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.
April 8th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
My name is Jairaj Singh, I am a radio talk show host and journalist based in Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies ( land of Brian Lara ).
I am also a singer and I have always fely very unworthy to sing the songs of the great Rafi Sahab…I idolize Mohammed Rafi and I do not feel that there will be another Mohammed Rafi for the next 5000 years.
Rafi Fans can communicate with me through email. My adress is -
jairajgsingh@hotmail.com
with best regards
Jairaj Singh.
April 1st, 2008 at 9:41 pm
more than 27 years still at the top that is the award from unknow power.we we speak about flim fare award we say that ONLY Mohd Rafi got 6 award because we know that 6 so less for some one like Mohd rafi
when Mohd Rafi singed for mr Big B in flim Naseeb mr big b said that Mohd rafi voice so fit with his style and we know after 1980’s Mr B big used Mohd Aziz and Shabbir Kummar in the place of KK,mohd rafi singer around 16 songs for Big B if u listen to the songs I think the best romantic song was singed by Mohd rafi for Big b,If we speak about KK songs on Big B we will see mostly flim made songs hit and songs made flim hit.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
the teri ada songs are delayed indefinitely rafi lovers.
when i asked narayani music personnel , they say : next month
and this next month is “not arriving”.
hence i have lost all hopes of getting the songs of teri ada the
latest songs of rafi saaheb.
binu nair.
March 1st, 2008 at 9:49 am
jealousy and want are 2 of most destructive elements for human
beings and when industry music wallahs tell me how some of
senior singers bad-mouth rafi saaheb i go into a rage mode .
i am referring to the statement of a female singer : who says
that rafi saaheb is the most be-suraa singer of the hfm.
this singer wants us to believe that all composers who used rafi
ji since 1945 to 80 July are blatant-ly incompetent . i wish to state
that she may be utterly jealous to see rafi jis popularity and may
want the “new generation” to know that her composer cum besura
singer and third husband is the ” sweetest voice ” of the hindi
music industry….
*******************************************************
accidentally , i was going through the site of a female singer, who
recently got the padmavibushan award from the govt…
there are few articles and the responses show the popularity of
this singer… , only one or two responses…….
one may see the responses and articles garnered by rafi ji lovers
and understand why this lady is spitting fire on a saint such as
mohd rafi saaheb.
binu nair.. mumbai.
February 26th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
A get to gether in mumbai of rafi lovers on March 8 with a live
musical songs of the legend most of them rare numbers.
the rafi foundation will organise “music evenings” every second
saturday of the month in the evening at naushad hall situated
in king circle near the canara bank and the sikh golden temple.
budding singers will get an opportunity to sing rafi songs.
kindly contact me for the invitation and confirmation at
9833 250 701.
binu nair…
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:49 am
Though sad ,I am very much fond of the song ” Oh Door Ka Muzaffir”.
I am a chip of the old block and sense very much about the evolution of the generations and the cults.
But when I think of those golden old days with no nonsense movies which I saw in the uncomfortable talkies,I can still smell that old fragrance lingering.
It is true that god has created musical gold mines in legends like Lata and Rafi
from where these pure carat songs born and remains immortal.
Happy to use this forum.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
long live rafi saahab… long live the music….
long live rafi lovers…….. let’s hear the magic
for we all have very less time …..”with all of us”…
binu nair.. the rafi foundation… mumbai…
February 16th, 2008 at 12:15 am
binuji,
did the rafi fan send you the two aradhana solos as of yet? can you ask him to email them to you? i would hope he has an electronic copy handy or quickly make one to back it up! thanks very much!
- Manish
February 1st, 2008 at 1:06 am
pradip ji..
as a rafi lover and the administrator u have the “most important
role” to seen that “outsiders” do not come in and spread slanders
and lies about rafi saab lovers who are trying to spread the magic
and pure joy of rafi saabs music to the rafi lovers and music lovers.
i am referring to the recent slanders about the rafi foundation from
rank outsiders who know “nothing of our - the rafi foundation”
binu nair. the rafi foundation… mumbai…
January 25th, 2008 at 9:17 am
manish ji… post 140…
for ‘prasad’ one has not to be greedy manish bhai…
yes , it’s on it’s way and the guy has promised me he has
found it.
let’s wish there is no ’slip’ between the cup and the lips. surely,
i will send it to yoou - sooonest.
i have not forgotten about the prasad….
binu nair… the rafi foundation.
January 25th, 2008 at 12:43 am
binu ji!
sorry to be greedy…any updates on the two aradhana solos?
January 15th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
I don’t think that these songs singed by Mohd Rafi Mere sapnon ki raani kab aayegi tu… and the second one is : ‘ Roop tera mastaana, pyaar mera diwana” because If it was singed by Mohd Rafi noway noway noway other than Mohd rafi can sing these songs batter.
we will wait and see…………………………if it is like that I can say only a child don’t know the prize of Gold but SD was not child maybe RD was…
January 4th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Rafi sahab could easily sing all the kishore songs much much better and much more deeply, infact of all the songs sung by all other singers for that matter. Let the world hear those two songs through Rafi’s voice. I am waiting!!!
January 1st, 2008 at 12:38 am
Binuji: I AM FLOORED!
