Rafi Shraddanjali By Baar Baar Rafi
By Mr. H.V.Guru Murthy
The BAAR BAAR RAFI Fan Club at Bangalore organised a function REMEMBERING THE UNFORGOTTEN, a Shraddanjali for Rafi Saab on 01.08.09. The show was a stupendous success.
Rafi Shraddhanjali by Baar Baar Rafi
What an amazing sight? People thronging to the music hall for listening to his songs even twenty nine years after he departed for his heavenly abode. His fans are innumerable who also include persons born after his ‘final departure’. His crazy fans want to listen to him again and again.
It was 29 years ago, to be precise on 31st July, 1980 that our legend with a divine voice, popularly known as Farishta or Guruji to his fans, left them all but not before leaving behind around 5000 of his songs for his fans to listen and re-listen. Mohammed Rafi Saab, aap jaise to na koi the, na hain aur shaayad bhavishya me bhi nahi aayenge.
August 1st, all roads in Bangalore led to ‘Gayana Samaja’ and at 4.30 PM, as BAAR BAAR RAFI, the dedicated Rafi Fan Club of Bangalore had organized the evening program REMEMBERING THE UNFORGOTTEN, a ‘shraddanjali’ to the departed singer on his death anniversary.  The house was full with eager fans impatiently waiting to listen to their master’s songs. The persons disappointed at not getting the ticket were many, but the persons who were lucky to get ticket were not disappointed. The mixture of songs presented included Bhazan, romantic solos, gazals, duets, bidaai geets, yahoo type, foot tapping songs, etc. etc.
Evening commenced with a soulful bhazan Sukh Ke Sab Saathi and continued with romantic numbers like Dil Deke Dekho, Deewana Muzhsa Nahin, Teri Aankhon Ke Siva, Wadiyan Mera Daman, Mera Man Tera Pyaasa, Kaun Hai Jo Sapnon Me Aaya, Tumse Acha Kaun Hai, Ek Hasin Shaam Ko, Main Kahin Kavi Na Ban Jaun, Ab Kya Misal Dun, etc. etc.
.jpg)
.jpg)
The evening also included some soul stirring songs like Kyase Kya Hogaya, Babul Ki Duayen Leti Jaa, Kyaa Hua Tera Wada and Chahunga Main Tuzhe.
Foot tapping numbers like An Evening In Paris enthused the audience to move out of their chairs and show their dancing prowess, so also the duet O Hasina Zulfonwali as well as the male duet Yamma Yamma.
Duets also included romantic numbers like Wo Jab Yaad Aaye, Saare Shahar Me, Kitna Pyaar Wada, Wada Karle Sajana, Hum Aapki Aankhon Me, Dheere Dheere Chal, Raat Ke Humsafar, Tumhari Nazar, Dil Use Do, Maanga Ke Saath Tumhara, Jo Wada Kiya Wo, etc. etc.
As an experiment, BBR tried their untested singers from their Club with Karaoke music system, but looking at the response of the audience as well as the confident and professional way the Singers performed, hardly any body could make out that most of these singers were climbing on to the stage for a live singing performance for the first time. One of the objective of BBR to encourage local talent had been fulfilled.
The evening also had a slide presentation for each song giving details of the singers, lyricist, music directors, actors on whom picturised coupled with few still slides of the song. All the arrangements including the food were organized in a professional way with no cause for any complaint from any quarters. Kudos to the BBR team of President Mr. B.G. Raj, Secretary Mr. Ashok Dalmia, PRO Mr. P.Narayanan and a host of other enthusiastic executive committee members.
