Visit to ‘RAFI MANSION’ a pilgrimage
This article is written by Mr. Subnavis Ramakrishna.
From my very childhood I used love the songs of Rafi Sahab. That was the time when I was not understanding Hindi or Urdu ( my mother tongue is Telugu ), but neverthless the heart touching melody & softness in rendering had developed a prominent position in my deep within, which has become an inseparable bondage. I started craving for Rafi sahab. I used to get sleep while listening to these melodies. I dint know when my mother had switched off the radio. That was the time when I was in a small village Sakhigopal in Orissa.
During the year 1967 I was excited to visit Bombay ( now Mumbai) to the house of my paternal uncle. An idea of visiting Rafi sahab’s house had cropped up several times then. I expressed my desire before my uncle. I used to get the reply that they are very busy people, its not easy to get their appointment etc. My wishes were shelved with utmost sadness & dissatisfaction. Subsequently my studies, job and family commitments had encircled me. Being far from the dwelling place of Rafi Sahab I was not fortunate to have his DARSHAN.
Years passed by & over a period of time I came across the site mohdrafi.com. This site has inspired me so much that I became its regular visitor & through this site I got the news of inauguration of Rafi sahab foundation, I was mad with joy. I was determined to meet the organisers so that I can see Rafi Sahab through them. I was in mumbai in the morning of 30th july. Was with my friend Sirish. Evening Mr Binu came down & we had discussion regarding the event of the following day… the day of Rafi sahab’s anniversary. And during the course of discussions I was stunned to know that in an hour we are going to visit Rafi sahab’s house. I felt my dream came true. I was screaming with joy.
The same evening we ( Binu, Sirish & me ) proceded to Rafi mansion. It was altogether a thrilling experience for me. At the entrance when i saw the marble plaque ” RAFI MANSION’ my eyes were full of tears. Then we got permission to enter into the room where there was the display of all the valuables of Rafi Sahab. We were greeted by Parvez sahab the youngest son in law of Rafi Sahab.
Rafi sahab’s small Table, Revolving Chair, Telephone & his personal favourite small Sharp Radio. I was smearing my hand on these personal favourites of Rafi sahab & was feeling as if I was getting the personal touch of that great legend. I dont know how long I stood at his table & chair looking at them with great excitement. I was breathing heavily & moving round the room while looking at the huge pile of 78 RPM & 45 RPM records. I had the golden opportunity of having the DARSHAN of the trophies mainly the prestegious PADMASHREE award that is preserved nicely in a glass case. Its there I saw Rafi sahab in Mr Parvez’s hospitality towards us. I feel thats the training given by Rafi Sahab to his kith and kin. The training of HUMILITY.
I feel its not a visit to the residence of a celebrity but it is a pilgrimage for me. Because with the visit we feel happy for the time being and forget as the time passes but when we go on a pilgrimage we are charged with positive vibrations which are retained in us with the same potential till we visit that shrine next time. And this maiden visit to this shrine has created such a vibration in me that I have decided to take my wife and my son to this shrine during the month of December the month when the legend was born.
September 19th, 2007 at 11:43 pm
ref post - 38
binu ji,
I am indeed very sorry & appologise before the family memebrs of rafi sahab in case they are disturbed by the visitors. It was not my intention to make a publicity in front of Rafi mansion. I had never visualised this way.
In fact I have not insisted any one to go rather expressed my experince.
now coming to the second part, Mr binu you have a superb memory. Still you remember the K.S.ramachandran issue. Do you still understand why did I react to his letter ? He has requested people to organise something for rafi sahab. To that I reacted & wrote to him not to request people rather to initiate some thing by himself. that was the content.
you have not forgotten my angry words. If my words represent anger then what are your words ? with my small memory I request you to see your post no - 63, dated 28th May 2007 of the article ‘ The king of melody ” there the words are so rude. MY God I cant imagine. like this there are a number of your letters.
Proclaim is ‘ announce or declare in an official or formal manner’
This forum I feel is an informal one where in we discuss about all the aspects of music particularly related to rafi sahab. Its my love for rafi sahab that I have felt, expressed & I need not proclaim.
now coming to ‘ moderation ‘. You can see my so many comments. I am always polite. Dont catch a single case & go on harping on it.
in between you have given a comment of ‘ head master’ for me. I never react to it. I Know you dint like my way of writing to you. You expect a respectable way from others & you will respond in an authoritative way. Is it not ?
and lastly but not the least why are you bringing rafi sahab in between ? this is not good Mr binu. Please try to understand. anyway in such case rafi sahab would have told, ‘ achhey bachhey jhagdaa nahin kartey, chalo haath milao, sabaash ‘
yes I agree, moderation is definitely required for high headed people & those who think they only are competent.
September 18th, 2007 at 11:51 pm
Ramkrishna Ji : ur affection must not in any way disturb others.
