My Inspiration, My Rafi Sahab (in Hindi)
By Onika Setia
Mohd Rafi
मेरी जिंदगी में रफ़ी साहब का स्थान बहुत अहम् है. संघर्षों से भरी हुई इस जिंदगी में पल भर का भी ठहराव नहीं होता, हर क़दम पर हर नई समस्या जन्म लेती है, रोज़ नया इम्तेहान, दर्द, टीस, तड़प, संताप, ओह! मतलबी लोगो से भरी हुई इस दुनिया में जहाँ सच्चा और निस्वार्थ प्रेम ढूढने से नहीं मिलता , ऐसी सुखी से बेरंग जिंदगी में रफ़ी साहब बहार बनके आये. ना-ना वोह खुद नहीं आये उनकी मधुर ,रंगभरी ,जादूभरी और जिवंत आवाज़ ऐसी शम्मा बनके आई जिससे मेरी जिंदगी के सारे ग़मों के अँधेरे दूर हो गए. मैंने जब से उनका दामन थामा मेरे परिवार वाले कहते है की मैंने अपना जीवन बर्बाद कर दिया अपना carrier चौपट कर दिया ,इसीलिए वोह हमेशां इस चाहत के विरोधी रहे . नादान है वोह ,! खुद तो किसी को ठीक तरह से राह नहीं देखा सकते ,कोई मुश्किल में हो तो बजाय निकलने के कोसने लगते हैं , सही रास्ता दिखने के बजाय भटका देते है .
लोग असल में अभी तक नहीं जान पाय ,ना समझ पाय की रफ़ी साहब ने मेरी ज़िदगी में वोह कमी पूरी की जो यह मेरे परिवार वाले नहीं कर पाय ,उन्होंने मेरे जीवन में एक सच्चे निष्कपट, निस्वार्थ , हमदर्द हमराज़ दोस्त की कमी को पूरा किया .सच्चा दोस्त जीवन तबाह करता है या आबाद करता है ! , वोह दोस्त ,जिससे हमारा मन का ,आत्मा का नाता है , जिसने हमें उन्माद के लिए नहीं बल्कि संचेतना के लिए प्रेरित किया, जिसने हमारे मन में हिम्मत जगाये रखी . ज़ाहिर सी बात है उनका जीवन खुद अपने आप में एक आदर्श है ,जीने का मयार है उनका जीवन सब के लिए खुली किताब की तरह है ,उनसे प्रेरणा लेकर हम एक कामयाब और नेक इंसान बन सकते हैं
Mohd Rafi
मेरी राह ,मेरी मंजिल असल में लेखन में छुपी हुई थी , इसीलिए मैंने हिंदी साहित्य में एम् .ए किया , बी.एड भी किया मगर TEACHING में कमजोर पड़ गई, ग्राम विकास में डिप्लोमा किया और NGO स में नोकरी की मगर गाँव गाँव में धक्के नहीं खा सकी ( वोह भी राजस थान के गांव ) ,तो ऐसे में मेरे अन्दर छुपी हुई प्रतिभा को किसने जगाया ,रफ़ी साहब ने . दर असल १९८४ में जब हमारे घर टी.व् आया तभी मेरी नज़र में रफ़ी साहब आये , उनकी आवाज़ क्या सुनी के मैं उनकी आवाज़ की कायल हो गई और जब उनके बारे में जाना, उन्हें देखा तो मुझे पहली ही बार उनसे प्रेम हो गया ,और वोह मेरे एक अच्छे और सच्चे दोस्त बन गए . उनकी प्रेम और प्रेरणा से ही मैं लेखन में रूचि लेने लगी ,उनके गीत ,ग़ज़ल,भजन मेरे लेखन में उतरने लगे और में लेखिका बन गई . पहले सिर्फ शायरी करती थी ,फिर गीत,ग़ज़ल, भजन लेख आदि में रूचि बड़ी . और अब में कई सामयिक और तत्कालीन विषयों पर भी अपनी कलम चला सकती हूँ . और अब तक मुझे स्थानीय समाचार पत्र, साहित्यिक पत्रिकाओं ,और आकाश वाणी से काफी प्रोत्साहन मिला. अब इससे आगे मेरी अपनी तकदीर है की मुझे मेरी मंजिल तक पहुंचती है या नहीं . रफ़ी साहब ने तो राह दिखा दी.
