Rafi, the singing God
By Utthara Kumari B
Mohd Rafi
Can one describe God? In 1,000 words? Even in 10,000 words? It is impossible to capture the magic and genius of Mohammed Rafi, the singing God, whose voice you can go on listening to forever.
He lifted mediocre into sparkling gem. His usual was better than the best around him. The kind of range and brilliance he had is unparalleled. From low-pitched whispering songs like Tum se ek baar to high-pitched ones like the O duniya ke rakhwale climax, Rafi sang with ease. Another song which comes to mind is the thought-provoking number in Pyaasa. The song __ Yeh mehlon, yeh takhton __ Rafi begins the song as a murmur, gradually his voice rises and in the end, he gives full rein to his vocal prowess when he exposes the hypocrisy of the society __ his voice soars saying Jalado jalado ise phoonk dalo yeh duniya. Is it possible to imagine anyone else singing this song bringing out all the frustration, bitterness and helpless anger?
Any song, any mood, any artiste, any music director, any lyricist ___ Rafi breathed life into every song and sang with the same dedication and sincerity.
He was the voice of all stars __from a Dev Anand, a Pradeep Kumar, a Bharat Bhushan and a Shammi Kapoor to a Rajesh Khanna, a Rishi Kapoor and a Johny Walker. Rafi had this unique talent of varying his voice to suit the persona of the star he was singing for. If it was for Shammi Kapoor, Rafi sang with all gay abandon __ doing voice gymnastics __ exuberant, energetic, passionate. Tarif karoon kya uski brings Shammi Kapoor to life. You can close your eyes, listen to the song and imagine Shammi Kapoor doing all those acrobatics. Can you imagine a staid and sober Rafi singing such a song? He did and made generations of people his life-long admirers.
Again he sang in an entirely different style for Dev Anand __ the drawl, the romanticism __ he gave rich imagery through his brilliant singing. In a song like Khoya khoya chand, a typical Dev number, you can visualise him strolling over hills and valleys __ Rafi captured this and brought it out through his singing.
For Johny Walker, it was something else. Rafi disguised his voice superbly and mimiced the comedian __ in inimitable songs like Sar jo tera and Hum bhi agar bachche hote. If it was for Dharmendra, Rafi sang in a slightly nasal tone __ the soothing Hui sham unka is a fine example of this combo.
For Rajendra Kumar, Rafi again disguised his voice. You would think Rajendra Kumar was actually singing the song. Be it the nashafying Chalke teri ankhon mein or the mesmerising Kaun hai jo sapnon mein aya or the romantic Baharon phool barsao or the tearful Yaad na jaye or Yeh ansoo mere dil ki zubaan hai.
When you think of `jani‘ Raaj Kumar, Rafi brought out this `jani-ism‘. The songs are many __ Tujhko pukare mera pyar, Choolenedo nazuk hoton ko. Only Rafi could bring out the navrasas through his unmatched talent. In everyone’s favourite Suhani raat dhal chuki, Rafi’s smooth voice glides over you like honey. And the way he sings this intezar number in his intense voice makes this song everyone’s favourite.
Then take the romantic Hum aur tum aur yeh samaa __ Rafi who has sung almost all of Shammi Kapoor’s foot-tapping numbers, sings this in a soft, breezy way infusing it with gentle romanticism.
Yeh ansoo mere dil ki zubaan hai or Kabhi khud pe __ Rafi renders these songs with so much emotion and dard. They make you cry.
Rafi also sang all those-tear-jerkers for Dilip Kumar, the tragedy king who would sit alone in a corner and drown his sorrows singing dard-bhari gaane in Rafi’s pathos-filled voice __ Koi sagar dil ko behlata nahin.
The same Rafi also makes you jump and dance and fall all over while singing an Aaja aaja main hun pyar tera or a Mast baharon ka. This proves his versatility.
When it comes to qawwalis, there are no peers. Rafi’s voice has that teasing quality which is so essential for these type of songs. Be it Parda hai or Tumhe husn deke khuda ne or Pal do pal ka, Rafi mesmerises you.
In Na toh carvan ki talash hai __ the all-time classic __ Rafi makes a late entry and dominates the song with his soft voice bringing out the various meanings and nuances of `ishq‘.
Man tarpat Hari darshan ko aaj __ this is one bhajan which became an anthem. Rafi sang this with devotional fervour making people swoon in bhakti.
When we come to romantic numbers, it is difficult to choose any one song as an example. Bahosh-o-hawas main deewana __ in this rapturous number, Rafi fills each note and phrase with heavenly romanticism.
What amazes everyone is how Rafi, a teetotaller, could bring in so much nasha into the intoxicating melodies. Aaj is darja pilado __ the andaz with which he says `pilado‘ gives you nasha.
If you are in the mood for ghazals, then Rafi’s rendering of the gems of the golden era like Tumhari zulf ke saaye mein and Na kisiki aankh ka noor hoon will entrance you.
As for patriotic fervour, just listen to Rafi’s Yeh watan yeh watan or Jahan dal dal or Kar chale hum fida __ you will definitely be proud to be an Indian.
For classical numbers, again it is Rafi __ Madhuban mein and Kuhu kuhu __ are two shining examples.
