Saturday Night Fever - A Shower of Rafi Melodies
This article is written by Mr. Binu Nair.
ON MARCH 8TH, Rafi singers “sizzled” and Rafi lovers lapped up the magical Rafi melodies at Mumbai’s Naushad Hall located at Koliwada, Sion. Nostalgia and mirth was high in the air on the cool Saturday week-end evening as singers after singers belted out rare, popular numbers from the by-gone golden era of hindi film music. Nanjibhai Bahadur the 87 year seniormost musician and singer who worked alongwith Rafi and Saighal played some very rare music pieces played by him in the original recordings some 60 years back. His zest for singing was in sight too as he sang two Rafi numbers working on the harmonia and delighting the packed audience.
Timeless and soulful numbers such as Caravan Gujar Gayee, Mana Tadpat Hari, Jahan Daal Daal Per Sone Ke, Na Jathko Zulf Se Paani, Aana Hai To Aa, Subah Na Aaee Shaam Na Aayee were rendered and the chorus of “encore” was heard many a times from the assembled music lovers.
M/s. Noorie by singing Aane Se Uske Aaaye Bhahar heralded a novel trend at the Naushad Hall - that of female singers among Rafi Lovers singing Rafi songs and tributing the farishta singer.
Mr.Shirish Kulkarni presenting the Mohd Rafi framed Picture sketched by Sonali to Rafi Foundation members. Binu Nair, Kakaji Naushad, Salim and Parmar - at Naushad Hall
After Noorie, it was the turn of SYED MOBIN, the ACP (crime) to shed his official colour and demonstrate his artistic calibre - that of a unique singer and a gifted flautist. Mr.Mobin welcomed the guest in his chaste hindi/urdu and duly honoured the Seniormost woman of the audience since it was the International Women’s Day.
March 8th is also the birthday of Sahir Ludhianvi and Mr.Mobin played the tune of Jo Waada Kiya Woh Nibaana Padega on the flute to the delight of the audience. Oh Nanhe Se Farishte, Kehdo Koyi Na Kare Yahan Pyaar, Subah Na Aayee Shaam Na Aaye, Mathalab Nikal Gaya Hai To … were some of the other gems from the genial police officer for the evening.
Music teacher and singer spoke on how Rafi could sing any genre of songs and went on to sing the high pitched nationalistic number : Guroor Brahma, Guroor Vishnu, Guroor Devo, Maheshwara Jahan Daal Daal Par Sone Ke Chidiya Karti Hai Basera… pulling the audience in to rapt attention and then skilfully switching on to “Na Jhatko Zulf Se Paani“, Saaz Ho Tum, Aawaz Hoon Mai, attracting a whole lot of admirers to his style of singing.
Playbacki Singer Mohd.Aziz (Munna Azis) too turned up and sang the tribute number : Mohd Rafi Tu Bahut Yaad Aaya and said : ” I sing my songs for my bread but I sing Rafi songs for my inner happiness”. Munna Azis further said, how on a concert tour with Lataji, he sang twenty two songs of Rafi Saheb when Lataji had a sore throat at Hong Kong. The audience lapped up all of it and the organiser was very happy and said, Mohd Rafi Nahin Hai To Itna Popular Hai…. Agar Abhi Hamare Saath Hota Toh Kya Hota?……..
Singer Mohd Aziz crooning the number - Mohd Rafi Tu Bahut Yaad Aaya - at Naushad Hall
A notable part of the evening was the presentation of two great pictures of Mohd Rafi Saaheb to Rafi Foundation by Rafi lovers Mr.Shirish Kulkarni and Mr.Shabhir Jetpurwala. Rafi Foundation will have such Musicals every SECOND SATURDAY OF THE MONTH and the next programme is on 12th April at the same Naushad Hall from 6.30 p.m. onwards.
Photos from the event:
April 14th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
i am diehard fan of mohammad rafi. i want to comment on one thing in the website that there is too many negative reactions of the fans itself, due to that i want to send some photos which i have another thought whether i wish to send it or no. Mohdrafi website is very good and remarkably made. but there is some things we should take it very seriously is the comments. the comments should not be approved against any fans which can get negative thoughts in their minds. I feel good things we should think.
