Disappointing Sonu Nigam at London on Rafi songs
This article is written by Mr. K.S. Ramachandran
Sonu Nigam, much to my expectations, sang Rafi songs very normally. In fact, I would rate him much much lower than what he used to sing when he came in about 13years ago through Saregama. His voice has conspicuously deteriorated with his singing all types of medlee/Hindi pop songs and of that sort.
He was always a fast singer and now-a-days with his singing Hindi pop and medlees, he is even faster. His first song Yaad Na Jaaye from Dil Ek Mandir was like traveling in Nilgiri Express, while the original song by Rafi is slow deep expressive and extremely emotional. This was the general pattern in which Sonu has been singing these days with his impatient attitude to sing slow numbers very fast is very painful. “Muje Teri Mohabbat Ka” from Aap Aaye bahar Aaye” was again a deep number with full of rhythm and Sonu sang like a breeze..
Rafi songs are predominantly slow with rhythm and with so much of labour in his singing – be it depth, dard, range, voice modulation, expression, emotion and what have you.
I was however amazed with the orchestral excellence with the british national giving interlude music to the T. The 75 piece orchestra was par excellence and I could not find anything different from the original music by the composers. Indian orchestra bands doing shows should take this as an example to see how well the symphony was directed and delivered. Another wonderful experience – nothing like original and natural instruments – playing with a 30 team violin for the right interlude music was way way ahead of playing the same tunes today on a key board.
I thoroughly enjoyed the orchestra and was really a treat.
But at times, i dont want to blame him for all this disappointed things. He is also a singer, so he knows his limitations. I feel sonu is the next mohdrafi in the film industry.
The fact is sonu is also a playback singer, so he always sings Mohdrafis songs in the stage shows, but he disappointed many times to the audience which is not impressive.
I am a fan of Sonu Nigam who has listened to almost every song of his in every language he has sung. I’m not a native hindi speaker and as a person who has listened to Sonu Nigam’s tamil and kannada songs, i can 100% be sure that he is the best we have now. I just admire the way he sings and his flawless pronounciation in whichever language he is attempting. Criticisms are necessary but not to the level of calling him names. I feel we, as Sonu Nigam fans, need not listen to such comments. We know he is unbelievably talented and we are proud of his ability to send positive vibrations all over. we love him for what he is. It doesnt matter what others say.
i was sittin with my grandparents… while the show was aired on telivision!… they forced me to not even change the channel in the commertial breaks!… they are ardent fans of Mohd. Rafi… and have loved sonu’s way of represnting rafi!… they even bought the tickets to the concert sonuji had in my city..
Plz… i dont believe in your review!… i am sorry if i am exceeding my limits…
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But we shud be proud of a singer like sonu ji!… coz in this decade when every body is busy promoting their own songs and doing their own stage shows thru out the world!… He’s the one who is promoting Rafi… we shud support this gesture of sonuji!…
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Regards…
vaiibhavii
Dear all.
I am thrilled and troubled with this debate at the same time. Thrilled because it reinforces the fact that Rafi Sahabs very thought is so dear to all of us and we defend it so furiously !WOW!, troubled because there is negativity in the view taken by some and the counter arguments are equally naive. This is a sight dedicated to the most humble of artists a giant amongst men who’s ego was elfish, who stood for everything positive and yet we somehow seem to mock the very traits of this saint singer by bringing negative vibes into our arguments and views. Lets just celebrate the fact that we all adore the memory of the genius, and if Sonu Nigam has taken the courage to personify the feelings we all only share amongst ourselves into a much bigger public realm, we need to appreciate that. And guys wake up the lamp can never compare to the sun, so don’t compare. The achievements of “The Master” are so magnanimous that not even time can erase it, much less any mortal. No matter how fast and shift the winds blow…winds cant move mountains.
Hail Rafi Sahab.
R
p
Rafi Resurrected was a divine show…..it was a tribute to a great legend Rafi Sahab .Sonu Ji did the magic in it.Nobody in the industry can copy the style of Rafi Sahab except Sonu Ji.It was a best tribute ,Sonu Ji has always said in his interviews that Rafi Sahab is his god so it was an offering to his god.He was praying actually. Sonu Ji did this by his heart.
Please Please for God’s sake stop this ……..if you dont want to appreciate atleast dont critizise please…….