Rafi had this unique way of breathing life into a song __ he would go slightly high-pitch(like in Hum bekhudi mein tumko where he says `chaleeeeeegaye‘). In Ehsaan tera hoga, just hear him say `mohabbat‘ when he sings mujhe tumse mohabbat hogayi hai. He puts in all the mohabbat into that one word. In Achchaji mein hari, listen to the way he says sarcastically `mera dil jalaaaaaaaonna‘. In mein nigahen ter chehre se, it is definitely wow the way he drawls `tauba tauba taubaa tauba‘. No one, I stress, no one can sing with his andaz and adas.
Mohd Rafi with Ravi and his son, Shakeel, Minoo Kartik and others
Rich and pure, Rafi’s voice is tinged with the kind of magic that is guaranteed to get to the heartstrings. And it enchanted generations.
After his death, the film industry has been desperately trying to find a replacement. The clones are many. But there will never be another Mohammed Rafi. It is impossible to capture the magic of Mohammad Rafi. The moods and genres he sang is unparalleled. Here I have tried to list out his songs sung in various moods and in different genres.
Kar chale/Yeh watan yeh watan__ patriotic
Man tarpat/Man ri tu kahe na__bhajan
Kaliyon ne ghoonghat khole __ happy, lively song
Jane bahar husn/Mein nigahen tere chehre se __ romantic
Ye ankhen uf yumma __ romantic song full of nasha
Yehsaan tera hoga mujh par/Bahosh o hawas__ soothing romantic song
Aaja re aa zara __ hatke se trembling romantic solo
Aaja aaja mein hun pyar tera __ hatke se trembling romantic duet
Baad muddat ki yeh/Tum toh pyar ho/Dil pukare arey __ happy romantic duet
Abhi na jao chodkar/Thehriye hosh mein aloo __ parting romantic duet
Aapko pyar chupane ki/Mizaze garami dua hai aapki __ teasing romantic duet
Tarif karoon/Ayyayyo karoon mein kya __ mad, crazy numbers
Duniya na bhaye mohe/Kabhi khud pe__sad
Humsafar saath apna chod chale/Mujhe teri mohabbat ka__ sad duet
Aaj is darja pilado/maine pee sharab __ nasha songs
Tujhko pukare mera pyar/hum tumse juda hoke __ haunting songs
O duniya ke rakhwale/Dil ke jharoke mein__high-pitch song
Tum se kahoon ek baar __ whispering song
Tumhe husn deke khuda ne/Pal do pal ka saath hamara__ qawwali
Yeh duniya agar milbhi jaye __ I hate-this-world song
Guzre hain aaj ishq __ I hate-love song
Madhosh hawa/o aaj mausam__ on nature
Madhuban mein radhika/kuhu kuhu bole koyaliya __ classical
Aaj mere yaar ki shaadi hai ___ baraat song
Babul ki duaen leti jaa __ bidaayi song
Rakhi daagon ka tyohaar __ on brotherly love
Mein zindagi ka saath nibhatha chalagaya __ philosophical song
Na kisi ki aankh ka noor hoon/tumhari zulfke saaye mein__ghazal
Hum intezar karenge/Din dhal jaye__ intezar song
Tu kahan yeh bata __ birah geet
Bade miya dewaane/Sarjo tera__fun songs
Nain lad jaihen __ folk
Hum bhi agar bachche hote__ children’s song
Mein gaoon tum sojao __ lullaby
Jan pehchan ho __ Rock ‘n roll
Mast baharon ka __ foot-tapping number
Aaja tujhko pukare mere geet re; Jab kabhi bhi sunoge geet mere… tum mujhe yun bhulana paoge___ I don’t think we Rafi fans need any entreaty or appeal to listen to his songs.
Is it possible to forget him or his songs?
Dearest kishorefan welcome back to mohd Rafi site and jest I want to the lsit of KK classic,bhajans and Qawaali songs please I want to listen,
I hope this year KK award will go to Raj Kappor or Shammi Kapoor or Nauhand Ali because last year it went to Manoj Kummar because he used mostly Mukesh and Mohd Rafi not KK…….
When u on ur car light at day time people will think that u on it by mistake and if people know that u knew that ur car light on so they say ur crazy…..
Hello Kishorefan, it is ok to admire a singer and say why he is best. But don’t rubbish other singers. No one can dispute that Rafi saab is a legend. Even Kishore admired Rafi saab.
Rafi saab sang for Kishore in many films.
I am sure Kishore won’t be happy if he reads your mail insulting other legends.
Probably he will sing and tell Rafi fans
kuch toh log kahenge logon ka kaam hai kehna chhodo bekaar ki baaton mein…
Utthara
yes kishore fan ji everyone is ordinary, call it rafi sahab,mahindra kapoor or even kishore kumar and lataji etc… But I can state it for sure that u urself r really extraordinary by ur surprisingly unwanted entry and we lack IQ to understand ur meanings of universe,countries and singing.
However,I respect ur love for Kishore da,so I would like to share once again,this many times repteated anecdote from great kishore da`s life that I `ve also read so many times on net,its when,a kishorefan called kishore da such words like urs about Rafi sahab, kishore kumar out of irritation(it can never be modesty as u can never slap in modesty),called that person and slapped him in public saying,If he can sing a song in one way, same song Rafi sahab can sing in so many ways and rafi saab is beyond all.
