Mohammed Rafi Sahab – The voice of all seasons and all reasons
By Salim K
Rafi Sahab
If there are 101 ways of saying ‘I love you‘ in a song, Mohammed Rafi Sahab knew them all and much more. The friskiness of teen romance, the philosophy of unrequited love and the anguish of heartbreak – he could explore every crevice of ardor in the most effortless and unmatched manner.
It wasn’t just love, his voice could capture all the emotions and moods of life – a failed poet’s melancholy, a fiery unionist’s vim, a debt-ridden farmer’s despair, a young man’s dream, heart of a lover and anybody who was somebody, Rafisahab had the amazing and rare quality of expressing it through his matchless and perfect voice. Rafisahab ,whose stupendous career spanned nearly four decades, was indeed a singer for every season and every reason.
It all began much before the the first song that Rafi Sahab sang was in Punjabi for the film ‘Gul Baloch‘, a duet with Zeenat Begum ‘Soniye ni heeriye ni‘ for composer Feroze Nizami spotted the young singer’s potential and found him a job at Radio Lahore. The everlasting fragrance came to the knowledge of people at a private concert of the legendry KL Saigal.
When the legendry KL Saigal heard a 15 year old boy get up and sing in front of a large audience gathered there to hear Saigal , an epic of immeasurable proportions was getting its beginning. With no sound system or cutting edge equipment that we have today that could make anyone sound like a singer, the young boy with his most potent resource, his voice, left a tremendous impact on Saigal Sahab who said that the boy would achieve great things in art of singing. If Saigal Sahab was alive to see what that 15 year old boy achieved, he would have said that his estimate about the boy was very modest as greatness was just the beginning of what he achieved, his achievements stand monumental at the upmost pinnacle of not only singing but of the entire fabric of the music world.
Rafi Sahab
A voice and a person of true legendary status, unmatched and unchallenged in each and every sur and taal of singing. A legend that raised the bar of singing every time he sang, a voice that joined hearts, a voice that united nations, a voice that sprouted the seeds of freedom and love, a voice that galvanized millions, a voice that was and is a household name, a voice that inspired his peers and other future singers, a voice that inspired music directors to go out of their comfort zones, a voice that help shape careers of actors, a voice that created an industry of music, a man that smiled more than he talked, a man whose most prized possessions besides his voice was his respect, modesty, integrity and generosity. A man who gave the innumerable impressions of his great voice in each passing decade, impressions that have left a permanent mark in our hearts and minds a true gentleman who only had good to say about others.
A legend of epic proportions whose undisputed rule began on that stage with Saigal Sahab and continued till 31 st July 1980 when he left us physically and even after 30 years of passing by one sees that no has taken the throne of the emperor as it is impossible for anyone to take that status, a status that has now become a fact, a matter of pride and celebration of the life of the greatest singer of all time, the one and only, Rafisahab.
Rafi Sahab was and is one of the greatest forces in the history of the Indian sub-continent culture. His Immortal Golden Voice still rules the hearts of millions of Indian music lovers and others the world over. Rafi Sahab is indeed the greatest singers of all times and the evidence is out there just like the rising of the sun every day. It is impossible to conceive of another singer ever attaining the range, the versatility and the awesome emotion that his golden voice contains. As time goes by the seasons continue refreshing the environment with the silky beauty of his voice that keeps touching and enlightening millions of hearts the world over.
Rafisahab was not just the champion singe but a song maker. His voice raised the quality of the music and the lyrics and motivated other singers who saw him as a Guru and an inspiration. Even stalwarts like Lata, Mana Dey, Talat, Mukesh, Kishore, and Hemant Kumar acknowledged the unmatched skills and greatness of Rafisahab. I like to end this article with some comments of other legends and artistes on the impact Rafisahab created in every aspect of song making.
Jagjit Singh: “Agar Rafisahab sirf gazal gaate tho sab gazal singeron ki chooto ho jaati” – If Rafisahab had only sang gazals, gazal singers would be out of work.
SP Balsubramanium: He is matchless, no one can sing like him, we can only try to sing, he used to sing. We all consider him to be our Guru.
Anu Malik: Rafisahab singeron mein sabse badae sahab thay – He was the sahab amongst all singers I worked with.
