Rafi Saab, the unmatched singing legend…
By KS Ramachandran
Mohd Rafi with Sharada
Thirty one years after his demise, songs of the legend lives on and forever. Much has been talked about Rafi Saab, all these years and we all, without exception, miss him more and more every year and the pain seems to grow as we move on in life. Many shows and events showcasing his melodious and versatile renditions are seen all over India and abroad on his birth (24th Dec 1924) and death (31st July 1980) anniversaries. Many living and singing celebrities like Shri SP Balasubramaniam (SPB) and Shri KJ Yesudoss (KJY) claim that there can be no other playback singer like Rafi Saab. SPB reassures the music world that Rafi Saab is the “ultimate” in playback singing, while KJY emotionally conveys that Rafi Saab has been his “Manaseega Guru” (Guru of his heart). There are many such great artists that we all know, are true “Rafi Bakhts”.
Inspiration to singing came to me only from Rafi Saab…There is something more to singing when it came to Rafi Saab..Was it just good voice, melody, feel, expression, modulation, range and all of that? Certainly not…..It was that unexplainable vocal chord that radiated invisible vibrations across humanity and world at large.
Probably because of the miraculous blend of all the singing qualities that he possessed with that humility and godliness that he conveyed and expressed silently and so naturally during his lifetime..! A man of few words, he was a great human being and a singer that made him the greatest legend of all times…
Was it his extremely deep and sterling qualities as a selfless human being that gave his voice that much more feel and truth in his renditions and to stand any test of time?
I would tend to believe so…!
Rafi Saab ki awaaz aur insaaniyat, rehti duniya tak kaayam rahegi……..!
I, for one, in every moment of my life, right from my childhood, frown to myself the following:
“My heart and soul would like to sing every song that you have sung during your life time. But then, unfortunately, you have that matchless and unparalleled, extremely enviable blend of all that is needed for a voice, as a playback singer. To compliment it further, you have that extra mileage in terms of your extreme dedication in every song that you have sung which cannot be even reproduced by any singer today. It is pointless to even compare you with any other playback singer. I just dip my palm, try and drink the sacred water of your musical ocean, full of lilt, passion, range, love, punch, softness, expression and modulating expertise and I feel that I have become pious and spiritual, all of a sudden. Any amount of praise for you is an understatement, as you are the very definition of playback singing”.
After almost 31 years of his demise, our hunger and desire to unearth his unique renditions, accelerates at a rapid pace, year after year and this momentum and growing speed would never end, for a lifetime….
I kneel before GOD to salute this greatest legend the world would never see again and also pray the Almighty to give his soul the musical rest in peace for the commendable service that Rafi Saab has served the human race with his magical voice, during his lifetime….
Kaise Kate Ghi Zindagi Tere Begair (2)
Paaoonga Har She Me Kami Tere Begare, Tere Begair
Kaise Kate Ghi Zindagi Tere Begair Tere Begair
Phuul khileinto yuun lage phuul nahin ye daag hain – 2
taare falak pe yuun lagein jaise bujhe chiraag hain
aag lagaae chaandani tere bagair tere bagair
Kaise Kate Ghi Zindagi Tere Begair Tere Begare
Chand Ghata Me Chup Gaya, Sara Jahaan Udaasu Hai (2)
Kehetihai Dilki Dadkane Tu Kahi Aas Paas Hai
Aanke Tadap Raha Hai Jhi, Tere Bagair
Paaoonga Har She Me Kami Tere Begare, Tere Bagaire
Kaise Kate Ghi Zindagi Tere Begair Tere Begair
—————————————————————————————————————
Beethe Dino Ki Yaad Saatati Hai Aaj Bhi – 2
Kya Woh Zamaane Phir Kabi Wapas Na Aayenge
Kya Hum Tamaam Umrubar Yuheen Rohe Jaayenge
Beethe Dino Ki Yaad Saatati Hai Aaj Bhi
Jab Isqh Par bahaar Ki, Woh Din Kidar Gaye
Dil Tootne Se Pehle Hi, Hum Kue Na Margaye
Ab Kya Raha Hamare Liye, Is Dayar me
Aansoon Bi Khatm Hogaye Ro, Roke Pyarme
Aankon Se Dil Ka Khoon Kahan, Tak Bahanyege
Kya Hum Tamaam Umrubar Yuheen Rohe Jaayenge
Beethe Dino Ki Yaad Saatati Hai Aaj Bhi – 2
Kya Woh Zamaane Phir Kabi Wapas Na Aayenge
Kya Hum Tamaam Umrubar Yuheen Rohe Jaayenge
Beethe Dino Ki Yaad Saatati Hai Aaj Bhi
Nazdeek Tumse Jane Wafa Hum Hai Aaj Bhi
Hai Sirf, Darmeyaan Me, Deeware Zindagi
Yeh Parda Utgaya to, Ghame Isqh Ki Kasm
Dil To Yakeen Hai Ke Tume Paahee Lenge Hum
Phir Apni Dastaan Ko Haqueet Banayenge
Beethe Dino Ki Yaad Saatati Hai Aaj Bhi – 2
Kya Woh Zamaane Phir Kabi Wapas Na Aayenge
Kya Hum Tamaam Umrubar Yuheen Rohe Jaayenge
Beethe Dino Ki Yaad Saatati Hai Aaj Bhi
“Long live your voice, for years to come and beyond Rafi Saab…..”
To every Rafi bhakt I request no to do just writing we have to spread his work to next generation because they are being flodded with all the filthy voices I feel sorry for them because when they say they do not know Mohd rafi My heart pains I feel we are guilty of not spreading his work younger generations Keep this dharohar intact It is our responsibility.
There are so many of us and if all of us contribute to this cause I am sure we can preserve Rafi saheb legacy . We miss u Rafi saheb even more every year. Let us join in spreading his work Rafi saheb is immortal.
KS – sir,
i am a great rafi bhakt – so – i think – but – reading your devout heart poruing out – the nectar within you – i stand right behind you – sir,
by far – your bhakti – stands out – and what ever you have written – is true in every sense of the written word.
reading you – the tribe will swell and probably reach heaven at hand shaking distance with rafi sahab in time to come.
warm regards and thanx, you have made my day.
ramesh narain kurpad