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.
so correction: 90’s **love** songs ..not live songs
@ GREATSINGER,
I don’t think you’re considering the technicality difference between singers. You say that Mohd. Aziz or Udit Narayan would’ve been more suitable to do this tribute based on voice and Sonu’s voice is too “hip and trendy”?? I’m sorry but I beg to differ – I didn’t find Sonu’s voice hip and trendy in this performance but I must admit, it isn’t the same voice as he used to sing Rafi’s cover albums with..it used to be more Rafi-like back then. I’m actually glad he discovered his own voice. With his own awaaz, he has made his own identity..otherwise people would’ve passed him off as a singer that has a voice reminscent of Rafi but now he’s established himself as a unique individual. Sure, this change in voice was probably not the most favorable when it came to this concert since Rafi has a deeper tone.. but I respect that Sonu has carved his own niche in playback singing and in our hearts.
As for Udit Narayan, sure he might have a nice voice but I find his gayaki is not so impressive..he sounds great in typical 90’s live songs because they don’t require challenging harkats..Udit struggles with jumping notes when performing relatively easy songs at his own concerts and seems to be out of breath..I don’t think he could pull off ‘dil ke jharoke mein’ and many of the other songs as half as well as sonu did, no offense. You have your opinion, but I’m sure many Sonu fans who are aware of his vast capabilities will agree that Udit’s command of sur is quite inferior compared to Sonu. This may not be so apparent when comparing bollywood songs since playback these days is pretty easy but compare their live singing and sonu always comes on top in terms of range, effortlessness, maintaining notes, soul and adding beautiful variations so naturally.. also he sings the most amazing alaaps and murkiya live which I’ve never heard Udit do.
Mohd. Aziz may be well suited for this.. I don’t know too much about him so I can’t comment.
But all in all, I think Sonu was most suitable for this since he absolutely LOVES “his Rafi sahib.” He worships Rafi a lot and I think that’s what made this concert very special; it came straight from his heart.
A few corrections to my last post:
(1) I was naive back then but I am still very naive today lol. There’s always a lot of room to learn. But I’m a little less naive in comparing the quality of past singers to today’s singers. Nevertheless, that is just my judgment and opinion. Iif you feel otherwise that’s perfectly cool.
(2) I meant to write…”thought even Mohammed Rafi could emulate those songs (because Udit’s orig…” I meant to write I thought even Rafi could ***NOT*** emulate
Reena,
I commend you for your thoughtful consideration of Sonu Nigam. There’s only one point that you made that I myself can partially agree with: time constraints. I don’t know how much preparation / rehearsal time Sonu got but but that is indeed an important aspect to consider when judging a live performance. This is true under any circumstances even if…the songs Sonu Nigam performed were not new to him but something he grew up as a child listening to. Remember, Sonu used to release cover albums of Mohammed Rafi’s songs. If Mohammed Rafi had to morph into the future and sing Sonu’s songs, he wouldn’t have the same advantage Sonu did.
Not a long time ago I was somewhat naive. I grew up with Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik, and Kumar Sanu. Before exploring Rafi, some of my favorite songs were “Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna” and “Meri Mehbooba” from Pardes. Growing up with these songs they became my “standards”. I thought even Mohammed Rafi could emulate those songs (because Udit’s original was already preset in my head as 100 and I was just too naive to imagine Rafi’s rendition). I look at my feelings today and laugh at myself. So where am I going with this?
You, just like me, have set the original Sonu songs as 100 and can’t imagine something beyond the original (which defines itself what it is). But I assure you, if Rafi did morph into the future, with some time to adjust to the new times (it’d be a 28 year jump – consider the shock), he would indeed sing Sonu’s songs better. I’ll tell you.
Rafi had much better tonal quality than Sonu. Sonu’s voice is very syrupy and drowns in the music. Rafi’s voice is not necessary heavily but the tone is very strong and clear and that has a resounding, vibrant effect on the singer’s years. Main Jat Yamla Pagla Deewana comes immediately to mind.
