True Voice – Mohd Rafi
The following article was brought to my notice when Sharad posted it on MAS. The article has been trimmed down a bit keeping afloat Rafi details. However, anyone interested can go visit the source at http://tfmpage.com/forum/4980.6302.04.57.19.html
I am Swaminatha Iyer and I am 78 years old. I hail from Tiruchi and I am a part of music associations in Tiruchi, M’as as well as in West Bengal and Maharashtra.
I think it is wrong to condemn music or artists on either side of Vindhyas. Our Indian music is one of the few which has not been cleaned off by the western music though there has always been a influence. It speaks a lot of the richness of our music. Sometime back director of MTV had said that MTV westernized the music wherever it went but in India , MTV had to be Indianized for it to be accepted. A lot of this credit goes to the Indian film music.
I have been fortunate to have close personal association with Rafi, Sirkali, TMS, Dr. BMK, Kishore, SPB & KJY, PS, Mannadey and the one and only Lata Mangeshkar.
Comparisons are bound to come, but almost every artist or I have met considers Lata to be beyond comparison. Her talents are beyond anyone’s reach. Even Sirkazi used to talk of her singing like a die-hard fan as do countless others.
Now coming to the Rafi-SPB discussion. It might be difficult to convince an South Indian to believe Rafi is the better and at the same time Rafi crowd will never believe any other male singer comes anywhere nearer. There is one more mobile crowd, which is well conversant with Hindi and some south Indian language. Majority of them tilt to either Rafi or Kishore.
During one of my stays in M’as I had stayed with SPB. While talking of true voices he said, I don’t feel like half a singer when listening to Rafi. True voice is not a tech term but many in circle use it. Perfect example would be lata, but to understand consider our own PS who within her range is superb. People who do not have such true voices can never do justice to original. They generally underplay many parts of the song or fake it with bass/superficial singing. True voices make people like Sirkazi, Nusrat Fateh Ali khan, Lata… Inimitable. However since Sirkazi and Nusrat did not have the filmy voices their “real” following is limited to their local arena.
In addition to the true voice if the singer has a very good voice then in “most” cases he/she can better songs of others. It is this combination which makes Rafi stand out among the other male singers. There are many here who seem to have mistaken notions on a good bass and also on high pitch.
Bryan Adams does not require a monster bass in “Summer of 69” to sound real manly. It is the punch which gives that feel and that is decided only by the comfort level in most ranges (that is by what your throat can support). This you CAN never disguise with bass. Since people have talked about lack of manly voice viz. a viz. Rafi it was necessary to bring this point out. I have had the fortune of listening to most singers in studio and some times without a mike, practicing with MD’s.When Lata or Rafi do, the level is so high that people hesitate to even hum. It felt silly to sing in their presence (and it feels silly when someone says his voice isn’t manly).
In RD’s tribute when SPB sang “Aaja Aaja mein hoon” or “Chaand mera dil” it sounded only sweet and lacked punch if you compare with Rafi’s original.
Yesu once told me God has been partial to Rafi. He said “god gift term anavasyamaa romba common aa ippo use aardu”.. but idu Rafi kee thaan 100% porundu”. This person could sing “as intricately as a lady without sounding thin”, “cover any mood”, “versatility odey perfect example Rafi”. Yesu said most important is the comfort level over ranges which makes you feel God has been partial to Rafi. (But Of course in Rafi’s early career (1950’s) the voice was relatively feeble).
To people exposed to Rafi’s talent, these or any amount of praise can only seem less. I just wish he was alive and you people could get a live chance to hear him. Probably you can get hold of the DD album for the Geet Gaata Chal series where the first four episodes were dedicated to Rafi. Rafi is on camera singing “O Duniya Ke Rakwaaley” and many other songs. If you see and hear the last part you will realize why SPB said “impossible”. I think particularly those people who have talked about scales w.r.t Rafi should see this album. Its a known fact in industry that Rafi ruled high pitch and there is no male singer better in switching notes so easily. There are artists who can go beyond but then they sound strained or they don’t have pleasant voices when they venture into those territories.
Many singers of today are his compulsive followers. But they end up inheriting only part of his quality. Md. Aziz ended up with a sad voice. Mahendra Kapoor with a thick nasal voice. Anwar with a nasal voice. Sonu Nigam with a feminine voice. Rafi neither had a soft voice nor a heavy (bass) voice he had a good voice. Importantly did not strain at high notes, and voice if at all only became better at higher notes. If you see him singing it will remind you of Janaki. However diff the song is or the note is he will be smiling and singing. It is unthinkable that he cannot sing something.
There seems to be lot of talk about “Shankara Bharanamo” song. SPB has sung many a great numbers and things being said about this song in this forum are rather amusing, particularly b’cos 3 out of 4 people who can be called as singers will be able sing it and at least one out of 10 will sing it with the same effect. There are lot of other songs of SPB where this great singer has played with songs in total control. You will find most south Indian singers who have had a good exposure say that it is beneficial to learn Hindustani as it gives better breath control and improves expression.
