Binu Nair talks about Rafi Sahab
This article was featured by buzz18.com.
The Good Samaritan
Mohd Rafi believed in giving as much as he received. Many industry veterans still recall his good deeds. Not only was he humble, but also very helpful to the needy — which did not necessarily mean the urchins on the road, but his colleagues, his friends, anybody. A close friend of Rafi said that every month, packets of Rs 200/300 or more used to be dispatched to the singer’s struggling friends, upcoming music directors, and the like. It was all between Rafi and the person. Nobody knew where the money came from!
Music director Pyarelal of the Laxmikant-Pyarelal also remembers how “Rafisahib” had given Rs 500 to his father in their “bad times”. Like that, Rafi has sung for many producers for a minuscule amount and sometimes completely for free. When Pyarelal worked with Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar later, Rafi didn’t even remember lending the money, while Lata did. But both of them didn’t take any money from him and blessed him. The duo is known to be the mentor of Laxmi-Pyare, but it was Rafi who unconditionally helped them all the way, according to industry insiders.
Pyarelal further adds, “We (Laxmikant and he) worked with Rafi in our debut film Parasmani…Rafi agreed to do it despite low budgets and unknown names. We considered Rafi as our mentor. The whole world knows we shared the best working rapport with Rafi and Lataji.” According to him, perhaps Rafi has sung the maximum number of songs with Laxmi-Pyare. During the Kishore Kumar wave in the ’70s, the musician duo stood by Rafi.
Before Kishore Kumar started on playback, it was Mohd Rafi who sang for him in movies like Raagini, Baaghi Shehzaada, and Shararat.
Rafi also sang three songs for only Rs 100 for Roshanlal, assistant of music director Ravi. He said, “Mera toh ho gaya, abhi tum aage badho (I’m done with (in terms of career), now you go ahead).”
An interview with Rafi’s son
The singer’s only surviving son, Shahid Rafi, spoke to buzz18.com about his legendary father. Excerpts from the chat:
How was Rafi as a father?
Dad was very down-to-earth, as everybody knows, and a fantastic human being. He was an excellent father. He did everything for the family. Whenever he had free time, he spent with the family, and never socialised much.
As children, were you made conscious of his status as one of the country’s best singers?
He kept the family away from the limelight. He always used to say, “Nobody is great in the world. It all comes from God. Whether you are rich or poor, always be down-to-earth”.
Did he ever compel you to be a singer?
Not at all. In fact, he kept us away from it all. He encouraged us to do whatever we wanted to. We were seven siblings, and brought up in a very normal way.
Do you do anything special on this day? Do you have a foundation in Rafi’s name?
We just pray at home. We don’t do anything special as such. There are thousands of foundations in my father’s name around the world.
What does his greatness mean to you?
He was a great person, a great father, a great singer, and all I can say is, I’m very proud to be his son.
Was he religious?
He was very god-fearing. He was a very busy man so although he didn’t read the namaaz five times a day, he did it whenever he had the time.
Mahendra Kapoor, veteran playback singer, on the legend
On his contemporary, Mohd Rafi
I haven’t exactly been Rafiji’s contemporary. I have been his student. Rafisaab used to stay in Bhendi Bazaar (Mumbai) when I first met him as a 13-year-old. He was a noble soul, simple and down-to-earth and I have learnt a lot from him. He had no vices and never did he haggle over money with his producers. I have tried to emulate him as much as possible.
On Rafi overshadowing his contemporaries like Talat Mehmood
You cannot hide talent. And he was far better than any of his contemporary singers. I am not saying this because he was my guru. I mean it.
When Kishore Kumar took over
The ’70s were all about Kishore Kumar. There were times when Rafisaab had little or no work. Those days were very bad. He had withdrawn into his apartment and refused to meet anyone. When I went to see him, he sounded very dejected and told me how the producers who would earlier come knocking at his door are now with Kishore Kumar.
He may have felt hurt, but he wasn’t ever bitter about this. In fact, Kishoreda and he were very good friends. They never discussed work when they met.
