Rafi’s Last Interview
This interview of Rafi Sahab is by Jyothi Venkatesh. It appeared in the Star & Style magazine – Aug 22 – Sept 4, 1980.
Little did I realize that this meeting would be Rafi’s last ever interview to the press. He spoke in chaste Urdu to me. Rafi was one of the few filmland celebrities who belonged to the old school of discipline. At the dot of the appointed time, Rafi was waiting for me, after doing his riyaz in the morning.
Rafi always felt that though singing was a God given gift, to maintain your voice is tough. From the year 1942, I have been in this line. I have had my ups and downs. Riyaz is a must if you want to preserve the quality of your voice. I do not smoke, I do not touch liquor. I am pained to see before my eyes, some singers who, after giving one hit song, start acting big only to fall down with a thud soon after.
A humble and publicity-shy celebrity, Rafi’s formula for success was a characteristic, Humility. It is a must for one to be successful in any field. Resorting to Urdu he explained, Kisika dil hamne kabhi dukhaya nahin. Jo kisika dil ko dukhata hai, woh kabhi tarakki nahin karega, zindagi mein.
Rafi was born on December 24, 1924, in Punjab’s Amritsar district. At a very young age, he showed an aptitude for music and he was sent to train under renowned maestro, Ustad Abdul Waheed Khan of Kirana. How he became a playback singer was described by him as follows:
Ab aap ko main kya kya bataoon? I am a native of Lahore. I belong to a very orthodox and conservative Muslim family. I used to sing at friends’ places when I was only 15. During one such occassion, Nasir Khan one of the top producer-actors at that time, spotted me and offered to take me to Bombay and groom me as a singer in films.
Khansaab had asked my father for his permission. My father had refused the offer point blank since he frowned upon the very idea of my taking up singing in films as a career. I was being trained in classical music at that time by my guru Ustad Abdul Waheed Khan of Kirana. When Nasir Khan persisted with the offer my elder brother convinced my Abaajaan to let me go to Bombay. With great reluctance my dad agreed to my pursuing a career as a singer in films.
I made by debut as a playback singer in 1942, with ‘Laila Majnu’, a Nazir – Swarnalatha starrer. The late Pandit Govindram was the music-director of the film. I sang a qawwali as part of the chorus. I had even done a bit role in the film. Later on, I acted in films like ‘Samaj Ko Badal Dalo’ and ‘Jugnu’. In ‘Gaon Ki Gori’, I sang a duet with Noor Jehan under baton of music-director Shyam Sunder.
Before his death, the singer voiced his disillusionment with the music-directors today. Rafi seemed to be visibly pained that music-directors sign films by the dozen, as a result of which the quality of music in films has deteriorated. Very few music directors today work with dedication on their tunes and compose memorable music like Laxmikant Pyarelal did in ‘Sargam’. Most of the others are in this field only to make a fast buck by copying foreign tunes and plagiarising other composers’ tunes.
And lapsing into a flash-back of those good old days, Rafi had launched into a tirade against film-making today and the role of the music director. Film-making wasn’t merely a business proposition during those days when institutions reigned supreme and free-lancing hadn’t become popular in the film industry. Believe it or not, I used to be paid a meager amount of Rs. 75/- in those days for one song!
When I entered the line, there were, of course, popular singers like Saigal Saab, G.M.Durrani and Khan Mastan. Unka Khoobi yeh tha janab ki instead of considering me as yet an other competitor they encouraged me to give my best. In fact I remember the first time I met Saigal Saab at Lahore where he had come to give a concert on the stage. The mike had failed at the last minute. While it was being set right, I was asked to keep the audience engaged by singing a couple of songs. I was only 15 then. I had not yet met Nasir Khan or Shyam Sundar. Saigal Saab blessed me that day and predicted that a day would come when I would be a sought after singer.
Melody and classical training were primary in the beginning when I set my foot in the field of film music in the early forties. Today, however, music has degenerated into just shor! In those days, I remember we singers used to help interlude music, whereas today it is the other way round. A situation has come today when the musical interludes help playback singer.
Perhaps not many are aware of the fact that Rafi wasn’t a Shylock where his payments were concerned. Unlike Kishore Kumar who won’t sing unless and until he is paid his remuneration before the recording, Rafi is said to have sung even for a token amount of one rupee! Though I insist on being paid my price by commercial film-makers who can afford it, I sing for small budget films, including regional films, for a much lower price. Money isn’t the only criterion for me to accept a film. Out of my earnings, I keep aside a sizable amount for charitable purposes but I prefer not to tom tom it because I do not want to seek publicity for those acts.
In spite of several years of experience in the field, Rafi never composed music for any film. In fact, producer-director S. Mukherjee had asked me to compose music for one of his films, sometime back. I turned down his offer because it is my firm belief that one should be perfect in only one field. Look at Talat Mahmood. He took up acting and after he could click neither as a singer nor as an actor.
The late Mukeshbhai took up production and lost heavily when the films he made flopped. If I were to agree to compose music for film today, the other music directors would start feeling that I might steal their tunes for my own films and hence they might even stop assigning me the job of singing for them.
