Patriotic Rafi
By J.K. Bhagchandani
Mohd Rafi
The name Mohammed Rafi is synonyms with versatility. This singing wonder has given us masterpiece songs of almost all genres. This write-up is dedicated to the patriotic songs sung by Rafi saab.
The patriotic songs even though considered as one genre, also have different moods, suiting to different situations and conditions that the nation is in. Rafi saab has sung patriotic songs all moods and situations.
‘Watan ki raah mein watan ke naujawan shahid ho……. (Shaheed- old version- Dilip Kumar starrer), Ae watan ae watan humko teri kasam…… (Shaheed- later version- Manoj Kumar starrer) are the great songs conceived to capture the time and moments of freedom movement. Rafi saab has sung Ghulam Mohammed and Prem Dhawan (respectively) composed songs so brilliantly that one gets the first hand account of a true freedom fighter. The ‘josh’, the conviction, the motivation to lay own life for the sake of motherland is craftily incorporated in the songs by the singer. Both songs have a second (and sad) part representing the moments before the execution of the death sentence of a freedom fighter. Rafi saab has brought out the nuances of such a delicate and emotionally shattering period of a mother so well that it can move anyone to tears. At the same time this second portion of the songs do not sound ‘defeatist’. The message that is effectively conveyed is: yes, one fighter is going to gallows to become a martyr, but the fight will continue overcoming the resultant emotional saga of a mother, of a nation. The song also appeals to all countrymen that in the eventual happening of country gaining independence, please do not forget the sacrifices of many who laid their lives to achieve it. Hear the song for another time:
There are also happy songs under the patriotic songs category. ‘Apni azaadi ko hum hargiz mita sakte nahin…….’ (Leader) is one wonderful song defining the mood of young nation which has achieved the freedom after many struggles and sacrifices. The song is a brilliant depiction of celebration of freedom clubbed with a rock-like resolve to preserve it, to protect it from external and internal threats at all costs. Following lines aptly describe the essence of the song.
Ham watan ke naujawan hain ham se jo takraega
Wo hamari thokron se khaak mein mil jaayega
Gar watan mein bhi milega koi gaddar-e-watan,
Apni taaqat se hum uska sar kuchalte jaaenge,
Ek dhokha kha chuke hain aur kha sakte nahin..
J K Bhagchandani, the author of this article
‘Ye desh hai veer jawanon ka albelon ka mastanon ka…..’ (Naya Daur) is another masterpiece sung by the maestro depicting the happy times of independent India in a rural backdrop. The feelings of a proud Indian for its folk culture, romanticism, its history of freedom movement are so effectively portrayed in the song by the combination of Sahir Ludhiyanvi, Rafi saab and O.P. Nayyar that the listeners instantly transported to a self contented village brimming with the fruits of freedom. Nayyar saab has set the song at his rhythmic best that even today it is played by wedding bands to enhance the dance and frolic mood of the occasion.
But even after attaining the freedom the nation India has gone through various turbulences. It has been attacked a couple times and had to fight avoidable wars. Song ‘Watan pe jo fidaa hoga, amar wo naujawan hoga….’ (Phool Bane angarey) aptly captures such occasion. The song starts with high pitched lines ‘Himalay ki bulundi se, suno awaaz hai aayee’ conveying the essence of the lines (Himalay ki bulundi…), and then slowly Rafi saab brings the pitch down to strike an emotional chord: Kaho maaon se den bete, kaho behanon se den bhaai’. It is out of this world, and in my opinion one of the best written song of Anand Bakshi and one of the finest songs composed by Kalyanji Anandji The song effectively portrays the collective feeling of ‘hurt’ and ‘betrayal’ of the nation stabbed from the back by a neighboring country. Listen to Rafi saab singing his heart out to pour it with the patriotism, emotions, josh, motivation and resolve (to thwart the enemy).