We know so many stories in which Kishore kumar fell,literaly, at Rafi sahab`s feet with reverence, two I can tell u ,once at recording of “Man mora bawara” other at a concert.Though, kis kumar was from shegal school of singing,We know it from song writer Sameer that Kishore kumar had only Rafi sahab picture in his home.Even on youtube video,in the song man re, u can feel Kishore kumar`s true respect for rafi sahab that he called him his elder brother and “aziz”(cordial) friend.He started his show with Rafi sahab song.
U know, we start anything with remembring someone whom we respect most or rather adore and kishore kum chose rafi sahab.Listen following two song one by rafi sahab other by kishore kum.U can Ignore rafi sahab`s song but please listen Kishore kumar`s song as kishore da is echoing Rafi sahab`s song requesting fans like u all to have some “dheer” of Mann…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xX_h2oJXQ00
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioSOHB0HeTU
also even at filmfare award kishore kum sang Rafi sahab`s song to tribute him.Rafi sahab the legend of legend with the genious singing witnessing all the changes from late fourties till 1980 always deserve respect from all admirer of subcontinent music.
still u all come and place such words of querrels in article like this ones with zenith of our feelings tributed towards this finnest of person or singer,where every rafi lover is so elated to read such a nice tribute written excillently by utthara to our God,our master our ideal…
I know my post is not going to make any change to u or anyone with critic mind so a song come in my memory,There is a song of Rafi sahab from movie mela(1948) in which there was a line,” hongi yehi bahare ulfat ki yaad gare,bigregi au banegi duniya yehi rahegi…honge yehi jhamele,ye zindagi ke mele”
Kishorefanji, pahle gadhay (Donkey) aur ghoday (Horse) mein farq karna seekho, phir baad mein zindabaad kay naare lagaana.
Ref. post 95
Lagta hai aap ko phir se keeda kaatna shuru hogaya.
Itne bar is site par zaleel honay kay baad bhi kyoon thodi si bhi sharam nahin aati aapko??? Phir se aagaye virus phailane. Jao apni site par, jo bakwaas karni hai karte raho.
everybody just listen mahendra kapoor and rafi are just ordinary singers.
kishore kumar is the best.
he can sing all songs from semi classical to qawaali from bhajans to sad songs to comedy songs in any voice. stop comparing mahendra kapoor and rafi. both are ok singers . kishore is a real gem in bollywood music and his contribution is immense.
kishore kumar is the best singer bollywood has ever witnessed. you cannot compare kishore with any singers.he is universe of all singers and all singers in bollywood are small countries of that universe.
kishore kumar zindabad
Dear DIN DAYAL,
mahendra kapoor hat his best songs under Ravi music and Ravi is fan of Mohd rafi ,so what if some one igore some one ?!!!!! do u know why Lata Ji stop to sing for SJ because they used gave songs to new comers but Mohd rafi helped new comers and mahendra kapoor first song was by Naushand…..
dear Din Dayal if u want to compare mahendra kapoor jest try to compare him with other singer not to mohd rafi boz mahendra kapoor like a moon which have light from the sun(mohd Rafi)yes I agree that star had there on lights but moon light is more fowerful……
Post 75 & 89: Please listen to the song ” Kaisi Haseen Aaj Baharon Ki Raat Hai…” from the film “Aadmi” and you’ll understand and realize the differences between the giant singer Rafi Saheb and Mahendra Kapoor. Some of the songs sung by Mahendra Kapoor from films like – Gumrah, Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi, Hamraaz, etc… are very well sung by him, no doubt. But there’s no comparison at all between Rafi Saheb and Mahendra kapoor.
mahendra kapoor is a great singer and i know him personally from the . he told me always that he did not get much fame as other singers.
rafi sahab spotted his talent and gave him a name. he got a big break from c ramchandra in navrang and then he entered in bollywood music. the songs which he composed were really very great. it took nearly 45 days for c ramchandra to record “ada hai chandrama”. but mahendra kapoor did not give up. everybody taught that he can’t sing this song.but atlast in the last attempt he rendered it beautifully. c ramchandra was surprised and gave him a jadu ke jappi.
this was the greatness of mahendra kapoor. he never gave up .till he is not fully satisfied he used to sing .he had the same qualities like rafi sahab. he never fell into controversies with anybody.he treated everybody as his brothers and sisters.. the song “chalo ek baar phir se” was a very difficult song . ravi first called rafi sahab to sing that song but rafi was busy recording with shankar jaikishan for the upcoming film rajkumar. rafi was the voice of sunil dutt in 1963. sunil dutt only wanted rafi to sing that beautiful song. then ravi tried mukesh but he could not deliver the way sunil wanted. as mahendra kapoor was a rafi trained singer ravi contacted him and within 12 days mahendra practiced and in the final rehersal he delivered the best. then he sang many songs for sunil dutt
the only probem with mahendra kapoor was that he was not a classically trained singer . so semi classical ,qawalli,comedy songs he could not sing properly.so prominent music directors ignored him.but rafi sahab helped him to change his voice . before recording ‘mere desh ki dharti” he went to rafi sahab and rafi helped him very much.
but today people are not remembering him and he did not get much awards from the government. that’s way i feel very sad about the people and today’s worst music in which himesh reshamiya is saying “do not sing old songs”.