Propriety demands that if you are sending someone to anothers
residence; u must take the express permission of that household
first .
This is basic courtesy. This is a my view and please do not treat
this as road side quarrel . I wish to state herein that u are using
inappropriate words in this forum . I will remind u of your response
to K.S. Ramachandrans article herein. I have not forgotten your
angry words. This is an advice to you to moderate yourself while
proclaiming your love for rafi saab. Please compare your words with
what mohd rafi saab would have used in similar circumstances.
moderation is definitely called for sir.
Binu Nair.
binu nair.
September 18th, 2007 at 9:16 am
ref post- 36,
mr binu again you have started a rift.
we write out of shear affection & that does not mean that people will start making a bee line at rafi mansion. more over all the people in this forum are quite educated. they know that they have to take permission & if they dont get they wont go. its as simple as that.
hope you understand what i meant & no more discussions on this please.
let us not quarrel like road side people which is not Rafi sahab’s motto.
September 17th, 2007 at 10:14 pm
Dear rafi saab lovers :
I am somewhat amazed. How someone can direct people over the
internet to someones house. One can always throw open your
door to everyone and invite, but how can one direct others to
go to rafi saabs house without their consent. Its indeed disturbing
to the few ladies and children in the house., I feel.
During the day, the men in the house go to their offices. One must
go to anyones house only with prior intimation - I feel.
More , on July 31st and on dec.24 the music room is open to rafi saab
lovers. On other days its not. I know the family hence I am saying it.
With prior intimation and invitation one can visit the house.
Secondly, rafi saab is resting at Juhu Mosque next to Juhu garden in
santacruz west.
we all go to the mazaar to pay respects to rafi saab many times in
a year and not to rafi saabs hourse.
so rafi lovers please do visit the mazaar where every day
scores of people pay respects to rafi saab and please do understand me.
binu nair Mumbai
September 17th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
ref post -34
mr AJ the place is so famous you dont need any address. this i have mentioned in my post ref - 29.
However since you have enquired the address is
RAFI MANSION
behind TAWA restaurant, 28th road, bandra
September 17th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
what is the address,though….NOT MENTIONED !
September 15th, 2007 at 9:50 am
I am Shirish Kulkarni, whom Ramkrishna has mentioned in his article. It is my duty to put on record the love that Ramakrishna has got for Rafi Sahab. We were only telephonic friends till 29th July. He came to mumbai from Hyderabad by bus. Right from that morning when i picked him from the bus stop, i could see his devotion to Rafi Sahab. I was fortunate that i was able to arrange for his stay in Mumbai at our office premises. I was also fortunate to interact with him about Rafi Sahab and his songs. Last, but not the least, i was fortunate to hear him play on his mouth organ some Rafi Sahab’s tunes! In his article, he has vividly narrated our experience about our feelings during our visit to Rafi Mansion. Till that day, due to some circumstances, i used to tell people that i was not a lucky person. But, since that day, i always tell people that i am a very lucky person!.
I would like to take this opportunity to profusely thank Binu ji for taking us to the sanctum sanctorium of Rafi Sahab. Thanks Binu Sahab!
It is because of people like Ramakrishna and Binu, the chiraag of Rafi Sahab still shines. May their tribe increase! At a personal level, i am trying to do my best to contribute towards this to the best of my ability.
Regards and love to all Rafi Sahab lovers.
Shirish Kulkarni
098204 52562
September 15th, 2007 at 3:25 am
Ramakrishanji,
I read your article with great excitement. I had somwwhat similar experience last December. Here is the story.
As we all know, music director Raviji has composed numerous melodious
songs for Rafisaab. Last December we went to have Darshan of Raviji and were greeted with warm welcome. We had a chat with him over his various compositions.
During our meeting, at one point Raviji said that ” Rafisaab did lot of rehearsals during his compositions in the same hall. He further mentioned that ” you are sitting on the same sofa on which Rafisaab used to sit .” We felt thrilled and honuored with this reference.
It is a bad luck for all of us that we did not have Tv media at that time to see Rafisaab singing live.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
arunkumar
September 14th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
ref post - 30.
ch ahsan,
you are a true devotee of rafi sahab. i deeply reciprocate your feelings for rafi sahab.
pls dont worry rafi sahab has not gone anywhere, he dwells in each of us, so long we are alive & latter it gets shifted to the next generation.
now since you have expressed your crave for rafi sahab let me tell about me. when I was working in muscat i used to go on inspection to various places in my car. the people accompany me were sure that I will play only the casette of rafi sahab and thats it. They never bought their casettes to be played.
and believe me they used to enjoy & appreciate my love & respect for rafi sahab. they are from lahore, islamabad, pindi & karachi.
why i tell you all this when we talk about rafi sahab there is no india- pakistan or hindu - muslim.