It was Manmohan Desai who brought Mohammed Rafi back. He was Rafisaab’s fan and got him to sing in Amar Akbar Anthony and Dharam Veer.
Fondest memory
Rafisaab’s career was at its peak. Baiju Bawra had just released. I had won some singing competition at that time. Rafisaab’s brother, Hamidbhai told him about it. He was so happy, he promised to fly me down to Calcutta. I had never travelled by air before. It was an experience I will never forget. He had a performance in Eden Gardens. 25,000 people had gathered to listen to him. Hamidbhai suggested that I should sing with him. It was the first time I sang in public and the icing on the cake was that it was with Rafisaab.
Mahendra Kapoor picks his favourite songs of Rafi
There was a bhajan, Tere bharose aye nandlala, which was a private recording. Besides that, there is also a ghazal, which was composed by Khayyam: Ghazab kiya tere wade pe bharosa kiya.
Controversies
In 1960, there was a rift between Rafi and colleague Lata Mangeshkar. She wanted him to support him over song royalty issues, but he didn’t believe in getting royalties from the producer and was happy with getting only his fees.
Another controversy arose when Lata Mangeshkar’s name was entered in the Guinness Book of World Records for singing the maximum number of songs in a lifetime by any singer – over 25,000. Rafi challenged the claim and said that he’d sung more than that – nearly 28,000. His name was later added to the Book. As of now, both names have been removed from the records. But in spite of their differences, we cannot help but notice that the Lata-Rafi duo have delivered the greatest hits and sung almost 500 songs together.
Also, there is a lot of resentment among Rafi fans that he was not honoured with the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award. A Bangladeshi journalist in the newspaper Daily Star rued the fact that Rafi was only honoured with the Padma Shri, while Lata Mangeshkar had been bestowed with the Bharat Ratna.
Rafi Trivia
Rafi was a god-fearing and humble human being. They say when he went to Haj he was given the honour of leading the proceedings. Not even a handful of people get a chance to do that. But his mesmerising voice had made him the chosen one all over the world.
Children of his apartment block in Mumbai used to run after Rafi, asking him to sing for them. They wouldn’t let him go. Rafi would give them tenners to buy chocolates instead.
Such a singer, and human being, is born once in a lifetime.
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Binu Nair bhaiya u have donr super excellent job
How do we support Raffi saab’s nomination for Bharat Ratna. If there is one singer who deserves this prestigious award is Raffi Saab. Anyone has idea. There are enough Raffi Saab supporters to convince any government body……..
Hi Binu ji –
Mesmerizing thoughts ran through my mind thinking about this great personality who I started hearing and drawing inspiration only several years after his death.
My surroundings would resonate only with Kishore Da’s songs and I as a young teen picked up Kishore Da’s songs..only to realize later in life that Rafi Sahab’s songs were there to guide me as a mentor even though he was no more.
Truly, I owe my small bit of singing ability to the greatest man and singer on earth – Rafi Sahab
Mohammad Rafi — tu bahot yaad aaya
There is a great tribute to Mohd Rafi sahab in the movie Kroadh starring Amitabh Bacchan ji and sung by Mohd. Aziz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLM4iH3yUu4
md. rafi always stay with music lovers……………………..thanks binu ji
Post 12 Jyoti.. Ur golden thoughts for the master and divine singer mohd rafi can nly be weighed in platinum.
thanks Jyoti ji.
your point is quite true. angels like Rafi never die. they live in peoples hearts for the good of human society. forever.
thank you.
therafifoundation@gmail.com
binus2000@hotmail.com
One comon point my friends-lost-found say when they find me Is : u were a rafi lover some three decades back and even today. I found u in the google or in rafi foundation or in http://www.mohdrafi.com
it gladdens me that rafi lovers hasn’t changed. in fact rafi-ism has only grown with the years, times and maturity.
thanks friends who find me through the godly mentor for many of us truly – mohd rafi saaheb : the emperor and sage singer – of all times.
Thanx a Trillion..Madhu. Old friends are coming back due to Rafi saaheb first and then the internet.
