Rare Anecdotes about Mohd Rafi
In this article I want to share few rare facts about RAFI SAHEB with all the readers of this site – Sanjeev Kumar Dixit
Mohd Rafi with his father
Even though Rafi Sahab’s father was against Rafi taking up music and singing as his career, he gave some teaching to him at the time when he was leaving home:
a) Beta aadmi chahe jitna hi ooncha kyon na ud le use apne paaon (feet) zameen pe hi rakhne padte hain, isliye kabhi ghamand(proud) mat karna, kisi gareeb ka dil na dukhana aur ho sake to koshish karna dusron ka sahara banne ki…
b) Tumhari nazren(sight) hamesha jhuki rahen, kisi ke saamne uthen nahi…
c) Aur beta sab se zaroori hai CHARITRA (character), is par kabhi koi aanch na aane dena…
And Rafi saheb followed these teachings of his father all through his life; he never hurt anybody, never taken bad wishes from anybody and never became obstinate for money & accepted happily whatever he got.
During the initial days of his career, Rafi Sahab used to walk-up to the studio and there were times wherein he had to spend time at the railway station, in case the recording got cancelled.
Mohd Rafi with Naushad
Once Naushad Sahib due to some reasons cancelled the recording of his song in which Rafi Saheb was a chorus singer. All the other artists left the studio one by one but Rafi Saheb was still standing there silently by holding his hands together. Seeing Rafi, Naushad Saheb asked him- “Aap abhi tak yahan kyon khade hain?” Then Rafi Saheb saw here & there and replied with lots of hesitation- “Janab mere paas keval ek hi rupiya tha jisse main yahan taka a to gaya, lekin wapas jaane ke liye mere paas kuchh bhi nahi..” On hearing this, Naushad Saheb gave him a rupee for returning, but Rafi Saheb did not spend that rupee and returned again on his feet.
After few years when Mohd Rafi became “thee Mohd Rafi” he kept that rupee in a golden frame in his drawing room. Thus, he never forgot his past.
Naushad Speaks on Depart of Rafi Saheb –
Hindustan to kya puri dunia ke karoron logon ke liye Rafi Saheb ki Aawaz unki zindagi ka ek hissa ban gayi thi. Unki aawaz se hi logon ka din shuru hota tha aur unki aawaz par raat dhalti thi. Aaj unka hamare beech na hona hamare, aapke aur sab ke liye ek na-kabile-talafi nuksaan hai, aur mai samajhta hoon ki unki jagah hamesha khali rahegi….
“Tujhe nagmo ki jaan ahle-nazar yun hi nahi kahte,
Tere geeton ko dil ka humsafar yun hi nahi kahte.
Dukhi the laakh phir bhi, mutmain the dard ke maare,
Teri aawaz ki shabnam se dhul jaate the gam saare.
Teri taanon me husn-e-zindagi leta tha angdai,
Tujhe allah ne baksha tha andaze masihaai.
Tu hi tha pyaar ka ek saaz is nafrat ki dunia me,
Are ganimat thi teri aawaz is nafrat ki dunia me…”
How true was Naushad Saheb! Really The golden voice of Rafi saheb is a gift of GOD for us. Rafi Saheb is not only known for his song but also for his great character & humility.
Rafi Saheb was a great human being and a great singer. He believed in donations & charity. He was a very soft hearted person. Once, while he was returning from his regular morning walk with his friend, a strange person came to him and asked for some money. Rafi sahib inserted his hand in his pocket & gave him some rupees without counting and went forward. Seeing this, his friend asked- “Kya aap yun kisi ko bhi bina gine hi rupaye de dete hain?” The reply of Rafi Saheb was dignified which only he could give – he said with innocence – “Jab khuda mujhe bina gine rupaye de raha hai to main uske kuchh zaruratmand bandon ko bhala gin kar rupaye kyon doon?” This was the greatness of Rafi Saheb.
He has also said in his songs-
a) Gareebon ki suno wo tumhari sunega, Tum ek paisa doge wo das laakh dega….
b) Kar de madad gareeb ki tera sukhi rahe sansaar, Bacchon ki kilkari se gunje sara ghar baar….
c) Insan bano kar lo bhalai ka koi kaam insan bano… dunia se chale jaaoge rah jaaega bas naam insaan bano……
During the seven day celebration of first Republic day, Rafi Saheb was also invited. But, he was listed for the last day of the programme. When Pandit
Mohd Rafi with Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
Jawaharlal Nehru saw Rafi Sahab, he announced – “Mohd. Rafi ko bulwaiye, unka bhi gana sunenge.” Rafi was happy – “Chalo Pandit ji ke saamne gaane ka mauka to mila”. Since all the programmes were already set, the organizers could only squeeze 5 minutes for Rafi Sahab. Once after he took up the microphone, due to heavy audience requests he was there for 30 minutes.