Rafi was not only able to glide over a song, the important thing was that he could express each word/sound when singing. It is one thing to hold your breath, start and reach a crescendo (high note), as like in “Shankara”, “Anbey (Yennai kaan villaye)” it is different ballgame if you have to do it from low notes or suddenly switch notes. With practice the former can be done, latter requires a special gift. Rafi had a natural ability to do the latter. In “Tum joh mil gaye ho” there is such a transition in the “karwaan mil gaya” part. I have never seen anyone do justice to most of his songs in my life time. In “parda hai parda” quawaali the similar part is “kar doon to, Akbar mera naam”. In fact most of his songs will have these specialty as it was his natural ability to sing freely in a wide range at the same time giving that extra expression.
Whereas SPB takes us to heavens with “Idu oru pon maali”,”Ilaya nila” “bisiladarenu”(kannada), when he sings Rafi’s song it lacks the punch or expression, though it has the bass. But at least most agree that SPB does some justice to original, whereas most others murder the original.
One trivial point I would like to add is that singing in Hindi is harder. There are more “JHA”,”CHA”,”HA”,”THA”, “KHA”,”JA”,”FA”. These take away the breath faster. The more expressive you are the more air you are using up. Just singing from Nabhi will not help, your throat also needs to do a lot, for singing in Hindi, Bengali etc. SPB makes you fall in love with his south Indian songs but same cannot be said about his Hindi songs. If you just glide through words having these sounds, you will never be expressive. Doing this as well as reaching high notes is not easy. Rafi had this gift and that’s why it is difficult to imagine anyone else in his shoes. Song “Chalkaaye jaam” has so much expression that it is unthinkable how anyone can sing it. When Rafi switches to a high note with “Mitwaa” in the song “Chaahunga mein tughey” you cannot replicate it with bass. Most others will sound as if they are shouting in such cases. That man’s throat had the ability to freely sing at such levels.
Versatility is not just the ability to sing in various styles, more important is how good you are singing in those styles. You have lot of Ghazal singers today but when Rafi sings a Ghazal you will sit up and take notice. You don’t have to be part of the Ghazal listeners crowd. This is one important aspect. Whatever style you sing you should be able to pull the common man to listen and not just a particular crowd. Pick “parda hai parda” or any qawalli and it will stand tall among other qawalli’s.
Variety is amazing :
songs of Guru Dutt’s Khagaz key phool or songs like abhi naa jao chod key, Aaja teri yaad aayi, Aaj kal mein dhal gaya, Aaj kal terey merey pyaar, Aasmaan sey aaya farishta, Dil ney pyaar kiya hai, Deewana mujh saa nahi, Din dhal jaaye, Duniya paagal hai, Jaane walon jara, Dil joh na kaha saka, Dil key jharokon mein, Dil kaa bhavar, Chalkey teri aakkhon sey, Kar chaley hum fida, khilona jaan kar tum, Woh jab yaad aay, Woh hain jara khafa, Vaadian mera daaman, Pathar key sanam, Chaand mera dil, Main zindagi kaa saath, Mainey poocha chaand sey, sun sun jaalima, Koi jab raah na paay, hum to chaley pardes, badan pey sitaarey, laal chadi maidaan, Tum jo mil gaye, O meri shaahey, Sau baar janam lengey, Tum mujhey yoon bhula, Tumney mujhey dekha, Terey merey sapney, Tumny pukaara hum chaley aay
Name a situation/mood and Rafi’s song will be there on the top.
Swami
@ anil charian, do you think there is only one anil cherian, i am another one having the same name.
Rafi is the best-singer, while ghantasla is a better singer. in my view
moh. rafi was best/bester/bes-test no one is like rafi and no one will? be he is amazingly fantabulous
Wah Rafi Sahab, you? are unmatched to this date. Such versatality and range, and soul in your singing, others can only dream of reaching your level but none can.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBnCuO_iRTM
hear this gr8 classical song of rafi sahab
Anybody who wants to praise the legendry rafi sahab will always be short of words as i am right now. Take any of his song, you’ll surely find something special. Rafi would always pour his heart and soul in each of the songs rended by him. He was the only singer who could sing all the versions of singing with utmost perfection. Nobody else was able to stand in front of him, no body else could ever match his status. He has sung qawalis, ghazals, filmi songs, naat, humd, bhajan, classicaland semi classical with such an ease and perfection, that can never be matched by any other singer. i have heard lot many singers singing the punjabi folk song’heer’. But the sweetness with which rafi sahab sang heer, is just outstanding, his voice is so sweet and honey dipped that you cant help yourself listening to it again and again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtHldHEJPZE
This? song has been sung so beautifully by MOHD RAFI SAHEB it shakes your soul.