जीवन में कोई भी रास्ता आसन नहीं होता ,जब तक मंजिल ना मिले कई पापड़ बेलने पड़ते है. कई बार मन टूट सा जाता है ,हताशा का सामना भी करना पड़ता है जीवन पलायन करने पर आतुर हो जाता है और तभी ऐसे में यूँ लगता है जैसे रफ़ी साहब दूर से पुकार रहे है और उनके यह गीत ज़हन में गूंजने लगते है —-
१, पोंछ कर अश्क अपनी आँखों से मुस्कराओ तो कोई बात बने ,
सर झुकाने से कुछ नहीं होगा, सर उठाओ तो कोई बात बने .
२, माझी चल ,माझी चल ,माझी चल ओ माझी चल ,
तू चले तो छम -छम बजे मौजों की पायेल.
इस तरह जो ना होकर भी पल पल अपने होने का एहसास कराये , अपनों सा भी जाएदा जो अपना हो ,जिसके साथ हमारी हर भावना से जुड़ा हुआ हो , ऐसे मेरे हमदम मेरे दोस्त कोई कैसे भुला सकता है ,जिनके बीना हमारा हर सपना अधुरा है ऐसा दोस्त तो जीवन की सांध्य बेला तक साथ रहने का हकदार है.
मेरे लिए रफ़ी साहब सिर्फ कलाकार ही नहीं ,एक आदर्श इंसान ही नहीं बल्कि मेरी प्रेरणा हैं मेरी शक्ति हैं.
Sarwatji, I’m totally with you and agree with what you and some of the others have said and like you I am also unable to forgive many in the industry with their treatment towards Mohd Rafi and yes Rajesh Khanna would definetly be one on top of that list!!!!!!!
Firoz Bhai’s has stated nothing but the truth, but it still hurts that the world of showbiz is so fickle. Funny how actors claim to be sensitive, tortured souls who profess love for mankind, yet apart from a few they are probably the most insecure people on earth. But shouldn’t singers harbour ill feelings or envy for rivals if they must? Shouldn’t female singers conspire against their own gender if they feel so threatened? But actors stooping so low and on top of that male actors who claim that they are never catty like women. Shouldn’t it be the prerogative of the public/listeners/audiences to get bored of one and propel another to stardom? So I might forgive Mr. Dev Anand one day, but not Mr. Rajesh Khanna. I will continue my personal boycott of his image by turning the page or switching the channel. Did it never occur to him that Rafi Sahib too had a family to take care of? He could have Kishore Sahib sing for him a zillion songs, but to pressurize others to replace Rafi Sahib with KK is unfathomable. Why? Why? Why? Forget everything else, but to force someone out of a job due to some immature notion of superiority or vendetta is unforgivable. I am sorry but I am flabbergasted as to why Mr. Khanna played such vile games. Therefore, Mr. Sunil Kumar, you have hit the nail on its head.
Dear Onika Ji,
Unfortunately I cannot read Hindi at all, but the devoted blog comments have helped me to understand the gist of the article.
koi mere hubuhu vichar rakhata he ,wah khuda taujjub ki bat he .i thanks you koi to mere hamkhyal he es duniya me.khuda ka lakh lakh shukriya. RAFI sahab is my god ,my heart voice, i worship my god.
eventhogh kk was on top for sometime i think he was
afraid to keep his position for a long time since rafi
saab was there.also as far as versality is concerned he
was nowhere to rafi saab.that is why rafi saab had been
called for so many difficult songs such as pardha hai
pardha and made the come back.
it is clear in each and every topic of music is concerned
rafi saab will be on top since he has achieved whatever
a singer can such as sung any type of song,worked with
almost all of the contemporary mds,superstars,co-singers,
bagged national award for three times,his filmfare awards,
padmashree etc.
in short,how a singer can be number one if he cannot sing
a particular type of song?
Firoz Bhai sahab what ever you are trying to say i don’t know how far that is true but one thing i know that both R D burman and S D Burman did everything possible to make kishore No.1 snger . I agree his voice suited Rajesh khanna but what about Dharam ji and Jeetendra and other heroes for whom Rafi was an established singer why for everyone they foisted kishore. I a recent Prog, I heard Dharam ji saying in presnece of Asha ji and I Quote ” I know only one singer and that is Rafi sahab unke jaisa toh koi nahin aaya aaj tak”. This proves my point it must have been the pressurized by the Music director to take kishore as a leading singer. In such a scenario it must have been very heart breaking for rafi sahab. S D burman for whom Rafi sahab gave great hits for Dev Anand still he was replaced with kishore in Gambler also in Naya Zamana he gave kishore to sing for Dharmendra . Though people betrayed him he still had great respect for S D Burman and i have seen the video on you tube where Rafi sahab on the demise of S D Burman is very emotional saying if such people go what will happen to Hindustani Music very concerned he was. He had great regard for him. He was Very Humble soul very humane person. very difficult to find a person with such qualities.