Rafi’s expression of emotions seemed more natural and less artificial. When Sonu expresses emotions (especially in the Rafi songs) they feel artificial and very acted out. With Rafi, it is credible and appears more genuine and coming from the heart. I know this is subjective but that’s how I feel.
Remember, Mohammed Rafi was a singer who adapted to 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s (contrary to popular belief), and 1980. How many decades is that? How many genres did this man sing in and master – even within the same film! How many different actors and situations? This guy was the epitome of versatility. I can assure you if he adapted like that in his time – he would adapt to the 2008 music too.
HOWEVER – in fairness, Rafi would have one serious problem in 2008. This is something that Sonu deserves credit for. The composers of 2008 are such garbage that the songs wouldn’t be worthy of Rafi singing. Reminds me of Rafi & Kishore in “Nothing Is Impossible”. Two *great* singers and one horrible song that was so bad even the singers couldn’t salvage.
Sonu was lacking in terms of tonal quality and natural expression of emotions. I commend him for his efforts. Nevertheless, I wanted the people of Britain to know what the big deal was – because this was a BIG DEAL. Mohammed Rafi could easily contend to be one of the greatest singers in the world. His voice had magic. With Sonu’s performance, the audience probably didn’t get to understand that. But I do commend the orchestra for their state of the art ressurection of the works of the great MDs who deserve equal credit for Rafi’s success. They did justice to the great compositions Rafi got to sing. I think the Orchestra for having this program as I did appreciate it. I myself would love to buy CDs of the orchestra alone.
Yes Binuji..completely agreed..those songs are evergreen and will remain so forever..Sonuji has also sung similar gems..they havent gotten the mileage they deserve coz very few people appreciate such music these days..When every musician in this era is happy with commercial music and with the money that is lavishly coming to them, Sonuji wants to make good music irrespective of whether it brings him personal benefits or not..Try listening to Tujh Sang Bandhi Dor from Dev, Baawri Piya Ki From Baabul, Piya Bole and Bhaee Bhor from Dharm and most importantly, the entire album Classically Mild which he released in Feb this year!! Speaks truck loads about him as a musician! Some other gems of his, which are brilliant but got ignored are Tu Mila De from Saawan the Love Season, Desh Ki Mitti from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose,Do Kadam aur Sahi from Meenaxi,Soona Mann Ka Aangan from Parineeta,Rashtra Prem Ki Bhavna, his own creation,Sarfaroshi KI Tamanna and Mera Rang de basanti chola from Legend of Bhagat Singh,Yesterday was Tomorrow from his album Mausam and so on..not mentioning the songs which became hits coz u all obviously know them..:-)..
Oh yeah Reena, the song Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte from Rab ne Bana Di Jodi is a real treat..even I thoroughly enjoyed it..what a glorious tribute to the maestros of yester years!!
a song which carries tons of “feelings” will remain evergreen and remember for decades. and songs which have feelings and classical base will go on for many centuries. we have seen this and i hope no one will “dis-agree with this opinion. baiju – bawra, basant bahar, shankara bharanam, gaanam and many more instantly come to the mind. music lovers may add few more songs/films to the list.
binu nair, rafi foundation, mumbai , cell : 9833 250 701, binus2000@hotmail.com
Every singer is different and we should not expect Sonu to be a Mohd. Rafi replica because that isn’t possible. Neverthless, the singing was very good – perhaps a tad off in places but of course there’s going to be small differences… this is Rafi ji we’re talking about!! Still Sonu is the closest we can get with today’s singers.
This might enrage some Rafi puritans but I’m just going to present a hypothetical situation:
Imagine if the situation was switched around and Rafiji was alive and paying tribute to Sonu by singing some of his songs that had challenges in vocalization and extremely soulful singing – 20 songs such as: bawri piya ki, mera rang de basanti, satrangi re, sun zara, tanhayee, tera jadoo chal gaya, apne, yaar magyasi, kismat se tum humko, deewana tera, etc… there are many other songs I could probably name. But imagine Rafi singing that all in one go with maybe a couple days rehearsal with the band. Now there will obviously be deviations from the original because:
A) They come from singing different styles – Rafi will probably not be able to completely capture the essence of a contemporary song like halka halka sa yeh sama in the same respect that Sonu had a little difficulty capturing the essence of Rafi’s classics. Still he sounded very somber in the sad songs and energetic in chahe koi mujhe junglee kahe. whoever says that there wasn’t heart in the performance, either you were wearing earmuffs or had preconceived notions/very high expectations or simply have something against Sonu.