Rafi had this rare ability to sensitize? the lyrics with deep emotional content without ever loosing grip on the flow of its latent meaning. no one alse could sing classical better tah rafi, just listen to this song picturized on kishore which kishoreda refused as it was one of difficult rags.OPN had make up his mind since KK had no formal? training in music.He thought KK can not and will not sing this classical notes…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyrdzQ8C9lw
Asha once said that she and her didi lata had to work very hard in preparing for singing a duet with rafi sahab and she used to be always nervous, as rafi sahab was such a giant singer. Rafi was indeed the institute, the university of singing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejt-0jMN7mM&NR=1&feature=fvwp
mannada said that he was amazes to hear rafi sahab singing pure classical songs with such a perfection, even the most difficult rags were very easy for rafi sahab to sing. Rafi was a kind of singer who was indeed the greatest of all singers. He would shift low to high notes with such an ease. Yesufas once said god had been partal to rafi sahab by gifting him with such a divine voice, which was beyond comparison. who can deny the same depth and melody in baiju bawra songs. we love you rafi sahab to give us such nice songs.
Rafi is the best singer, and nothing can be better than the best.
Rafi is the best singer of indian music, ghantasala was a telugu singer, a not very popular singer, only sung a couple of good classical songs in which he lost surr in higher notes in sankara.
Music lovers, post 2484 is not posted by me
Similar to post 2488 of Mr Anil cherian’s false post by intruders, post 2484 is not mine please.
I have stopped so that the intruders can make merry.
Mr. narain shankar
Why do not you ask mohd rafi or manna dey or lata mangeshkar about ghantasala ? The latter two are very much available. people like you should perhaps will get enlightenment by meeting them. What do you know about music ? When you said chakravaka and kannada raga cannot be mixed as raised by Mr. Bhushan, that itself confirms your zero knowledge about music. I am not a person enough trained in music,which i honestly admit and i also believe that going by your words you may be trained in music a lot, but honestly, if you are a musician with 50 years experience, i wish to state that first time I am meeting a musician (taking into account all other musicians including “a grade’ artists from all india radio) who said something irrelevant about ghantasala. I believe that, in such case, the musicians whom I have met, including a grade artists, might all be not knowing music in which you are a expert, or you should be a fool only to bluff here by pointing fingers at those great musicians of all india radio and other southern musicans (Balamuralikrishna is included here – his speech on ghantasala can be heard in ghantasala website) – I just wanted to know if you are great enough to comment on ghantasala more than rafi himself (who rated ghantasala greater than him), lata mangeshkar ji, bala muralikrishna ji, and other top class musicians. Going by your post, either you should be a expert and all other names mentioned here (rafi, lata , balamuralikrishna and others ) are having zero knowledge about music or others being expert and you being a man with zero knowledge about music, only bluffing here. My request is please do not try to bully others and be factual.
It is already confirmed that some intruders are posting in the names of ghantasala fans to prove that they are withdrawing their comments, this itself shows that all other options for arguments have been closed for rafi fans and they have now resorted to bullying tactics by resorting to false comments. True music lovers can easily identify such posts.
For shankar ji, ghantasala , in my view, was clearly superior to rafi in terms of voice, skills, achievements, and status as a musician – nevertheless rafi’s position as a ‘star incomparable’ in hindi film singing is never disputed, which is always respected and true, we are rafi fans and will remain so. Please do not try to adopt wrong routes to convince people. A strict request and advise pl.
Ghantasala is a good telugu singer, no doubt about that, and Rafi is the best hindi singer, no daubt about that as well. So please do not fight and be brothers and nice music lovers as humanity need brotherhood in this difficult time. Enjoy the music as such of every singer.
@Abhishek and Bhushan, about your comments about Hindi Music, I am astronished to have heard your such a feeble knowledge about Hindi music, you have very wrongly said that south music is more richer and classical than Hindi, I strongle object to this false allegations. Please bring some 10 songs from south which can stand against the beautiful melodies produced by Hindi Music Industry. I hereby challenges you, bring 10 best songs, you think from South Cinema and I’ll bring 10 of my favorites, also I challenge you on classical ones as well, I know that you shall surely fail miserabily again. Hindi has far more classical songs, what do you think classical singers like Mannada singing all those years, bring one south song you think can stand against Laga Chunri me daagh. Speaking falsefully is rather easy. You have mentioned two ragas in the same song, dear friend this is against the norms and teaching, ask a classical singer, if somebody has done it in his song, it means he does not know the a,b,c of classical singer. I suppose both of you have lot of biasenous as regards hindi music and hindi singers. Ghantasala can not stand against the ordinary hindi singers like kishore kumar, what to talk of Rafi who is the institution of music. You have asked about raga chakravaka, what do you want to know about it, i can go on and on for hours on that particular one, if i say i have more than 50 years in classical singing, how can you doubt it, its a pity that people like you who know nothing about singing and are just kids in this subject are talking against those you have dedicated and devoted their lives for music. i challenge you that i can defeat you in any gathering of your choice of few thousand people that i’ll defeat you with my understanding of hindi music any time, any place. Please do not spoil this decent forum with your derogatory statements. This is a forum of descent people. I stand by my statement that Rafi is a far more technically complete singer while ghantasla is just a telugu singer, loved by few only, RAFI is being loved globally and people are not fool to love him without any reason. he has always put his heart and soul in each and every song. He is such a melody , has a voice dipped in honey and fragrance that no one can match, the Heer which Rafi Sahab has sung, bring any song of your singer which can match the surr and sweeteness of Rafi Sahab’s heer. i have nothing personal against you, but you have really heart mine as well as million of fans of Rafi sahab hearts.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEheSxm7_PA,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3IXppdAu7o
I do not understand that why people are comparing a singer of Rafi’s stature with a not very well known singer Ghantasala, whose name I have heard for the first time in this discussion. I have been enjoying Hindi music since childhood and it has been a lot of time now. The songs which Muhammad Rafi has sang are a class in their own. I have always felt something special, something extra in each of Rafi’s song which i have always missed in songs by any other singer, be it a male or a female, in female singers, only one singer, I have heard for so many years who have that extra effort in her song, was the great Surraya Ji. Kindly hear Rafi Sahib and Surraya duet, ‘Beqrar He Koi’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IdrfVpc7OM, to have an Idea what I really want to mention here.