In the same category is another song ‘Awaz do hum ek hain’. It is a non-filmi song set in the same background (China war). It had become a kind of national anthem during those days. The song has brilliant lyrics (by Jan Nisar Akhtar), composition (by Khaiyam) and of course rendering by Rafi saab. There is just one dhol-like instrument in the song in the name of orchestration. The entire song is carried by Rafi saab in a way that only he can. In the antaraas Rafi saab steps up the pitch with every line, till it reaches the mountain in the last line, propelling every listener with a patriotic feeling to fight for the nation. Get that unique feeling in the following link:
Considered as the king of all patriotic songs, Madan Mohan composed, Kaifi Azmi written ‘Haqeeqat’ song ‘Kar chale hum fidaa jano tan sathiyo…’ is beyond any available words for its description. Set up during Indo-China war the song portrays the supreme sacrifice of our jawans who even in dying heroically are passing on the baton to others to continue its fight to protect the national integrity, conveying that only a battle is lost, war is still to be won. What a song!!
There are many more patriotic songs sung by Rafi saab. ‘Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamare dil mein hai…’. (Shaheed), ‘Ab koi gulshan na ujde ab watan azad hai…’ (Mujhe Jeene do), ‘Watan ki aabroo khatre mein hai…’, ‘Is dharti is khule gagan ka kya kehanaa….’ Ganga tera pani amrit…’ etc. Each song is a masterpiece depicting various times, moods of a nation. And Rafi saab has sung all these with heart of true patriot. In any other country, just this one genre of songs would have earned the singer the highest civilian award. In case of Rafi saab, it is just one of the many genres that he blessed us with his magical voice.
So on this occasion on 64th Independence of the nation when we salute our heroes, let us remember and salute another one, the great patriot, one and only Mohammed Rafi.
Many people compare one singer with the other. It is not fair. Every singer has got its own voice & style. But Rafi sahab was blessed by the God Himself with such quality of Voice which no other singer possess and may not possess in future also. Also the perfection with blending of feeling of various moods which Rafi Shahab brought in every type of song, no other singer else could match. And that is the reason wavelength of Rafi Sahab songs always matched with the wavelength of each type of the feeling and touched/touches the hearts straight. For the above reasons, even after 36 years of Rafi Sahab’s demise, he songs still rules the hearts of millions and will continue to do so in future. I salute Rafi Sahab from the core of my heart.
rafi saab ke amar deet hai JAHAN DAAL DAAL PAR SONE KI CHIDIYA………….WO BHARAT DESH HAI MERA…..
excellent collection JK bhai !! great songs from the truly patriotic Rafi Sahab!!!
Mr. David, Comment no. 64,
in the quote from kishore kumar, he is talking about the song “nafrat ki duniya ko chod kar pyar ki duniya mien, khush rehna mere yaar ” . a hear wrenching song conveying great pain. definitely only rafi could have done it. i have read in the memoirs of either the film ‘s producer /Director or music directors, in the magazine “shama” (urdu monthly), that kk rehearsed the song for 3 days, was not able to capture the feel of the song. thereafter rafi sahab was called to sing it and it was recorded. what the quote is saying not much different.
good to see kk acknowledging the versatality of rafi.
Kishore Kumar Fans stop crying and read what Kishore has to say about Rafi.
Rafi sahab mahaan gayak thay, ganay main un ka aor mera saath to kum hi hua magar taalluqat (relations) bahot achhe thay. Dilchasp (interesting) baat yeh hai ke main khud gayak hoon magar mere liye bhi Rafi sahab ne play back diya tha film ‘Rangoli’ aor ‘Shararat’ main.
‘Haathi Mere Sathi’ ke sab mardana (male) geet main ne gay thay magar aakhri geet main itnay utaar chadhao thay k mere bas ka na tha. Main ne saaf keh diya ke yeh geet Rafi sahab ke ilawa aor koi nahin ga sakta. Yeh un ki badai thi k unhon ne faori taor par yeh geet gana qubool kar liya aor is baat ka bura nahin mana k pehle yeh geet unhain kyun nahin diya geya.