Sonu Ji is the best and God bless him always. 🙂
I’m very glad that Sonu has done this beautiful job. It’s great and just great. I don’t know why people are so negative today. Indeed, there was no dholak and Tabla, but this is an effort to do it without these instruments. I’m very greatful to Mr.Sonu Nigam that he had sung these songs. In these days where there is so much boycot of Rafi Saheb, I think Rafi Saheb’s fans should be greatful to Sonu for doing this beautiful job and making Rafi Saheb’s name “Roshan”
In my opinion Sonu ji has done a great job…Sonu Nigaam ji ..May God bless you..
Mr. A. Piroe
Holland
I personally think this debate has gone too far. Please, for God’s sake, stop this already. If the Rafians(as they call themselves) felt that Sonu Nigam was by any chance wrong in conducting such a high profile event, then kindly don’t go overboard with harsh comments for him. Sonuji regards Rafi Sahab very highly. Indeed it was such a daring approach on Sonuji’s part, but exceedingly it was a tribute to a legend from a great admirer and follower as Sonuji is.
I have nothing more to say. I hope this biased criticism comes to an end very soon. God bless Rafi sahab and Sonuji.
Hi all….why all this negativity …..i thought music is such a pious thing why say all this about a such a wonderful person like Sonuji…. who with all his Love & Affection & devotion gave a soulful tribute to Rafisaab…….his Guru & Karmic father as he always says…….he himself a hugh Fan & devotee of Rafisaab…..& he did a great thing by recreating the whole experience….of Live Ochestrization & Singing…and bringing the old memories….back…if u do not want to appreciate his efforts please don’t critisize….its a humble request…..LOVE U SONUJI for all u did………….GOD BLESS ALL…..RAFISAAB SONUJI and all the Fans………..
Namaste all,
I think sonuji is not answerable to anybody.He has set himself quite high to be compared to anybody in the industry.He himself has dedicated himslef to the Rafi culture.If someone found the concert not upto mark,it was simpley his/her own opinion.In this era there are lovers of Himesh Reshmia too.
So let the people think and write whatever they like..that doesnot change the golden boy image and quality of our beloved singer Sonu Niggam!!
Thanks…enjoyed views of all…Lots of Love Sonujii!!!
Sonu was a disgrace… and ofcourse only those who understand music and have indepth knowledge about taal, sum and viberto will be able to concur to what is now established as a popular beleive after the Rafi resurrected show. To begin with the title itself was not appropriate. it sort of belittled the enormity of Rafi saabs skill level. Sonu tried to show off his classical training my tring to add more than required ‘harkats’ into the song. So much was the vibration in his voice that it felt he is doing a “Talat resurrected” show instead.
He should stick to his own songs. This kind of stuff is far beyond his reach.
we mohd rafi fans we go to see programms on mohd Rafi by unknow singers and we enjoyed that and why we are compare Mohd rafi with them we should only enjoy what ever on our Mohd Rafi and not compare ………..
Yeah..please please stop..we have had enough negativity here to last a life-time..and it doesnt suit a forum dedicated for a pious soul like Rafi Saab..lets hope that as the outcome of this discussion, music will emerge the winner..:-)
I think wat Sonu Ji has done at An Evening in London was really really spell bounding performance. A great & one of the best best singer & musician of the industry gave a mind blowing performance wid gr8 musicians of Symphony orchaestra. I loved Sonuji’s singing. Whenever I listen Sonuji’s songs, I think that Sonuji has given his best in this song but in the very next song again, i think that no Sonuji is at his best in this song. But actually the fact is that Sonu is Sonuji & He dosen’t want to be categaroised by anyone, and especially from those who really don’t know how to even take a microphone in their hand. Simply Sonu is really doing marvellous job, and His tribute to great musician Rafi Saab, was mind blowing. I’ve been in Sonuji’s shows, and he’s still performing with the same grace, with which He entered the industry. I believe that no one is a better singer than Sonuji in this industry. For his fans, He’s God. All his songs gives peace to the mind. All songs sung by Sonuji at London were too good. Moreover it was the first chance for a Bollywood singer to perform there with such a big orchaestra. I believe that the ppl who have missed the show has missed something more than Heaven.
The top most musicians of the industry too eulogize Sonuji & respect him a lot. Even the Saraswati on Earth, herself, singing diva, Lata ji, has also praised his talent. She sat with Sonuji for almost 3 hrs. and gave her interview on a FM channel. So, everyone love Sonuji & shyama you don’t think about some bad elements of the society. I just have a simple & straight line for all those who criticise Sonuji & his talent …….
” Kutte bhaunke hazaar, haathi chale bazaar”
So, our Sonuji, is a cool guy, very down to earth person. I got a chance to meet him & it was really a pleasure & a lifetime experience for me. Being on apex of the industry, today also He meets ppl with love such that He knows them from a long time span.