Ghantasala is the worst singer in all times.
Post 2487 is not posted by me. It’s most probably by the same nut-case who’s been posting non-sense of late here.
Whatever any body say, if people say, day is actuaally night and night is better than day, the truth remains, that day is better. Rafi is the day and people comparing other singers with Rafi makes no difference. Rafi will remain glorified far ahead of all other singers, may he be Ghantasala, SP Bala, Kishore Kumar or Mukesh, Rafi is “the best”.Best of all, no regional singer can match his class. He is a global singer. He is the Legend of Legends.
Here’s a request to people trying to pull down Ghantasalaji in an effort to glorify Rafi sahab. Please abstain from these hate-posts. They serve no purpose; Rafi sahab doesn’t need them nor do the Rafi fans need them.
Rafi’s rendition, par excellence! The way Rafi loops around the aalap, displaying immense vocal range and capability, yet maintaining full tonal sweetness, is the most tedious task for a singer. To each and every word, he has poured his heart out. This is why Rafi is Rafi. He becomes the character and not just? the singer, singing someone’s lyrics. This is Rafi’s(also Saigal’s) legacy.
I ADMIT RAFI IS FAR AHEAD OF GHANTASALA. GHANTASALA IS THE SECOND BEST, INDEED. I OPPOLOGISE FOR TELLING LIES ALL ALLONG MY FUTILE COMMENTS SO FAR. I TAKE MY WORDS BACK. RAFI WAS, IS AND WILL BE THE BEST LEGENDRY SINGER THE WORLD HAS EVER KNOWN.
My friend Abhshek, you are mistaken. I am Narain Shankar and not shankar narain. I know Rafi Sahab Sang O DUNIYA KE RAKHWALE, NOT HIMESH rISHAMYA. Ghantasala never ever tried such a difficult song, as he knew that he would have failed miserably, had he tried that, and would be exposed. Rafi was far superior, far ahead, far learned, far talented, far classically -trained than the ordinary regional singer by the name of Ghantasala.
I am Narain Shankar, not Shunkar Narain Swami, I know that Legendry singer Rafi sahab had sung O Duniya Ke Rakhwale in Raag Durbari by Naushad in Bheju Bawra, picturized on Bharat Bhushan. I still regard this song the best song of Hindi film industry sung by Rafi Sahab, Ghantasala even never dare to sing or tried such a difficult song so effortlessly sung by rafi sahab. Ghantasala could never sing in the quality of rafiji. Ghantasala was an ordinary singer from whome Yesudas and SP Bala Subramunium were even better. Telugu classical songs are not very melodious. Kuhu Kuhu and Chul Ur Ja Re Panchi, sung by Rafi are far better in surr, ley, quality, melody than Ghantasala versions who atleast a couple of times had lost notes while shifting from low to high pitch. Ghantasala is nothing before the greatest singer Muhammed Rafi Sahab.
Rafi Shab the Institution of Hindi Playback singing.
Ghantasala Sirji, the best play back singer of Telugu film industry. Never could sing songs of other mds, as he was not much talented.
Ghantasa is just an ordinary singer, Yesudas, SP Bala and Mannada are far better singers.
