BBC Programme on Rafi-Saab – Remembering Rafi-saab: My Abba
By Baljit Kaur Sidhu
Remembering Rafi-saab: My Abba – a radio programme on the BBC Asian Network on Sunday the 2nd of August about Mohammed Rafi narrated by his daughter in law Yasmin K Rafi.
To mark 35 years since India lost one of it’s most beloved, influential and prolific voices, Mohammed Rafi, his self-confessed biggest fan – and daughter-in-law – Yasmin Khalid Rafi presents this special to give an insight of the man behind the songs.
Credited with singing over 25,00 songs in 11 different languages in a career spanning 35 years, Mohd Rafi is one of Indian cinema’s most enduring names and has influenced every generation of playback singers since his death in 1980.
In this Asian Network Presents, Remembering Rafi-saab – My Abba, Yasmin Rafi talks candidly about her childhood as a fan of Rafi’s music to suddenly becoming his daughter-in-law after her uncle arranged her marriage with his son Khalid.
She reminisces about the quiet man she shared a home with who shunned celebrity and accolades to remain a humble and religious man till his untimely death.
Painting an intimate portrait of Mohd Rafi, Yasmin Rafi, who has also written a book to commemorate her father-in-law, picks a selection of songs which she regards as her Abba’s finest.
Rafi Saheb was with Celestial qualities, No one is even near to him for comparison. Lata Mangeshkar is nothing compare to Rafi, but possess undeserved fame. That is the nature of our Hindustan.
No other singer in India than Rafi Saheb who won the hearts of, not millions but billions. That shows CNN IBN poll result which was conducted 33 years after his demise. Is it not justify my word ‘undeserved’ in Lata’s case?
Rafi Saheb was with Celestial qualities, No one is even near to him for comparison. Lata Mangeshkar is nothing compare to Rafi, but possess undeserved fame. That is the nature of our Hindustan.
No other singer in India than Rafi Saheb who won the hearts of, not millions but billions. That shows CNN IBN poll result which was conducted 33 years after his demise. Is it not justify my word ‘undeserved’ in Lata’s case?
Mera to jo bhi kadam hai vo teri rah me hai, har rah me har mod par teri sirf teri hi awaj hai!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sharad Desai
Mob 9545857321
Welcome to Mumbai:
Mr Soofi is a Coolie in Alleppey district of Kerala. Mr Manoj Kumar is from Quilon Kerala and a Big time collector of Songs and Videos.
Both are Mohd Rafi Pujaris. Both are coming to Mumbai on 28th Sept to Visit the Resting Place of Mohd Rafi at Santacruz and also the Mohd Rafi Music Room.
Mr Soofi builds a shelter at Alleppey Bus Stand and feeds people on July 31 Rafi Sahebs Punyatithi – death anniversary and on Dec 24 – the melodious singers Birthday. All from his meagre savings working as a Coolie at the Busy Govt Stand.
More, he has named his son as Mohd Rafi and his house name also carries the tag of Mohd Rafi Villa.
Mr Manoj is a Rafi Bakht who has immense collections of his favourite singer and is ready to help fans with rare songs of Mohd Rafi.
Kerala has the largest number of Mohd Rafi fans Buts here Hindi is not the Spoken Language. And, Mohd Rafi has had maximum visits and musical Programmes in Kerala.
Once Rafi Saheb visited Cochin Not for singing but for inauguration of a Football Tournament – says old timers.
We at RAFI FOUNDATION welcomes Mr Soofi and Mr Manoj Kumar to Mumbai.
Rafi sahab will remain with me as long as long iam alive.
Harpal har saans mein hai mere saath.
regards
vinod mehru
God made one sun and one mohd Rafi for our earth