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 20th, 2007 at 2:18 am
dEAR NARAYANA,
KINDLY BOOK ME 10 COPIES OF THE MAGAZINE. I HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS WHO DO NOT HAVE INTERNET CONNECTION, BUT THEY ARE TRUE FANS OF RAFI SAAB. i WANT TO SEND THEM THESE COPIES. AND IS IT POSSIBLE IF I SEND THEIR POSTAL ADDRESS TO YOU AND YOU PLEASE POST THEM A COPY EACH ?
MUMBAI RAFIANS, I SALUTE YOU !
MY SINCERE GOODWISHES TO ONE AND ALL.
-RAAJKUMAR AKELA
May 20th, 2007 at 12:53 am
DEAR RAFI SAAB LOVERS ( RAFIANS )
RAFIANS IN mumbai are bringing out a RAFI SPECIAL magazine
on July 31st which will be distributed to all music lovers in the
country and abroad.
Music lovers and music groups please e.mail and book their copies
and also advertise. The current print order is 5000 copies. Price rs.20
only; in India with postage.
The publication will be : bi monthly with leading contributors writing
on vintage music and on rafi saabs works.
Do get in touch :
binu nair binus2000@hotmail.com ( for Mumbai & west India )
Narayan : bangaloreconsultancy@hotmail.com ( for south india )
May 16th, 2007 at 6:29 pm
every one from saigal to shaan are best at theire own,
but nobody is as versatile as Mohd.Rafi who could sing a song from ashok kumar era in late 50s to un known artist of late 80s without ego,with same devotion , so we can say him king or sahensha or emperor whatever but it is of no use,he is no more but if we are true fan than listen every day some of his song and give him homage silently.
May 16th, 2007 at 4:18 pm
I can not agree with the title “king of melody” for Rafi Saab. Actually kings of melody were K.L. Sahgal, Manna Dey, Mukesh, Kishor Kumar etc. etc… Rafi Saab was the EMPEROR OF MELODY. Kings rule under an emperor. And no doubt Rafi Saab was the Emperor of Melody.
So simple personality yet great human being.
Rafi Saab, aapko lakh lakh salam !
-Raajkumar Akela
May 15th, 2007 at 6:02 pm
one has not forget some of the last songs of rafijis Like :-
Darde dil darde jigar - Karz - LAXMI PYARE
AAp to aisena the - Hum is tarah se - USHA KHANNA
l LAILA MAJNU - ALL SONGS - Madan mohan
Aasha - ‘ ‘ ‘ L.P
apnapan ‘ ‘
Pratigya LP
May 15th, 2007 at 10:29 am
dear music lovers especially pearl,
All I said in my blog comment if u have the time to read properly that Panchamda and Rafi Sahabs combination was also a masterpiece but unfortunately he got carried away which resulted in the decreasing films for him as compared to LP. This I can vouch for as we firends used to count the MDs with number of films during the late 70s to post 80s.
Panchamda is revered as a modern as well as classic wizard and Rafi Sahab as an Emperor all rounder wherein the former could have made more songs for the evergreen legend Rafi Sahab.
But anyway this disadvantage was well capitalised by the two maverick Rafi Bakths LP.
May 13th, 2007 at 4:02 pm
Very well said ALOK…….
May 11th, 2007 at 5:40 pm
hey whats this all about rafi, kishore, burman and all. No one can decline that RAFI IS the greatest . leave alone his singing even the melody in the voice can anyone in the world match it just listen to HIS songs in lone and you will know urself whats RAFI and why we love him……
May 11th, 2007 at 4:34 pm
as rafi saab and kishore da were healthy competiters and also great friends i feel we fans should also maintaine our relationship we can compare the song they have sang we should not insult each other we should respect each other
May 11th, 2007 at 8:43 am
What is all this fuss about who is greater? In fact, during 70s, I admit I was not very much enamoured of KK, as I always thought he was less talented than other Singers. Perhaps, that was due to the fcat that he had to compete with other great Singers like Hemant, Talat, Mahendra, Mukesh, Mannadey and of course, the peerless Rafi. But now after listening to all these songs of 80s, 90s and recent songs and now when I listen to KK, I realise how great a singer he was. There is no doubt that Rafi was head and shoulder above all these Singers, but let us not forget that the others Singers also kept us enthralled with their music from 40s to 70s. Also, in this web site, let us appreciate the greatness of Rafiji in his various facets, but let us not degarde other Singers especially by using foul language and that too of peole who are no more with us. This sort of bashing even Rafi Saab would not have approved. So friends, let us comment positively and avoid negative comments.
