The Immortal and True Legend Mohd. Rafi
This article is written by Mr. Surendra M. Menon, Mumbai.
The voice of Mohd. Rafi was so captivating that even a person who does not have taste for singing starts humming by the effect of this magical voice. The greatest asset of Mohd. Rafisaab’s voice was his diction, clarity, versatility and punch for words which created a different class which no other singers of yesteryear’s or contemporary could match him. The characteristic of his voice was that nobody could imitate him which clearly spells out that this voice was a gift from God. There can never be a clone for Mohd. Rafi. The type and variety of songs he gifted to his viewers and fans till today holds the lovers of music together.
He has sung every type of songs be it sad, romantic, religious etc., His voice was mesmerizing and the ease with which he sang was superb. He was the voice of our Nation. He ruled the film industry for over three decades and the most difficult songs in the industry was all sung by Mohd. Rafi.
In a Television show Naushad said that “Rafisaab’s voice was a gharana of music – meaning that he was by himself an institution of music”. I feel the only difference between other singers and Mohd. Rafisaab was everybody sang but Mohd. Rafisaab sang from his heart thereby living himself in each and every song he sung. Even the leading heroine Rekha quoted that nobody can sing the way Mohd. Rafisaab sung.
Inspite of his glory he was very honest and humble person always smiling which portrays the true stamp of being an artist.
Such a captivating voice like Mohd. Rafi shall come once only in Hundred Years …
Mohd Rafi sb voice was god gifted one perhaps it was god’s own favourite voice and he took away Rafi Sabib at so early age so that god can listen to his voice by himself.
Naushad sb once said when he travels to USA a question was asked what so special about Mohd Rafi he replied listen to western music sharir dalta hay (body dances).. and listen to Rafi sb songs sara athma dalta hay(our heart dances)
Rafi sab to dil ki dhadkan janthey the sangeet woh joh bhi gaatey woh awaz dil ko chu jaate thi un ke diwane us me doob jaate hain .woh jab yaad aye bahut yaad aye.muj ko mere baad zamana dhondega.meri awaaz suno .
Either it is happy or sad or qawwali or Bhajan or Jaaz or beatels or classical or gipsy A song by Rafiji is unparerral no one can beat him.
His golden voice works like a catalytst agent to help and build an image of tragedy king even to Dilp kumar – same way to rajendra kumar to whom media labled him( after success of sasural to talash ) jubilee star the main contribution behind his jubilee kumar image was Rafijis voice behind the curtain and magical melody of SJ’s and than after LP’s music.Same way Rafijis hit songs made dharmendra and Jitendra sucsses .And thats why knowing theire success and main reason behind theire sucsess Dharmendra and Jeetendra insisting theire priducer to give song in theire forthcoming film in late 70s.
And for shami Kapur from Dil deke dekho to Andaaz the hit by hit series of songs every year from 50s to 80s who will forget DDD,Singapore,chinatown,Raajkumaar,Dil tera deewana,Laatsaab,An evening in paris,Professor,Teesri Manzil,Pagla kanhi ka,Bluffmaster,Brahmchari,etc.etc More on this next time.
Prakash shah>>>>>cell O94262 87666 sms only
Sir Irony81,
Kk was a good singer i agree . almost i think how some one can say that KK is better singer than mohd Rafi the answer i got i remmber when i was 8 years old when i don’t know who is Mohd Rafi or KK jest knew mr Bachchan any song was singed by Bachchan I liked that songs maybe it same with these people who compare Mohd Rafi with KK…….
TO BINU JI…
I AM SORRY FOR USING BAD WORDS BUT THAT CAME OUT OF EMOTION AS I HEAR EVEN WORSE WORDS FROM KISHORE FANS ABOUT MOHD. RAFI JI. SOME OF THEM EVEN SAY THAT MOHD. RAFI CAN’T SING. IT IS LIKE THE SUN HAS NO LIGHT.
ANYWAY, I SHOULD NOT BE WASTING MY TIME FOR SOME CHEAP CONVERSATION WITH THOSE GREAT(!!) KISHORE FANS ABOUT THEIR GREAT (!!) SINGER.
It is very difficult to say by any humanbeing about to define SUN Or MOON Or GOD completely. RAFI SAAHEB IS LIKE AS AFORSAID , FOR ME.I can only say about RAFI JI that for me and my family he is part of my family without listening any of his song my day is not get completed and not only that i also feel his presence at the time of listening his song and visulise his ever smiling faceinfront of me.He was(is)GANDHARVA (Singer of gods kingdom)who visited to our planet to serve us his voice by his unforgatteble songs and taught us ragas of divine power.-
Dear Surendra M. Menon,
Very well said, Rafi Saab is indeed a great artist of all times. I am very happy and touched by your short but very nice article.
DEAR SURENDRA SIR,
NICE ARTICLE PL BE IN TOUCH WITH BINU NAIR FROM MUMBAI WHOSE MOB NUMB IS 9833250701. AS WE ARE THRILLED TO READ THE ARTICLES OF TWO GREAT RAFI HSITORIANS.