Ghantasala was never more than a regional singer, nothing more than that. He was known only to Telugu speaking people. People only compare him and put him above Rafi, was only because Rafi was after all a Muslim, and people (not-all) are biased towards him. Otherwise, it is a known fact to people knowing music that Rafi was far better singer than his contempories. Does any body think that people like Mannaday praising Rafi so much and saying that Rafi hold first ten positions know music more than these singing giants who knew classical also very well. Why Mannaday, Yesudas and SP Bala and all the music greats of Hindi cinema would praise great Rafiji all the times. Hindi music has much better compositions than Telugu songs which are never so famous.If people say Ghantasala was better than Rafi in classical singing (which I strongly refute, Rafi was much better singer in classical singing as well), then if you compare Ghantasla with Ustad Bude Ghulam Ali Khan, Ghantasala doesn’t stand evn nearer. People only compare him with the Legendry singer Rafi Sahab is to get a certain undue fame for their not-very well-known singer, because any body being compared to Rafi would automatically become famous without even having some talent. I think these remarks about Ghantasala False-Superiority is just futile and baseless. Rafi is indeed far better singer than Ghantasala in all fields of music. Ghantasala could never sung a song as highly-pitched as O Duniya Ke Rakhwale, he even never tried such attempt as he knew that he would be exposed miserably. Ghantasala was never a singer of Rafi Sahab’s status as Rafi is indeed the best singer ever. People considering him a good singer are rather mistaken and thinking with lot of biased attitude towards legendry Rafi Sahab. Rafi is an institute of which Ghantasala a poor failing student. Ghantasla has frequently admitted the fact on many occasions that Rafi was a far superior singer.
2474 – Shankar narain –
Finally this fake musician with only 50 years experience in music got exposed, this man even does not know that o duniya ke rakhwale is sung by mohd rafi and not by ghantasala in film baiju bawra of hindi. Nor himesh reshmaiya has sung it. This man is mesmerised by the fact that ghantasala and himesh reshmaiya has sung o duniya ke rakhwale and feeling very happy – good dreams my dear fake musician ji. On the other hand, it is like a great insult to rafi ji – clearly being shown by people like this man.
Oh, please ensure that even as fake and liar music lovers, try to put some real facts. Putting up such false points will ensure that you cannot show your face to anyone. One need not be surprised in future, if such liar music lovers start mentioning that ghantasala was a hindi singer and rafi was telugu singer – lols.
Going by the posts, it is quite clear that these people do not know who ghantasala was and I think even these people do not know who rafi is – going by their posts, the dignity of the site is being lost due to entry of some outside intruders in recent posts. A true music lover can be easily identified.
Voice similar to Rafi is more found because he was more popular, and lot many people would try to immitate him, rather than Ghantasla whose voice was although popular but his fan-following was not as much as Rafi. There is no point to compare the greatest singer Muhammad Rafi with a regional singer, who is not that famous.
Music lovers,
I agree with one point that S P balasubrahmanyam is a great singer in the south (after ghantasala) because he was only singer who could succeed in keeping other singers at bay and could sing some 50,000 songs, – a feat possible only when other singers have only little chances for singing and spb dominated. that was fine. But the point is SPB could ensure keeping other singers at bay, but could not touch ghantasala, as spb was never a match for ghantasala. Spb did try to grab some songs from ghantasala during the NTR-ghantasala dispute regime, but was not successful as we has no match for the colossus ghantasala. That is why I said in my 2nd line above, that spb is great, after ghantasala.
Regarding T Mahalingam, ji, S C Krishnan, Lokanathan, T M Sounderrajan, Sirkazhi Govindarajan, some lokpriya names in tamil film playback singing – some of these are talented than even rafi of hindi – which is a fact which cannot be digested by some rafi fans, – nevertheless for reasons unknown, none of the singers despite their talents, has succeeded or are popular as ghantasala, who enjoys such clout even after 37 years of his demise. When one is discussing about rafi and ghantasala who are legends and who passed away more than 3 decades and when their popularity is admired and discussions are being made between them, how come some senseless brains bring spb, kjy, jayachandran etc. into discussion, who are currently alive ? Let us see how much popularity and rememberance they well enjoy after their era is over and how much years it will last. The current discussion is on legends who passed away 3 decades back and this article also mentions only rafi as the great singer as compared to kjy, spb and others. Regarding ghantasala the article is silent, the reason has been explained by an esteemed friend of learned author swaminathan iyer ((in earlier posts)) where in it was categorically mentioned that ghantasala was clearly superior to rafi and hence, the main intention was to prove rafi’s superiority over spb and kjy, this article was discussed as the subject was not to prove ghantasala’s superiority over rafi and the conclusion was in fact ghantasala was superior to rafi – as per that post of friend of Mr. Late swaminathan iyer — author is this article of true voice.
The esteemed music lovers above may please refer to earlier posts before posting some senseless comments.
And One esteemed narain shankar, – post 2455 claiming to be a musician with 50 years experience, appears to be a “false joker” who says one should listen “very carefully” to rafi for knowing his songs. Does a person who is expert in english sentences need to do a microscopic scrutiny to read english alphabets ? A person who claims to have a 50 years experience in music, does he need to hear “very carefully” for finding out the musical skills. What funny post is this ? The esteemed musician has failed to respond to Mr. Bhushan, a carnatic trained musician here, for his question in post 2465 here.
That puts a big question mark on post 2455.