Unfortunately, Khuda willed otherwise and took Rafi away at a time when he was once again emerging as a force to reckon with, with films like “Hum Kisise Kam Nahin”, “Amar Akbar Anthony”, “Sargam” and “Mr. Natwarlal”, after his forced exile in the early seventies when Kishore Kumar had taken over from Rafi.
My day for last thrity years begin with his songs and I go to sleep listening his songs. There is one Tajmahal, there is one Gandhiji and ofcourse one moon one sun and only one Rafi
Ravi Bajpai
hi i m Anmol,i m listening rafi sahab songs since the age of 9,now i m 16.His songs has a great melody and feeling which is uncomparable to the songs sung by any other singer
iIm 16,and listening rafi sahab songs since the age of 9,his songs has melody which can never be compared to the songs sung by any other singer
I grew up with Rafi saab and i am greatfull for that. His voice was and wil be an important guideline for many of us in life. For me he was the reflection of humanity, solidarity and above all a simple soul. He has no scruples like other artist have nowadays.
Mohd Rafi was not just a very nice singer, he was also a great human being.
Despite being a muslim, he sung best of bhajans and the soul of those bhajans are highly perfect. That is dilse effort. What he was feeling inside about the god or allah or jesus or waheguru or any spiritual force, the same feeling came forward in the inner feelings of his performances. This is great, many singers have great voice, but only a very few collaborate the essence of songs with the heart. In Rafi Saab case, the voice always met the heart at the same wavelength and that is great, a gifted phenomenon. I feel Rafi was one of the singers who was nearer to god than any other singer.
What can I say about Mohd Rafi Saab…. Everyone here have put their emotions forward.. I grew up listening to Mohd Rafi songs… to me there is no-one in this world … past, present or in the future who can ever remotely be like Rafi Saab.
Mohd Rafi is the only singer who can make me show emotions, be it sad, content, happy or even disappointment, he could make me feel his songs. whenever I sing along with him, I have a smile on my face, That is exactly how he was. A great Man who will be missed eternally.
I would like to pledge to all readers of this comment to introduce your kids to the great voice of Mohd Rafi so we can make sure that he stays immortal.
With Rafi Saab, there was no division in any way, he had done religious songs for every religion and a lot of diferent languages too … he saw humans an one Great BIG family, maybe we can take that bit from him and be peaceful towards each other.
May God be with you all.. Rafi Saab is singing in Heaven , one day we’ll all meet him… but we need to be good as he was.
OH RAFI SAAB TUM NA JANE IS JAHAN SE KAHAN CHALE GAYE
DIL KA SUNA SAAJ TARANA DUNDEGA
MUJKO MERE BAAD JAMANA DUNEGA
kamaal ke insaan the rafi ji… duniya mein aise log nahi hote jaise rafi sahab the.
I just want to pray for him, may his sole rest in peace and its really great to know about his life.
I am 15 years old but i am listening RAFI’S songs .They are very sweet and they are one of the best and songs that will be listen by the people till the end of the world…..
all i want to say that….i am crying at that moment…….ohh god….who says that god is not with us….we have the voice of god…pure,honest,flowless.,what can i say for moh.rafiji…i am lucky to read that interview…i used to listen his songs….i like …hai duniya usi ki…he is magisian….yaa…i feel him…so for me he cant die..if u want to share anything about rafiji…can contact me on…jigarboom_45@yahoo.com
thanx
I was thrilled to read last interview of Rafisahab.He was divine singer.May his soul rest in peace.
Rafi U are a great soul. It is very difficult to be a good human in a commercial zone like bollywood film industry. It is heartening that the great soul had no personal ego of his success. Like there was a very great singer in Andhra “Ghantasala”. Like Rafi’s, his every song was a gem. Such souls are being one or two in a span of two three hundred years. Rafi will be remembered until the Sun and moon shines. Even years after his death, there is so much of rememberance. Rafi must be smiling in heaven. May God give his soul peace and a place in the heavens. Kindly send personal pictures of the great singer including live recording audios and videos for my personal use. Mail them to me. Rafi deserves to be honoured with Bharat Ratna. Something should be done in this regard.
Rafi Saab was an All Time Great Singer! I am sure no one else can take his place!
Rafi Saab, at the same time was a throrough Gentleman! His songs are like “Friend,Philosopher & Guide” for ever – Thanks to those Great Music Composers & Lyrics who created songs & used Rafi Saab’s Voice to give justice to the Words & Music!
Rafi Saab lives for ever in the “Hearts of All Music Lovers”
TA FALAK PARVAJ HAI
SANGEET KO JIS PAR NAAJ HAI
MOHD RAFI KI VO AWAAJ HAI
simply no words of praise for the legendary personality and universal singer who lives in the hearts of millions even after 27 yeras of his sad demise.he will remain there till this world lives.
simply superb as human being. we have heard about God but never saw. However Rafi is GOD to crores of people
i am 35 yrs old and i have been listening to Rafi sahib since i was a child. i still to this day cry when i hear his songs. i listen everyday without fail to rafi sahib. i can truley say i have not seen god but i have heard his voice, it was in and still is in rafi sahib. i live in ireland and it is very hard to get any music,videos or pictures on the great man. i plead to all rafians out there, never stop listening and always sing for rafi sahib left us this priceless gift which we should not forget…HIS VOICE. THE VOICE OF GOD.
extremely gud, the article of mohd’ rafi saab. i wud love to know about more interesting topics of yester years singers. keep doing the gud job.