Since food can influence the quality of voice and tone, Rafi Sahab was apprehensive about his intakes. During one occasion when Rafi Sahab was invited by Pandit Nehru, he offered him Chat (Pani Puri wala chat). Rafi Sahab refused very softly – “Maaf kijiyega main ye nahi le sakta.” Pandit ji in return said, “Are main aap ko kuchh khilaunga nahin, le lijiye.” Then Rafi Saheb said- “Pandit ji agar meri aawaz sirf meri hoti to main zaroor kha leta lekin ab meri aawz sirf meri nahi rah gayi hai, ab ye pure Hindustan ki ho gayi hai, jiska khyal mujhe rakhna hi padta hai.” On hearing this, Nehru patted him on back and hugged him very affectionately.
Mohd Rafi with his children
Mohd. Rafi Saheb loved children very much. He sent few gifts for them daily in his locality and also played with them whenever he could. At the time of singing a children song he also looked like a child. The song “choon-2 karti aayi chidia, daal ka dana laayi chidia…” Of the film “Ab dilli door nahi” is the live example of the same.
Rafi Sahib’s daily routine was clear and simple. In spite of his great stature, he would ensure his time for his family. He would wake up early and go for a morning walk, after which he would play badminton and then proceed for recordings. He used always dedicate minimum of 4 hours for his daily riyaaz.
Color white was Rafi Sahab’s favourite color and in perfumes he would prefer Yardley. Khemchand, Naushad, C. Ramchand, Jaya Dutt and O.P.Nayyar were few of his favourite MDs.
Rafi Sahab’s own favourite songs were:
a) Suhani raat dhal chuki from Dulari
b) O Dunia ke rakhwale from Baiju Bawra
c) Man re tu kahe na dheer dhare from Chitralekha
d) Madhuban me radhika nache re from Kohinoor
Mohd Rafi with Kishore Da
Mohd Rafi Sahab & Kishore Da were very dear and close friends. Inspite of being a great singer, Kishore da was also an ardent fan of Rafi Saheb. There was only a single picture in Kishore da’s drawing room and that was of Mohd. Rafi Saheb. According to Manna Dey – “Dono ek dusre ke dil me rahte hain“.
These were few rare Anecdotes of Rafi Sahab that I wanted to write about. I would also like to introduce myself to you all and the works that I have been doing for the love of Rafi Saheb.
I am Sanjeev Kumar Dixit from lucknow. I am 37 years old. I teach Maths in “Lucknow Public School” since 1997. I’m a die hard fan of Rafi Saheb since 1988.
Rafi Saheb is not only known for his songs but also for his great character & humility. His golden voice is a gift of GOD for us.
Unki aawaz ka koi sani nahi. wo insan ke roop me ek FARISTA the aur un jaise insaan roz-roz nahi aate, kabhi sadiyon me janm lete hain. unki aawaz khuda ki kisi NEMAT se kam nahi.
“Sabhi se zuda jiska andaaz hai,
Zami-Ta-Falak jiski parwaaz hai.
Wohi jis per sangeet ko naaz hai,
Mohd. Rafi saheb ki wo aawaz hai.”
With great inspiration from Mr.A.S.Murty (Secretary), Mr.N.R.Padmnabhan (President) – Rafi foundation, Hyderabad, Mr. Binu Nair (Founder) Rafi foundation, Mumbai and Mr Narayanan from Bangalore, I have also started a Rafi foundation group in Lucknow. Rafi foundation Lucknow had its first meeting on 29th November 2009. Many songs of Rafi Saheb and other singers were sung by its members.