April 12th, 2008 at 9:21 am
shashank my friend : i too wish to see your name in print
numerous times; but pls write sense and only about
rafi ji and music personalities : for the present.
it would sound pleasant.
thanks,
binu nair.
April 11th, 2008 at 9:11 am
Really I am lucky to be one of the rafian fan. Thanks to the Pradeepji (administrator of the website), Binuji (founder), Murtyji, Shirishji and other fans from your kind support to me to contribute some of the photos/articles infront of you all. And also i will contribute whatever i have to all the sites for myside and will support the rafi foundation forever.
thanks
April 10th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
i find the recent spate of comments on one another by rafi-lovers is not in the good taste at all. friends, we are hear to express our opinion on rafi sahab primarily and on his qualities, his singing style, his magnanimous approach towards all in the film industry and outside, etc. we should all learn from his virtues in the first place to be eligible to be called as ‘rafians’. we are all from that section of our society which has gained a lot knowing rafi sahab from the closest quarters. various masterpieces of articles have been posted on these pages and much more qualitative comments and views have been expressed by very learned ‘rafians’ and music lovers alike. we should consider ourselves as very lucky to be from that section which boasts of the highest standards of civil society and take to newer heights by our farsightedness, clean approach and impeccable behaviour, both off the website and on it. our behaviour is the true reflection of our character and we alone are responsible for carrying it in esteem. our actions speak more than seem to do for now. good comments, not necessarily praising one another, will spread as much fragrance and will remain fresh ever. on the contrary negative comments will cause readers to scorn. we may be impulsive and post comments in a rush of blood. the so called anger or irritation will vanish in a couple of weeks time, but the mudslinging done under its influence will remain on these pages for a long long time. any amount of repentance or penance at a later date will not wash away these words of bad blood. every one of us has a point of view on almost anything said or done. yes we are free to express them too. we must confine ourselves to a self drawn boundary of decency beyond which one must not transgress. many good rafians are doing a lot of good work. they do it out of their passion for rafi sahab. they would not be able to gain anything substantial except goodwill from co-rafians and other music lovers. if we cannot appreciate their point of view it is still ok. we can simply ignore their deeds. if we like their kind of words, we can post our appreciation or even then keep silent. let us continue to be inspired by rafi sahab’s ideals and his songs, is it not ?? “nazar woh jo dushman pe bhi meherbaan ho, zubaan jo muhobbat ki daastaan ho” should be the dictum to follow. rafi-fans should be graded as the most cultured group and we should be the envy of the others by our spotless behaviour, knowledgeable write-ups and well researched commentary. there are thousands of groups on the website that indulge in all kinds of indecent chatting and e-exchange of views. for us that is a distant world we do not want to travel to. we have only one object and one subject - which is rafi sahab. if we cannot adhere to basic and cultured norms, why be on these pages at all ?? i have no business to give any advise and hence only post my views as they come to mind. as soon as i get tired of these ‘war of words comments’, i prefer to browse through other topics available on this website and get solace from what i read. still better, i do not post any comment of my own if a subject is drifting away from either the article in question or is dropping to personal levels. i prefer to stick to the essence of the articles and the related matters only. i am sure this will be the order for most of us and this will enhance the quality of our activities on this website.
rafimurty@gmail.com asmurty2@rediffmail.com
April 10th, 2008 at 8:19 am
I request Shirishji as a friend can u contribute any article/photo which u have collected from your side coz we have discussed and also someone have given the comment on this basis that in dharwad there is a procession of rafisahab for his death anniversary. Have u done anythng about it. I am from Dharwad, but can u contribute somethng about in this site so the rafian fans can know detailly from u. So, the comments u have given is very easy, but try to contribute for this great legend and then see how much u will be happy that we respect so much for this legend. Plz. dont write any article which u have not seen clearly in this site and also dont say anything to the administrator about it. whtever he have done it is correct and for a long time i was just thnking and also shared with my friends and a close friend from goa. You are not the one of rafian fan we all are there. So, contribute something for this great legend. We fans will wait for ur contribution now. In future dont comment/insult any rafian fans before knowing anythng where millions of fans contribute somethng tomorrow. I will be happy for this if u can send some photos/articles which u have collected not from others. ok. thanks.