So that’s Sonu Ji. SIMPLY SONU, SONU – THE MUSICAL MAESTRO.
God Bless Sonuji.
I would wish that folks called this debate to an end. However, I am guilty of contributing more to this debate!! All said and done, this was a tribute and let it be as such. No one should think that Sonu would emulate Rafi saab. The key is did he revive(resurrect!!) Rafi saab. To me he did! I was there in London. Yes, I am not a music Connoisseur, but as an avid listener of Rafi saab, I felt that this was as close to the original as we could get. Yes there were nuances that Sonu introduced on his behalf, yes there were at times when the “taal” felt out of “sync” but the key was I FELT RAFI SAAB!!!!! The CBSO DOES NOT RELY on “TAAL” or as I see it — the beat. This was the key difference, remember we are used to the “taal” a tabla, drums etc. A symphony orchestra relies on a degree of laxity with the “taal”. This is a concept we find abhorrent as we are used to the concept of “taal”. Listen to Jazz and you will think where in the heavens is the “taal”. In addition, have you heard Rafi saab in live concerts, if not hear some of the recordings on youtube. Even Rafi saab would modulate and change some things from the “original” that we all recognise as the “real deal”. SO, when Sonu does some changes and accomodates the CBSO (One would argue if the CBSO accomodated Sonu!) take in your stride MAN (read this with a West Indian Accent). Please PLEASE stop now all of you including me!!!!
Long Live Rafi Saheb(Saab) in all our memories and our hearts, long live all his fans and also (As he himself said in London) Sonu, who by the way declares himself as the biggest fan of Rafi Saab!!! I think I might get into an arguement with him, you know, cos I think I am the biggest FAN!!!!!!
C’mon guys lighten up and look at the broader picture, is it not true that in all of this RAFI SAAB is going to live longer in our hearts and minds and memories and thoughts and everything else?????????????………………….
Mahesh
A Rafi Fan
Also a Sonu Fan
Why all this negativity?I am asking the senior Rafians..I am sure most of u are much elder to me with much more experience about life..I understand that all of u have dedicated ur lives to music and to Rafi Saab…which is wonderful..music is the language of God..music is the language of positivity..why criticize or find faults or pass judgements? Any genuine piece of work which comes straight from the heart of a musician should not be judged..Dont listen to the music u dont like..its ur choice..God has given u free will..look at the positive side of things..it all depends on perception na..if u listen to it with a mind to find faults, only faults will appear to u..if u listen to it positively with an open mind,u will feel the emotion that the artist is trying to convey and appreciate him for it..whether it be Rafi Saab,Sonuji,X,Y or Z..any musician who makes a sincere effort to serve music should be appreciated by music lovers..because at the end of the day, music should be the winner..!! All this negativity wont take any of us anywhere..please bless Sonuji, so that he can continue to do good work, and continue to serve music..he needs ur blessings..he needs ur support..
Please Sanu fans don’t understant me wrong I am also Sanu fan,Maybe what I said in my last msg was wrong but that is because of the magic of Mohd Rafi voice.
All fans I am sorry if you feel that I am wrong,we are human and we should done the mistake,
Mohd Rafi is God gift to wrong country and wrong place,sorry again to saying that,,,,,
sorry fans
I don’t know what wrong with you people your speaking about music and you are comparing Mohd Rafi with Sanu!!!!!!!!!????????
Once Mohd Rafi said in Dubai stage programm that he will try to sing I mean Mohd Aziz not Mohd Rafi.
as I said I am not good in English
I don’t what wrong with you people your speaking about music and you are comparing Mohd Rafi with Sanu!!!!!!!!!????????
1,I want say that from 1960′ to 1970’s Mohd Rafi was M kapoor.
2,From 1970’s to 1980’s was Anwer
3,From 1980’s to 1990’s was Shabir Kummar and mohd Aziz
4, from 2000 up to date he is Sanu.
Please try to compare who was the best from these Mohd Rafi style singers and I don’t mean that they copied Mohd Rafi but I think they are good singer and we compare them to our Mohd Rafi.
Singer like Mohd rafi born once in life time as said by Lata Ji and many more and that is true and no one can change that.
1 ,Sanu fans please answer honestly,when the music born in bollywood?
2,when was the best music in bollywood?
3,when was music became old?
4,when the music end?
My answer
Ans 1,in 1950’s music born when Mohd rafi came with naushand.
Ans 2, in 1960’s music was best time of music when mohd Rafi singed mostly.
Ans 3,in 1970’s was old because Mohd Rafi singed less.
