The King of melody
This article is by Mr. Binu Nair. It has been published at http://www.screenindia.com/fullstory.php?content_id=15713
Even if belatedly, music lovers have now appealed to the government to honour Mohammed Rafi with the Bharat Ratna posthumously. A singer par excellence and a paragon of humility and piety, Rafi strode the musical landscape like a meteor, enchanting generations of music lovers and transcending geographical borders. The melody and vocals Mohd Rafi created, crafted and pioneered during his reign have withstood the test of Time. The mellifluous vocals rise like a glorious tide, caressing the soul with songs for every mood and occasion.
Mohammed Rafi has sung them all, with grace and unsurpassable elan - be it ghazals, bhajans, classicals, soft romantic numbers, bhangra, sad songs, duets, nazms, and high-pitched fast numbers.
THE EARLY YEARS
Mohd. Rafi was born to Haji Ali Mohammed and Allah Rakhi in Kotla Sultan Singh village, a town near Amritsar on December 24, 1924. A disciplinarian father disapproved of Rafi’s passion for singing but the child had the blessings of his mother, according to Rafi’s youngest son Shahid Rafi, now in the business of garment exports in Mumbai.
The story goes that as a young boy, Rafi used to hear a fakir passing by the house, ektara in hand, singing to glory. The young lad would follow the fakir, sit with him under a tree and hear him to his heart’s content. This mendicant was the first to plant the singing bug in young Rafi’s mind. The ubiquitous radio too played its part, Rafi being glued to it when not attending primary school. At 14, Rafi’s family moved to Lahore for good, where he discreetly trained under Ustad Barkat Ali Khan.
Music composer Shyam Sunder, impressed by the lad’s voice, gave Rafi his first break - a duet - in Gul Baloch. The song ‘Soniyo ni heeriyo ni teri yaad ne sataaya…’, was recorded in 1942 in Lahore and thus became his first recorded song. Composer Feroze Nizami duly got for young Rafi his first job - through Radio Lahore in 1943. Thereafter, along with elder brother Hamid (who helped Rafi get major singing assignments in the early struggling days) Rafi reached Mumbai.
The brothers took up a ten-by-ten-feet room in the crowded downtown Bhendi Bazar area. Probably, to make ends meet Rafi also faced the camera in two movies, but his heart was set on singing. Long hours of early morning riyaaz mainly at the Chowpatty sea-face followed. As destiny would ordain, Shyam Sunder was now in Mumbai and again provided an opportunity to Rafi - who got to sing a duet with GM Durrani, ‘Aji dil ho qaabu mein to dildar ki aisi taisi…’, for Gaon Ki Gori, which became Rafi’s first recorded song in a Hindi film. Rafi’s stars were looking up now. National recognition soon came from the runaway hit, composed by Firoz Nizami, ‘Yahaan badla wafa ka…’ with Noorjehan, then reigning queen of Hindi playback singing for Jugnu. Many other popular songs followed and music composers were now convinced of Rafi’s phenomenal voice range.
In 1948, after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, the team of Husanlal Bhagatram-Rajendra Krishan-Rafi had overnight created the immortal song ‘Suno suno ae duniyawalon, Bapuji ki amar kahani…’, which became a national rage. Mohd Rafi became a household name.
It was perhaps Baiju Bawra (1952) that brought real fame to Rafi and riches never even dreamt ever by this God-fearing lad who was on his way to becoming India’s topmost singer. ‘Man tadpat Hari darshan ko…’, ‘O’ duniya ke rakhwale…’, ‘Tu Ganga ki mauj…’ all became chartbusters. It heralded the era of the Naushad-Shakeel-Rafi team the musical works of which later reflected young India’s dream of a ‘secular and noble’ India.
THE SINGER AND THE MAN:
The then-Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru while viewing Baiju Bawra, enquired about the singer of the devotional songs from his secretary. When the PM was told it was a singer by the name of Mohd. Rafi, he was invited to dinner with the PM himself. Rafi was duly honoured and hugged for his singing feat by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. He was all of 28 years then and thus started the annual visit to the PM’s house and the tradition of singing for Prime Minister Nehru and several dignitaries.
Naushad, Shankar-Jaikishan, O.P. Nayyar, C.Ramachandra, Hemant Kumar and Ravi now began composing great numbers suited to Rafi’s vocal range. Rafi’s clear rendition, perfect sur and bhaav, unparallelled expression and impeccable diction placed him way above the other singers of his time.