B) Rafi sahib (all respects go out to him..may his soul rest in peace) is not Sonu in the same way as Sonu is not Rafi. THEY’RE TWO DIFFERENT SINGERS from different eras!
C) The time contraints for preparation.. is there a need to elaborate?
D) Singing for that long is exhausting so small occasional errors in sur are forgivable. Even Rafi himself sounded a little different singing his songs live when compared to his records.
Now I’m sure if such a situation occured and Rafi ji deviated a little from Sonu’s singing, you critics out there would maybe harp: “there’s not the same spirit” “the sur in rang de basanti was off” “some harkatein weren’t executed the same as Sonu in satrangi re” No duhh..each singer is accustomed to singing in their own style, has their own strengths/weakenesses, different voice texture. Let’s just be appreciative that Sonu is making an honest attempt !
I hope I’ve made myself clear.
This comparison to the ‘original’ is really illogical considering the great legend Rafi sahib was. But in a few decades, we’ll be hailing Sonu Niigaam as a legend too, especially if he continues to surprise us with his talent in albums like ‘classically mild’ that truly belong to a completely new genre of music. Both are great musical maestros in their own unique way so DON’T COMPARE.
On another note, have you all heard the song ‘Phir milenge chalte chalte’ from Rab ne bana di jodi yet? It’s an amazing fusion of modern and retro classics from the 50’s – 80’s sung by Sonu and pays tribute to 5 legends of Indian cinema. Just felt like throwing that out there because I enjoyed it immensely and had lots of fun trying to figure out which movies the lyrics were from.. 🙂
i feel sonu did a great job & he is the only singer in todays generation who actually pays a lot a tribute his idol….He is the one who is introducing the great work of rafi saab to this generation….He considers rafi saab as his god…Lets not be too critical by comparing them when sonu himself says that rafi saab is incomparable….
I love one old song of kishore kumar ‘ Suhana sufar aur Mohamad rafi’ ,
what is the film name ?
Mr. Ramchandran, You seemed to have missed the point. Sonu Nigam was not trying to reproduce Mohd. Rafi’s songs. This was “classical remixâ€, for lack of a better word, of some of the evergreen Rafi songs. He was singing with a metronome. The tempo of the song is totally dependent on the pulse of the metronome. Sonu did a wonderful job to keep up with that tempo and at the same time preserve the timeless beauty of the compositions. If you want to hear it exactly as Rafi sang then you should listen to the original CDs.
sonu ji’s performance was gr8………he sang as good as original…………sonuji rocks…he is the only singer who can match the level of gr8 m.raffi & kishor kumar……………….so pls don’t say that sonu ji was not good………..
rightly said binuji…
Well, I think Sonu Nigam has matured greatly as a singer over the years. I have seen the entire program(RAFI RESSURECTED) and in my opinion, he has sung those songs excellently. No other singer(in my opinion) currently in Bollywood, can sing Rafi songs with such accuracy that too in a live performance. However I do agree with Mr. Ramachandran on the fact that the orchestra was brilliant. Yes they were amazing to watch. I am Sonu’s greatest fan. Yet I won’t say that he is the greatest. He is definitely one of the best singers the World has ever seen but cannot be compared to either Md. Rafi or Kishore Kumar as each of their style is different.
Yes this is understandable all singers have their fan club and they are rated by them the best . Comparison can never be done. But there is always level of singing and this game of making comparison of great singers will never be finished. It is just like there are many great players in Indian cricket team and all have their fan club. But does it mean we should not respect the position of Tendulkar as nobody comes near to him if we really make a comparison.. Rafi’s place in singing is like Ghalib’s place in poetry, and you may find many other poets but Ghalib is Ghalib. thats why Ghalib is still shining and other you can see where they are.