Ans 4,after 1980 there is no good music because there was no Mohd Rafi.
we doing know anything about music and we saying things!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!????????
Once Mohd Rafi said in Dubai stage programm that he will try to sing mohd rafi song but please don’t compare him with Mohd rafi boz he is nothing when you comapare him with Mohd Rafi same said by Anwer,S Kummar.
Sanu has great voice because of that we are compare him with Mohd Rafi but better than Mohd Rafi.
Sorry to say no one can dream that he can be 10% of Mohd Rafi .
People like Shammi Kapoor,Madan Mohan,Naushand Ali,OPN and many more who are greatter than Sanu most of them said that if there was because of Mohd rafi ,Sanu fans do you know who is Madan Mohan!???who said he should not be paid when mohd Rafi singer for him boz song be hit not because of him but because of Mohd Rafi,Sanu fans do u you know who is OPN!!!!!!!???Great Lata ji never singed under OPN music and OPN said if there was no M RAfi there was no OPN,Raj Kapoor for who Mukesh ji gave songs Raj Kapoor said Mohd Rafi the king without crown,I am asking to all of you Please give me one big name in Bollywood who said as these people said about Mohd Rafi.
I put my name as unknow because I am music lover not Hindi or muslim,sorry to say but some few people they are doing that way.
Mohd Rafi is A to Z in singing world that is true because the magic did by Mohd rafi that made his voice the best we human can’t think better voice that mohd rafi gave us.No one of us saw the God but most of us think there is God but all of us think on his own way.God is one but with many names each of us saying his God is the best!!!!!!???
Soory if some one mind what I said also sorry my English is not Good
shyama,you hit the spot by saying that if rafi saab was alive today he would be extremely proud of sonu….and sonu’s tribute was absolutely spellbinding… i dont think we should be bothered about listening to the opinion of people who dont know the m of music..people have no other business apart from talking and most of all criticising….and sonu is by far the most respected singer in the industry…so if ppl are gonna tell sonu how to sing rafi saab’s songs,the songs he has grown up and the songs that have given reason for an icon like sonu niigaam to be born..i pity these people.. genuinely..if they have any clue about music whatsoever i suggest they go and tell sonu how to sing since they apparently know so much..apparently even more than sonu..so lets completely ignore all these biased criticism.. because they hold no good and dont even have a standing…an evening in london was a brilliant show and no doubts about it..true connesuiers of music wld know that in today’s india there is noone who can match up to the versatality and genuis of man that is SONU NIIGAAM!!
TO THE EDITOR
PLEASE POST A REASON FOR NOT ALLOWING MY COMMENTS (Posted on 03-10-08) ON AIR WITH REGARD TO THIS DEBATE.
YOU CAN ALSO SEND ACROSS YOUR ANSWER ON MY MAIL ID
zorawar_c@hotmail.com
Regards,
Zorawar Chhugani
If Jesus can be resurrected, so can Rafi Saab! 🙂
post 177, Nikhil ji,
the sonu-c b s o show was really a daring, different and great experimentation of hindi music with the aid of western symphony. millions of people enjoyed it. some music lovers even told me : please learnt from the britishers how to present the indian music.
kindly note again that it was an experimentation – largely successful. the cbso team invested great amount of time and money to showcase the show. if, they have made money out of it, one should never grumble over it.
the rafi standards are very high and some puritans may not have liked the event but majority of the people who watched the show – enjoyed it. the writer of the piece seeing the support for the great event and the feedback conceded that he never “did” criticise sonu nigam.
the c.b.s.o. music team must be complimented for the great experimentation on the songs of legendary singer mohd rafi saaheb.
binu nair, mumbai
I love Rafiji & Sonu Niigaam (dunno the exact spelling). Whether Sonuji sang like Rafiji is a question even Sonuji wont debate on. Everyone knows the truth in their heart. What was disgusting in the concert was the singing tempo going up and down, missing words, less emotion in voice. Technical facts cannot be commented upon by anyone of us here, but any musical critic with knowledge of symphony orchestra and Indian songs will agree that a respected symphony orchestra like CBSO cannot go missing beats or changing tempo within songs. What happened on the stage is totally unknown to us, maybe Sonuji didn’t get good feedback on his monitor to follow the tempo properly, but there surely was a hell lot of confusion which did mess up the songs. Who is to blame only Sonuji and the CBSO (musicians, technicians & conductors) must be knowing. And as said earlier by many others, No one is better than Rafiji in his own songs and No one Sonuji is better than Sonuji in his (Sonu Niigaam) songs. I feel Sonuji sang Rafi songs better 15 years back, but surely not at CBSO. Many of his fans might have been fascinated with the concert due to their first experience with a symphony orchestra concert (being in hindi – more understandable) but as a Sonu Niigaam fan, I find the performance a failure. Sonu is far better than what he performed in any of the places. (Remember this was not performed only in london)
haldar saaheb : well said. sa re ga ma is in to the “business” of music. they would never give respects to most of our legends. they are currently courting a female singer who dictates to the music company on which singer to herald and pay their tributes.