jab thak suraj chand rahega
jab thak aakash mein thare chamkegene
jab tak panchi badal mein udtae raheenge
tab thak mahendra kapoor ji aur rafi sahab ki aawaz aur unka mann hamare dharti mein jeevet rahegi
“jai hind”
i do agree with priya sanal ji has said in posting number 86 that mahendra kapoor was said about rafi saab i have posted a video in rafi saabs blog mahendra kapoors son rohan kapoor has said about rafi saabs and mahendra kapoors relation ship this is audio version broadcasted in awaz fm _uk this proagram is in 3 parts kindly visit rafi saabs blog to listen this proagram also i have posted slide shows of rafi saabs pictures also other tribute proagram by awaz fm_uk kindly visit some pages to view this postings for your kind information to go to next page kindly click older posts you will find bottom of every page kindly visit this link take care
http://www.rafifanblog.blogspot.com/
Priyaji, thank you very much for your appreciation. Mein ik mamuli insaan hun jo Rafi sab ke fan hai. I have a picture of a smiling rafi saab on my desk in office.I am grateful to friends on this forum who have taken some time off their busy lives to read my article and also comment on it. I felt I should individually thank all of you for your support and encouragement.
Hum sab jitne bhi rafi sab ke baare mein likhe woh kafi nahin hai.
I can only say this..
taarif karun kya uski jisne rafi saab ko banaya….
Priyaji, you can call me Utthara. no ji please.
Bahut shukriya
Utthara
SEE POST 86,
I AM NOT CREATING ANY CONTROVERSY HERE . SOME OF THE SONGS WHICH MAHENDRA KAPOOR HAS RENDERED ARE FAR BETTER THAN RAFI SAHAB.
SOME SONGS WHICH MAHENDRA JI SANG IN HUMRAAZ ,WAQT,KISMAT,ETC ARE SUCH SONGS WHICH RAFI JI CANNOT SING.
C RAMCHANDRA ALWAYS IGNORED RAFI BECAUSE MAHENDRA KAPOOR COULD CHANGE HIS SINGING STYLE AT MOMENTS WHEN COMPOSERS REALLY NEEDED A SINGER LIKE RAFI SAHAB. RAFI IS THE BEST SINGER NO DOUBT BUT MAHENDRA KAPOOR WAS EQUALLY GREAT. NAVRANG THERE ARE MANY SONGS WHICH ONLY MAHENDRA CAN SING;
HERE IS A LIST OF SONGS WHICH ONLY MAHENDRA KAPOOR CAN SING ;
1 SHYAMAL SHYMAL BADAN
2 ADA HAI CHANDRAMA
3 NEELE GAGAN KE TALE
4 CHALO EK BAAR PHIR SE
5 LAKON HAI YAHAN DILWALE
6 AAJA AAJA RE TUJKHO PUKARE MERA PYAR
7 NA MUH CHUPAKE JIYO
8 KAUN HO TUM KAUN HO
9 KISI PATHAR KE MOORAT SE
10 TUM AGAR SAATH DENE KA WAADA KARO
THE ONLY SAD THING WAS ACCEPT OP NAYYAR,C RAMCHANDRA,KALYANJI ANANDJI AND SALIL CHAUDARY OTHER MUSIC DIRECTORS IGNORED HIM AND THAT WAS THEIR BIGGEST MISTAKE. RAFI SAHAB NO DOUBT HAD HELPED HIM AND THAT WAS THE GREATNESS OF RAFI SAHAB. I CRY LOUDLY WHEN I THINK ABOUT MAHENDRA KAPOOR AND HIS GREAT SONGS. TEARFULLY HE IS NOT THERE WITH US. BUT HIS SONGS WILL BE IMMORTAL. BUT THE SAD THING IS THAT PEOPLE ARE IGNORING HIM AND DO NOT REMEMBER HIS CONTRIBUTION TO MUSIC INDUSTRY. WITHOUT HIM AND RAFI SAHAB OUR MUSIC INDUSTRY WOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE A ASS CLEANING A DUSTBIN.
Resp. Priya didi,
I am totally agree with your post no 86. you gave very good reply to post 75 by telling him that why we worships RAFI SAHAB & why he is a GOD for us.
Thank you very much also for sharing one more anecdotes about RAFI SAHAB with mahendr kapur ji.
Thanks & Regards,
-Sanjeev
rafisanjeev@yahoo.com
Utthara, what r u?
let me answer, u r simply amazing! such a devotion and such a zeal that u say thanx to everyone individualy even though u already know that we all feel the same.
For sure,such article,like this one is the one that we enjoy reading many times as it connects originaly with the master,Rafi sahab so cordially. u expressed our feelings marvellously,ur tribute is like listening rafi sahab songs!
I guess u can better understand how does it feels to listen Rafi sahab singing, “Taarif karu`n kya uski or Yaad na ajaye etc…”
Please continue such work of gratefulness towards the matser for the feelings that we get by Rafi sahab`s presence with us is nothing less than being with God…Thanx,utthara ji from my heart!
75) Mr dindayal, I could never understand how can u and many others do so often create dispute uselessly by silly comparision.I`ve personally met Mahindra kapoor ji twice. At both occasion he kept on talking about his paaji(Elder brother),his Guru, His God….all synonyms to Mohd Rafi sahab used by him.Rafi sahab has always helped and supported Kapoorji as one loves one`s own child and Kapoor ji admits this fact really.he told me that every Raaga that Kapoor ji has ever sung,he owe that to Rafi sahab!!!