The absence of Mohd Rafi from singing gave many the opportunity to shine. I dont know why people have short memories.
Shyama saab . every singer do have his place, his fan club , his qualities .. I agree with you no one is crap. Kishor had wonderful voice and same is about the others you mentioned. I believe I have a very good collection of Mukesh, Kishore, Talat, Sonu and I have been listening all of them . they all do justice to their singing and sang marvelously well..
Its not comparison as you think , as there can never be any comparison as all are from different league of singing. But I don’t feel any reservation in saying that without Rafi the singing in India is like son without father. You need to understand the colors, the rhythms, the moods, the pitches, the raags, surs, taal, which you can find in Rafi singing in plenty whereas in other you need to identify after listening them carefully and I am sorry to state you may not find many.
Now Sonu Nigham. Nobody says Sonu Nigham is not a good singer . He is right now the best singer in India he has the variation of such singing that he can attempt all kind of songs. Like 13 years back and now I feel over the years he has somehow developed his voice on a pitch which is now disturbing his adjustment to different songs. He is well recognized for his love for Rafi and he has done great deal for this factor. And all rafians place him very high but in this whole commentary we are only saying this much he sang these songs below even his own standards. and this is hardcore truth. When we say we do not mean the comparison rather it was expected that he would sing very well which was not the case ..
Just for the information of Sid, Mainsh and Shyama please go to you tube and find Mehboob Chohan , he also performed one month earlier than Sonu Nigham in the same hall. you will find Sonu Nigham songs for this program recorded from Sony and uploaded on youtube and you will find Mehboob Chohan songs recorded by normal video handycam and uploaded on you tube. Both programs are live but in Sonu Nigham’s live performance orchestra is better whereas in Mehboob Chohan performance orchestra is not so much good. Just go on you tube and see by yourselves.. may be then you all can understand what we all are saying ..
It is not bad to identify what is good and what is worst actually it is bad not to accept the levels of good or levels of bad. We need open hearts and open minds for positive criticism and constructive opinions. All arguments need logics and base. To make words to support words mean nothing. Rafi is most widely listened singer on you tube worldwide from all who sang from 1942 to 1987.
Thank you
Mohsin
Shenzhen
Post 285 : people have heard the original tunes many hundred times and this has registered in their minds. any change, they would rare-ly welcome.
Please understand that this event with symphony was a “bold experimentation” and any singer would have had to face great hurdles while belting the numbers. even during the recordings of the songs its reported that sonu had great difficulties. it would not have been there if indian instruments were used, similar to the originals. people with open minds and no blinkers – loved the programme. this includes youngsters as well whom i talked to. this is an encouraging sign, we feel.
binu nair.
I went to the Rafi Ressurected concert on Monday at Birmingham Symphony Hall and to be honest, Sonu Niigaam, as damn good a singer he is, he was not the best person to belt out Rafi tracks.
Sonu’s voice is far too ‘hip and trendy’ – Mohammed Rafi had a mature, velvet voice. Someone like Mohammed Aziz or even Udit Narayan would have been the better singers to pull off Rafi tracks.
Sonu sang one track in monotone, he struggled with Tareef Karun Kya Uski & Dil ke Jharoke Mein, Gunjan was not bad but not worthy of being there either, and too many tracks were sad depressing songs! I mean, start off the concert off-beat please. Concert started at 07:45 and were done by 10:30 – seemed quite quick.
When Sonu spoke, he mumbled or was partly-understandable although you could understand him when he sung.
It was a nice evening out but only the orchestra were in tune and damn good.
very true shyama di…sonuji has always tried to serve to music with no selfish interests…it is only sonuji in today’s date who is actually taking steps to control the deteriorating music scenario…and i believe every music lover should support him in this cause…and he has proved his point by making ‘classically mild’ which was a hit in india as well as in abroad…may he keep doing such efforts in future as well and may god be always with him in his noble doings..