Jaisa k log normally samajhte hain, Rafi sahab se mera koi competition nahin tha, woh mujh se kahin achhe gulukaar (singer) thay, main to ek do tarah se gaata hoon woh sao tarah se gatay thay, isi liye woh amar rahain gay.”
dear friend i would like to share documentry produced by films division on rafi saab,i have uploaded in you tube total 8 parts,also i have uploaded rare songs in you tube,kindly visit this link,als i have create blog dedicated to rafi saab,total over 400 pages are there, you will find rare pictures,scanned articles,videos and many more,to go to next page,kindly click older posts,you will find bottom of every page,kindly visit this links,take care
http://www.youtube.com/user/mohamedparvez?feature=mhum#p/u
http://www.rafifanblog.blogspot.com
regards
mohamed parvez
To do full justice to a patriotic song the singer needs to have bulund awaz himalaya se goonzti hui full of rare josh,inherent committment,gravity of vocal chords and heartiest feelings expressed from every nook n corner of heart that all was in rafisaab voice,,,no other male singer could match it…when we listen to all those songs of patriotic feelings ….we feel mera bharat mahaan….with such a god gifted voice of rafisaab…..still same songs are being played by air as well as tv channels….since no new patriotic songs of the same level….rafisaab sang wo bharat desh hai mera,,,,,,,,we all love him n will continue till next generations to come.
FIRST OF ALL I MUST CONGRATULATE MR J K BHAGCHANDANI SAHEB TO GIVE US SUCH A COMPREHENSIVE INFORMTION OF PATRIOTIC SONGS OF THE ALL TIME GREAT SINGER MR MOHD RAFI SAHEB,IN TODAY BUSY LIFE FEW PEOPLE FIND TIME TO UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH EFFORTS ARE NEEDED TO BRING SUCH HEART TOUCHING SONGS.
PATRIOTIC SONGS WERE BEST SUITED FOR THE VOICE OF MR MOHD RAFI SAHEB BECAUSE OF HIS UNCOMPARABLE VOICE RANGE, I THINK THIS WAS THE REASON WHY MOST OF THE PATRIOTIC SONGS WERE SUNG BY MR MOHD RAFI, THE MOST ARDENT FAN OF MR MUKESH- (WHO WAS ALSO A GREAT SINGER OF HIS TIME)ACTOR/DIRECTOR MR MANOJ KUMAR WAS COMPELLED TO TAKE MR MR MOHD RAFI SAHEB FOR PATRIOTIC SONGS OF HIS FILM LIKE SHAHEED .
I SAULTE MR BHAGCHANDANI FOR ALL THIS INFORMATION
As a menifestation of eternity Rafi sahab belongs to all. Suberb article BhagchandaniJi.
Such a grand coverage is a pride in itself. Thanks for sharing.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/98639/kolkata-metro-name-stations-rafi.html
PLEASE PUT THIS LINK ON FACEBOOK TOO SIR.. ABOUT RAFI ARTICLE OF TOI.
THANKS
Today (21.09.2010) there is a wonderful article on Rafi saab in the ‘Times of India’ (Delhi edition). I tried to locate the same on paper’s e-version and discovered that same was brought out in the e-paper (T.O.I.) on 24th July 2010. I am sure many of the readers might have already read that. But anyway, following is the link for the benefit of those who might have missed.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment-Music/The-unforgettable-Rafi/articleshow/6209646.cms
-J.K. Bhagchandani
Priya has touched upon a point that no one discusses and in my opinion is the most important point for Rafisaab getting fewer songs in early 70’s and that is his opposition for royalty.
Just about every tom dick and harry in the industry had a pro royalty stand and for someone of the great stature like Rafisaab to have another stand did not go very well with the music directors and also the producers who legally co-owned the songs. I am not saying this was the only reason but surely a very key reason among other reasons and none of them had any link with the matchless skills of the icon..
Coming to the topic, Rafisaab’s patriotic songs just like his songs in other genre are matchless. The emotions coupled with the most beautiful voice and technical skills would deliver songs that could only be dreamt by other singers and no wonder all other singing legends agreed with grace and humility that Rafisaab was and is is the best ever.
As for as the KK fans saga is conecerned, i think it is one of the most useless and done to death discussion that sane people must not even to bother to have. KK was a good singer and we all like him and thats the end of the story. He is no different from a Mulesh or a Hemant , Talat, Mana da or Mahendra.