Hasrat Jaipuri: He is the only singer that has done 100% justice to my lyrics
Pyarelal: Jaise Lata ji is the icon in female singing, Rafisahab is the icon of male singing, woh ek shahshan they aur hein.
Yesudas: He was my Guru, whatever I am today is because of Rafisahab.
Kishore Kumar: Rafi sahab can sing one song in 100 ways which I can sing in one way
Lata: None of us had the vocal range that Rafi bhaiya had. I always enjoyed singing with him. A singer of his quality comes once in a lifetime.
Shabbir Kumar: I am convinced that Rafi sahib is the only complete singer I have ever heard.
RD Burman: I wish if I had worked more with Rafi, I miss his vocal magic. One could write a book on what other stalwarts feel about Rafisahab. He is indeed an inspiration for all generations.
Rafi Sahab was the sort of genius who appears once in a life-time ; unique, his golden voice continues to flow like essence drawn from several jewels, a constellation which enriches, in a mystical way, the firmament of music, the spiritual peak of eternal silence and of the celestial world that listens to itself through the voice of cherubic Mohammed Rafi Sahab, the immortal singer who is interpreter of that very sublime silence.
A huge number of fans of Rafi saab demand Bharat Ratan for Rafi saab.Sometimes I also want the same. But then I say to myself & even to all that Rafi saab is simply peerless, incomparable. He is above all awards.With his voice & songs he has immortalised many actors, co singers music directors & films. What to say of 35 years after his death,Rafi saab will remain Number1for all the times to come. Kaun kehta hai mar gaya hai Rafi. Apne geeton main jee raha hai Rafi. Aaj bhee apne fun ke jaadu se. Sabko deewaana kar raha hai Rafi. Rakesh Kumar (Ulfat Batalavi) ADC(D) Gurdaspur Punjab. 09815454502.
Thank you Rahulji for providing us fans with the information that mohammed Rafi saheb wins the Greatest Voice poll conducted recently. It brings me so much joy especially as it wasn’t just for the male artist category but across all genders. It appears that people will never forget the great man and his amazing talent but the Indian government and all the dirty politics that take place in India has deprived Mohd Rafi saheb of getting his due in the form of awards, shame on them!!!!!!!!!.
Many congratulations especially to all of us who already know what the recent polls have just confirmed which is Mohd Rafi is the best singer ever!
Congrats! Mohammad Rafi Saheb wins Greatest Voice (male or female) of Hindi Cinema in the very latest poll conducted by CNN-IBN on the eve of August 15th. This is another very significant victory for the greatest singer!
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/mohammad-rafi-wins-greatest-voice-of-hindi-cinema-poll/414604-8-66.html
paida hone se pehle maalik ne rafi sahab ke galepe haath lehra diya tha,, fata hua music system mein v suno to awaz saaf sunai deti hai… Ek sharm ki baat hai bollywood k liye k jinke naam pe hum faqr ehsusjarte hain, saruthake duniya se kehte hain,,,,,,, ek hi singer aur wo v hamare ghar pe,,,, unke liye aaj tak ek award nahin nikal payein ‘mohd rafiaward’ forany top class singer!!respect aise hota hai bollywood,, sirf gana sunlenesehi nahin…. Socho aur kam pe aao
Very nice article and emotional. Rafi sahab is the only singer in this world and one can depend on him in every moments of life.
ravindra sahab,
bahut khoob, cheers.
Dr. Khaja Aliuddin
His voice is sort of relief from the rest of the world. I dedicate following lines to the greatest singer ever
amrit mishrit suron ki barsaat me gham e zindagi kahan theher paayega,
aalap lekar gar khuda bhi dekhe to rafi sahab ki awaz na choo paayega
rafi sahab ek mahan insaan ke saath saath wo awaz ke shahinsha they na un jaisi ka koi hai na tha na rahega i think wo suron ke badshah the kiya meethaas thi unki awaz mein wo chahe jitna bhe oonchaa soor mein gaye wo aise mithaas se gaate wo jitna bhe neeche soor se gaye waise he meethaas se gaate kiya galla tha unka uperwala bohat khushi aur meethaas se banaya tha rafi sahab aur yeh duniya mein bheja hum log ke liye really he was a such a great human being and such a exellent singer may god bless his soul aur kiya likhoon main rafi sahab ke bare mein mujhe kuch alfaaz nahin milrahe hain rafi sahab ke bare mein likhne ke liye i liked his voice since i was 5 years old and i am a biggest fan of rafi sahab like billions other peoples
excellent write up with beautiful usage of words.