The male Singers included, Mr. B.G.Raj, Mr. Manish Kumar, Mr. Hemant Sharma as well as Mr. M.V. Devraj who were well supported by the female singers Mrs. Asha Vijay, Mrs. Alka Jain and Mrs. Ananya Ramprasad. It was heartening that Mr. Devraj, a diehard veteran Rafi fan, received a standing ovation for his rare courage in showing grit and determination in overcoming his disadvantage with his devotion to retro music in general and Rafi songs in particular with his booming voice. Mr. Raj sang his numbers with jest frequently interacting with the audience. He won the heart of the audience with all his songs especially Babul Ki Duayen with all those Rafi special effect of trembling voice. Mr Manish got good response for all the foot tapping numbers and duets. Mr. Hemant, the youngest of them all, won the audience appreciation especially by trying all the ‘adaas’ usually associated with Rafiji singing. The female singers gave much more than just support and in fact, deserve a special exclusive session befitting their talent. The evening also saw Mr. Krishnamoorthy who enthralled the crowd with his Shammi Kapoor dances especially for Tumse Acha Kaun Hai, came out with a surprise Kannada number of Rafi, Neenelli Nadeve Doora much to the delight of the packed crowd.
The show was enthusiastically compared by the attractive Mrs. Snigda Kemkar, the Radio Jockey from FM Rainbow, Bangalore with her characteristic humour, tidbits and trivia for most of the songs keeping the audience engaged and feeding them with information now and then.
The participants also had an opportunity to witness a Film Division Documentary on Rafi Saab for about 70 minutes which had a detailed presentation on the emergence of Rafiji as well as interviews of some famous personalities like Music Directors Ravi, Pyarelal, Naushad, Usha Timoti, Shammi Kapoor, Biswajeet, etc. who were fortunate to have personal contacts with the legend. Mr. Shahid Rafi son of Rafiji was also interviewed and he explained how Rafiji was a great family man and a great father. Many moist eyes could be seen in the audience during this presentation.
The photograph of the singers can be seen at the following link.
RAFI SAB IS AANGEL EVEN NOW MAKING US HAPPY BLISSFUL BY REMEMBERING HIS SONGS.
ALAS, HE DID NOT LIVE TO SEE HIS GOLDEN VOICE APPRECIATED BY
VAST MILLEU OF HIS FANS.
MAY ALLAH PARVARDIGAR BLESS YOUR SOUL,RAFI SAB.
I am singing mohd Rafi songs for the past more than 35 years,in Chennai india.I had an golden opportunity to sing in Rafi Saab’s programme at chennai during 1978 which was the last programme of Rafi Saab at chennai.I got the title of south India Mohd rafi by Janab mohd Rafi during the programme.Particularly I sang the song Suhani Rath Dhal Jhuki na janay thum kab awogi.I am singing Rafi Saab’s songs on 19th june 2010 at chennai along with M.g.sreekumar who will be singing malayalam songs.If there is any opportunity to sing Mohad Rafi songs for.please make use of me.
[…] View the article on http://www.mohdrafi.com on the programme – Rafi Shraddanjali by Baar Baar Rafi […]
Guruji…wow that was indeed a very good writeup!
As wonderful as the presentation of Guruji , the show was equally wonderful and amazing..full credits to all the nice people at BBR..a few in forefront and a few silently from the behind!!
Highlight of the evening was the slide show…AMAZING…truly.
Singing was of good standard and singers were very enthused to show different genres of Rafi sab’s renditions and were successful too.
Snigdha did a pretty decent job & kept the audience alert between the songs!
Audience were totally connected to Rafi sab in their own way!!
This effort by BBR is commendable!!
Equally commendable is Guruji’s effort to see that this reaches out to many others who were not present that day!!
LONG LIVE RAFI SAB!!!
Long live BBR!!!
Cheers,
Priya
I am a big fan of Rafi Saheb. I am a professional singer from India. Now in Dubai. Please watch my videos in youtube.com. Just type sajjadalikhan in youtube.com.
Thanks
Sajjad Ali Khan – UAE
050 5235870
Dear Gurumurthyji,
Thank you for the nice article summing up neatly and succinctly the hugely successful show on 1st Aug 2009, which was a Shraddhanjali by Baar Baar Rafi Fan Club to the King of Melodies- Rafi Sahab. Yes, it was a memorable evening for us Rafi bhakths. That our Fan Club had so many talented singers was indeed a revelation to us. They made the evening come alive with their beautiful singing. The highlight of the programme was the incisive and absorbing documentary on the legendary singer.