However, despite fame and adulation, Rafi’s life and routine remained unaltered. The recording room-to-home itinerary never changed. No film parties, no vices, retiring at 9 pm and doing riyaaz from 4 to 7 in the morning were some strict norms laid by the maestro for himself. The only ‘luxuries’ Rafi indulged in and looked forward to were sports like carrom, badminton and flying kites along with family members and close friends.
Rafi became quite adept in singing in languages like Marathi, Kannada, Konkani, Bengali, Punjabi, Gujarati and English. He would rehearse for days before each recording - driving perfection into the numbers.
When Aradhana happened (and Kishore came in due to the advent of R.D.Burman as its associate music director and later hit centerstage), a section of music composers wasted little time in prophesizing the end of the road for Rafi and his salability as a playback singer. This hurt the gentle Rafi no end. Believing this to some extent, he thought of retiring and settling down with his sons in London. But Naushad, Rafi’s mentor and friend, urged Rafi to stay on and not run away from the scene as - he had considerable talent to face the heat of the times.
At this stage, composer duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal was in top creative form and not getting typecast in a specific musical mould like R.D. Burman. LP also did not forget Rafi’s huge role in their success in Parasmani, Dosti and many other films and his support when they were making their transition from assistants to music composers.
In due course, Rafi regained his confidence and once again was on top reckoning form with hit numbers from films like Amar Akbar Anthony, Hum Kisise Kum Naheen, Sargam and many others.
A teetotaler and family man to the core, Rafi is the shining example of a singer who lit the way and blazed the trail for numerous aspiring singers from Mahendra Kapoor to Anwar and Shabbir Kumar down to Sonu Nigam. Mahendra Kapoor was his disciple and both shared a guru-shishya relationship till the very end.
Rafi came from a family where humility was equated with worshipping the divine. He had a lovable nature, no enemies and perennial humility.
Help would often go to artistes fallen on bad times - without the world knowing of it. He sang more for the song than for the money - the money would come later or never from struggling producers - but satisfaction always arrived at his doorstep. He would often waive his singing fees from debutant composers with no resources - charging one rupee as a token for a song. If he liked a song he would waive his fees too, citing his satisfaction as his payment. Rafi was content with the remuneration he received for his recordings. He did not chase money like some other artistes of the day.
THE LIMITED HONOURS
Did the Indian government give due recognition to Mohd Rafi, asked a Bangladesh journalist in www.mohdrafi.com, a website dedicated to the legend. The Padma Shri was conferred on Rafi and a nondescript tiny marquee with the sign “Mohammed Rafi Chowk” stands on Mumbai’s arterial SV Road in Bandra, the suburb in which he lived. But Rafi’s biggest award perhaps is the place that he has carved in people’s heart in many corners of the world.
May 8th, 2007 at 11:47 pm
I agree cent percent with Mr. Rajkumar Akela.
May 8th, 2007 at 11:30 pm
On SUNDAY 13TH RAFI FANS ARE MEETING AT 6.00 P.M. AT
RAFI SAABS MAZHAR ( grave-site ) at Juhu - Santacruz… mumbai….
The purpose of the meeting is to chalk out the agenda
of RAFI MUSIC ACADEMY…..
Please contact me on : 9833 250 701 for details….
binu nair… binus2000@hotmail.com
May 8th, 2007 at 10:37 pm
Among all the singers of India RAFI SAAB was, in fact, the first one who really deserved BHARAT RATNA award. This is the time when we all fans of RAFI SAAB should raise voice to awaken Indian Government to honour RAFI SAAB with BHARAT RATNA award even after 27 years of his demise.
Anyone can contact me to talk on this topic.
My e-mail id is raajkumarakela@yahoo.com
Thanks friends.
-Raajkumar Akela
(BANGALORE)
May 8th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
Dear Binu,
Many thanks for such wonderfull article, really touched.
It makes one very happy from inside to learn more about the great Rafi Saab.
Venu
May 8th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
Rafi Saahab was the greatest, do not mix him with the crowd of singers, else he would be looked at with the same level as other singers.
Please do not bring him down from the highest pedastal.