We had a nice time in Dubai. We met Yesudas chettan together at Abu dhabi.Many times. Lets continue this worship of music in a bigger and better way.
thanx once again
the rafi foundation, mumbai
Hey Binu, What a surprise this is & how incredible is the power of the net !!! Wonder if you remember me..this is your good old pal, Madhu.. ex-Jumbo, Dubai.
I just happened to bump into your Rafi Foundation blog, while combing the net for something else, and your photograph appeared on my screen, out of the blue. That’s when it struck me that you are the same old Binu, whom i knew about 2 decades ago.
Here are my contact details in Dubai. Mob 97150-5536970. email : m.madhuz@gmail.com.
Madhu
Binu U have done an excelent zoj … thenks… and keep it up…
ajay saaheb and ismail saaheb… we are all trying to do out bits for the god of singing – Mohd Rafi and great musicians.
We have a one point programme.
we want that rafi foundation should become the largest music club in the world.
ur support is needed – in ur area.
all the best…
if the music is good the heart will sing…..
lagta nahin hai dil mera ujray dayar main
kis kee banee hai aalam-e-na paedaar main
kitna hai badnaseeb zafar dafn ke liye
do gaz zameen bhi na mili koo-e-yaar main
Bahadur Shah Zafar and Rafi Saab bahut saal pahle se jante the is phani duniya ko aur ab is duniya ne prove kar diya hai ki duniya wale beraham aur swarthi he aur isiliye Rafi Saab ki kabra ko unke intkal ke 30 saal bad bhi nahi baksha.
I came to know your name from News in TOI about “Rafi can’t rest in peace” due to removal of his tomb where he was interred. You very well protested against this removal. Rafi saab, Sahir, Madhubala, Janisar Akhtar, Naushad saab are like god to all music lovers of India. We waste acres of land for Politicians who do nothing for society and these god like figures who has given so much to the world thru music are ignored, insulted without any notice and care about feelings and respect of others. I request u Binuji thru this communique to take up the matter with authorities.
Kudos for great work u are doing for Rafi saab.
Ajay Sharma, Ahmedabad
THANX BINU CHETTA,
RAFI SAABINE KURICHU KOODUTHAL ARIYUVAN
SAADICHU..
ISMAIL A. KASARAGOD, KERALA
he was the greatest singer in the world.
Main Ek Chota sa gavaeya hun!
Sub ne etna sub keh diya main kya kahoon,
Bus Etna He
Kaas Main Rafi Sahab Ke Paer Chu Pata !!
Bus UparWale Say Etne Dua Etne Arzz Hai Ke Lata Ji Kay Paer Chu Paoo.
App Ka Bahut Bahut Dhnywaad Es Website Ko Bunane ka.
Tarunrana,
tarunkumarrana@hotmail.com
tarunkumarrana@gmail.com
tarunkumarrana@rediffmail.com
tarunkumarrana@aol.in
Yes there are bits and pieces of immortal rafi saabs live recordings with
many individuals and with the doordarshan.
Binu Nair.
Simply put , he is the most powerful example of immortality . How can I believe that he is not around us when atleast an hour each day he fills my life with joy?
I would like to know if there is any live concert recording of Rafi ? Kindly advise
regards
Hariharan
Dubai
Recently i had an opportunity to hear Rafi Sahabs marathi song ” Shodashi manava”. His diction, pronounciation and sincerity for his craft simply dazzled me. Rafi Sahab is really a jewel in the crown of singing. Jai Rafi Sahab! Every time i listen to him, i crave for more. Will this thirst ever quench?
Thanks Binuji for a nice article
Regards
RAFI FAN
Thank u BINU NAIRJI, i`m from Mauritius .pls let me mention here that rafi saab had visited the island of Mauritius and sing a song in creole ” ayaya to bien joli (U r very beautiful)soukou soukou.”
Got some more information. Thanks.
Dear Murthy ji.. thanx..
I spoke to the cnn ibn for about 15 minutes which is recorded and
you can see in the video if you download. In 15 minutes : ur scope
becomes limited when you talk of the greatest singer the world has seen.
But I tried it.. and only a part of rafi saab the genious was revealed.
binu nair.
