 2006 at 5:49 pm
chalta rahega caravan tere yaadon ka yunhi
roke nahi rukega tere chahane walon ka sailaab kabhi
na jaane kyon kuch logo ko nafrat hai
na jaane kyon kuch log suraj ko chirag dikhate hain
August 4th, 2006 at 2:48 pm
My dear friend Suhail,
100 times i will ask you question, Why should we leave?
if you don’t like you can leave, who is going to stop you.
And one more thing.
I am Ashwani, If you are happy to imagine me as AVI/SHANKAR/BANDITA etc. then fine. It is ur wish. God bless u.
August 4th, 2006 at 2:19 pm
hay Ashwini alias Avi & Shankar we know that you are one and only one person but appearing one by one by changing your name. I think you have increase your fooly by three times by assuming false name like Ashwini & Shankar. Do you think Sagar, Mannu & Manoj are fools no you are only a big fool on this universe. This site is meant for Rafi Saheb fans and as a fans we have right to ask you to leave this site. O.K. don’t aks this question again.
August 4th, 2006 at 1:01 pm
Suhail,
I am ASHWANI, not AVI or SHANKAR. Why should i increase the population. We, Kishore fans, are huge in numbers.
I read one funny comment from AVI that He is not AVI, may be he wanted to write “I am NOT ASHWANI”
Are you owner of this site
NOOOOOOOOOO.
How dare you to talk like this…
Sungma,
I am not anti Rafi but i am agianst few people who write some stupid thing abt KISHORE. He has proven himself and left the world. People still following his footprint but people like MANU, SAAAGE, MANOj n many don’t give respect to this legend. I came from USA 2 months back and i go to USA, UK and JAPAN very often. I have found few Rafi fans especially in older age but KISHORE popularity is huge in young. You can check laptop of every indivisual at Airport, you can found Kishore’s popularity is tremendous.
Thanx
August 4th, 2006 at 10:33 am
I think Ashwini & Avi are one and only one person. I think Shankar is also Avi. He has disguise himself in three self so as to increase the population of anti Rafian in this very site which is meant only for Rafi Saheb fans. Throw away Avi from this site.
August 4th, 2006 at 9:37 am
Dear Ashwani.
If you express your thoughts in the same manner as you have given above then discussions on this page will be enjoyable. A give and take policy helps but not a stubborn attitude.
Yes, I would also like to add that regarding sale of songs, as pointed out by Harvinder, Rafi’s songs are much more sought after here in UK and the USA too. My friend owns a branch of the India Spice and Sweets shop in LA and he says that Rafi is a craze among the diaspora. Perhaps Rafi’s songs had a more indian and earthy touch and when desis come abroad they feel homesick/nostalgic and find solace in Rafi’s voice.