We r never concerned with ur personal defination of versatile,or high pitch low pitch!We r just tributing Rafi sahab and have tremendous respect for why only Mahindra Kapoor but also for sonu Nighamji, Udit Narayan,Sukhvindra singh etc and all singer and person who feels himself/herself ever inspired by Rafi sahab and love him.For everyone who see Rafi sahab as Guru is just loved by Rafi sahab too.
But we r very comfortable in ignoring the person who comes here to replace Rafi sahab by their unusual defination of verstailty,modulation etc…We would have very much apprciated if u had to add something on ur part for even if u write about mahindra kapoor ji or sonu ji it would enhance Rafi sahab`s love but u imaginativly replaced Rafi sahab to someone who loves,or rather worship Rafi sahab as a guru as a father.Its sad to read post like urs.
For ur kind information,from childhood when kapoor ji was just a 10/11 year old he used to visit Rafi sahab at home for music classes and it happened many days that he stayed at Rafi sahab home,like a family member,(if it would have late)for rafi sahab was that much dedicated for even a child interest in music,It was a time when Rafi sahab was busiest singer yet he out of love for every one, he cared for one who came to seek something out of him. It was Rafi sahab`s ideal of life,if someone came to his home to demand anything Rafi sahab could never say no,the wordly attachment like money,returns,appointment etc was nothing for this Godly person
similary once, like so many blessed one who got chance to meet Rafi sahab, Kapoorji also went to rafi sahab`s home with his parents to request him to guide his(kapoorji`s) elder brother in music as kapoorji himself was too young for this purpose. Next day, Kapoor ji once again went to Rafi sahab`s house for asking about Rafi sahab`s decission. Rafi sahab`s elder brother met kapoor ji. He(rafi sahab`s brother) asked him,that his(kapoorji`s) interest suggest that he is more interested in muisc than his brother and kapoorji nodded. From next day Rafi sahab started guiding this young boy or rather a child without any ego of that how big singer he himself was.
Just go and try to meet any celibrity u would come to know how rude they behave but Rafi sahab was exception.
Such kind of person rafi sahab was ,hence, we call him God out of love,such word like God is never meant religiously,its just love and we understand religious sentiment, its just love and as we lack vocabulary to describe Rafi sahab`s excillence with singing with any wordly word, we simply say him God out of our tremendous love,and rafi sahab by his personal life and humble heart and divoted charecter towards God always proved that he was indeed a saintly person.
Utthara, you have packed the article with a lot of information. And the songs you have picked are my favourites too. Enjoyed reading it.
Sapna
Parvezji, Rafi saab was known for his generosity and humility. Parvezji, Rafi saab was known for his generosity and humility. These are the two qualities which I admire in him most.
shukriya
Utthara
Ahamedji, thank you. Yes, Rafi saab had his own beautiful andaz of stressing words.
regards Utthara
Hi Charan, thanks for taking time off editing and posting your comment. I know you like retro music.
cheers
Utthara
These are the two qualities which I admire in him most. There are many instances of his humility and generosity.
shukriya
Utthara
Ahamedji, thank you. Yes, Rafi saab had his own beautiful andaz of stressing words.
regards Utthara
Hi Charan, thanks for taking time off editing and posting your comment. I know you like retro music.
cheers
Utthara
I consider myself a mere fan, while you people out there as ACs of Rafi saab, considering the devotion you have towards THE GOD. Going by the write-up and the enormous response that it has received, one feels going back to those songs and play them again and again and again and…Surely the voice is mesmerizing and so were the picturization of the songs that it immortalized. One wonders how those songs, despite being simple and no-nonsense, could take us to dreamland. There is a scope for our modern-day filmmakers (who, at the drop of a hat, go abroad for shoots) to learn a lesson or two from those of yesteryears. I get goose bumps when I listen to the song ‘Kya Hua Tera Waada’….I know it is just one of the many gems of….OMG
Ref. post 78
Dear Singh Sahab,
As you know that this site is completely dedicated to a No. 1 legend of bollywood and not hollywood. Who ever love him or his songs definitely knows hindi well, or atleast understand well. So, I don’t feel any thing wrong
writing in hindi.
dear friend thanx for the great article you have mentioned about great songs of rafi saab also you have mentioned how rafi saab adopted the style of each actor also you have mentioned about how he sang each type of song it was a gift from god also i would like to mentioned about how simple human being he was its very rare all the quality he had in himself he was very simple person that was his great quality ,i have created a blog dedicated to rafi saab i would like every body to visit rafi saabs blog i have posted rare pictures and videos and articles ,i hope every rafi saab fans will like this blog, total over 500 pages are there ,for your kind information to go to next page kindly click older posts you will find bottom of every page kindly visit all the pages kindly visit this link take care
http://www.rafifanblog.blogspot.com/
SORRY… ZEE NEWS HAS NOT GIVEN US THE TIME OF BROADCAST, HENCE PLEASE WAIT….
AS SOON AS I KNOW THE TIME, I WOULD SMS THE SAME TO RAFI LOVERS.
IT OUGHT TO BE A NICE STORY…..