For years, the media without knowing inner details projected Mohd. Rafi and Kishore Kumar as arch rivals. Competitors they were but never rivals. In fact, when Mohd. Rafi sang Man Mora Bawra and Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh Meri for Kishore Kumar, the multi-dimensional Kumar could not and did not protest. Though he was the hero in both Ragini and Shararat, Rafi sang for Kishore under the baton of O.P Nayar and Shanker Jaikishan, very effectively creating musical history.
The two came together for the first time to sing for Bhagam Bhag and then it was the lilting, Tum Bin Jayun Kahan in Pyar Ka Mausam, tuned by the versatile R.D. Burman. No comparisons can be made between the two singing the same number as Kishore’s one was pathos oriented and Rafi’s romantic.
In the 70s, both sang Woh Din Ke Baat in Jungle Mein Mangal and Yadon Ki Baraat each composed by Shanker Jaikishan and R.D. Burman. As Kishore Kumar set the nation literally dancing to his Zindagi Ek Safar in Andaz, Rafi proved a perfect foil for him with the sad antara of the same song, Hanste Gate. Madan Mohan composed the unique Yun Na Sharma with Kishore Kumar at his romantic best and Mohd. Rafi rendering the tragic portion, Are Hansne Wale.
The 70s had Kishore Kumar ruling the roost with the maximum number of hits tuned by S.D. Burman, R.D. Burman, Laxmikant Pyarelal and Kalyanji Anandji. Yet, Rafi held his own with his inimitable Tum Jo Mil Gaye Ho, Tera Bindiya Re with Lata Mangeshkar and undoubtedly Aye Mere Man though his tonal quality had received a back seat due to a throat infection.
R.D. Burman, who was mainly instrumental in creating the Kishore Kumar wave, had to lean on Mohd. Rafi for his super hits Chand Mera Dil, Kya Hua Tera Wada and Yamma Yamma. These songs signaled Rafi’s glorious comeback in the late 70s after a brief lull earlier. Even later composers like Rajesh Roshan and Bappi Lahiri could think of no one else except for Rafi to render, Dil Ki Kali, Are Re Re Aisa Tarana and Saathi Re Gam Nahin Karna. Kishore was always with them but some songs could never be thought of without the inimitable Mohd. Rafi.
The blank face of a heartbroken Kishore Kumar prior to Mohd. Rafi’s funeral explained Kishore’s innermost feelings for his more illustrious senior, who was much more to him than a rival or competitor. No wonder Kishore Kumar paid his richest tribute to Mohd. Rafi with his Bengali haunting number, Se Jano Ajo after his favourite singer’s death. No one knew better than Kishore Kumar that Mohd. Rafi had a range and versatility which he never possessed himself.
Wah, kya baat hai!!
Rafi sahab ki prerna mein unke prem mein likha mera pehla sher gour farmaye—;
1, hum tumehin chahte hain junun ki had tak,
yakin na ho to mar kar dikha den.
2,tujhe dekhkar machal uthta hai mera dil,
kahin isi ko to muhobat nahin kehte .
Dear editor , your Mohd Rafi.com site is already in my Facebook
nice!!!!! please promote this page of mohmadrafi ………on facebook thnaku
dear onikaji,really a heart touching article.you have stolen our feelings for rafi saheb……rafisaheb is really a ‘”great guide” for everyone who has understood him.and following the ways,behaviours,thoughts,preaches,of anyone is a true worship and a true “SHRADHANJALI”.RAFI saheb preached us silently, not only with his golden voice but mainly with his great behaviour and simplicity.like a god “avtar”.thankyou very much for awakening our feelings with such a nice article…….thanks
Dear Onika Setia ji,
Many congratulations!!! for such a nice article with great philosophical songs. These all are my most favorite.
My all good wishes with you. Thanks again
Regards,
Sanjeev Dixit
Dear
When i read your’s article i think that i also stand in that position Rafi sahib give you poetry but rafi sahib me his voice to sing and live a happy life.