India is proud to have a singer of His caliber as an ‘Indian’. the Bharat ratna award will be given to Lata, mukesh, kishore etc. who cannot be elevated to the same level as Rafi Saahab.
Rafi Saahab should be kept high above these singers, no doubt they are good, but He was the best, and we wont have another like Him. God just didnt feel like repeating this one great creation of his, lets keep it that way.
May 8th, 2007 at 11:31 am
Would like to have the following bhajans of Mohammad Rafi in my archives:
(1) O maati ke putle itna na kar tu guman …from film “Sheru” music Madan Mohan; (2) Jaan sake to jaan tere man me chupkar baithe …from film “Ustad” music O.P.Nayyar. Have these songs but the recording quality is not up to the mark. Can someone help me get these 2 evergreen bhajans of Rafi saab please? Thanks….Balan V.Iyer
May 8th, 2007 at 1:09 am
sir,
bhgwan.allha ke baadchild call maa & sing call rafi ji.
jab tak chand aur suraj rehe gaa rafi ji ka naam rehe gaa.
canada
1-905-305-8191
May 8th, 2007 at 12:47 am
Dear mr. Binu Nair.
Many thanks for you article obout Rafi Saheb. Indeed, I believe that even without the “So Called Ratna’s” Rafi Saheb is alive in the hearts of his fans all over the world.
It makes me very happy when I read such a great article about Rafi Saheb.
God Bless you mr. Nair.
Mr. A.Piroe
May 7th, 2007 at 11:10 pm
Thanks Shashank all Rafi Lovers…..
Thanks for responding to above article, which is a labour of love for the songing
wizard - Mohd Rafi.
Can I get some good photographs , anecdotes, news items , personal experiences with
ref: to Mohd Rafi Saab - from the admin and Rafi lovers…?
pl. reach me : binus2000@hotmail.com or on cell : 0091 - 9833 250 701.
I live in Mumbai and I wish to interact wiith Rafi saab Lovers in the city.
M y personal thanks to friends who sent me excellent messages for Rafi saab
from many towns and cities.
binu nair…..
May 7th, 2007 at 10:20 pm
Needless to say, the range of Mohammad Rafi’s versatility cuts across all fields. Whether it was the ghazal, bhajan, qawwali, romantic song or sad rendition no singer on the Indian film firmament ever came close to his range and depth. His voice modulation has been so impactful that a listener could at once figure out the actor for whom Rafi was lending his voice. About Rafi as a person, one just needs to recall the difference of opinion he had with Lata Mangeshkar on the royalty issue and even in this it was Rafi who came out unscathed. Singers like Rafi are born once in a generation and it has been my proud privilege of being associated with a generation that produced a genius like Rafi. It is high time this great musician is honoured with a Bharat Ratna and truly he would be deserving this award more than most of the earlier awardees.
Balan V.Iyer
May 7th, 2007 at 9:57 pm
hi, can you please upload 2 songs for me 1, is duet from film birha ki raat, song chota sa fasana. the 2 is solo from film raakh aur chingari,song ye anjaan rahein.plz upload either way by direct email or on this page.
thanks.
khanny
May 7th, 2007 at 9:34 pm
Hi
Thanks for the artice. Rafi Saab is the only playback singer who is rememberd for his songs despite the so called marketing and promotion that some graet singers are doing. Let us call him “Bharat Ka Ratana” instead of ” Bharat Ratna”.
I have some live recordings of Rafi Saab but now I am in Dubai. I will definately send the clips after getting the VHS tapes from india.
May 7th, 2007 at 5:58 pm
Fantastic article Mr.Nair, several details not known to many of us on Rafi’s earlier years and also his private life were covered. We are all with you in the onerous task that you have set upon and any help that we can will be too little for such a great personality. We are also collecting the names, addresses, email ids and contact phone numbers of several of Mohd. Rafi fans here in Hyderabad and I shall mail them to Mr. P. Narayanan and to you shortly. Keep the flag high always.
May 7th, 2007 at 5:04 pm
Dear Binu,
fantastic article. truly u have very well echoed the sentiments of all music lovers across the globe.
great job.
Dear music lovers and fans,
To start with we are compiling list of all Rafi lovers comprising of their names, email id,mobile numbers,place of origin,profession etc so that every dedicated member can bring in minimum say 50 signaturies for the following 1) To honour Rafi sahab the highest civilian award of India and then other countries. 2) To install one important and prestigous award in the name of Rafi Sahab which can be national,filmfare,screen,star tv,or from the state govt of Punjab n Maharastra.