Thanks Binuji..I think this whole debate that happened here was not called for..coz it started from a nonsensical comparison..u cant compare the musicians from two different generations..because music has evolved and the singers have to evolve too with it..A singer of the 21st century will not get any work if he remains stuck up in the 1950s..Rafi Saab is Sonuji’s musical father and Sonuji himself says that the son can never match the father..and the younger generation considers Sonuji their musical father..the cycle will thus go on..Sonuji deserves respect simply because he is making a genuine effort to make good music and save the deteriorating music scene..if u guys have heard his album Classically Mild, it was one which Pandit Jasraj ji and Lata Mangeshkarji called him up personally to praise him for..thru albums like Classically Mild and Rafi Resurrected, he is trying to prove to India that even good music can sell if packaged properly..if second grade artists are succeeding in India, it is only because they are being drastically promoted by the media..he is trying to break the jinx on the music industry and use his popularity to make good music sell..he has no personal gain in this..its for music..coz he is a sincere musician..and I am sure Rafi Saab is really really proud of him for it..Bless him guys, so that he can keep up his good efforts..for the sake of music 🙂
Dear Friends,
I am also a great fan of Rafi Saab. Till date I have not heard any playback singer who can be compared with Rafi Saab.
I am searching a volume “Shabads & Devotional sung by Mohmmed Rafi”. It is Sikh devotional. Can any Rafi’s fan help me for the same?
Regards
Jasbindersingh
post 280 : Shyama : well said. indian music is the oldest, its 4000 years old. every decade will throw up its music heroes, the laws of social change is universal.
may i tell all that we love mohd rafi as our idol and rafi ji’s output of songs can only be matched in patches by many singers. the singers whose names you have mentioned have all given us “great music” – never a doubt about it. i enjoy some of their songs too. no doubt about it.
and we also disapprove kishore kumar fans mischievously entering this portal and trying to compare with mohd rafi and adding that both were equal. we strongly disapprove of this.
let each one enjoy his idol singers music output and feel good about it without disturbing anyone.
binu nair, rafi foundation, mumbai…..
There is something I want u guys to understand..U guys consider Rafi Saab as 100% and every other singer as a lesser percentage..similarly, another group of people will vouch the same for Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhonsle, Sonu Niigaam or Udit Narayan..every fan or devotee considers his idol as 100% and everyone else as inferior..thats human idiocy..worship ur idol all u want, but donot degrade other artists..every artist has his/her own identity, his/her own strengths and his/her own weaknesses..more appropriately, his/her own USP..and the USP makes them special..Rafi Saab’s USP appeals to u, Sonuji and many others..thats why he is ur Idol…No doubt Rafi Saab was a gem..is a gem I should say and will remain one..but that doesnt mean that Kishore Kumar was crap..He had his own specialities. and noone else could match Kishore da at what he was good at..similarly for Lataji, Ashaji, Sonuji, Uditji, Hariharanji, Shankar Mahadevanji,Sukhvinder Singhji, Shreya Ghoshalji, Sunidhi Chauhanji and so on..These singers have made a mark in the industry because there is something special about them which caught the attention of people..respect them for it..Respect anyone who serves music..never throw stones at them,call them horrible or degrade them..u can have ur opinion of course..But donot voice such harsh opinions about other artists on public forums..because it hurts sentiments,simply because an artist puts his heart and soul into his music..Donot throw negativity at him/her..constructive criticism helps an artist to learn and improve..when it comes from knowledgable people..but there was nothing constructive about most of the comments voiced on this forum..it was all negativity..and I dont think anyone here can claim to have more knowledge about music than Sonuji..u guys are just music lovers..Sonuji is a musician..he is swimming in the ocean whereas u guys are staying on the shore and watching the scene..
Music is bigger than any artist guys..music is God’s language and speaks in the fourth dimension..donot equate Rafi Saab to music..coz there is much more to it..Rafi Saab was just an honest artist who served music sincerely all his life..and Sonuji is just that..look at Sonuji for one second as a music lover and not as a Rafi Saab devotee..u cant not respect his efforts..
@unknown
Sir first of all write ur name…and we never said rafi sahib was a bad singer..or never said that at that time he was 2nd….n u dont dare to say same for the Sonuji….