The solemn occasion of Rafi Sahab’s death anniversary evokes mixed emotions in us. Even as we dive deep into the ocean of his music and revel in the bounty his songs have bestowed upon us, the pain that we feel at his untimely demise lingers in our hearts.
As the saying goes “Those who the Gods love, die early”.
How true this is in the case of our beloved Rafi Sahab!
-Regards
Usha Gopalarao
Dear Guruji,
Adaab Rafi !
Thanks for a lively article bringing live the hit program as Shradanjali to the great icon Rafi sahab held on 1 st Aug. You have done a yeoman service to many who are not based in Blore and they will be pleased to read the details.
As far as the Documentary film was concerned it was ultimate and revived those golden memories…
Aptly the tiltle was Remembering the Unforgotten…..
Narayan
Dear Gurumurthyji,
I was so lucky that i could attened for the programme.all the singers were
excellent as far as their performance is concerned.tears rolled the way
mr.devraj tried to sing the songs of rafi saab and was full of joy when
mr.krishna moothry imitated shammi kapoor.
the team of bbr doing their best for rafi saab.especially yourself,raj ji,
narayanji,ashokji etc.etc.
It was indeed a great experience singing for Rafi Sahab… I thoroughly enjoyed singing that day and as Guruji mentioned in the article, audience really really encouraged and motivated us to a great extent.
We look forward to having such shows in future. 🙂
– Hemanth Sharma
(Swara Taranga)
Dear Guruji,
I am sure, everyone who has read this comments of yours would have felt their absence in the show.
Well, let us not forget your contribution in this show too, most of the encyclopedia information that was shared during the show was mostly your contribution, that too, which was requested from you at the show in the last minute and without a surprise you had the answers for all which really helped us to go ahead with the program more confidently.
Thanks to you for the lovely article as well as your help.
On behalf of BBR, I would like to put on record the support we recieved from all its members in Bangalore, in India and abroad for us to go ahead with this show which was the first time BBR held a ticketing show with their members performing and we really loved the support BANGALURU gave us.
“SURE, WE SHALL HAVE MORE AND MORE OF THEM”
“OUR PROMISE”
Thanks Binu Nair, do not forget you were my inspiration and will always remain.
With melodious regards,
B.G.Raj.
President,
Baar-Baar-Rafi.
Hi all fans,
we were there in this program of Baar Baar Rafi Fan Club on 1st Aug and were simply mesemerised by the talented singers and mind you it is very difficult to carry for more than 3 hours on the Karaoke.
They all did the same with splendour…
Also the docu of Rafi sahab brough tears to our eyes and so also many in the audience were emotional..
Hearty congrats to the BBR team and we have send the mail to become member…
Lastly couldnt understand the comment of suman madam in the earlier post who was sarcastically remarking on Gurumurthyji and may be he is not in blore making the story Grapes are Sour…..
Anitha and Deepa
Dear Shri. Vinod,
You can become member of ‘BAAR BAAR RAFI’ by sending an e-mail to rafiashok@yahoo.in
We also have an e-group, where we discuss and exchange on Rafiji in particular and music in general. You can become a member of this group too by e-mailing to ashavijaymutalik@gmail.com
“We Remember U – Mohd Rafi” —– the documentary on mohd rafi is now being shown at many places by the producer film division.
Its really a work of art from the directorial team led by shri Kuldip Sinha.
Mr. Shankar Patnaik the ace cameraman from f.d. informs me that today :
13th August, the fd team is in interiors of amravati and in the ongoing festival the inauguration would be done by the documentary on mohd rafi.
Its a prestigeous “work of art” and it will be officially shown at the nov film festival to be held at goa.
binu nair : mumbai rafi foundation… Cell : 9833 250 701…….
Dear Sir,
Please keep me informed for the forth coming program about Rafi Saab’s delights as I am very keen to join the group. I feel honoured to attend such programs in future. I am a diehard fan of “Rafi Saab – The Immortal Voice.”
Thanks & Regards,
Vinod B.S. (9448349982)
Bangalore.