KINDLY GIVE US MORE INFORMATION ON THE SILENT SHY BUT GREATEST LEGEND JANAB HAJI RAFI SIR.
nice article by Mr. Surendra M. Menon.
Dear Binu Ji,
First of all, I am sorry that I was not able to log in as I have been in and out of Delhi.
First, let me speak about the english songs that you had mentioned some time back. In fact I have the lyrics for the english version of Hum Kaale Hain Toh Kya Hua and Baharon Phool Barsao but I have not heard about the english version of Aai Aai Ya Sukoo Sukoo. I have not been fortunate enough to listen to any one of them. Would you please let me know that if these songs are available anywhere so that I can get them for pleasure listening.
I would appeal to all Rafians to keep calm and spread a word about Rafi Sahab quitely as his personality called for soberness and devotion. As he went on doing good deeds not looking at the results or rewards, let us keep on doing good things in his name and spread a good name for our respected Rafi Sahab.
Here above, dear Binu Sir, you have mentioned about the programmes for 31st July and 24th December, do let me know how I can be a part of your any programmes related to Rafi Sahab ?
I will be eagerly waiting for your response Sir.
zorawar_c@hotmail.com
True. Rafi is so unique that maybe mankind will never see anyone even close to him. His imitators should note to sing in their own style and stop trying to record Rafi’s songs in their voice. Music companies should also refrain from recording songs of Mohd. Rafi sung by others. Let them not encroach where they have no right to. Instead, the music companies and singers can do much more by freely organising programmes over the various TV channels and Radio stations and play the immortal voice of Mohd. Rafi. This is the least we can do for a man who has given immense joy and pleasure by his thousands of songs.
dear friends u said,
RAFI SAHAB Is THE INSTITUTION AND THE REST ARE STUDENTS.
What we learn from this insitiution? as I know he never used these words
which we are using now. U forget what he said (BALA KARNE WALE BALAYEE KIYE JA BURAYEE KE BADLE DUWAYEN DIYE JA) We should not only listen his songs we should also get the massage which he tried to give it to the listners by singing emotionally.
so pls friends dont use bad words.
There is no doubt at all, Rafi Saheb was and is the greatest of all the singers.
Irony is right but dont disclose name of anyone always comment indirectly
Respected Binu Nair ji,
Please don’t get angry, Irony81 is not alone. He has a sea of Rafi-fans with him. Such above-mentioned & so-called artists (Kumar Sanu, Abhijit, Babul Supriyo) deserve such comments by their own partisan, one-sided, discriminatory behaviour. We can’t stop the public, which always speaks the truth.
I may be wrong but it is the bitter truth.
–MEHTAB, Chandigarh (India), +919815703226, E-Mail : mehtabmasih@yahoo.co.in
Respected Binu Nair ji,
Please don’t get angry, Irony81 is not alone. He has a sea of Rafi-fans with him. Such above-mentioned & so-called artists (Kumar Sanu, Abhijit, Babul Supriyo) deserve such comments by their own partisan, one-sided, discriminatory. We can’t stop the public, which always speaks the truth.
I may be wrong but it is the bitter truth.
–MEHTAB, Chandigarh (India), +919815703226, E-Mail : mehtabmasih@yahoo.co.in
irony 81 :
Please do not use words such as idiots, ass hole which you have used in this great forum as
it is disrespectful to the artestes. More, it is nauseating and show your personality.
RAFI SAHAB Is THE INSTITUTION AND THE REST ARE STUDENTS.
RAFI SAHAB IS THE OCEAN OF MUSIC WHILE THE REST ARE SMALL PONDS.
RAFI SAHAB IS THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION OF MUSIC WHERE THE REST JUST CAN HOPE TO REACH THERE IN VAIN.
RAFI SAHAB IS JUST THE MASTER AND THE REST ARE JUST PUPIL.
IT IS AS SIMPLE AS THAT… IF STILL SOME IDIOTS LIKE KUMAR SANU, ABHIJIT, BABUL SUPRIYO (ALL BANGALI AND KISHORE FANS)AND LIKE THEM OTHER IDIOTS THINK THAT KK WAS BETTER THEN I HAVE NO TIME TO WASTE FOR THESE MENTALLY SICKOS.
Dear Rafians…
SCREEN has given a full page article on maestro – Mohd Rafi..
Next week too they are carrying a detailed story on the legend.
Please do not miss it.
In Mumbai Rafi-ans are meeting on May 6th to decide on the
July 31st and Dec.24 programs. They will also chalk out
the agenda for RAFI MUSIC ACADEMY.
SO please contact us :
binu nair binus2000@hotmail.com tel: 9833 250 701 Mumbai.
A short, but nice article by Mr. Surendra M. Menon. Very true said that Rafi Saheb was an institute of music but I do not agree with him that Rafi Saheb’s voice shall come once only in hundred years……. No, there’s no better, sweet, magical voice like Rafi Saheb now or in the future. Almighty God created only one Rafi Saheb with the magical voice.