THANKS & cheers to friends and rafi lovers……
Can one describe God? YES we can. Simply say RAFI SAHAB. that is the answer.
why do you guys keep some of your comments in hindi, do you not know that rafi fans are all over the world, some dont know hindi, but still LOVES the GOD voice. thank you
binuji, your post 74 came as a sigh of relief. after the toi broke the story, rafi bhakts were abuzz with the saddening news. it is good that you have put the matter in proper perspective. we will hook on to zee news on sunday, 14th for more news on this. thanks for giving us the current state of affairs.
a great singer and messenger of God brings together people from various places and all walks of life together. even thirty years after his passing on…and he doesnt get a place to rest….???!!!! khush raho ehle chaman..hum toh chaman chhor chaley…khaak pardes ki chhanengey watan chhor chaley…..this is what Rafi Saab must be singing ….
see everybody. all are praising rafi sahab. what about mahendra kapoor?
his voice was also golden voice. rafi sahab sang high pitch song very well,but mahendra kapoor was better in high pitch.. mahendra kapoor always had a bad luck. that all music directors ignored him. he is the best singer in bollywood from my point of view. why people must ignore him? his voice suits any hero of any generation. so praise mahendra kapoor also. think if mahendra kapoor sang”lakon hai nigah mein” or “tere mere sapne” it would have been the best. rafi sahab is a greater singer no doubt but mahendra kapoor is versatile singer. mahendra kapoor never sang for shammi, if he could have got a chance mahendra would have been shammi’s voice. so mahendra kapoor is the best singer ever bollywood has seen. he sang little songs but whatever songs he sang he was also god’s voice after rafi sahab. so never ignore him.
RAFI COMMANDS THE SAME RESPECTS EVEN IN DEATH….. NOTHING HAS CHANGED AT THE JUHU MASJID…..dear rafi lovers.
Facts can never change …. I had a meeting with the Muslim Majlis trust the trust which manages the juhu kabrastan, friday evening along with rafi lovers AND ZEE NEWS JOURNALISTS.
OUR WEBSITE HAD A BREAKDOWN AND HENCE COULD NOT REGISTER MY POST.
THE STRIP OF LAND AT RAFI MAZHAR HAS NOT BEEN touched nor ALTERED. THE SAME WITH NAUSHAD SAAHEBs grave.
in mumbai the trust has no land to take in new bodies . so once in three years they have to make mud layers to accommodate more bodies. its a very very emotional issue – they cant refuse a body which arrives…. there is a limitation.
the muslim leaders who represent them do not help. their leaders are satisfied with their “lal batti cars” and attendant perks which they get for finiancing the congress party. if priya dutta has a will – withing 10 mnts the masjid can get some land for the burial purposes. but she will not do it. muslims matter for votes only during elections. 40% of mumbai has illegal slums on govt.lands .
but, there is no place for a monument for sahir, majrooh, naushad, jan ni sar akhtar, madhubala, mohd rafi, talat mahmud and many others. the families of legends do not visit the mazhaar. only the fans do.
its a sad plight to see. please see zee news hindi for an half an hour story on sunday the 14th about the said mazaar issue.
nothing has changed at rafi mazaar so please cheer rafi bakhts.
binu nair, mumbai
cell : 9833 250 701….
Uttaraji, there are hundreds more of rafi sahab’s songs which sometimes we tend to forget. not deliberately though. unfortunately several of them are not within our reach. for e.g. i could locate a very lovely song today : ik tera sundar mukhda, ik tera pyar se bhara dil from the film bhai bhai. what a lovely song and what a rendition. even in somewhat ordinary compositions, rafi sahab made them look so beautiful to hear. i have been listening to this song again and again as i could get hold of it after many decades. truly, the singing god at it again.
Binuji, the news made a very sad reading yesterday. can you please find out from the immediate family of rafi sahab whether they were consulted and/or taken into confidence and what is their reaction ? in case they are satisfied with what has taken place, then we as rafi fans would keep their values uppermost in our minds before we react and take any action. but then, can we not send a strong letter to the govt of maharashtra and the union government requesting them to earmark a suitable place for the remains of the illustrious sons and daughters of india, just as they have for the political big names across delhi. If the govt can give substantial land in delhi for various ‘ghats’ or ‘sthals’ then why not some space for these legends like rafi sahab, sahir ludhianvi, naushad sahab, madhubala etc ? But first please do check up with the immediate family of rafi sahab and find out what is their reaction on all this. if they have been taken into confidence and what has happened is with their consent and/or knowledge then we should not make a big hue and cry.
a s murty
secretary
rafi foundation,
hyderabad chapter.
Dear Utthara,
wah bhai wah! Un vazhi tani vazhi. Me enjoyed reading it. Was humming the songs you have listed. tera kya kehna!
love
Ranga
Binuji and Priyaji, it is indeed sad to learn the way people give respect to celebrities.
Binuji, Bangalore edition of Times too published this news.
Friends, here is Binuji’s quote from that article….
“A few years ago, the granite plaque was removed, so now we identify the coconut tree nearest to his grave and pray there,” says Binu Nair who runs a Rafi fan club in Mumbai.
Priyaji, I agree with your views totally. No news about the remains of the legend.
Duniya na bhaye mohe… ab toh bulale charnon mein….
regards
Utthara
Dear Uttaraji,
a very interesting article on rafi saab indeed.now a days
when i hear rafi saab’s song i used to listen each and every
word of his voice carefully.it is something nobody can do.
when he pronounce each and every word,there is honey in it.
when other singers tried to go for high pitch some times we
will feel irritated.but rafi saab is the only singer whose songs
we can listen with full of confidence and joy.the voice is sweet
in each and every word – each and every pitches- really he is
god of music.