Dear salimji,
a very nice article indeed and informative.congradulations.
according to mannada ” i will be happy if i could achive 50%
what rafi saab achived.in duet songs even lataji’s voice is not
enough to match with rafi saab’s voice.”
Mahendra kapporji – “it is the most memorable day in my life
when i could meet rafi saab.from my early years i have
considered him as my ustaad”
singers from kerala:
jayachandran – the range of rafi saab is unparellel.really
the voice is god’s voice.
venu gopal – the only singer who can express the feelings
so touching.
unni menon – rafi saab is everything for me. i could not take
food on that sad day 31st july 1980
the qualities rafi saab possess as a singer as well as a
human being is matchless and i think he is the 8th wonder
of the world.recently i had seen an interview of a stalwart
who is my second choice after rafi saab saying he slapped
a young music director.after hearing this all my respect to
him has vanished.it is difficult to have a singer or artist
like rafi saab and i think we rafi fans are lucky to have a
singer like him to keep always with us.
Salim ji, excellent article and a great analysis in post 17. It is good to see a fair and unbiased analysis.
Very nice article. I can feel the emotion too!
The Rafi radio is not playing, even though it is on the play mode. Can you please help me to diagnose the problem.
Thanks admin seems all my posts have come at once. My apologies for some typos in my posts no 14. I have corrected them below. Javed Sahab I was a witness to the 70’s and all this nonsense melodrama was raked up by the media and so called Kishore Kumar fans when the man himslef, Kishore was humble and many times embarassed when he was told about him overtaking Rafi Sahab. Sure kishore was popular but so was Mukesh, talat, Mana and Mahendra in the early years. There is a room for all and many gullible people dont understand this fact and even some Rafians get carried away with this. It was not humanely possible for Rafi Sahab to sing all songs or that many songs as he did in 3 decades earlier simply because he piys stress on ones heart, vocal chords and overall geneal health. It is a miracle that Rafi sahabs voice remained intact infact it got more sweeter and fresh. One can see clear derioration in voice of all singers, male and female.
Rafi Sahab was always a king and will remain a king regardless whar era of music pone wishes to discuss.
_____________________________________________________________
1. Post 11, thanks for your comments. In the latter years, R D Burman really missed Rafi Sahab as he began to loose his popularity to lesser music directors even though his favorite Kishore was still alive. The part that confuses most music lovers is how RD Burman used Mohd Aziz, Shabbir Kumar, Amit Kumar, Shailendra, Bhupendra and others more than Kishore after the passing away of Rafi Sahab. I think he began to recognize the importance of having more variety in his songs.
One can see majority of RD Burman and Kishore numbers being very repetitive and one could see that when RD Burman used Rafi Sahab or even Mukesh for a few songs in 70?s was to break this kind of boredom. When I say boredom I don’t mean with dis-respect but the fact that many RD Burman /Kishore songs sound the same. One can see the creativity and variety in RD songs when he used Rafi sahab in 70?s and in one interview admitted that he would experiment more with Rafi Sahabs voice giving the example of the title song of Him Kisese Kumn Nahin, of which RD said that he was shell shocked during the recording when Rafi sahab demonstrated incredible range during the song, clearly something that was missing in RD songs those days, that freshness and creativity and hence I was not surprised when Kya hua got the honors as most of thought at last here comes a song that sounds fresh and different. One can see RD using Rafi sahab more than others in the late 70?s and Shaan as you pointed out had more songs of Rafi sahab than Kishore something that one could never imagine in early 70?s.
The acceptance of Kishore as a singer was due to the same fact, that element of newness. Don’t forget Shailendra’s songs in Bobby were a massive hit and the reason being the same, variety. People like hearing new voices whether it is Kishore, Shailendra or Sanu. If Shailendra had not signed a contract with Raaj Kapoor of not singing for any production for 4 years, I would not be surprised if he would have got more songs to sing.