Muhammad Rafi was the most prolific play-back singer India has ever seen. He could sing any kind of songs with utmost ease. The variations he has used in his songs spanned over almost four decades were just amazing. It was his that great ability which helped him stands out so tall and separate from his contempories. Rafi started his singing career as sooner as 1942 by performing publically and life, however his first song from Punjabi film Gul Baloch ‘Heeriye ni’, went un-noticed, although Rafi did not try to immitate the great Sehgal, whome almost all the singers of that age used to. Then the next great song from his brilliant vocals was Tera Khilona Toota Balak, one can feel the great melody of voice in his such an early song. I have heard him sing a complete classical song in 1946, in which he showed complete control over the complex ragas.After his duet song with Noor Jahan, picturized over Dilip Kumar, he became famous in no time. Thereafter there was no turning back. He sang song after song and made each one his own by giving each one his smooth, melodious, soft, velvety voice. His fantastic range had no match. People like Mahendra Kapoor, Mohammad Aziz, Shabbir Kumar, and Sonu Nigam tried to sing like Rafi Shab, but all of them failed miserably.Each of these singers were able to copy only one aspect of Rafi’s singing, but none could completely master all of his voice capability. The song, ‘O Duniya Ke Rakhwale in Rag Darbari in Naushad music was infact the Kohinoor diamond ofd Hindi songs which Rafi with his singing capabilities brought to the extreme zenith. The highest pitch, he attained and with such perfection woulld not be able to be sung by any of the singers in future as well. Infact Rafi was the University of playback singing. He was such a versatile singer that he has sung all forms of songs, classical, semi classical, bhajan, geet, ghazals, qawwalis, in a manner that no one else could think of. Rafi has ruled the Hindi Music Industry for four decades, single handedly. He is the legend of legends. Whatever people say but it is a known fact that no other singer in any form, in any region can match the Class of great Rafi Sahab. People can write thesis and thesis over his singing, and yet can not cover all his singing qualities. Rafi was simply matchless. No words are good enough to praise him, in any language.
Himesh Rishumya has sung the song o duniya ke rakhwale better than ghantasala in baiju bawra. ghantasala knew nothing about singing, what to say of classical singing, he could only fool already insane people.
@can you please enlighten me the raga lakshana of chakravaka kannada raga : can a mixed composition in both the ragas is possible. if possible, can you just show me a rafi song in his entire career, in such composition. talking about classical music has become a joke, the ragas which many hindi singers have rendered can be counted on fingers in hindi playback singing compared to the southern counterparts. no hindusthani classical musician talks about rafi or hindi playback singing, as the southern classical musicians talk about playback singing and ghantasala, for your information – ok please confirm about chakravaka kannada mixture, let us see.
In reply to your comments, it clearly shows that Ghantasala even could not contrast between two raags, He was such a pathetic and PIA MD who would put two different raags in the same song, which is against the classical training. In my training as classical singer, I found no other singer singing more pathetically and in fact his songs put you in a nauseating condition, and after hearing Ghantasala for 10 minute one feel like vomitting. His songs are such a non sense.
Ghantasala has been the worst singer India has ever produced while Rafi was the Best.
Rafi is the best singer in the history of mankind. Ghantasala was the best singer in Telugu language only. I have heard one of his songs where he was out of surr when shifting notes. The song was Sankari.
SP BALA is the best Telugu singer. Ghantaslas is the 3rd best after Yesudas. Ghantasala sirji was a good singer but was never the best. Most of Telugu speaking people even do not like him much.
Ghantasala was a great singer of Telugu language. He was only known by South people. Rafi was far superior singer than Ghantasala. The highest notes in which Rafi sang was never ever reached by Ghantasala ever in any of his songs, I have heardf almost all songs of Ghantasala which are pretty ordinarily sung. He never would sing in difficult Raags. As he was himself a music director, he would always try to select easy songs for himself and the taste which suited his voice. He has fooled the Telugu speaking people and music lovers for almost 30 years, and God will never forgive this great Sin of Ghantasala. I do not know that why few disgusting and insane people are fighting his case. Ghantasala was a useless singer, the music industry would have been much better, had he not sung so many Besurre songs. Ghantasala did kn0w nothing about the Ragas, if you ask some classically trained singer, he will tell you how bad he was in classical singing, even ordinary singer Kishoreda, who had no training in singing is better, far more better singer than Ghantasala. I will request all those people to please stop waisting time of their and others in defending this useless singer. Rafi was the best singer and full stop. No mo0re discussions to be on this topic. Ghantasla was not even a patriot, why he had never sung in Hindustani language, why he never tried to learn Indian language, he was some sort of Jew Spy.
Ghantasala was an ordinary singer, who has just been praised only to let-down the greatest of all singers, Kishore Kumar. Ghantasala voice only suited some classical numbers. He was never soft, smooth or melodious, he would sing as some body crying on the death of his most beloved near-one. Ghanatasla should have been called as Gandusala as some body has rightly mentioned. There was this ordinary actor Dilip Kumar, who ruled the Industry for 3-4 decades because he had no opposition of some stature, all others were very bad acors, he was Anhon men Kana Raja, just like Ghantasala, he was just an ordinary singer, in classical singing Mannaday was far more correct singer than Ghantasla, it is like somebody saying that Mukesh was a better singer than Rafi. Rafi was infact the greatest singer India has ever produced, he is matchless, he can not be compared to an ordinary not very well-known singer by the name of Ghantasala. He is just a SAALA.