If a certain section of KK fans out of their stupidity and desperation like to bring down Rafisaab then they can continue doing so but in vain. We must not encourage these desperados to tar the image of this great site that is made in the memory of the best and greatest singer the world has ever seen and this is a gross under-statement. These bigots must not get any coverage on this site.
Priya has touched upon apoint that no one discusses and in my opinion is the most important point for Rafisaab getting fewer songs in early 70’s and that is his opposition for royalty.
Just about every tom dick and harry in the industry had a pro royalty stand and for someone of the great stature like Rafisaab to have another stand did not go very well with the music directors and also the producers who legally co-owned the songs. I am noy saying this was the only reason but surely a very key reason.
Coming to the topic, Rafisaab’s patriotic songs just like his songs in other genre and matchless. The emotions coupled with the most beautiful voice and technical skills would deliver songs that could only be dreamt by other singers and no wonder all other singing legends agreed with grace that Rafisaab is the best ever. As for as the KK fans saga is conecerned, i think it is one of the most useless and done to death discussion that sane people must not even to bother to have. KK was a good singer and we all like him.
If a certain section of KK fans out of their stupidity and desperation like to bring down Rafisaab then they can continue doing it but in vain. We must not encourage these desperados to tar the image of this great site that is made in the memory of the best and greatest singer the world has ever seen and this is a gross under-statement.
IF MOHD RAFI WOULD HAVE originated from west bengal what would have been the consequences on these pages is a serious thought…
Mehboob
Cool down, i was not generalising and I have already apologised to Priya.
Point noted Haldar ji. Priya sorry for the misunderstanding. I was not generalising all Bengalis by the way, let me make this very clear.
haldar ji.48. thanks for ur compassionate post. Pleasant video and singing voice of that nostalgic song. While, Hari ka dhyan,
The heart sublimes in divinity and renunciation with such a songs and especially when we come to know that what the singer is singing he lives them. After Rafi sahab returned from Hajj in 1969(before aradhana movie), his mind got withdrawn completely from the film world but he could never ignore the love of the listeners so continued singing.
. As sonik ji (of sonik-omi) told,It was a phase when entire music department in the industry came in the wave of their revolution of commercialisation and royalty. Every known singer went quite adamant of price and they could very easily say no to new comers (producers or music director) who were not so rich. Although Rafi sahab was one of the most paid singer in the industry because of his suprimacy, he sang with minimum price(sometime token money) for lesser known music directors or producers and only with sole strength of his singing he didn`t only made the film a hit also, helped them to be established in the industry. There r about 74 music directors according to sonik ji that Rafi sahab has siing with. apart from few well known ,most of them he sang almost free on their debut. While, we have many occasion that he even didn`t charge with genious giants like naushad ji, shankarjaikishan ji, LP, roshan ji ,etc.
Because of Rafi sahab`s such a helping attitude he had to suffer with intentional rift from other singers and also similar communities to defame such saintly person that he was. But what can professional difference harm to a person who sings for God only.
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Jaguarji.47. no hard feeling this side for I know your love for Rafi sahab. Plz read my words as If I`ve written for some of my family members because we all feel same divinity in the master`s voice.
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Binu ji, what an exalted environment we have among the lover of Rafi sahab. A muslim is listening hindu bhajan and praising the divinity(many msg on you tube too by a muslim fan on Rafi sahab`s bhajan), a hindu listen naat sharif and go crazy about Madine ki galiyan, the guru vani, philosohical songs, patriotic song,film song, love song, sad songs, situational or romantic songs, melodious songs… ah so much range and variety but admiration hearrt of all of us is same. “mohd rafi is the emperor of the singing field – proved again and again – in all parts of the world.” beyond any limit or boundaries!
jaguar,
there is no need to be disrespectful to any one on this site, rafi fan or not.
if you have been on this site long enough and read the comments carefully, you will come to realise that priyaji is bigger fan of rafi than you and i could ever be and as haldar sir has said she has had privelege of being blessed by our idol.
please sir, i request you to be resepectful to all on this site, more so to women.
And lets not bring race, caste, creed, etc into the discussion.
regards
Mehboob