Rafi Sahab himself when came to the scene in 40?s got quickly recognised as force due to his rare skills that caught everybody’s attention and the rest is history. However with Rafi Sahab that is one unique thing and that is his consistency and successful longevity in 4 decades. This is where the unmatched greatness of Rafi Sahab comes into action, 40 years of consistent success, one would argue that why this notion of repetitiveness applies to Rafi Sahab and that would not be an unfair question. The answer is one can pick up randomly a Rafi Sahab number from each decade and see how different he sounds in each decade. He was not only a rare and gifted singer but also an intelligent singer who recognised the importance of creativity, style and freshness in singing. One can see an incredible variety, range, style and modulation in his voice for all types of actors, musicians and trends. He could sound like actors demonstrating their emotions on the screen, an art in which only he excelled.
Surprising you speak of the heart support medical equipment, amongst the first support machines was installed in Bombay Hospital by Rafi Sahab himself when he came from one of his overseas trips.
Life and dead is in the hands of the Almighty, in fact everything is in the hands of the Almighty and we must thank HIM always for everything including giving us the most beautiful and gifted voice if Rafi Sahab.
Hello ZTEK 7,
Ur comments abt RD is absolutely on the spot. he was misled initially & missed out using the genius & uniqueness of rafi sahab. SD Burman made sure he made use of Rafi sahab even in films having playback of other singers. He had those spl songs for & only for rafi sahab & all of those gems are simply superb.
These days there is a concerted effort by a well known yesteryear singer to highlight only RD & KK in all musical pgmes, birthday celebration events etc. That too after having the most # of duets with him!!! Anyway-nothing can undermine the stature of Rafi sahab-in his own words-Suraj ko hatheli se nahi chupaya ja sakta!!!
Well done. Keep up d good work.
And to all Rafiians-pl compile all such comments fm the music fraternity in an article/wall like forum. that way we will also fill up some gaps in our quest to know more abt this eternal soul.
Thanks for the xlnt writeup. Do well.
Post 11, thanks for your comments. In the latter years, R D Burman really missed Rafi Sahab as he began to loose hos popularity to lesser music directors even though his favorite Kishore was still alive. The part that confuses most music lovers is how RD Burman used Mohd Aziz, Shabbir Kumar, Amit Kumar, Shailendra, Bhupendra and others more than Kishore after the passing away of Rafi Sahab. I think he began to recognise the importance of having more variety in his songs.
One can see majority of RD Burman and Kishore numbers being very repetative and one could see that when RD Burman used Rafi Sahab or even Mukesh for a few songs in 70’s was to break this kind of boredom. When i say boredom i dont mean with dis-respect but the fact that many RD Burman /Kishore songs sound the same. One cam see the creativity and variety in RD songs when he used Rafi sahab in 70’s and in one interview admitted that he would experiment more with Rafi Sahabs voice giving the example of the title song of Him Kisese Kumn Nahin, of which RD said that he was shell shocked during the recording when Rafi sahab demonstrated incredible range during the song, clearly something that was missing in RD songs those days, that freshness and creativity and hence i was not surprised when Kya hua got the honors as most of thought at last here comes a song that sounds fresh and different. One can see RD using Rafi sahab more than others in the late 70’s and Shaan as you pointed out had more songs of Rafisahab than Kishore something that one could never imagine in early 70’s.
The acceptance of Kishore as a singer was due to the same fact, that element of newness. Dont forget Shailendra’s songs in Bobby were a massive hit and the reason being the same, variety. People like hearing new voices whether it is Kishore, Shailendra or Sanu. If Shailendra had not signed a contract with Raaj Kapoor of not singing for any production for 4 years, i would not be surprised if he would have got more songs to sing.
Rafi Sahab himself when came to the scene in 40’s got quickly recognised as force due to his rare skills that caught everybodys attention and the rest is hostory. However with Rafi Sahab thate is one unique thinng and that is his consistency and successfull longevity in 4 decades. This is where the unmatched greatness of Rafi Sahab comes into action, 40 years of consistent success, one would argue that why this notion of repeatativnees apply to Rafi Sahab and that would not be an unfair question. The answer is one can pick up randomly a Rafi Sahab number from each decade and see how different he sounds in each decade. He was not only a rare and gifted singer but also an intelligent singer who recognised the importance of creativity, style and freshness in singing. One can see a incredible variety, range, style and modulation in his voice for all types of actors, musicians and trends. He could sound like actors demonstrating their emotions on the screen, a art in which only he excelled.
Surprising you speak of the heart support medical equipment, amongst the first support machines was installed in Bombay Hospital by Raf Sahab himself when he came from one of his overseas trips.