2466 – light music lover
You have said
“This post is for the music followers outside Andhra Pradesh who have begun to think of Ghantasala ‘garu’ as ‘the’ singer having all the attributes ever found in all the other singers- like Rafi’s melody, Kishore’s ’strength’, Pt.Joshi’s classical skills and the like.”
Remember, dear light music lover, rafi fans and kishore fans are not fools like you to arrive at some immature conclusions. The conclusions are based upon hearing number of songs presented here in this forum and in kishore forum. It is just not like your analysis who just want to prove a point by catching some senseless points.
Next.
“In the last 30+ years, there have never been a popular voice in SFM in the Ghantasala mould; while there have been dozens in the Rafi mould in HFM.”
Exactly, voice similar to ghantasala is a rare gift which cannot be found. That is where you are. That is what you have agreed to in an indirect way and indirectly confirming that voice similar to rafi is more found. – great analysis.
“He did a fine play back singing job when his strengths were most required”
Did his strengths requirement lasted for 30 years keeping all other singers at bay ?
SPB, KJY, Jayachandran were not contemporaries to ghantasala, they were singers after ghantasala left the scene, and who have been following the foundation laid by ghantasala.
2462
“I don’t consider ghantasala as a singer”
Well my dear madan mohan ji, I do not consider sachin tendulkar a batsman. I think this is the correct answer for you.
This post is for the music followers outside Andhra Pradesh who have begun to think of Ghantasala ‘garu’ as ‘the’ singer having all the attributes ever found in all the other singers- like Rafi’s melody, Kishore’s ‘strength’, Pt.Joshi’s classical skills and the like.
Mr.Vasudas has already posted much of what I wanted to say. Sir Ghantasala is a great singer especially brilliant in classical and devotional songs. But he has his limitations; he doesn’t have the youthful, energetic, romantic voice that Rafi sir has. He did a fine play back singing job when his strengths were most required. But these strengths wouldn’t be enough to be succesful in HFM or post NTR/ANR era in SFM itself.
For the South Indian (Non-Telugu) music lovers, the Ghantasala voice doesn’t stand out. People familiar with TRM or Dr.BMK or even Sirkali would find nothing extra-ordinary in that voice. In the last 30+ years, there have never been a popular voice in SFM in the Ghantasala mould; while there have been dozens in the Rafi mould in HFM. The South listeners have moved towards the sweeter, smoother voices like KJY, SPB, Jayachandran etc. When people describe the Ghantasala voice as ‘smooth’ and ‘deep’ I really wonder what their idea of smoothness and depth (in voice) is. If you want to listen to a smooth voice, you listen to Rafi sir or Talat sir or KJY sir and if you want to listen to a deep voice, you listen to Hemantda or Kishoreda. Sir Ghantasala’ voice is a ‘Karnatic classically trained’ voice with its coarsness, matured-feel and nasality. There’s nothing smooth or deep in that voice. Even when you compare his voice with other typically ‘classical’ voices, he is well behind Mannada.
Post 2455 – Dear narain shankar
Can you please enlighten me the raga lakshana of chakravaka kannada raga : can a mixed composition in both the ragas is possible. If possible, can you just show me a rafi song in his entire career, in such composition. Talking about classical music has become a joke, the ragas which many hindi singers have rendered can be counted on fingers in hindi playback singing compared to the southern counterparts. No hindusthani classical musician talks about rafi or hindi playback singing, as the southern classical musicians talk about playback singing and ghantasala, for your information – Ok please confirm about chakravaka kannada mixture, let us see.
Posts – 2455 – 2463 (except 2456)
So at last some people have again come for arguments without knowing about the subject : what somebody would call this ; these people themselves have to tell
2455 – Claims as a musician – says ghantasala knew hindi very well – which he never knew, this is a fact. This itself confirms it is a bogus post and written without knowledge. You say listen to Rafi Shab’s songs carefully, without bias and secularly. I was laughing at this line, you claim you are a musician having 50 years experience and you need to hear rafi’s songs very carefully for finding out his classical skills. Can a musician with so many years experience make such foolish statement ? Does a musician with such experience need to hear “so carefully” to find out a singer’s talent. This again raises about your claim as a musician.
Remaining all posts – Why feel jealous about a legend who ruled for 30 years in an industry without any competition due to his skills and talent and voice. These facts cannot be removed. No other playback singer from india had that achievement, including rafi who claimed I can never sing like ghantasala – I will agree with all music lovers if they agree they are themselves more capable of making statments than rafi himself. One should feel ashamed for making wrong statements and telling lies.
And regarding posts who claim ignorance of ghantasala just have a look at this and then comment :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghantasala_(singer)
Ghantasala lovers (outside Andhra Pradesh) might like this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2klpOa4SlU&feature=fvwrel.
