Mohd Rafi Saab and Santa Claus
By Achal Rangaswamy
Mohd Rafi's 87th Birthday
As December approaches ( and I have written this in an earlier birthday post of Rafi Saab), I look forward to my birthday and also that of my Idol. But there is another great character who we all remember very fondly as the month of December starts. And we look forward to his appearing before us.
One wonders why we haven’t noticed this uncanny resemblance between the two of them !!
One man who smiled all the time, another a slightly older man who smiled and made everyone smile.
They both had very strong bonds with 25th December. One was born just a day before that date and another remembered and thought about very fondly at the same time.
One of them brings gifts for young children, amidst all the singing and ringing of bells. The other brought so many gifts for all of us through his songs and his great music.
Both of them strongly attached to children and always keen to be in the company of little kids. Very comfortable with kids, and becoming just like them in their company. Enjoying playing with them and behaving like them too.
Mohd Rafi's 87th Birthday
Big in the stomach, one old man probably has gifts hidden in his multilayered red clothes. The other, also with a big stomach, with a fondness for good food, and with a large storehouse of songs that found their way through his throat and his god-gifted voice.
A twinkle in their eyes, a big broad grin, always the symbols of great festive spirit and feelings, Rafi Saab and Santa Claus.
Santa Claus may herald the Christmas spirit, but the whole world, irrespective of religious stance loves him. The same can be said for Rafi Saab, who has been the epitome of true mankind, bringing together people from all religions to enjoy music and strive for oneness through the spirit of brotherhood.
We celebrate the birth of Lord Jesus Christ at this time of the year. We also celebrate the birth of another Godly character. As he sang in one of his songs- Zindagi hai kya sun meri jaan, pyaar bhara dil, meethi zubaan, Rafi Saab would definitely have noticed Jesus nodding and smiling in approval.
A most comforting feeling would come over me when in my childhood I would go to sleep listening to Rafi Saab sing “ Main Gaaoon Tum So Jaao”. I know that world over the kids go to sleep anticipating the arrival of Santa at midnight with those surprise gifts.
Happy Birthday Rafi Saab! May you live long and forever. In the minds of your fans, who span all countries, all religions and all age groups. Tu Hindu Banega Na Musalman Banega, Insaan ki Aulad Hai Insaan Banega has been one of your most popular songs.
May you be the Santa that we all love. May you always be the person who brings cheer during those gloomy cold winter nights, and at all other times too.
dear achal sahab what a comparison! Indeed rafi sahab is very closed to santa. santa comes once in a year but rafi sahab is every movement with his
fans, lovers or bhakts. It is rafi sahab’s voice only that can bring the smile on the grim faces. very happy birthday day rafi sahab. truely yours, Birendra Singh
Living in favorable and unfavorable situation is called “PART OF LIFE”, but smiling in all those situations is called “ART OF LIFE” which was mastered by Rafi Saab as his “WAY OF LIFE”. What more to say?
Dil ke aaine mein hai tasveer teri
Jab zara gardan jhuka li, dekh li.
Hello Achal, your article is simple, short and sweet. And yet, it’s off the beaten track. Amazing as to how you come out with these hatke thoughts. No one can argue with your comparison of Saint and Santa. More power to your mouse and muse.
cheers
Utthara
dr j ketwaru it is an honour to hear from you. what a pleasure to know someone who was associated so closely with rafi saab. it must have felt great for you.
warm regards
achal rangaswamy
jagdish bhagchandani ji, thank you so much for your kind words. it is rafi saab’s grace that makes us write and talk about him.
That is why some great people as :Composers and Goeroes are calling him :Farista!His natural voice was so beautiful:I was the lucky person to sit with him,when he asked me to write a Dutch text for him on a pure Indian melody.He sang a medley of his songs.It was not simple for me >It is more simple to write on a melody of the West,then a strange language on an Indian raga,as the saab asked me to do.So my brother and I we wrote the Dutch text on Baharo Phool Barsawo,and Rafi saab sang this as a Farista on the stages of the theatres of the Netherlandsand the public was so emotional ,the noise in the hall was like an hurricane. Jai. Ketwaru
Achal ji,
When it comes to writing something ‘hat ke’, something innovative, it has to be you. It is a well known fact that if there was one celebrity whose saintly disposition made people consider him to be ‘semi-God’, it was Rafi saab. Your write-up is a confirmation of that belief. Thanks for the excellent article.
-J.K. Bhagchandani
yes i listen many songs of Mohammad Rafi sab which related winter season it egitate the human feelings when we listen these songs.
rameshbhai and nagesh,
i am humbled by your feedback. thank you so much, zorawar saab.
friends, rafi saab has been the beacon that has shone brightly and paved the way for so many people to lead meaningful lives.
long live rafi saab
rangajee,
you are just too good – when it comes to an extremely intelligent and innovative way of spinning a fond story around fond persona.
you could write and get into our hearts and make a home for yourself forever.
my friend ( whom i am dreaming to meet atleast since 2008 ) tussi bahut acchhey insaan ho – ismey koi shakh nahee.
yes, have you ever heard someone have his chai made only out of milk and loads of butter in it. rafi sahab lived on such helpings – along with dry fruits of his choice.
no doubt pot belly to match santa is a good welcome feature for all of us down hear on earth.
rafi sahab, keep regalling the crowds in your domain. we too hopefully get a day when we all will join you.
rafi sahab, then i would want to sit just one feet away from you and listen to your live all over again.
long live rafi sahab.
ramesh narain kurpad
Dear Achalbhai,
I always appreciate your imaginative spirit in connecting great souls together.
Congrats for the article and long live Rafi sab !!
Cheers,
Nagesh
Rafi Saab is one of the greatest sons of India. its a shame that he is yet to receive the highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna. Let us all begin the campaign to give him this award and make this award more coveted by all!
Achal Sir,
Nice connection unveiled.
Congratulations to All on the 87th Birth Anniversary of Mohd Rafi Sahab !
A Big News for All Rafi Bhakts. 92.7 Big FM will be airing a marathon of Rafi Sahab songs on 25th Dec.’11 from 9.00 AM to 7.00 PM from all its Hindi stations. Few Rafi Bhakts will also be appearing on the show between 12 Noon and 1.00 PM. So, Enjoy RAFI SAHAB KA SUREELA NASHA the whole day. LONG LIVE RAFI SAHAB !
Regards,
Zorawar Chhugani
Gen. Secy, Rafi Foundation Memorial Society, Delhi