@Sid
i completely agree with u. I cant understand, why people compare live performance with playback singing…..
we never said that sonuji is better than rafi saab or sumthing like that….but it doesn’t mean sonuji didn’t sing his songs well…he did a very good job…some of you were not happy with the title of the show,some of you didn’t like the selection of songs,some of you expected sonuji be a carbon copy of rafi saab….these may be few of the reasons why you couldn’t see the positive aspects of sonuji’s singing…i have interacted with sooo many genuine rafi saab’s fans after that show…and all of them loved the concert…its only here that so much of negativity is being spread…its pretty obvious that you people would never except it…so just lemme tell you that if there is a legendary singer in today’s date, then it is sonu niigaam….and not only me but all the musicians in today’s date includin legendary lataji and asha ji agree with that…he did his best in that concert and better than anyone else could have done…(and i can challenge on that)…its easy to criticise and ridicule someone’s achievements while sitting comfortably on ur pcs…put urself into his shoes and then realise…all i can suggest you people is that please don’t expect him to be rafi saab…he has his own identity…it was just a humble effort by him to give a tribute to his guruji…and efforts that come out of love and respect for someone are never judged…so,please stop attacking him…
Hi fans,
a man was at top from his first song he singed upto his last day of his life and still when a new good voice come we comapare him with him,he is Mohd Rafi the only the only singer in the world was at the top on is all life, some of people said that he was a number 2 from1970 to 1976 but that is not true………
please listen to Mohd Raf songs I am sue u will be Mohd rafi,there are many people they are listen Mohd Rafi they say how great is KK because they don’t knw who is singing and I saw any people like that
You going mad….its just started…i cant listen a single word against Sonuji…n also about Rafi sahib. Its obvious both the singer are most important singer for our music industry. If u cant support anyone then never criticize anyone. Its difficult to perform live and for a live performance i’ll rate that 5 out of 5…it was a complete package…
no doubt sonu nigam is a great singer by this time but still he is far away from rafi saheb.rafi saheb used to sing according to mode of the song his pitch was very high ,very depth in emotioan,so lastly i would like to say that there is no comparision of rafi saheb ,even lata ji is 99.99% as compared to rafi saheb 100%
Urgent pls. : dear moderator,
I have not written the post no. 273. Its Mischievious and someone is trying to play truants. Kindly find this out and delete the posts – very urgently.
Binu Nair, mumbai
Urgent : dear editor : I am surprised to read post no 273 . I have not sent it. Someone is playing truant . Pls. delete the post as it’s mischievious. Please bar the writer and keep a watch.
binu nair.
He is a good singer amongst the present lot. But one should refrain from copying maestros. Comparison always kills. And ofcourse Rafi cannot be matched. Sonu too adores him and we should give him and his father that much liberty. They are real fans of Rafi Saheb.
Met his father briefly years ago,when I was a Director with Doordarshan and vouch for their love for Rafi.
vinodkapoor5@rediffmail.com
binuji
i agree with you hundred percent.yours is a voice of sanity in the welter of confusion.however fastidious we may be in our tastes,as i am myself,we should be pragmmatic as you rightly say.we should accommodate the tastes of listeners of all hues.moreover,whatever is done in the name of rafi sahib should be welcome.you have described k for kishore jamboree as c grade which it certainly was.let us hope that the serial telecast on rafi sahib keeps the standard of the legendary singer flying high.
First off all u all people stop comparing Sonuji with rafi saahab….
Both the singers were great….Nether Sonuji took rafi saahab place nor rafi saahab can take Sonuji place…they have there own identity, and let them remain in there identity..
Na fankaar aap jaisa duniya me aayeee….
Mohammmmmmmmmed rafi aap bahut yaad aaaaaaaaayeeeeeee……….
Mohsinji:
It’s very tough to actually categorise Rafisahab’s voice. I understand that several analysts (especially those having Western-classical background) have opined that his voice could be branded ‘closed’. Personally I don’t think it’s the case. I (like you) consider his voice as open but superbly controlled. Actually that voice can’t be categorised as such, it had so many dimensions and it was so flexible.
post 265 : dhani ram ji…. i agree to your post as i am also one who will not accept songs that are not on par with the high benchmarks set by the legend mohd rafi. but one has to see the “ground realities” too. i will not miss this .
and, if the general common folks enjoyed a music event then i would be the last, the last one to complain/criticise/downgrade/downsize the event of such a great magnitude.
binu nair, mumbai
anil ji and and rafi lovers : if some of you have not heard/seen the sonu programme please write to me. it could be couriered to you.