Thanks,
Suresh Kumar
Ludhiana
098558-05688
rafi sahab is the source of inspiration to the millions in this universe and will always be. Rafi sahab amar rahen. Love you rafi sahab.
Regards,
Birendra Singh Bisht
Dear Onika Setia ji,
Your contributions in Hindi on this site are really great. It is adding a new dimension to this vibrant forum.
Please accept my thanks and compliments for this brilliant and ‘coming from bottom of the heart’ essay on Rafi saab, whose voice has been an inspiration and motivational force to many depressed and demoralized humans. There is one incidence when one patient seriously ill in a hospital demanded Rafi’s songs to be played for him to feel better. I am sure there will be many such occurrences. Rafi saab’s songs give you solace, a peace of mind, inspire and motivate you in the adverse times of life. Often when I feel down I listen to his songs, think about the saintly way he lived his short life, how much he gave to all of us.
Apart from ‘Manjhi chal o manjhi chal…. (aaya saawan jhoom ke)’ and ‘Ponchh kar apni aankhon se…. (Naya Rasta), there are many such motivational/ inspirational songs. Some are listed below:
1. Gham ki andhhri raat main dil ko na bekaraar kar… (Sushila)- sung with Talat saab
2. Raahi Manwa dukh ki chnta kyoon sataati ha… (Dosti)
3. Raat bhar ka hain mehamaan andhera, kis ke roke ruka hai savera.. (Sone ki chidiya)
4. Jiyo to aise jiya jaise sab tumhara hai… (Bahu Beti)
5. Alla hi alla kar pyare bhai.. (Pavitra Papi)
6. Saathi haath badhana, ek akela thak jayega.. (Naya Daur)
7. Main Zindagi ka saath nibhata chala gaya… (Hum Dono)
8. Man re tu kahe na dheer dhare… (Chitralekha)
9. Main gaaoon tum so jao… (brahmachari)…- The song depicts ‘hope’ brilliantly wrapped in the form of a ‘lori’
10. Insaan bano kar lo bhalaai ka koi kaam… (Baiju Bawra)
Listen to all these songs in the divine voice of one and only Rafi saab. You will find all these on Youtube.
-J.K. Bhagchandani
dear onika ji,
sabse pahle aap ko haardik shubhkaamanaaye deta hoon apni bhaavanaayon ko darshaane ke liye, yeh sach hai ki rafi sahab ko mein bhi pichale 55 saal se sun raha hoon jaisa ki hamare shri r l arora ji ne mention kiya hai.
sabse pehle maine rafi sahab ka woh geet suna tha film thi aab dilli door nahi raj kapoor sahab ki film hai jisme ek geet hai chun chun karti aayee chidiya us waqt meri umar kewal 2 baras thi. aur aaj tak sunta raha hoon aur aage bhi sunta rahoonga apni choti si naatin ke saath aur wapis puraane dino ki yaad taaza kar loonga.
Mere bhi harpal mein saath hai rafi sahab , onika ji mujhe zindagi mein ek mauka mila tha rafi sahab ko live sunne ka, iss baare mein phir kabhi bataongaa aap ko, agar haan jaldi ho to mujhe aap sampark kar saktre hai .
dher saari shubhkaamanaayon ke saath.
vinod mehru
o9768245368
No doubt that our beloved Rafi Saab was the greatest star of his times. He cannot be compared with anyone. I hv been his fan for last over 60 years and dont miss his any song whenever I get the opportunity to hear whether at home, bazaar, street etc etc.
Even when I start to see some programme in TV and incidentally I I hear his song while changing channel, I forget all and listen to his songs till end. I had the opportunity to listen his songs live when he came in Delhi for some charity show.
Saluets and Salutes to Rafi Saab.
thanks
jo vi is page ko ya is site ko chala raha hai,,, mai uska tahe dil se shukriya ada karna chahta hun,,,
Rafi sahab ka diwana mai vi hun…
mera facebook me ID hai: mdtajhassan6@gmail.com plz mujhe frnd request bheje
aur ye hai mera page mohd rafi sahab k naam pe hai.. facebook page : http://www.facebook.com/tajhassan.raja
@[219264101519527:2]
i love rafi sahab,,, suro k dewta
dear rafi fans, please find out for me rafi sahab’s any other motivational songs.
thanks for publish my article . now i am waiting for response of my friends