64)Rafi sahab with the voice reaching to heaven is singing as a declaration, —
Mandir ka maalik ban baitha dekho ek pujari!!!
jaise ye hai sab ka daata aur bhagwan bhikaary!!
do din ka mehman bana hai jag ka thekedar…kuch aakar chale gayen kuch jaane ko tayeeyar…
Khabardar…
kahbardar…
yeh duniya nahi jaagir kisi ki……..”
A priest has become owner of a Temple,as if he is God(giver) and god is the beggar!!! The guest of two days has become contractor of the creation!Some has left(after coming),others are ready to leave…
Beware
Beware
This world is not personal property of anyone!!!!!
=================================================
Its heart breaking.We love Rafi sahab,and Allah love him too thats why he was given such a pure heart and geniuos art.These people ought to respect presence of such a saintly person`s remains.Not even family were informed.
May God we become able to have some “samadhi sort of memorial” at some specific place” where we can pay our homage.But is remains of Rafi sahab`s physical body still safe???
Binu Nair ji whats the latest news of cemetry.
Ramesh annayyagaru,
what do I say? your tarif is bigger than my article. Good God! Your evry word is dipped in praise and affection. I don’t deserve so many compliments. It only shows your affection for me.
Thank you ….these two words are inadequate to convey my feelings.
But I have to say…thank you and thank you
cheers
Utthara
Rajkumarji, rafi saab is unique. And he is the best, like you said.
regards
utthara
Hello Utthara,
I know you love rafi’s singing. My God! Such a fantastic tribute to him! Even I who am not much into Hindi retro film music am delighted reading your article. Your knowledge is amazing.
anil
Hello Uttara,
madam, knowing how beautifully you write, I am not surprised by all the comments here. Like all your articles, this one on rafi is super. enjoyed reading it.
keep in touch
reshmi
Dear Rafi lovers,
Please read the news item in the ‘Times of India’ today (link below):
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Rafi-Madhubala-dont-rest-in-peace-here/articleshow/5558345.cms
It is sad indeed, very sad.
‘RAFI , MADHUBALA DON’T REST IN PEACE HERE…..
THIS IS FOR RAFI LOVERS WHO ARE SAD ON READING THE NEWS ITEM ABOUT THE reported removal of TOMBS OF RAFI, TALAT, MADHUBALA, MAJROOH, SAHIR,sardar-jafri, SURAIYA and many more luminaries in
the times of india , mumbai edition dated Feb.11, 2010 – written by eminent reporter bella jaisinghani.
the report is available on internet : type : epaper.timesofindia.com
a report on rafi saaheb is also available in the pages dated dec.27, 2009 -last year. its a half page story on mohd rafi.
the tomb was “removed” many years back – not now – as the report suggests. THE FACT IS that, the rafi burial ground is intact and virgin .
religious scriptures say that after death everyone is equal so no tombs can be erected whatsoever.
i have received several mails from rafi lovers – pouring out sadness for the way we treat our legends. it seems that mumbai has a large heart but no place for a “tomb” of great indian luminaries like rafi, madhubala, talat, majrooj, sahir, naushad saaheb and many others.
even , i am sad that we are “unable” to honour our heroes. suggestions are welcome to perpetuate the memory of our cultural heroes.
binu nair
binus2000@hotmail.com
achal, you are more of a wordsmith than me. you have turned this article into a pilgrimage. wah, kya imagery! your words have moved me.
A heartfelt thanks
utthara
Vinaya, i am speechless after reading your comment. what do i say? such high praise from one of the best writers!
thank you
utthara
bhagchandanaji,
shukriya sahab. happy to note that you liked the article
regards
utthara
jayanthi,
elated that you enjoyed the article. glad that you have not edited it!
utthara
krishnanji, how have you been? thank you for liking the article.
utthara
raghunaathji,
thank you, sir
regards
utthara
/
guru murthyji, thank you, sir. the category you have suggested indded tells this generation that how rafi saab sang with ease these foot-tapping numbers.
utthara
prakash shahji, no jokes? thank you for taking your time off and reading the article.
utthara
sunita behen, your comment took me back to our fun-filled evenings where we used to discuss and sing retro songs. happy to see your response.
cheers
utthara
ananth, did you say you read it twice? thank you bhai
utthara
nawatheji,
itni taarif? baap re baap! you have praised me to the skies. I don
t deserve such high compliments. phir bhi i want to say this. i don’t know how to thank you. aap mujhe sharminda kar rahe hain. i am no vidwan.
thanks for saying baar baar padhne ko jee chahta hai. i am humbled by your appreciation.
bahut shukriya
utthara
narayanji, thank you for everything. rafi saab is indded the epitome of goodness.
utthara
priya sanyalji,
you are the star contributor on this forum. i read with interest your comments on various topics. i am very happy that you found my article good.
bahut bahut shukriya
utthara
javed sayyedji,
kya farmaya aapne! whatever you have said about rafi saab is absolutely true.
thank you sir for your appreciation of my article.
regards
utthara
nrp, everytime, i replied to your cooment, an error came. the result: two thank you notes from me.
utthara
devrajji, it is long time since we have met. thank you for liking my article.
regards
utthara
binuji,
you are here, there and everyehere. it is through support from people like you that we try to come out with good articles.
shukriya
utthara
Dear nagesh, floored by your compliments. me blushing. you have always encouraged me by giving fulsome praise. Even 500 words are not enough to say a heartfelt thank you for your constant support.