At present the following are the members of Rafi foundation Lucknow.
| Name | Phone | |
|---|---|---|
| Sanjeev Kumar Dixit (Founder) | 09450092822 | sanjeev_dixit11@yahoo.co.in |
| Ajay Kapoor (Secretary) | 09305078798 | |
| Beg Islam (President) | 09235540608 | begislam@rediffmail.com |
| Shashi Dixit | 09450491681 | |
| Dr. Siraj Ahmad | 09450026909 | |
| Javed Akhtar | 09307812493 | zindadil2009@gmail.com |
| Gurbeer Singh(Director) | 09451658658 | mycvid@yahoo.co.in |
| Ehtisham Mirjabeg | 09616264231 | |
| Sanjeev Sharma | 09935363729 | sharma_35363729@hotmail.com |
| Himanshu Bajpai | 09721905572 |
The next meeting of Rafi Foundation Lucknow will be on the birthday of Rafi Sahab – 24th December 2009. Any one who is interested to join this group, you can contact me on my cell phone 09450092822 between 4PM to 10PM or email me at sanjeev_dixit11@yahoo.co.in.
The first and the second page of survey register
I would like you all to know about the survey that I have been conducting since 1991 to find which singer is at the top. I have segregated my survey into – new singers and veteran singers. The participants mostly were the music-shop wallas that I cross across whenever I travel. At times, I’ve been laughed upon, but it never bothered me. I have met approximately 608 participants during this survey.
The Rules:
- Only one section should be chosen.
- The age of the participant should be above 15 years.
- The participant should sign.
- Only blue ink was allowed.
The Result:
- Mohd Rafi – 215
- Mukesh – 126
- Kishore Kumar – 93
- Lata Mangeshkar – 62
- Others – 28
- New singers – 84
My survey is still on and I’ll keep all of you updated time to time.
Article collection on Rafi Sahab
My Passion for Rafi Saheb is growing ten folds. I have a collection of more than 1000 songs of Rafi Saheb. I have approximately 30 articles about to Rafi Saheb from different sources, which I’m collecting since 1989. I have been collecting pictures and photos of Rafi Saheb. I have a big framed poster of Rafi Saheb in my room.
From the day I have my mobile; I have set a folder for Rafi Saheb with approximately 90 pictures and also created many ringtones of Rafi Saheb.
Indeed Rafi Saheb was a great personality; he will always remain in our hearts and his songs will always show us the righteous path and light to all who are amidst darkness.
According to Naushad Saheb again-
“Mahfilon ke daamno me sahilon ke aas- paas, Sadiyon tak ye sada goonjegi dilon ke aas- paas .. MOHAMMED RAFI .. MOHAMMED RAFI .. MOHAMMED RAFI “
Me at the feet of Rafi Saheb
Sanjeev ji huge huge salute to u
Dear Sanjeev
Lovely article & great work by You…God Bless U
We all love Md Rafi not only because of his God like voice…but as you rightly emphasised his overall super human nature & his character of being grounded even after achieving & knowing what nobody else would….
Grt research by you…will try to meet U up when in Lucknow
Salam alai kum
Syed Murtuza Hasan
Beautiful! Heart-warming! Only a true disciple can write with such humility and passion. More power to you, Sir.
namashkaar i am fan mohd rafi
1.o duniya ke rakhwale
2.takra gaya tumse dil hi to h
3.mene chand or sitaron ki tamna ki thi
4.ye jindagi ke mele duniya
5.ye duniya ye mehfil
NaMSKAAR
I am rafi ji fan , i am from new delhi & now in Canada Rafi ji life time meet two time at new delhi before 1970, I have a collection of more than over 4400 songs
pictures and photos (iwith Gulbolch) I AM FIRST was released three rare song in 2007 AAN _ ANDAAZ – shanti- soon get more song & booklet
call me any time email
or skyap on sat- sun
dhall
Toronto – Canada
namskar
RAFI JI music lovers
I request 1963 september live show AT LONDON ( UK)
rafi ji with Geeta dutt any members have songs ????????
i am also die hard fan of Rafi Saheb. No one can match is verstallity. He was , is and will be immortal in our hearts and hearts of millions of his followers forever and evr. I relate to his every song of his with a clear picture of when i heard those songs for the 1st time in my life. He is the only person who bring me to tears with all his ve;vet voice songs. I have even told my family members that when I breathe my last I want them to play Rafi songs-my favorites through out the day.My soul will rest in peace. I want to carry his song/voice with me in my next life also……
Thank you Sanjeev jee for giving us so many invaluable information of RafiSahab.