Dear Guruji,
Excellent coverage of events. We certainly had a blast with all the singers performing exceptionally well. The dance from the crowd said it all. Today Baar Baar Rafi has climbed another big step in a singer’s life. To promote unutilised talent and effort to bring them into mainstream is really good. My congratulations to all the Office bearers, Members and singers for their achievement.
Regards
Mukund
Well done BBR Team of Bengalaroo. Rafi fans are celebrating Rafi music – like never before.
in delhi, two events were held – both massively attended. Mr. Zorawar and his comrades led from the front in the first one. the second one was heralded by shri g.b.mathur – a veteran rafi-ite. the show was in the third year – sponsored by the escort group of companies.
and now in bangalore too. rafi lovers in calicut had four music events and one of them was a show titled “rafi on wheels” – essentially a road show where a procession was taken out in a four wheeler with legend mohd rafi cut-outs.
singers sang on karaoke. students and children joined the rafi singing group.
elsewhere many programmes were held its reported.
back to bengaraloo. i never expected many years back my music lover room mate in al ain, uae, also (known to be a loud music player and an occassional singer) to be the backbone of the BBR team in the garden city.
keep it up this way – raj and friends. here is wishing many more musical wings to the inspired bbr team – including narayan, gurumurthy and u all.
binu nair, rafi foundation, mumbai. : cell : 0 9833 250 701
Dear Gurumurthy,
The article brought back memories of the evening and yes a wonderful session of music and the documentary made it more special.I am sure readers who were not there will be able to recreate the evening after reading about it in detail.
Hi Guruji,
Excellent article , as always. Guru paa ji tusi great ho. I can easily say your writing is the best , or the only good thing that has happened , before, during or after the said program. We the ex students of National College Basvanagudi can sell ice to an eskimo .
Suman Gupta
Guruji,
Excellent article. Wish I was there!! I am sure it must have been an excellent show especially with great singers on stage…
My best wishes for more such shows..
Love and with best regards
Chandan
Congratulations to all.It is really great to see the attendence on that evening.Also my heart felt thanks to Narayanji whom I know personally for his efforts .the most heartning aspect is that rafi saab is still remembered and will stay in our heart
Gurujee and AS Murty jee:
It is so very heartening to read about the overwhelming love that listeners still have for our beloved Rafi Saab. The Baar Baar Rafi Members Nite was presented by a group of passionate and blessed Rafi Bhakts, who were determined to give their best and therefore they got back the best from their listeners and Rafi Saab’s admirers.. No doubt the singers were not professionals, (in fact many were first timers) but I believe what they had was energy, conscientiousness, and bhakti…which made the success of the program a foregone conclusion…
Thank you for this well-written article Guruji.
Bina
Dear Gurumurthyji,
Excellent and fine article. When did you come back from Munnar.. I hope you enjoyed a great time singing our beloved Rafi saab’s there too. Baar Baar Rafi is committed to provide such great programmes with everybodys’ support who really adore Rafi Saab and nothing else. Great show sir. rgds..KM
It made just an excellent reading now as I first got information through emails about the stupendous success of the show by BBR at Benguluru on 1st Aug 09. Gurumurthyji has very modestly shied away from mentioning that a 600 strong crowd in the jam-packed hall and many more outside and several more going back disappointed for not being able to get the tickets, was something that BBR would not have imagined while preparing for the show. I understand several of those disappointed remarked that they should book a hall with 1000 crowd capacity from next time onwards. The singers are all exceptional performers as I have listened to most of them. They can render songs with consummate ease and reproduce the feel of the songs and they are no less than the professional singers. The success of the show now puts more responsibilities on BBR to come up with several such programmes year after year. Guruji, thanks for providing us with an indepth insight.
RESPECTED GURU MURTHY JI
THANKS FOR SHARING A NICE CONCERTS AND MY VOTE OF THANKS ALSO TO THE BAR BAR RAFI CULB FOR ORGANISING THE EVENT IN REMEMBERANCE OF RAFI SAHAB ON HIS 29TH DEATH ANNIVERSARY.
WITH WARM REGARDS TO ALL RESPECTED RAFI FANS & LOVERS.
BIMAN, SIVASAGR, ASSAM