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rafi resurected title , no real rafi lover will agree to. its a marketing gimmick of sa re ga ma company.
and from among the rafi clones sonu is a better clone of rafi saaheb. no one will be able to come near the legend. i will quote a real incident about what happened in Hong Kong. there was a lata mangeshkar nite and mohd aziz was also a singer in the group. lata developed a bad throat and the programme was about to be called off . the event organiser panicked and just requested lata bai to make a token presence and allow mohd asiz to sing rafi songs to the crowd. lata bai and her brother hridyanath agreed.
mohd asiz sang some twenty mohd rafi gems, the crowd asked for more and more. everyone was happy including the sponsor.
the ending statement was even sweeter . lata bai said agar woh ( rafi hothe yahan ) to aaj kya hota.?????
binu nair, mumbai, binus2000@hotmail.com
binuji
257: that is because true lovers of rafi set a very high benchmark in keeping with the singing capabilities of rafi sahib.they are not ready to accept,much less lap up, anything short of perfect.
It is really very interesting to be part of this whole discussion. First of all I want to clear this thing that I am not a negative critic. There are level of singing column wise and line wise then its laws , limitations, surs, taal , voice variations, nazm o nask of singing. In the recent years we dont find many singers of Sonu Nigam’s calibre around the globe who actually understand this language. I still remember his many live performances with very bad kind orchestra and he was superb there.
Here are few points I want clarify
@anilcherain
Rafi,s voice was an example of open throat voice but under perfect disciplines of control (Check and Balances of voice with music or without music) as normally said in Urdu or Hindi “Grift” (Grift is superlative degree of kabu) which makes it a voice with boundaries of singing beyond the understanding normal singers. Just singing one sur with different level pitch and in a rhythm pick the other sur with an other level of sur and just maintaining it also change the raag from one to an other.. I hope you understand.
Sonu is also basically from the same league of open throat singers and I said it that I always rate him very high. And I also said “it was a big mistake to go like this to sing” these songs . which make sense that he was not well prepared but ultimately the impression which has been concluded was that he even didnt sing to his own standards. I really felt that his voice was not picking up the pitch and rythm .
@HarryKhubchandani
He flew to London only two days back to sing in this live concert again suggested that he was not prepared although it was already known to many people many days ahead that he would be performing. It is an establshed fact that he has done the most as Shagird of Rafi as nobody else has done even near to him. Trust me he could have sung much more better but he couldnt thats why I said in the beginning of my comments that I know that Sonu is a good singer but I dont know what happend?
these are also my feelings that the kind of love and respect he has for the Great Rafi saab he should have been more prepared as he knew much much earlier that he would be performing in a an environment with such kind of 75 people orchestra. because its not India where things organized can be changed at the last minute. In my opinion he already knew it what sort of audience , music and environment he would have there. He has been singing in all kind of audiences and ten times bigger crowds.
I really felt he has some problems with the voice nowadays. The only one aspect which no one portrayed is this that Sonu had maintained his own identity by his own voice.
@Mainsh Rana
I think you have given comment without reading whatever I have written in my previous comments. I didnt say it was wrong songs selection not even in indirect manners. Songs were selected properly but were not sung as could have been sung because we never expected any other person other than Sonu Nigam to sing these wonderful songs sung by Rafi and also do justice to them but it wasnt the case. Its simple and straight.
@ General Comments
All those who understand music and singing understand what is the difference of singing in recording studio, in a room, in a bathroom , in the open air theatre, in the selected gathering, in the crazy crowd, or in a park or garden and so on . Singing is always largely effected by the kind of crowd and environment developed at the time of singing.
cheers
Mohsin
Shenzhen China
manish ji : post 258 : if u do not understand my response and put statements in to my laps, what i can say. i suggest, please read my posts again and again and then advise. but, first grasp the meanings before writing.