recently, their chairman visited mumbai and the staff wanted a journo to write a speech about the female singer. the journo was told to write that this lady singer has sung about 35000 songs – to date. when the journo said she has sung only 6000 songs till date and the figure 35000 is pure fiction – the saregama staff protested and said its not true and slanderous.
the journo had the facts on his fingertips and asked the executives to furnish the list of 35000 songs sung by this singer. they said they have the facts but when they went through their records they could not find more that 6000 songs.
can sa re ga ma be trusted my friends ? my simple question to music lovers – all around is do not ever fall prey to the marketing gimmicks of many many companies today.
the second point i would like to state is that rajiv vijaykar of screen film industry newspaper published weekly had said in many articles that “rafi resurrected” is not the right title for the sonu nigam concert. and this is the truth since rafi saaheb has never gone away from us.
binu nair, rafi foundation, mumbai
binu nair.
It’s nice if Sonu paid tribute to Rafi Saheb by singing the legend’s songs in London show, but frankly, Sonu didn’t sing well, it was just so so……….
all rafi lovers and sonu lovers: please note that screen music critic and myself have discussed the title ” rafi resurrected ” and we disagreed with the title a year back – when the actual recordings happened in mumbai. nobody on this earth could ever resurrect mohd rafi. he is in the hearts and minds of people at all times.saregama is only making money and i do not agree with them on every point. to cite a point, they are playing “truants” with all our legends who are not paid their royalties. when senior singers like sharada, mukarak or the shailendra family approach them – they are told, please go to calcutta. i hate them to the core like our haldar saaheb. and let me tell you some thing . there was an exhibition for a month at the prince of wales musueaum on the sounds of music when first started – in mumbai last month. there was not a single picture of mohd rafi, mukesh and talat mahmud at the glow singns – at the entrance. there were pictures of all junior most singers of the industry. the curator, the organiser of the show mr.gopalka – gives great lectures on music at the venue. let me request him to show basic courtesy to our legends first and then venture out to give lectures on music. about three rafi lovers from the rafi foundation complained to him and made a small scene. he said sorry to our members but took no action. i request saregama to give a honest explanation during the next week when i will be meeting him. yes haldar saaheb : all of us are right. saregama ( h.m.v.) is not interested in our legends. they are only interested in making fast bucks and its their business. binu nair, mumba rafi foundation
to reshma…
sorry,i don’t agree with your choice…sonuji is much much much better than that…it isn’t worth comparison….
I haven’t watched the show (live or telecast). So can’t comment on the quality as such. However I’m also of the opinion that Rafisahab doesn’t require ‘resurrection’, he’s very much alive among the true fans, more alive than the ones who are alive and kicking, singing (?) the kuckuru kucku stuff that’s on offer these days.
However I wouldn’t want to discredit Sonu Nigam, it was nice of him to do the show and sing the songs of his idol.
to mr xxx….
please do mention your name in your next post…anyways,you should have read my post more carefully…i said there are many youngsters who have come to know about rafi saab through sonuji….i din’t say all the youngsters like rafi saab because of him…if you are not amongst the youngsters i am refering to,then its good….but you can’t deny the fact that sonuji hasn’t made attempts to keep rafi saab’s memory alive amongst the youth of our country….aap rafi saab ko yaad karte ho,ye bahut acchi baat hai par jo log nahi karte unke liye sonuji ye attempts karte hain….
and please don’t say that sonuji sings only dhik chik type of songs because it shows that they have zilch knowledge about sonuji’s greatness….
i never intended to hurt rafi saab’s fans…in fact,i love them….but here,it was they who provoked sonuji’s fans to come in between by saying bad things about him…
and you must know ki sonuji ke forum me keval rafi saab ki taarif taarif hoti hai because we all respect him from the core of our hearts and keep him in the highest regards…and it is really disppointing to see that you people are criticising sonuji due to some or the other reason….