Fine article Mr. Binu Nair, in fact you have presented to all of us many of the events in the life and times of Mohd. Rafi Sahab not know earlier to us. Thanks for the compilation and we have benefited with this knowledge. While going thru some of the comments appended to your column, I found that some songs in other languages which were rendered by Mohd. Rafi are mentioned. True they did not find a place in your article, but perhaps it was not intentional and the theme was different. For information of all RAFIANS, Mohd. Rafi has sung even in Telugu for atleast four or five movies and believe me, he has done a better job at rendition even than most Telugu singers of that era. Good article once again.
Rafiji also sang a Kannada song in the sixties, a very serious song slightly philosophical – “Neenelli Nadeve Doora, Yellelu Shokave”. IAs usual Rafiji sang it beautifully and the song became a big hit in those days. I just wanted to stress one thing. By all accounts the langauge was not familiar to Rafiji, but still the pronounciation / diction was almost as good as any other Kannada singer. Also like any other hindi song, Rafiji put feelings into each and every word of the song.
Jyoti ji… and above Rafi lovers thanx a trillion.
Rafi ji was not an ordinary human being . He was appointed and sent
by the gods to enlighten us and to regale us… Nothing less if not more.
Now a request : The Rafi Foundation : wishes to build a permanent
yaad g a a r : in the city of Bombay for rafi saab.. A Museum-cum-library
Please send in ur suggestions: My suggestion is : each Rafi lover will
pay rs.100 towards a fund… If Rafi lovers around the world donates
this small amount, the Museum will be a reality. Please write :
binus2000@hotmail.com Mumbai…
Thanks u sir we hope more from u
DEAR BINU NAIRJI
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR FINE ARTICE ON OUR BELOVED RAFI SAHAB !
REGARDING RENDERING OF BENGALI SONGS – RAFI SAHAB HAS SUNG A TOTAL OF 23 SONGS :
a) 12 BENGALI MODERN SONGS ;
b) 2 BENGALI FILM SONGS &
c) 9 NAZRUL GEETHI (BENGALI SONGS BY KAZI NAZRUL ISLAM )
BEST REGARDS/A.T.M. SALIM.
thnx binu ji, i wish u had more to say abt him
but i have jst one question, can anybody on earth answer dis question of mine. what ws RAFI? ws he really a human like us or some supernatural power? i dont know & i think none of u know. it remains a mystery. may b d answr lies only wid god & we shud ask god ke apne kis divine mitti se unhe banaya tha, definitely not wid d mitti jisse hum sabko banaya hai. rafi sahab aise farishte hai jinhone bine kuch kie apni awaaz se hi karishma kar dikhaya. unke bare mei sochte hi ankhen bhar aati hai, rongte khare ho jate hai, wo kya hai ye shayad hum kabhi samjh na paye, par jo bhi ho tum khuda ki kasam lahjawab ho. i love u rafi sahab
Well done Binu n ur hardworking team.
Dear Binu,
Great article, very informative in terms of Rafi’s over all ability as an artist.
a fine article. I was equally dejected during the 70’s when Rafi saheb went through a lean period and used to switch off the radio rather than listen to other songs. No other Indian singer has such a mesmerising effect on the listeners.
Great article, very informative, but yeh dil mange more.
dear kb
tell us some more about those recordings?
discussion ways?his singing style on mike etcc please.duets style along lata?
Good. I have attended so many of his recordings in 75-80 at FAMOUS CINELAB with Laxmikant Pyarelal. he always had a smile fixed on his face. Mastro Naushad sab says that a playback singer should have seven qualities, and he adds that Rafi possessed an eighth quality- He was a good humn being. I have sceen Kishore Kumar’s recordings also. For K.k, singing is profession, but for Rafi sab it was divine.
Gr8 work, Mr. Binu Nair!!
Keep it up!!
very informative very nice thanx binu nair ji
Abhinandanangal Sir!
Thanks Binu Nair ji,
Thank you for your narration of our beloved Rafi Saheb’s personality. You have spoken with sincereity and from the heart.
Regards,
thanx binu nir ji