I thought SD Burman fell ill after the first two songs - wow! Hearing those songs in Rafi’s voice would be like a dream come true (cliche most appropriate right now). Please keep us updated! I’m very excited! Thanks!
- Manish
December 31st, 2007 at 10:44 pm
Mr. Nair, I would like to have two songs mentioned by you in the golden voice
of Rafi Saheb, it’s a humble request from me to you. Will be waiting. Meanwhile, anybody need Rafi Saheb’s version of “Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana…” fron “Andaz”, can mail me.
rafi_magic@yahoo.com
December 31st, 2007 at 7:14 pm
An ardent rafi saab lover tells me that s.d.burman dada
recorded two numbers in rafi saab vocals…
The songs are : Mere sapnon ki raani kab aayegi tu… and the
second one is : ‘ Roop tera mastaana, pyaar mera diwana…..’
and he says he will give me the songs…
the day i get i will pass on to music lovers…. as prasad.
more the songs are out of this word says the rafi lover..
binu nair… the rafi foundation….mumbai… binus2000@hotmail.com
December 30th, 2007 at 8:27 am
Once at rang bhawan, bombay, the union minister shri y.b.chavan
was the chief guest where rafi saab was performing at a live concert.
the minister jumped from his seat when rafi saab completed
suhaani raat dhal chuki….. and shouted : once more,,, once more…
rafi saab obliged.
if rafi saab wanted it , he would have got many top awards but
he never went after awards like some of his contemporaries did…
we are writing to the education ministry to include a chapter on
rafi saab in school text books and the title could be :” the golden
hearted melodious singer : Mohd Rafi”…
Readers pls send in your articles and snippets about our golden
hearted singer to :
Sargam Magazine: f 3, i.c. colony,borivli west : mumbai 400 103
cell : 0 9833250 701
The second issue of sargam mag is due in feb and rafi lovers may
please send in their profiles and pictures with a few words on rafi
saab to the mag. for publication…
Please click on sargam magazine for full details of subscriptions,
adresses etc…
Binu Nair…… the rafi foundation ,, Mumbai… binus2000@hotmail.com
October 18th, 2007 at 10:27 am
Hello rafi saab fans:
sargam magazine - a special issue on legend mohd rafi is released on
Oct. 2nd in Mumbai.. by Nanji Bahadur, a senior musician and
colleagues to legends k.l.saighal, mohd rafi and lata mangeshkar.
ex playback singer mubarak begum also sang her favourite numbers
and showered great tributes to legend mohd rafi saab.
for subscription for sargam magazine : please write to :
binus2000@hotmail.com or please take the trouble and time to call
me on : + 9833 250 701
Binu nair..//sargam magazine//.. the rafi foundation//.. mumbai,.
October 5th, 2007 at 5:33 pm
Dear Binuji,
since the voice of Rafi Saab is flowing all over India after 27 years of his death
Rafi Saab is really deserve the “Bharat Ratna” award postumously.We Rafians are with you for this.Even we can contact Yesudas Saab who is a “Rafi Bakth”
for achieving this.
The “Gentleman” singer was perfect in everything who was an Indian is proud to us.If any question about the honour to him now the reply should be “still his voice is active in the world more than any living artist eventhough he passed away 27 years back.
Ahamed Kutty
ahamedkutty9@rediffmail.com 09480336921
October 2nd, 2007 at 8:48 pm
Dear Soma Ghosh and Sanjay Kumar Joshi,
Apologies for the late response to your query. For some reason I was not accessing the site till today, and have just read your message. Kindly contact me as under :
Ruhi Khan
President Rafi Lovers Circle
Kolkata.
9831117866
September 22nd, 2007 at 10:28 pm
My name is Soma Ghosh.I am from kolkata.i am a kathak dancer,teacher and a music lover.I am a great fan of Rafi Shaab.I am willing to get the postal or mail id of rafi lovers circle of kolkata,so that i can contact them for membership.Could u please help me out?
September 18th, 2007 at 2:58 pm
Dear Sir,
Good morning.I am an ardent admirer of Rafi Saheb.For long time,I am looking for the postal address of “Rafi Lovers Circle”.And also the phone numbers.Please provide me this information and if possible for you;you may also SMS me,at my moble numbers written below.
Kind regards
Sanjay Kumar Joshi
17A,Jadulal Mullick Road
kolkata-6
09339455513
September 9th, 2007 at 7:29 am
i am looking for rafi saab’s concert at door darshan witj naushad sahab. pl help me to have it. i will be very greatfull to you.
thanks
indrajit misry
September 6th, 2007 at 8:25 am
Altaf Hussain ji:
How we can get the rafi saab video. Please write to me:
binus2000@gmail.com
thanks.
binu nair mumbai.
September 5th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
Here a joke 4 u specially KK fans, There was some saloons in sme locality, to increase their business they sticked the sologans like that Amitab comes here to cut hair, then other posted salamn, then other Amir. shahrukh and so on. There was a barber who was very tensed that what he has to write on his sand board, and finally he wrote “ALL BARBERS OF THIS AREA COME TO MY SALOON TO CUT THEIR HAIR”
SO MY DEAR FRIENDS RAFI WAS/IS ALL SINGERS CHOICE