To Sir raju,
Sir you are just making stories as per your wish, and they are of no use indeed the are irritating Sonu Niigaam fans and Rafi Sahab fans as well and good music lovers too, so please stop posting illogical posts…
To mr xxx
Mr if you are such a staunch follower of Rafi Sahab then are you scared of revealing your name?
First reveal your name then your points will be considered as a true Rafi Sahab fan..
and who told you that good music has stopped coming in market??
I will suggest you one song of Sonuji from the movie “Hum milein na milein”, that is “Roz ye mausam aayein”, listen to that song.
Second listen to Sonuji’s latest album Classically mild if you appreciate good music, I bet will not be able to put that under any genre in this world..
You yourself are not aware of good music that your fault not music directors fault, if you are not aware of good music then you don’t have any right to say anything in opposition to anybody in the bollywood music stream..
Every field has good and bad in it, please be aware of the world then comment on people, I wonder how an oblivious person like you can post here and how come are such posts allowed here…
Take care of yourself ad get aware of good music, get well soon..
To P.haldar sir,
Sir resurrect even means “to bring back something in to use or existence that has disappeared or ended ”
So the title was apt, because Sonuji brought those songs to life again by singing them live, what most of the singers don’t do in their live performances..
So Sir the title was totally apt. And sir we you know that these songs are infamous, but all out there don’t even know these songs so it might have been new to them and they would not have enjoyed, sir he sang “Tere aane ki aas hai dost ” and “Barbaad-e-mohabbat” which were not popular, he sang those songs as well, sir it would have all gone in vain of he had sung those songs which are not as popular and sir the first three songs are not rare, they are popular, my dad asked me to fetch these songs from the internet, sir in every era songs are left unrecognised, even our Sonuji’s few golden songs have been left unrecognised because of the non-musical youth in today’s world ad because of the media as well which promotes useless music, and act as fuel to fire and they all are forgetting what good music technically is.. Sir you cannot blame Sonuji like this he sung even those songs which were not as popular and the popular ones too, in the beginning of the show he gave his tribute to Rafi Sahab by singing Tere aane ki aas hai dost which is not known to most of them..
Hi Friends,
before Critising any1 plz….think………Sonu ji atlest tried to sing Rafiji’s song…..is there any other singer who has taken such a risk….and he did not do this concert to imitate Rafiji or sing as him…it was his way of saying his respect and love for the Legend singer..plz Respect that….
SONUji ALWAYS THE BEST!!!
Keep Rocking……..
Sonuji has tried a lot but md rafi is a versatile genius still sonuji is quite near to him.I saw one fellow wrought songs sung by sonuji was not upto the mark but i think that fellow has no singinsg sensation.How he can say this?Is he a musical critic.Myself jatin from jalandhar.Please say him not to make faltu comments towards sonuji because sonuji is musical genius.
kindly refer to post 157.
this website urgently needs sensible writers like mr p halder. may be he stated explicitly what i could not do. he has hit the nail on head. when one does not have a valid argument in supoport of one’s point, people start taking recourse to pathetic methods like writing under psudonyms. and the only way that argument is buttressed is by harping on the same cliched, worn out stereotypes.
if anybody is naive enough to thinks that rafi needs resurrection, let them. it doesn’t change facts. those who have followed the singing giant’s career, understand his persona and know the ethos he stood for, all this cacophony will make little sense, as it should actually do.
let me make it clear. i have nothing against sonu nigam personally, but it irritated me no end that someone can pay a tribute to rafi at the expense of making money. it would have made horse sense, as haldersaab rightly put it, if the proceeds were to go for some rafi memorabilia.
i have attended rafisaab’s concerts and have met him personally a few times, and he never took any popular liberties with his own songs. there was always this sanctity to whatever he did. but then, i guess times have changed and we have become so loose with our conscience that these things have become inconsequential.
sonu nigam is a more than god for me rafi saab if my life……. because i`m also a stage artist “funny magician, mimicrian, anchor and a good singer (hindi, marathi)…… agar rafi saab aur sonuji na hote to aaj main artist na hota…………………….
Sonuji,
In life,every moment, we used to face many problems. Just take it as a bad dream and make yourself stand more strongly. Maa Saraswati is always with you. She will definitely take care of you.
Lots of love to you
I again himbly request to please please put on this website the Sonu Nigam concert. I was not able to see it, and I am sure many others like would love to see how a great disciplle of Mohd rafi did at the contest. Did no one tape the program? Mr. Binu Nair, since you are so proactive in promoting Mohd Rafi, and I truely appreciate that, would you have a tape of the recording. Does anyone have the recording? I cannot beleive all the Rafi fans who listened to this program, would not have taped it.