May 11th, 2007 at 5:41 am
Rafi is a male name used among Muslims and Jews. The word Rafi is of Arabic origin, and its meaning is “holding high” or “servant of the exalted one”. Common variants include “Rafik”, “Rafee”, “Raffi …
May 10th, 2007 at 10:38 pm
Dear Parvez
U are right to a great extent. RAFI SAAB and Kishore Kumar
had a very cordial relationship.
Both are incomparable : and you know who is the master and the
legend of legends in playback singing , in humality and in daily life.
I hold KK in great esteem: a very natural singer.
The fans should not quarrel as to who is greater between the two. We
ought to enjoy the great songs these great artistes has left for us.
And respect all the great artistes…. of our times…..
binu nair
May 10th, 2007 at 7:20 pm
THANK YOU VERY MUCH MR. BINU NAIR AND MOHD RAFI.COM FOR THIS FINE AND DESCRIPTIVE ARTICLE !
May 10th, 2007 at 1:22 am
dear pearl
I pity your thinking, your concealed imaginations, prejudices, crass
words - which you often use in this site.
You cant distort facts and truths by using unsubstantiated
innenduos. getting excited by opinions of contributors
is a dangerous mental trait sir.
Please also do not wage a needless battle for a lost cause; it is futile
as it will also cause you hypertension - it is felt.
May 9th, 2007 at 11:45 pm
great article nairsaab-enjoyed reading it—keep up the good work and look forward to ur “rafisaabs pictorial biography”.
mohd rafi will always remain the number 1 singer no matter what anyone has to say.Not only was he a talent to reckon with but also a great human being.
I now have a massive collection of rafisaabs songs and many rare stuff.I have songs sung in different languages ,nonfilmi bhajans,ghazals and islamic quawallies.
I request all rafians to please pass out their collection to me and vice versa so as to increase the collection.My email Id is monty_ch2005@yahoo.com and my phone number is 09994146695
May 9th, 2007 at 8:06 pm
Useless to fight, fact is KK had mostly 3rd class songs in the 80s…… he can’t be compared to the legend Rafi Saheb………..
May 9th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
i feel that rafisaabs lean phase was not because of any lobby or because of rd burman rafisaab himselef stayed back from film industry rafi saab was busy with stage programs in us uk westindies as far as i know he has very close relation ship with kishore da they were like brothers kishore paid tribute to rafi saab when he performed in cochin he came here with amit kumar leena chandavarkar show organasied by legendery singer yesudas this was around 20 years back
May 9th, 2007 at 6:44 pm
Mr. P. Narayanan,
My frustation ? come one, give me a break. Don’t fool around or try to be
over smart. I know some facts are true, but I am saying how some authors
incorporate them. Even it is a fact, you need not mention and use the same
pattern to show the fact. I mean out 150 posts you will find 120 posts where
concept is all the same. Let me put it in numbers,
1. A lobby against Rafi
2. Kishore became Kishore because of Pancham who topped the chart
because of Rafi never used him later, so critise Pancham
3. Kishore is no match to Rafi (I mean you guys shout it 150 times)
It’s few movies where he sang well, given it to Rafi those songs would
have become eternal classic.
4. Pancham and Kishore combo is the dark phase of Indian Music.
These are the 4 points you have, now you represent it the way you want.
I know what opinions you hold, what thinking you have and what motive
you have.
As I said, facts are facts, they need not be said in this way in each and
every post. That shows you hate Kishore Kumar especially, That I can
see one of the poster’s msg where he said some bad words against
Kishore. You guys were so nice and cool at that time. Simple logic,
you and admin support him and you want creat a thinking that a lobby
was against Rafi and due to this the ordinary singer Kishore got the due
but not Rafi.
You can’t change the world by your sick motivations. This proves again
that you are the one who is frustated and so you post such things
not the one who request you not critise other Artists.
Now when I request you, see how smart you are. you said “we are just
posting the truth. They are sure great, but this is the truth”. Againt, in
next post you use your stupid way of representation.
Just stop this non sense business. Where is the admin ? I think he is the one
who motivates others to write againt these artists.
Really, I feel pitty for you guys.
May 9th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
Dear Pearl:
We n e v e r say r.d.burman or kishore kumar were not masters
of their trade. They were true and great artists. When someone states
facts please do no get agitated. One cannot change facts and truths
how much ever you may wish…..
May 9th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
No point in going on and on on the subject, I feel. Kishore too was a very great singer just like many others of that era. But on let us stick to the virtues of these great singers instead of petty talk on other matters and leave Mohdrafi.com just to Mohd. Rafi and his songs. Thanks.