Life and dead is in the hands of the Almighty, in fact everything is in the hands of the Almighty and we must thank HIM always for everything including giving us the most beautiful and gifted voice if Rafi Sahab.
Please note: I have thanked all for their generous comments but due to some reason not known to me my posts are not shown here.
I love to read comments praising Rafi sahab (after all the name “Mohammed” means the praised one !!!) Especially reading about RD Burman in-directly regretting the actions on not using Rafi sahab more than he did. I wished there was a more of a RD/Rafi combo, considering the song “kya hua tera wada” when Rafi sahab won the Filmfare and National award on a RD composition, what other singer achieved this ?? (unless I’m mistaken) I know for sure Kishore da never achieved this! The song Yamma Yamma from the film Shaan (the last Rafi/RD song I believe), how vibrant Rafi sahab sounded in that song, so fresh and youthful !!! How unfortunate the Almighty took him away from us at a time when Rafi sahab was number one again! However I tend to believe if there was access to heart support medical equipment like we have today, then Rafi sahab would have made it through that day and could have lived on further but at the end of the day it was God’s will that Rafi sahab’s time had come! After all Rafi sahab was a man of God (A comment made by Lata ji) so God was ever pleased with this gentle humble human being who pleasured millions and helped so many in kind deeds! His voice was truly what you call a gift from God. I would like to read more comments made by other artists and celebs on Rafi sahab. Even though Rafi sahab is not with us physically but his voice is very much alive today and will be for ever !!
Posts 1 to 9. Thank you friends for your generous words. I have just written what Rafi sahab actually is and musch more can be written about this gentle and majestic personality.
Thanks also for the admin here for allowing me to write something.
Thanks everyone for their generous comments. Gopinath ji is correct when he says whatever wriiten is too little.
great kudos for this well deserved written about our rafisaab…tu bemisaal hai ke teri tariff kya karoon,teri jadu bhari awaaz mein kho giya hoon ke mujhe hosh nahin….immortal anmol rattan rafisaab
I agree with all the above comments, and would only like to say that whatever said is too little to decribe the master. But from the life of this legend I must say that he was an avtaar of God.
Great commitments dear.
Rafi saahib…… god’s very own singer….
from the rafi foundation at mumbai.
Dear Rafians: Zaheendanish , Suresh, Ramesh, Rajnish, Karamjit and Khaja Sahab
thank you all for your kind words and appreciation. I will be more than happy to write more things about Rafi sahab in the future.
Regards
Salim
Dear Salim ji,
Namaskar
My tribute to great singer RAFI SAHIB.
NA FANKAR TUJHSA TERE BAAD AAYA
MOHD RAFI TU BAHUT YAAD AAYA
salimbhai,
you have scored 120 out of 100 – as you have correctly answered the optional questions too – is how i would rate your write-up on rafi sahab.
i sinerely like authors who take upto writing about rafi sahab as a person or personality or both.
your sincere attempt in this direction has to be defintely lauded and i congratulate you and urge you to take up such a thought all over again as we are all aware – ” mohammed rafi sahab ” is like ” akshai patra ” – one can never say that ” all is said ” about him.
rafi sahab was a singing avataar of his times and generations after generations will be drinking from the nectar he has left back.
long live rafi sahab
rafi sahab – tussi great ho
jai ho jai ho jai ho – rafi sahab.
ramesh narain kurpad
dear salimshab ek bemisal fankaar ke liye alfaaz kam hi hain par kya khub farmayaa aapne yahaan mein ek wakaya arz karna chahunga jo nayyarsahab ne ek mulakat mein mujhse kaha if there had been no rafi there would have been no op nayyar kya baat hai one genius accepting d greatness of another with such humility
I am always impressed whatever is written in praise of our Rafi Sahab. Thanks for
the current essay.
ASA, Salim Sahab,
Bahut khoob, very well written article.
” ISS GHIRATHE NAHEED KI HAR TAAN HAI DEEPAK
SHOLA SA LAPAK JAAYE HAI AAWAZ TO DEKHO”
I request to all Rafi lovers to write few words for their beloved Icon, Rafi Sahab.
With best regards,
Dr. Khaja Aliuddin
Salim Sahab,
Thanks a lot for this mind blowing passionate praise.
Best of luck for your future writing.
Thanks again
Zaheen Danish