Rafi Sab’s merit sings for itself!
This article is by B.Venkatadri from Hyderabad.
Rafi Saab passed away nearly 26 years ago (in 1980) and his peak singing career ended nearly 36 years ago (in 1969/70), as also indeed the platinum era of Hindi music ended in 1969/70. There were many stalwarts who sang before his period, during his period and after his period. Yet, even today, the number of times he is remembered and the intensity and fondness with which he is remembered by thousands of his fans, current breed of singers/MDs, radio and its announcers, tv, newspapers, discussion forums, etc. is far higher compared to any other singer! And see the number of young teenagers and even children who make it a point to sing only his songs on various competitions! I may not be exaggerating when I say that, at any given time, only two types of songs have come to be constantly and widely heard:
(1) The current/latest songs, and
(2) Rafi songs. Needless to say,
the Category (1) mentioned above keeps changing from year to year and happily, the Category (2) above is constant.
It is extremely heartening to note that the Rafi baton is being passed from generation to generation. Witness the large number of teenagers and children among his fans! This is indeed a remarkable phenomenon. A humble, non-commercial minded, down-to-earth singer, who never tried to promote himself, continues to rule the hearts of successive generations, without a stop. Indeed, the number of Rafi songs aired on Vividhbharati day in and day out by its announcers and also by way of listeners’ choice is by far the highest for any singer. Further, just visit Hamaraforums.com and see the thousands of topics/posts/comments/replies against Rafi Saab’s name and compare this with the numbers for Lata, Asha, Kishore, Mukesh.
How does one explain this? Rafi saab was a simple, humble, compassionate soul, who sang only for the love of singing. Money was incidental. He achieved superstardom as a singer, but he never went out of his way to promote himself, had never been manipulative and never tried to undermine other singers. On the contrary, it was he who had been at the receiving end of unsuccessful attempts by one ‘Bharataratna Lady’ and one highly egoistic music director, to pull him down. It was a different matter that both these persons were highly talented individuals and that both these persons had now admitted their folly.
Yet, how did he achieve such a status as an all-time great? One is bound to conclude that Rafi Saab’s sheer merit is continuing to sing for itself! He did not need any other props and promotions.
Lastly, the question is often posed as to whether Rafi had got his due. In my view, the answer is both yes and no. He did get his due and continues to get his due by way of adoration of successive generations. But, he did not get his due from the award-dispensing authorities! What pains me further is that the two most talented female singers also do not give him his due, wholeheartedly, more so when these two female singers had combined with Rafi saab to produce the greatest ever duets in the history of cinema!
quote from above article…’Further, just visit Hamaraforums.com and see the thousands of topics/posts/comments/replies against Rafi Saab’s name and compare this with the numbers for Lata, Asha, Kishore, Mukesh…’ unquote.
Jealousy and prejudice ruins people. Law of nature is against it.
If you do than you are only destroying yourself and beleive you me this type of feeling or outlook would only further boost the image of the person against whom such action or sentiments are exhibited.
No one will live in this world for ever and it is highly likely that those singers or their fans who are undermining other singers would fail in their attempts.
Once these singers are gone from this world their names and fame would gradually perish.
In the afterlife a good spirit’s name and fame will be on the top of the list and so will be their name and fame in this world.
Bura kar bura ho bhala kar bhala ho.
Rafi Ustad (bless him).
He has won the hearts and minds of countless souls. This means that he has won countless accolades/awards.
Winning medal/award from Sarkar (government) or any other body does not hold as much importance for an individual than when he/she receives from the public (Awaam).
I am convinced that the people have awarded Rafi Saheb kind of award which has made him an immortal spirit.
Who knows he may be singing in heavens above and continues to entertain the public there same as he is doing in this world.
Many more songs here too:
http://guyanafriends.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/541601562/m/22110249331/p/2
OR hear the above song at
http://www.bollywoodlyrics.com/cs/blogs/rafi/archive/2006/08/15/18549.aspx
Rafi Sahab was 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 the world over. In his music circles he was simply known as ‘The Voice’, because he was so famous for the way he put his heart and soul into every rendition. Rafi Sahab was the greatest and it is impossible to conceive of another singer ever attaining the range, the versatility and the awesome emotion that his golden voice always contained.
Not a difficult song but one of my favourite:
(4) APNI ANKHON SAY BASAKAR……………..THOKAR
http://www.channeldosti.com/oldies/Muhammad%20Rafi/Apni…20Mein%20Basakar.mp3
Year :1974
Singer(s) :Mohd Rafi
Lyricist: :Sajan Delavi
Musician(s): :Shamji Ghanshaamji
Apni aankhon mein basaa kar koyi iqraar karoon
(Let me give you a place in my eyes and profess my love for you)
Apni aankhon mein basaa kar koyi iqraar karoon
(Let me give you a place in my eyes and profess my love for you)
Jee mein aata hai ke jee bhar ke tujhe pyaar karoon
(I wish I could make passionate love to you)
Apni aankhon mein basaa kar koyi iqraar karoon
(Let me give you a place in my eyes and profess my love for you)
Maine kab tujhse zamaane ki khushi maangi hai
(When did I ask you for the world’s happiness?)
Ek halki si mere lab ne hansi maangi hai
(I requested for a slight smile)
Ek halki si mere lab ne hansi maangi hai
(I requested for a slight smile)
Saamne tujhko bitha kar tera deedaar karoon
(With you in front of me I keep looking at you)
Jee mein aata hai ke jee bhar ke tujhe pyaar karoon
(I have a strong desire to make passionate love to you)
Apni aankhon mein basaa kar koyi iqraar karoon
(Let me give you a place in my eyes and profess my love for you)
Saath chhute na kabhi tera yeh kasam le loon
(Never shall I separate from you, lets take this oath)
Har khushi de ke tujhe tere sanam gham le loon
(By giving you all the happiness my love, i will take your sorrows)
Har khushi de ke tujhe tere sanam gham le loon
(By giving you all the happiness my love, i will take your sorrows)
Haaye main kiss tarah se pyaar ka izhaar karoon
(Oh! How shall I make my confession of love?)
Jee mein aata hai ke jee bhar ke tujhe pyaar karoon
(I feel like making passionate love to you)
Apni aankhon mein basaa kar koyi iqraar karoon
(Let me give you a place in my eyes and profess my love for you)
BEAUTIFUL SONG, GREAT POETRY:
from bollywoodlyrics
Venkatji
Your post touched my heart.It was emotional.Do you know when I was studying I used to visit home once in a while.One time I had given son of my dad’s brother, who was just 8 years then one walkman and few cassets as thohfa.One casset was that of Rafi saab’s songs.You know what happened when I came back for a vaccation he sang ‘khoya khoya chand for me’ and asked for more songs of the singer(he did n’t know the name of the singer).I was touched really.
Regarding the allegation of Lata tried to pull down Rafi it is hard to believe.But Asha who is just an over hyped singer was never a match for Rafi when they sang together except just a few songs.