I suggest we quit this discussion here..because the more we go on, the more we insult both Rafi Saab and Sonuji, and more than anything else music..God bless Rafi Saab’s soul..God bless Sonuji…may music be the winner at the end of the day..!!
Mr.Raju Korti, the person whom u r writing off as a clone is a bigger disciple/devotee of the Guru than any of u can possibly be..he is the only person who is leading the way..he is the only source of light..the day u, and other like minded others realize that, the world will definitely stop crumbling..coz a huge negative force will be eliminated from this music industry..
2 points on the sonu- cbso grand event. pls do not compare rafi saaheb with sonu nigam. rafi saaheb started his career in the forties and sonu nigam in the eighties. there is definitely a generation gap between lovers of mohd rafi saaheb. one school of puritans would always want rafi saaheb to be heard the way he recorded his songs. the second love rafi saaheb and sonu nigam is their idol who worship their idol rafi saaheb.
please make it clear thar mohd rafi is irreplaceable. there will be only imitators but no real rafi saaheb again. some rafi saaheb singers are very good in patches but rafi saaheb was the best singer for all moods and all seasons.
mohd rafi groomed two singers in his lifetime and never spoke ill of any singers. he encouraged each and every singer whom he met and made it a point to hear them and wish them well .
the two singers that he groomed were : a) usha timothi , who was a daughter to him and b) Mahendra kapoor , whom he used to call mahinder. rafi ji used to attend the recordings of mahinder and guide him, motivate him like a true guru. long live the guru and music legend of all times.
i am delighted to see rafi lovers and sonu lovers – all coming out in strength to prove their common point that rafi saaheb is the real king of music. rafi saaheb is for ever and every rafi saaheb lover is my friend. amen…..
readers may also revert to post 123 on the same topic…..
binu nair, rafi foundation, mumbai, ( binus2000@hotmail.com )
This singer is better than Sonu nigam … http://www.amarzanger.hyves.nl
To Sonu fans:
On behalf of all rafians, I extend my apologies to all of you if any one of us has hurt your feelings. It is good to have the passion that you share for your idol; that is what fanfare is all about. In that vein, you should also try to understand the love and devotion we have for our farishta. Mr. Ramachandran is a senior Rafian and he has presented his own analysis, which may not have been to your liking. But please don’t attack him personally.
I haven’t watched the programme, so I don’t want to comment on it. But I’d like to make a few points, which I’d like all of you to think about dispassionately. None of these should be construed as criticism of Sonu since the concert, as I understand, was conceived by Tim Pottier, the conductor of CBSO.
First, was “rafi resurrected” the right caption to use? The dictionary definition of “resurrect” is to raise from the dead. Rafi saab may not be physically with us anymore, but he lives in millions of hearts all across the world. How would liverpudlians feel if there is a concert titled “John Lennon Resurrected”?
Second, if the concert was arranged as a tribute to rafi saab, has any part of the proceeds gone towards doing anything to keep his memory alive (e.g., an award in his name, a statue in Birmingham, or a donation to Rafi foundation)?
Third, if there’s a villain in the piece, it is hmv, which in its new avatar saregama, is milking money in the name of a person to whom it never had to give even a one rupee royalty. The songs that they are recycling were created by stalwarts like Shankar Jaikishan, Madan Mohan, Naushad, Laxmikant Pyarelal, Usha Khanna, Hasrat Jaipuri, Shailendra, and Majrooh Sultanpuri. Has any part of the proceeds gone to helping them or their families?
Let me narrate something that you may not be aware of. Around 1974, hmv came out with an lp record titled “Mohd Rafi, We Remember”. On the backcover, hmv noted that they wanted to remember rafi’s less popular or forgotten songs, yani bhoole bisre geet. I still remember some of the songs that were included in the lp; here they are:
1. ek haseen sham ko dil mera kho gaya:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkvNKXEcrKc
2. jaag dil-e-diwana
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJfkFB07sQ8
3. maine chand aur sitaaron ki tamanna ki thi
4. ajab hai dastan teri aye zindagi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txsn3Y-9RIE&feature=related
5. hai kali kali ke lab par
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xlm78C3720
6. hui sham unka khayal aa gaya:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDOPXDl8SO8
So in 1974, hmv wanted to write his obituary and you want me to believe that they are doing all this to pay respect to the legendary singer. To the best of my knowledge, this company, which is headquartered in the city I grew up in, did nothing tangible in his memory. In short, it’s nothing but a money-making machine.