thank you
cheers
utthara
jay,
you have made my day. thanks for using the calculator! eight lines of appreciation(i didn’t use calculator) from the one and one-liner..that is you…is indeed high praise.
thank you
cheers
utthara
nrp,
quote
For quite some time this forum – and many others too – felt your absence. What a resurrection!!
unquote
such high praise coming from a person for whom i have deep respect overwhelms me.
like you said we tend to christen him god or avataar or superman or whatever only because of our own limiting factors.
thank you
utthara
Dear Vasu, as usual high praise from you. Thank you dost. I want to know all about Bureau of song investigation!
cheers Utthara
Sanjeevbhai, yes, rafi saab is a great human being. So much humility. A lot for us to learn from him.
shukriya
Utthara
NRP,
quote
For quite some time this forum – and many others too – felt your absence. What a resurrection!!
unquote
I treasure these compliments from you. Coming from someone for whom i have deep respect, these words put me on a high.
i agree with you when you say we tend to christen him god or avataar or superman or whatever only because of our own limiting factors. in fact, your comment is more analytical than my article.
Thank you
regards
Utthara
Uttaraji,
Superb article. there is no words to say about your magnificent article. If anybody want any details do read this article everything is there in front of you all what uttaraji gave us a tremendous thoughts and believe me such type of article brings us more together.
shashank chickermane
Murtygaru, thank you for your appreciation. I agree with you that Rafi saab can never be copied or imitated.
regards
Utthara
Maniji, that is too much praise. I m happy you liked the article.
regards
Utthara
Aliuddin saab, bahut shukriya. I too am an ardent fan of Rafi saab.
regards
Utthara
Ikrambhai,
hello. Glad that your generation is fida over Rafi saab’s songs. Thank you for the bouquets for my article.
cheers
Utthara
Rajeshbhai, want more articles? You will be bored.Happy that you enjoyed reading my writeup.
thank you
Utthara
There is a voting for Indian musicians’ ranking and our beloved rafi sahab’s name is also in the ‘who popular’ list.
i request all my rafian friends to kindly vote for the legendary singer rafi sahab and pay your tribute to the master…
click on the link and vote now…
http://www.whopopular.com/Mohammed-Rafi
Let us try to see him on the top.
pradeepji,
the baton is not in uttara behen’s hands as it should have been and so please pick and approve my comment which is languishing in the ” spam mail ” by default.
thanx and god bless.
i remain,
yours truly,
ramesh narain kurpad.
Uttaraji, brilliant. Words fail me. How did you remember all those details? Amazing.
From childhood, i have been listening to rafi’s songs. He is an all-rounder. Like you said he can sing any type of song. No programme on Vividh bharati is complete without his songs.
Thank you for a wonderful article
pradeep
uttara chellai,
amma chellai – anandamey anandamu – telugu picture lo ” padmanabhudu “, relangi andru chebutaarey – ” NA POINT KU – OKHA JOINT ANI ”
i take your write up as an externsion of your heart – your innermost feeelings – your most valued judgements and above all personally for me as annaiyya – its a dream continuatiion from where i had concluded temporarily.
in many ways i should thank you profusely for saying all that you have said – which i wanted to but did not know how to. words used by you are all from the dictionary but very few whom i know could use them like an ace wordsmith as you have.
they say ” rafi sahab key barey main jithnaa likho – kamm hai “, but after this ” peshkash ” from you, i feel in many ways than one – you have used many – last sentences – after which it would be difficult for one to continue from where you have temporarily stopped.
while reading your angelic writing, i had difficulty in reading not due to poor eyesight but, due to the intense feelings being emitted from the bottom of my heart, making it difficult for me to read in normal speed.
what was more sentimental was – all the comments written by the various rafi bhakts, the endearing words they used to express their true feeling for your article – your mastery over the subject matter and your classy typical uttaraaish style of writing – one of its kind.
i was so very happy reading all that was written in praise of you – as if they had personally praised me. yes – now i understand – this was simply because you are my dearest sister and i am very proud of you and why not !!!!!!!!!!!!!
uttara chellai – i can go on and on – but i do not wish to sound more like a kinder garten school boy and disturb you and your cool.
in conclusion – i would like to say that – rafi sahab sitting right above you is sprinkling rose petals on you with his angelic smile and telling all of us – ” dekhiye yah ek meri shagird hai ” uttara ” woh ek taaraa hai is dharti par joh – itni saari meethi meethi baatein likhtee hain ”
i said – ” rafi sahab an avataar or god and you go on to say – ” rafi the singing god ”
waah waah waah !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! uttara chellai – yah aapkaa annaiyya aapko adaab aur jhukh kar salaam kartein hain – in appreciation of your writing skills and mastery over the subject matter and whatever you touch.
god bless you maa – and may we keep getting such gems often to educate us and bring us into the whole wide spectrum of a great name called
” rafi sahab “.
Binuji, ref post 47. Mujhe yaad hai school ke woh din jab final exams ke baad lambi chhuttiyan hua karti thee. hum yehi kehte the ki uparwale ne shayad Rafi Sahab ko garmiyon ki chhuttiyon mein hi banaya hoga, kyonki wohi sabse lambi chhuttiyan hua karti thee. God created Rafi Sahab in leisure, but with passion too. How else can one human being be endowed with a multitude of virtues, besides the best of adayigi in song rendition ? His disposition towards fellow human beings is a lesson for all mankind to follow.