Rafi sahab was indded a very good soul and by doing such sincere work for Rafi sahab shows how good soul you have.God bless you.
quite touching
it would be nice if you could explain in english what you wrote in hindi, for those of us that dont know hindi,very good article on the greatest singer of all time. THANKS
Thaks Sanjeevji.Jitani hi tarif karu rukati nahi juban.I am too small person to praise RAFI SAAB.
hello sir ,
its very difficult to say anything about rafi ji because he was such a great person that every compliment is like a stone that is thrown in the sea……in disappears like stone disappears in the sea……….i am very happy when i see persons like u who holds such a great person in his heart in todays modern world where old songs r disappearing……..but dere r still many persons who loves rafi ji as he loves his life………………
i wish you good luck for future……..
long live rafi ji and his memories
abhijeet dixit
lucknow
Dear Sanjeev Ji,
Its great to hear about you and your interest in my unmet guru Rafi Sahab.
It is always very nice to hear something about Rafi Sahab although all of us have been listening, reading, collecting things related to the legend. Thanx for the information shared.
I welcome you aboard Rafi Foundation.
Long Live Rafi Sahab !
Regards,
Zorawar Chhugani
Gen. Secy.
Rafi Foundation Memorial Society, Delhi
# 9810224991
thanks sanjeev for your love-filled article on rafisaheb. the only shortcoming in it is your erroneous assumption that rafisaheb’s fans are hindi speakers only, which is not true, and i’m a proof of that. i don’t come from an indian or a hindi-speaking background. i believe that’s why you didn’t bother to translate (into english) the hindi text contained in your interesting piece of writing. i wish that in the future you, and others, to please use an english rendition of every hindi/urdu text you include in your writings. regardless of this oversight, i immensly enjoyed reading these sentimental anecodes
REF: POST-24
DEAR UTTARAJEE
IT’S REALLY GOOD JOB ON YOUR PART TO GIVE THE YOUTUBE LINK AS WELL AS TO QUOTE HERE THE FULL SONG OF ‘NATAK’ -SUNG BY OUR BELOVED RAFI SAHAB .
ALSO, VERY WELL SAID ABOUT ANWAR’S SONG – ” QASME HUM APNI JAAN KI….” FROM THE FILM : ‘MERE GHARIB NAWAZ’ . I MUST ADD HERE THAT ANWAR HAS ALSO SUNG MANY ( PRIVATE) GHAZALS SUPERBLY -SOUNDING VERY CLOSE TO RAFI SAHAB.
LASTLY, ONE CORRECTION IS REQUIRED FOR YOUR COMMENTS ON THE TITLE SONG OF ‘NATAK’- ” ZINDEGI EK NATAK HAI…” I.E. THIS SONG IS SUNG BY THE VERSATILE ASHA BHONSLEJI AND NOT BY OUR MELODY QUEEN LATAJI.
BEST REGARDS/ A.T.M. SALIM
I like this article very much, Thanks Mr Dixit, Kidly provide some more article like this.
Adabrafi Gurbeerbhai. I have seen the links given by you and Vinod Viplav has already done tremendous work by writing a great book in Hindi on Rafi Sahab. I am posting my comments on his article at his blogsite.
Dear Sanjiv ji ,AS Murty ji and Padmanabhan ji
Please read this very nice article by very senior journalist at uni,Delhi ,very true he has said about Rafi Saab in 4th para of his article .
Excellent article ever I have found on Rafi Saab appealing about him in true sense .Go thru this article and let me know u r opinion and let us together also thanks to vinod viplov ji for framing his(Rafi Saab) praise into excellent combination of words .
http://mohalla.blogspot.com/2009/06/blog-post_4249.html
regards
gurbeer singh
Dear Sanjeev ji ,
Very true about rafi saab pls read these line by vinod viplav
“??? ???? ???? ????? ????? ?? ???? ?? ???? ????? ?? ???? ???? ???-??? ?? ???? ??? ???? ???, ?????? ?? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? ?????? ???? ???? ??? ?? ???????? ??? ?? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ???? ?? ?????? ?????? ???? ???? ??? ?????????? ????
??? ?? ???? ???? ?? ??? ?? ?? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ??? ??, ???? ?? ?? ????? ?? ???? ??????? ??? ?? ????? ?? ??? ?? ???? ??? ??? ?? ??? ????? ???? ?? ???? ???? ?? ??? ???, ???? ?????, ??????, ????, ???????, ??????, ????-????, ?????? ?? ?????? ??????? ?? ??????? ??? ?? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ?? ??????? ?? ???????? ??? ????? ???? ???? ??? ???? ???? ??????? ??? ?? ???, ????? ??? ????, ????? ???? ?? ????? ???? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ???? ?? ??? ?? ??? ???? ?????? ???? ???