Finally, I want to tell sonu fans that they have every right to feel bad if someone criticises their idol. But please don’t keep harping that rafi saab needs sonu to spread his message. I am really surprised that in this day and age, when songs are available at the click of a button, someone has to attend sonu’s concerts to learn about rafi. I am especially surprised by the comments of some of the fans from uk, given that rafiana spread to those shores almost 50 years ago and he was by far the most popular singer from the subcontinent in that part of the world.
I hope sonu fans will take my post in the spirit it was written.
SID wrote to mr.Korti::
“…rafi saab shayad bhoole bisre ho bhi jaate agar sonuji ne unki gaayaki ko alive rakhne ke liye itni efforts na kiye hote to…i believe that if youth of today respects rafi saab,then the major credit goes to sonuji…i m a die hard fan of sonuji….and it was only because of him that i got to know about the greatness of rafi saab…he turned me and thousands of youngsters like me into rafi saab fans….u must b thankful to him for that…”
in bhaisab ki baat sun lo, Rafi sahab bhule bisre ho jate agar sonu nahi hote to!!! ..
How could moderator allow such persons to write here!!!!
to all sonu fans::
Sonu nigam is nothing but among the obnoxious musicians of today who have made the mockery of hindi film music very well, and you all are saying that legend like rafi is alive because of sonu!!! well .. may god bless the musical taste of you all, i also belong to this so-called gen-x and chaps like sonu have nothing to do with my liking for Rafi sahab.
yes one thing i must say here that sonu and his companion singers and music directors are very well versed in making “worst” and “mortal” form of the music i.e. “dhik-chick” “dhik-chick” “dhik-chick”. 99% of todays’ music is crap because of these scrap dealers(so-called singers and music directors now a days– GHOR KALYUG)
so i would like to urge all sonu fans that go and get your own forum on sonu and write poems in his praise there only. this portal is to discuss the most revered singer of all time-RAFI and his elite and immortal companion music directors-shankar-jaikishan, naushad, sd burman etd…..
I am really surprised 2 c dat people r blaming sonu for his efforts..His devotion to music is really incredible..It is really difficult to sing in a foriegn surrounding..Inspite of that being happening he did not loose hope n tried to give the best..I was feeling like as if sonu was left alone…But infact the prog was just superb..Sonu has given his love to his idol Rafi sahab..
Hi fans,
what wrong with you fans?why you want to compare?Sanu is the singer today who remember us our Mohd Rafi,in 1960 there was Late M Kapoor,In 1970’s there was anwer,in 1980’s there was Shabir Kummar,in 1990’s was Mohd Aziz and today is Sanu.
plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz don’t forget that all these singers are mohd Rafi fans how we compare fans.
As said by many that mohd Rafi is the the first and last word of music it not mean that our’s are not good.we should stop to compare….
Thanks Sanu to take us back in dreams,Thanks Sanu for singing mohd Rafi songs.
Great job Sanu and I hope the same will done to other singer like Mukesh,KK, Mannay Day,Lata Ji and Ashi,
I dont think K.S. Ramachandran have any right to say anything about sonu ji vo kabhi kuch galat nhi kar sakte aur vo kabhi khud ko rafi ji se upar nhi mante apne show me bhi unhone aisa kuch nhi kiya jo galat ho unka gaya hua har song man ko utna hi touch kiya jitna rafi g ka karta hai sonu g hamesha unhe apna guru mante hai aur kabhi unki disrespect nhi kar sakte.us show me sab kuch perfect tha
This is a tribute to mahendra kapoor saaheb and to sonu nigam : one female singer wanted to have a concert with sonu nigam. sonu refused to do a foreign tour with her. she wanted to be in the limelight and shine in sonu nigams shadows. and, to be in the limelight she will also shake her legs before the cameras. I compliment sonu for not giving any “lift” to this singer who day in and day out, behind the curtains – talk ill of mohd rafi, talat mahmud and mahendra kapoor. journalists, composers and naushad saaheb household members have reported many such incidents about this seventy something female singer who has a great voice but very less human qualities in her. Iam writing these lines with a reason; i wish to salute mahendra kapoor saaheb for his solid friendship and support to mohd rafi at various times. after mahendra kapoor’s last journey, a composer friend reported an incident which i would like to present before innocent music lovers who have seen only one side of the face of some music personalities. the lady singer in this discussion stopped mahendra kapoor while leaving a recording studio and said ” tumhara mohd rafi besurra ho gaya” . Mahendra ji stopped and reported back : “if mohd rafi has become besurra then , the word “sur” will never be left on the face of the earth”. may the soul of mahendra kapoor find eternal peace.