By Achal Rangaswamy

July 31, 1980, marked the end of an era. The end of the golden era of lyrical magic, excellent compositions, and great voices like Mohammed Rafi that awakened the soul and conveyed powerful social messages for the world to hear and create a better place for everyone.

Mohammed Rafi Sahab breathed his last, not long after singing a small part of an almost prophetic message about waiting, sorrow, friendship, and a feeling of emptiness. After the rehearsal and recording, the legendary playback singer took leave of two of his favorite composers with an uncharacteristic message that suggested they would meet again soon. It was almost as if he was seeking their permission to go. The musician duo was perturbed by this gesture. Meanwhile, a group of musically inclined people from Kolkata were waiting for him to start working on a new album for the upcoming Pujas that year.

Alas, that was not to be, and the Laxmikant-Pyarelal solo song remained just that—a small fragment conveying longing. And all of us were left with a feeling of longing. That longing remains to this day, and I know it will continue as long as we all live on this earth.

Why, despite thousands of his songs available in all forms—records, cassettes, YouTube clips, audio pieces, pen drives, and books—do we still long for Rafi Sahab? Why do we search for him in non-existent publications, unrecorded tapes, and untold stories?

The answer lies in a simple truth: we realize the importance of people only after they are physically gone. Perhaps we take them for granted when they walk among us in their mortal form. Maybe we think they will always be around, and there will be no end to the joy and hope they bring us.

That was Rafi Sahab. A human who was like God. Or dare I say, a messenger of God, or maybe God himself in human form, who came and lived among us to spread the song of love, peace, joy, comfort, and belonging.

There is a famous saying that we are not human beings leading a spiritual existence, but we are spiritual beings leading a human existence.

Otherwise, why would that voice, till the very end of his life, remain as strong, sonorous, comforting, and reassuring as Rafi Sahab’s?

True Voice – Mohammed Rafi

When you listen to the fakir in Pavitra Papi sing “Jab tak saaf hai dil ka sheesha duniya se na darr pyaare bhai…”

Or the lover croon “Tere mere sapne ab ek rang hain”

Or the guardian comfort his kids by softly saying “Main gaaoon tum so jaao sukh sapnon mein kho jaao.”

Or the patriotic king say “Woh Bharat desh hai mera”

Or the kind friend say “Subah zuroor aayegi subah ka intezar kar”

I can think of a hundred songs by Rafi Sahab that gave us hope, optimism, joy, peace, a sense of purpose, and a feeling of bonding with other human beings.

When we look at the world today, with all the distrust, strife, and petty-minded feelings triggered by unscrupulous elements, a feeling of despair sets in around us. We live in a world where tolerance, faith, patience, equality, unity, and inclusiveness are mere slogans—empty words and buzzwords meant to impress a hollow world. They are all lip service with not an iota of truth or credibility in them.

In such situations, thank God, a single song by Rafi Sahab evokes feelings of hope.

One may say “Taqdeer kahan le jaayegi maloom nahi.” But we soon say with confidence, “Lekin hai yakeen aayegi manzil aayegi manzil.”

We may be surrounded by a despair-ridden cry of “Paise ki pehchaan yahan insaan ki keemat koi nahin,” but we soon revert to a thought that says “Ek banjara gaye Jeevan ke geet sunaye hum sab jeene walon ko jeene ki raah bataye.”

Yet, every July 31st, we come together, offer our tributes, and tell Rafi Sahab, “Dil ka soona saaz tarana dhoondega.”

Quite simply because Rafi Sahab was, is, and shall remain irreplaceable. We know there will be singers who may come close to his talent, his magical control over tune, tone, pitch, volume, beat, and more. But where will we find a messenger of God who dedicated his entire life to one single pursuit: bringing all people together from every nook and corner of the world to listen to him, sing with him, sing about him, write about him, and offer their gratitude to him for having come into their lives in every possible way.

There is no doubt that even today, many kitchens run because of him, many people earn a living because of him.

And I find peace because of him.

Yet, “Dil ka soona saaz tarana dhoondta hai.”

Rest in peace, Rafi Sahab. Our warm respect to you.

This blog was published on Wednesday, July 31st, 2024 at 1:32 pm and Last modified on Saturday, August 17th, 2024 at 5:34 pm and is filed under Meri Awaaz Suno. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.