This is not a Ghantasala song but the style is very similar (typical Carnatic classical) and the voice is in the same mould.
There are many singers with a voice similar to Ghantasala’s but the one I find closest would be this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDNSM0RyUa8&feature=relmfu
I dont consider Ghantasala a singer.
Ghantasla was good but Atif Aslam and Himesh Reshmaya are far better than Ghantasla Sirji in Telugu
Who is Ghantasala by the way, never, ever heard of him, can anybody tell me. Yes I know one-thing Rafi is the best singer ever, nad ever, and always.
Ghantasala would sing as he is not singing but weeping, no melody, no surr, no charm, I don’t know why he was famous at all if he ever was?
I speak Telugu. I think SP Bala Subramunium and Yesudas much better singers than Ghantasala. Ghantasala voice is not that mature, this is my observation, which may not be others.
RAFI is indeed a better singer than GHANTASALA
I am a Telugu speaking Indian. I also know Hindi. I am a great admirer of Ghantasla singing capabilities, but I must also admit one thing, that the magic Rafi could produce with his most melodious voice was unmatchable, even by the great Ghantaslaji could in his Telugu songs. I found Rafi more melodious, sweeter, velvety voiced and in complete command of high and low notes in songs and the cpability with which he would change notes was remarkable. On the other hand Ghantasla Sir was more suitable for Telugu songs especially classical singing. I love Telugu language more than Hindi but in my very humble opinion, Rafi voice would give each of his songs a different taste, there are many songs which would be just ordinary sounding, biut beacame so famous only because of the variatioons of Rafi’s voice. Ghantasala in one of his interviews in a programm being arranged in his honor had lot of regards for Rafi Sirji.
I have more than 50 years of experience in music, I am a trained Classical singer and musicians and knows all about Rags. People who claim that Ghantasala was a superior singer in classical songs, actually does not know anything about music. They must listen to Rafi Shab’s songs carefully, without bias and secularly. The songs which Rafi Sahab has sung in his whole carrier had been more melodious, more precise to the Rags and requirements. The way he used to shift notes with utmost ease is not comparable to Ghantasala. Ghantadala was just a regional singer and was good for classical songs only, while Rafi was more versatile. The range he was able to produce was not the domain of Ghantasalaji, which I also have great regards for. Do people think that all the music directors who used Rafi Sahab’s voice in their songs did know nothing about music? They have not used Ghantasala instead, why? Can somebody tell me. He even could speak Hindi very well. Despite that he has not sung any hindi song ever. It was because his voice did not suite Hindi. Rafi was far more superior singer evn in classical songs. Ghantasala voice was never so melodious, so sweet or velvety as Rafi Sahab had. Why people do not know Ghantasala and every body know Rafi. Because of the range and beauty of his singing. Rafi was the most, THE MOST, i’ll repeat legendry singer India has ever produced, I am sorry to have hurt Delugu people but truth is truth. Rafi is the Singer most admired in Hindi Cinema. Rafi is infact the best, far better than the great Lataji even.
I don’t want to speak about sir ghatasala because I don’t know any thing about him so no point to compare also I don’t know anything about music but the thing I like to speak is that I know much said about mohd rafi from so big names like manna da ,lata ji, ash ji,Talat ji, mukesh ji,lp,madan mohan,ravi,sj,naushand ji,mohd aziz,Anwar and the list is endless……..When name like Madan mohan who said I should be pay when mohd rafi sing for me because that is the magic voice of mohd rafi make the song hit,opn I am because of mohd rafi,Ravi there is no song where mohd rafi was not able to sing but there ate many songs when other singers were not able to sing and it sang by mohd rafi…still I have many thing to say……
Answer to post 2451.
Music director like opn who said I am because of mohd rafi and many more….
Mohd rafi is a music director man?!!yes that was his greatness, As Naushand said mohd rafi came to him and said that I didn’t sang your song good so I like to sing it again,as p from lp after the song record mohd rafi listen the song with us and said I want sing it again even we said the song is sang well. Mohd rafi was the top singer but he never said to music directors that I am the top singer and I will not sing for u c grade music director,we all know about mohd rafi is the top singer in bollywood.
I don’t know any thing about music but what said about mohd rafi by people who know about music I don’t think it said for any one else,
To post 2447, 2448, 2449
Dr. Chandrasekhar Ji,
Your posts are somewhat convincing, but on the other hand Rafi was completely music director’s man, he was singing exactly how the music director ask him to sing. But whereas Ghatasala was music director as well as singer so he knows the technicalities more than a singer.
the second thing rafi always used to tell music directors are his guru I learn song from them. Once Usha Khanna Music director hesitant to tell rafi to sing in a particular way, she could not dare to tell rafi directly, she requested Asha Bhosle to convey this message to Rafi Sahab. as such Asha Ji did then Rafi Sahab approached Usha Khanna and asked her you are my guru as you are giving me song to sing you have every right to tell me in which way I could sing. This is the humble way of great Rafi who always remains humble being reached at the pinnacle of popularity heights in his life time.