May 9th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
Dear Pearl,
Kindly do not vent ur frustrations on a well analysed article. the writer in this article has not bashed anyone but truthfully has brought facts during that period.
Yes it is true fact that Rafi dominated the proceedings form the late 40s to the 69 the year and subsequently rose like a phoenix from the 77 till he unfortunately departed in the 80.
yes it is also a fact that Rafi had the best of professional relationship with senior SD Burman da in the success of evergreenhits of Navkethan films and the senior Burman da has openly acknowledged the Rafi magic in the best of the films viz Pyaasa,Guide,Kagaz Ke Phool and Kalapani to name a few from this combo.
RD Burman intially started with a bang where only Rafi played an important role in the success but after the Rajesh Khanna era he did not use Rafi for any major films except Nasser Hussains banner. Other films where he used Rafi were Shaan,Phandebaaz,Burning Train after ignoring the legend. To the extent many music lovers were surprised that Manna da was used for Dharmendra in Seeta aur Geetha and Sholay. Manna da is no doubt a great singer but his voice at a later stage suited to character star like Pran.
In that period LP never lost an opportunity to use their favourite Rafi with more success during the 70s. This also resulted in loss of banners for RD Burman and the ratio was 25LP films to 1RD films.
Hence please view the whole analysis in the right perspective. I will also go one step to voice my opinion that RD Burman Rafi combo was also the best forming the hits of Teesri Manzil,Pyar Ka Mausam,Chote Nawab,Caravan,Yaadon ki Baraat,Hum Kisise Kum nahin,Adhikar,Kala Sona,Mela,etc…… but this list could have been richer like the SJ,LP,OPN,MadanMohan,Roshan,Ravi,SDB,Naushad,Chitragupt…..
Regards,
P.Narayanan
May 9th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
I am not cribing Mr. Binus, you have your own opinion but you are cribing abut it.
I am just saying don’t cribe too much, each and every time. It kills the joy.
Lobby against Rafi ? he was so great and humble, who were the people tell me.
Pancham or Kishore or Directors or Producers ? Everybody loved him so much.
Just one fact I know, when Kishore started rising, Directors and Producers would make
sure If there is at least one song of Kishore in the entire album. You think it’s a lobby
aginst Rafi ? or you think just popularity of Kishore ? if you think it’s former then you are
the problem.
You hate them because in 70s despite of the fact that SJ, LP, Madan Mohan, Rafi,
Kishore managed to shine like a true legend. Everybody contributed to Kishore not
only Burmans. But as Pancham took more credit you guys got a chance to critise
them because other at that time couldn’t top the chart. So poor you are.
Rafi is lucky, he doesn’t the attitude of his so called fans, otherwise he must have felt
bad. But so great he is, I feel I love him but still managed not to critise others.
Learn something.
May 9th, 2007 at 2:02 pm
true pearl….
We all have our righ to our opinion as much as you have it.
Facts, truth and opinions are there to stay how-much-ever
you may dislike it or want to change it….
the L P Rafi team always gave rich and varied songs after
Shankar Jaikishans tenure ended. R.D. burman had to take
rafi’s voice once again due to market reasons and public demand
after few years of typecasting with Kishore Kumar resulted in his
movies failing at the hustings.Writers say that r.d.burman also
slashed his rates then.
These are facts.
There was alsoa powerful lobby working against Rafi saab after
1972;insiders will confirm it .But quality is never an accident - Pearl.
Rafi saab came back and his songs were once again on top
from 78 onwards until his sudden departure from the scene.
Opinions will differ and let me have mine: you could have yours;
we do not crib about it..
binu nair
May 9th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
See again, they have bashed R.D. Burman. Somehow or other they find a
way to mention this particular movie named “Aradhana”, Kishore Kumar
and R.D. Burman. I don’t understand what the hell they think each time
they write such a nice article and behave like a killjoy by including these
names and people. Is it only Pancham because of whom Kishore got the
top position ? is it only aradhana ? or you say it because Pancham did the
final recording who you sure hate. Really, very strange kind of people you
are, again you call yourself a Rafian and a Music lover.
I am sure you hate Burman and Kishore because they somehow managed
to overshadow other Combos like Shankar-Jaikshen and Rafi and
LP and Rafi. Am I wrong ? you are not able to tolerate this and find some
way to bash these people. Keep going, I know you guys will never change
your attitude.
May 9th, 2007 at 3:04 am
a very nice title for Rafi Saheb. Nice article Mr. Nair,