??? ?? ??? ???? ??? ??? ?????? ??????? ???, ???????? ??? ?? ????? ??? ????? ?? ???? ?? ????? ??? ??? ???? ?? ????? ?? ??? ????? ????? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ??? ?? ???? ?? ??? ???”
You must read this article written by famous senior journlist (at UNI) vinod viplav .
Very true he has said about rafi saab ,each and every word of this article truely apeals about rafi saab.He is also author of biography of rafi saab.Watch it thru this link.
http://www.mohdrafi.com/meri-awaaz-suno/second-edition-of-the-biography-of-mohammad-rafi-meri-awaz-suno-has-been-published.html
Thanks to dear vinod ji for doing this serious effort on rafi saab.
regards
Gurbeer Singh
Congratulation Mr. Sanjeev Kumar on opening a Lucknow foundation for Mohd rafi. This immediately reminded me of the very beautiful song sung by Mohd Rafi in which he praises the quality of the Lucknow and its people. Here are the lyrics
ye laknau ki sar-zameen …
ye laknau ki sar-zameen -5
ye rang-roop ka chaman
ye husn-o-ishq ka vatan
yahi to vo muqaam hai
jahaan avadh ki shaam hai
javaan-javaan haseen-haseen
ye laknau ki sar-zameen -2
shabaab-o-sher ka ye ghar
ye ahl-e-ilm ka nagar
hai manzilon ki god mein
yahaan har ek rah-guzar
ye shahar laaladaar hai
yahaan dilon mein pyaar hai
jidhar nazar uthaaiye
bahaar hi bahaar hai
kali-kali hai naazaneen
ye laknau ki sar-zameen -2
yahaan ki sab ravaayaten
adab ki shaahakaar hain
ameer ahl-e-dil yahaan
gareeb jaan-nisaar hain
har ek shaak par yahaan
hain bulbulon ki chah-chahen
gali-gali mein zindagi
kadam-kadam pe kah-kahen
har ik nazaara hai dilnasheen
ye laknau ki sar-zameen
ye laknau ki sar-zameen …
nibhaayi apani aan bhi
badhaayi dil ki shaan bhi
hain aise maharabaan bhi
Dear Sanjiv !
Adab Rafi
First of all congratulations to you on doing this exelent survey of facts about rafi saab and presenting before all MUREEDS of rafi saab.
When ever I go through work done over rafi saab THE lines of a song (sung by rafi saab ) strik in my mind
” TERI AWAZ KI JADUGARI SE NA JANE KIS JAHAN ME KHO GAYA HOON ,ISI AWAZ SE CHAONKA THA IK DIN ISI AWAZ ME GUM HO GAYA HOON”
People like us (Rafians) always love ,think appriciate (and much more ) to rafi saab but there are people in the world who love rafi saab up such an extent that they have allocated a seperate room for rafi saab in their house and treat him as a family member and treat that room as room of worship ,UNBELIVABLE ! to verify this fact please CLICK over the link ,which is an article on rafi saab ob BBC web site by Rajiv Khanna.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/hindi/entertainment/story/2005/07/050730_rafi_annivrsy.shtml
thanking you again on such a nice survey on Rafi Saab.
Regards,
Gurbeer Singh
sanjeev ji
first of all my heartiest congratulations on the formation of the rafi foundation at lucknow.
my very best wishes to the group and may you all grow in size and stature and quality.
i know from the biography that was circulated about you that there will be very high quality contribution from you and your group towards this movement which we call the rafi fans’ bonding.
i shall surely look forward to meeting you when i visit lucknow next.
great article and great insights.
warm regards
achal rangaswamy
achal.rangaswamy@gmail.com
DEAR SANJEEVJI
THANKS A LOT FOR YOUR WONDERFUL ARTICLE ON OUR EVER- LOVING RAFI SAHAB !!!
IT IS NICE READING -AS IT CONSISTED OF SOME GREAT ANECDOTES.
THOUGH I HAVE READ SOME OF THESE ANECDOTES IN SOME OTHER MAGAZINES BUT JUST AS RAFI SAHAB’S SONGS GIVE ME A NEVER-ENDING PLEASURE ,ALL HIS ANECDOTES ( WHETHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN ) ALSO MAKE ME READ THEM AGAIN & AGAIN .
KEEP-IT UP !
BEST REGARDS/A.T.M. SALIM