shashank_72@rediffmail.com
April 9th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
thank u for the comments binuji. “Best of Luck” for the programme which I will miss this programme I feel coz i will no be available, but i will contribute the photos/articles in rafifoundation.com also. Dont worry. I am not confused, but happy that Mr.Pradeepji gave a chance to publish whatever i have collected. As u are my elder brother dont mistaken about this issues. Whatever u wanted from me i will help Mr.Binuji and Shirishji. I will thank all the Rafian fans for the appreciation. Thanks Murtyji as a father to me and else where Mr.Pradeepji, Heartly thanks to u.
bb
shashank_72@rediffmail.com
April 8th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Post 30 re : shashank ji are u confused????? vikas ji wrote not
about rafi foundation which is growing in leaps and bounds. i am in
touch soulfully with vikas ji and he was writing about another
organisation - not rafi foundation. this organisation “flaunted” their
photographs and forgot about rafi ji.
besides please note that i am getting “immune” to trifles and my
mission is more important. I hope u get it.
Ur verbal apologies are accepted and we are meeting on the 12th
shashank ji….
binu nair.
April 8th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
All, request your kind attention at http://www.mohdrafi.com/photos/ . The tribute and event photos have been moved to a dedicated album - Mohd Rafi Fans.
April 8th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Dont misunderstand me Binuji, Shirishji for this kind of issues. I have wrote a letter to the administrator to delete my photo from the site. its clear that this website is a parent site of rafisahab. So, i dont want any issues from that Binuji. I respect, but it does not mean that i should be pointed out for no reason. Plz. read wht Mr.Vikasji wrote to u and Plz. just clear it wht other fans needed from this site. Shashank is not one of them, i love and like ths sites and programes, but i contribute from my kind heart. But we should not mix rafisahab’s photo with our programme photos thats all. Its clear indication for all the fans. And Pradeepji i thanks for the rafian fans request. This is the fact, why coz Binuji i write good comments and i am positively thnking for this and i will support the foundation and site also. Just thnk from the other rafian fans also. I request Binuji and shirishji that this parent site should have 2 sections of photo gallery and nothing wrong has been done by me or the administrator. Just thnk from rafifoundation also, i will contribute whtever i have. So, dont feel bad wht i have written. Just read wht Mr.Vikasji or others written to u. I also felt bad when somebody write somethng to u. I respect and support u/sites also.
shashank_72@rediffmail.com
April 8th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Knowing Shashank personally, i was a bit disappointed with his letter. He was present during that programme. He knows all the photos were of singers who performed that day. The other photo was that of presentation of Rafi Sahab’s portrait, which is displayed quite prominently. Then where is the scope for any grouse?. I also feel that the administrator acted in haste in removing all the photograps of the programme based on a flimsy request.
Shirish Kulkarni
April 7th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
Re: Post 26 : advice to pradip ji…
shashank ji, are u telling the administrator to publish only your
photographs along with rafi ji’s………
please come clear…
binu nair, mumbai
April 6th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
shashank ji : ur message is very much unclear and i have been seeing
ur pictures in 2 websites. I s it right to put ur pictures and not put
rafi lovers pictures…. are u trying to tell this..???????
May i tell u that rafi ji loves his fans and i have seen the great man
observing his fans “very very keenly” at mumbai’s shanmukhananda
hall.
rafi ji’s family members too love rafi fans and i have experienced it.
it will be nice to enjoy our music and stop advising others what to do
or not to do….
binu..
April 5th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
pradeepji,
I request as a rafian fan, plz publish only rafisahab’s photos who is contributing with a great way. There is some mails to me where some of them with me not happy, only publishng program photos not rafisahab’s photos. there is millions of people browse ths website how they will find. i am one of them when i asked my close friend to browse, he just commented to me where is rafisahab photos there only fans photos. so awkward remark from them. Plz. keep it clean. Only rafi’s photos should be published from the rafian fans now. when we are contributing to such an great playback, kuch tho respect dijiye rafisahab ko. plz. dont do ths thngs. we want all the fans photos should be deleted and plz publish in other sites. thank u
shashank_72@rediffmail.com