Hi,
I think we mostly have problem with our mind because we like to compare,some us compare Mr Bachchan with Dilip kummar,now people comapre great player in creckit!!!!!!??????????why we should compatre why why why why why why why????????????????
Binu sir:
This difference of opinion is bound to happen… Actually not many of us hard-core Rafians are questioning the intention of Sonu… most of us are also not questioning his singing skills. It’s just that many don’t find the title of the programme appropriate and that it was felt that Sonu took too many liberties with the original scores. There ends the differences and we can always agree to disagree, na? Again, as you know, Rafisahab’s standards are so high that it’s a Himalayan task to even appear similar (unlike the case with certain other singers).
Personally, I admire and appreciate Sonu’s intentions while I can’t comment about his actual performance since I haven’t been able to watch/listen to it.
Post: 259: I am glad atleast you have accepted that no one can sing like Rafi Saheb, but let me tell you people that I am not critisizing Sonu, it was my opinion that he could not justified the songs he sang in the show. Why don’t you upload Sonu’s site and see the results!!!
post 241: don’t repeat anything…just upload your song and show us if you can sing better than sonuji…i guess you were expecting rafi saab himself to sing at the concert…which wasn’t possible…and that is why you aren’t satisfied…plz,widen your mindsets…you can not expect any singer to be rafi saab’s carbon copy or he will never have his own identity..sonuji did a commendable job…and he surely deserves appreciation…
@binu nair
what u want to say say it clearly
what i understand i replied for that…i dont know in which manner u r talking…
a contradiction: kishore kumar lover “will” lap up a c grade programme called K for kishore. and mohd rafi lovers “would” not acclaim a good internation effort by a rafi sishya to remember and tribute him.
my serious concern is what will happen if there is a R for Rafi show – week after week, since the said event is under planning stage.
binu nair, mumbai
Post 253: That’s your opinion.
manish rana ji : post 254 : thanks for the knowledge and do read my posts again and again.
binu nair, mumbai, cell 9833 250 701
@binu nair
Exactly what i want to say. Never compare singer. Every singer have some special quality which cant be find in other. Both of them are great.
@Prabhakar Bhatt.
Sonuji concert was also rated outstanding. If a non-indian band paly indian tune, that will be difficult for them also. But for that purpose u cant question on sonuji singing or abilities.
@Nikhil Gangavane
u think so. still more then half india mummer Sonuji song daily. If he is a period singer then there is no one in industry who is forever singer.
@Syed Mohsin Mahmood
there was no wrong song selection. Just buy Rafi reselected CD and ur all doubt will come to an end and u’ll know how superb he can sing. There is difference in singing in a room and performing live. It can be well justified form his CD.
Hussein Sheikh
i know everyone has his own opinion, but if cant appreciate any one then dont cretized any other. specially when someone sing so awesome i a live performance.
Ref: Post 250.
Found some interesting observations about Rafisahab’s voice/singing and agree with it. Yes, Rafisahab’s voice and singing is deceptive in the sense that one feels it’s an easy-to-copy voice and the style is simple enough to pick up easily. But when one tries to actually sing like him, it becomes clear that ‘Rafi is Rafi’.
Speaking of ‘closed voice’, Rafisahab’s voice (if it can be categorised) falls within the broad category of such a voice. But it had so many characteristics which makes it ‘un-closed’. For instance, Rafisahab could punch hard when he wanted to, he could hold his own in lower notes and the voice retains its heaviness at higher notes. A comparison with Nusrat saab’s (another singer with a ‘closed’ voice) singing would make this point clear.
To sing Rafi songs, you have to practice them.. to sing with an orchestra.. you have to be able to practice with the orchestra over a period of time. none of that was done.. you cannot fly to london two days before the show and then sing Rafi.. Sonu did good in the capacity he was given.. at least he dedicated his voice to rafi saab.. he has said over and over again that rafi is his first and only mentor.. sonu’s first.. second.. third.. fourth cd’s were songs sung by rafi saab.. sonu is a true shagird of rafi saab..