This will be the major responsibilty of the Rafi Music academy at various places.
Pl be in touch with me at bangaloreconsultancy@hotmail.com or mob 09886779557.
WE ARE EXTREMELY THANKFUL FOR THIS WEBSITE FOR HELPIN US VOICE OUR POSITIVE OPINION.
p.narayanan
May 7th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
Dear Binu Nair,
Last 15 yrs i am collecting Mohdrafi’s photos and articles, but i was thinking how to look mohdrafi live in concert. he is no more but can watch in the video itself. thank u for giving to see him in the net itself.
shashank.
May 6th, 2007 at 8:55 pm
Does anyone visiting this site possess a video recording collection of Rafi Saab’s stage programmes or recordings? I have been hunting for such collections but I have never been able to locate anything. can anyone help me out please? I can be reached on saif_1962@yahoo.com
Thanks
Saifullah
May 6th, 2007 at 8:53 pm
Dear Mr Binu Nair,
Th re is no one more deserving that our Rafi Saab to be honoured with The Bharat Ratna. He is a shining example of how one’s sweet voice enthralls millions even 26 years after he left this world.
His contribtution to Hindi Cinema and Indian Cinema is so deep and immense that he deserves to be honoured with this award.
I personally would do all that I can to help all of you to see that our Rafi Saab is rightly honoured.
Saifullah
May 6th, 2007 at 12:41 am
mr binu thanks for this article
May 5th, 2007 at 5:44 pm
Dear Mohd Rafi fans from Bangladesh and Pakistan,
I hope that u all try that mohd Rafi get u r country highest award or make a new award called Indai pakistan and Bangladesh award only give to great human as mohd Rafi was who helpped many unknow names,I think Bharat Ranta is so cheap for singer like Mohd Rafi becaue human like Lata ji had this award..
May 5th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
mr binu thanks for this article i request you to translate the article about rafi saab when he sang for wedding reception at cochin in 1958 this article in malayalam it was published in malayala manorama cochin editien last year with a photograph of rafi saab singing
May 5th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
It is believed many politicians are themselves die hard fans of Rafi. Atal Behari Vajpayee is one of them. He had given an excellent tribute during Naushad’s death.
May 5th, 2007 at 9:19 am
Mehtab ji and all rafi saab lovers:
We will all approach the govt this time to award the Bharat Ratna to Rafi Saab .
If there is a will, there is a way; and we will s u c c e e d .
binu nair binus2000@hotmail.com
May 5th, 2007 at 6:09 am
I think with so many fan around the world Mohd. Rafi is best contender to recieve the Bharat Ratna Award… not jus for the fan but for his contribution to Indian Cinema and Indian music. which wud be incomplete without such great singer. he is uncomparable and geatest singer of all time.
May 5th, 2007 at 1:53 am
Respected Nair Sahib,
I read this article in the Screen. It is a beautiful & distinctive contribution. You and the Screen both are entitled to have the best compliments. Such efforts are really appreciable. Rafi sahib was/is such an institution that hundreds of epics can be written upon his every single song. He deserves Bharat Ratan, I am agreed with Mr. Hussein Sheikh with millions of fans of Rafi Sahib. Mr. Anmol Singh, Mr. P. Narayanan (Banglore), Mr. Ashish Kapoor, Er. Mohan Flora and at least a dozen other dedicated fans of Rafi sahib are active in India and abroad. All of them should unite to proceed for the Bharat Ratna to be conferred to Rafi Sahib. Political will is required for the same. We should write to the President, Prime Minister & other dignitaries of our country. Everything will be OK.
–MEHTAB, Chandigarh (India) +919815703226, E-Mail : mehtabmasih@yahoo.co.in
May 5th, 2007 at 1:00 am
“The king of Melody”, a very nice title for Rafi Saheb. Nice article Mr. Nair, let me tell you the words that ‘’fakir'’ used to sing - “khedan de ni chhar ne maai.. khedan de din chaar…” and Rafi Saheb (then a lad) used to follow the fakir wherever he go! Our Govt. should now realize to honour the great Rafi Saheb with Bharat Ratna without any further delay.
{Hussein Sheikh, Burundi, Central Africa} hussssssein@yahoo.com