Undoubtedly Rafi sahab is a melodious and a good singer.Anyone can be a singer but it is difficult to be a good singer.If you want to be a good singer first of all you should be a good man.And Rafi sahab was a good man.He is in the top of my favourite singers.
no doubt Rafi sahab was great singer…and a perfect human being. he was and still is real ambassador of India’s Ganga Jamni Tehzeeb. Who could sing better bhajan , better patriotic songs and better sufi qawwalies then him. let it be a uniting force for our country in this era of divisive politic and religious intolerence. let us become a human being first like him.
BAS KI DUSHWAR HAI HAR KAAM KA ASAAN HONA
AADMI KO BHI MAYASSAR NAHI INSAAN HONA
i live in morocco and i love all mohamed rafi sab song’s. if someone want to contact me my e-mail is: hish_78@hotmail.com. we all love u rafi sab.
Mohmmmand Rafi was the great singer. i like his every song.
I like very much Mohammad Rafi, if any body reading this then plz send me some future information about Mohmmad Rafi death reason.
Who says Rafi Saab is dead ? He is alive in the memory and in the hearts of millions of his lovers all over the world. Yes, his mortal body is no longer with us, but his golden voice is echoing every day every where…some times in a car, some times in a party, some times in a walkman and some times in an autorikshaw… His voice was a gift to mankind by the God Himself. I know there will be one day when I will not be there…you will not be there, but his golden voice will echo in the air forever..coming generations will wonder as how a singer like Rafi Saab lived on this earth…
can any body help me to locate pictures of rafisaab and kishoreda together it was during mukesh jis funeral i dont remember were i saw the pictures i could not able to locate now my email id is mohamedparv@gmail.com
i just want to mention 1 song of rafi saab from milap beutiful song the song is kahin yesa na ho tum ajnabi rahon mein kho jao mere saathi mere awaz ke peecche chale aao chale aao music directer is brij bushan what a song wonderful song rare song
Jo Baat Honi Hai Woh Bat Hokar Rahegi
Too Sau Shame Jala Le Ye Raat Hokar Rahegi
Rafi Sahab We really miss u a lot
Rafi saab can never die. As far as music exists, Rafi and Rafi-ism,
melody and humanity – will co-exist.
Rafi saab is surely around all of us……..
Nice article.
Rafi’s the best 🙂
I HAVE BEEN ADMIRER OF MOHAMMED RAFI SAHAB AND HE IS & WAS & WILL BE THE BEST & UNIQUE SINGER.
MY SINCERE DUAS ARE WITH HIS WIFE & HIS FAMILY.
all that i read is not enough to describe a singer of calibre like RAFI SAHEB.according to me he was a singer par excellence who could mould his voice at his will. listen “badi der bhai, badi der bhai” from basant bahar and o madam nancy, you are my fancy from basant and you will know the difference. all i can say that he was the chosen one.
arun bajaj.
Rafi Sahab was sent by God in this world to show that he(God) is capable of creating such a beautiful voice.Rafi sahab came with a single mission i.e to sing ,He sang and went back to God leaving behind a ocean of beautiful songs sang in his divine voice.Rafi Sahab you will remain in our hearts forever inshallah
It is so frustrating that there are not enough audi or visual recording of Rafi sahib’s interviews. I dont spose I am alone in hoping that we could learn more of the man and his persona. He truly was a legend, of that there is no doubt. It would have been wonderful though if someone at the time had the forsight to record his interests, lifestyle, likes,dislikes etc. Still, a great singer, for sure.
Pinder – London 2006
if only god could sing he will be copying rafi the ultimate voice.
I think Rafi Sahib is a greatest ever male singer of subcontinenant and we cannot have such a quality voice ever again. Number of singers copy him and his style but no one could reach at his level of excellence
G.M.Ansari,
“MOHD.RAFI SAHAB”ko bharat ratan aur dada saheb falke award milna chahiye tha.Guzra sirf waqt hai”MOHD.RAFI SAHAB”.
Iss saal hum ek magzine realised kar rahe hai.G.M.Ansari/9833484837/Rashid khan/9869030908.
Kudos to Jyotiji for doing such a wonderfull Interview. I wish If I were there at that time. I have been a great Fan of LAxmikant Pyarelal and Rafi Saab played Major role in LP’s success.
Again thanks a ton to Jyotiji.
Pritam Sharma
Hi Mohd Rafi fans,
why we said that Mohd Rafi is best singer?!!!!I think saying that Mohd Rafi is the best singer I think we are wrong because how 2 say some one that is SUN.No need 2 tell someone that is SUN as Mohd Rafi is greatest.
MHD RAFI’S VOICE WAS DEVINE. HE WAS LEGEND. PEOPLE ON STAGE
TRIED TO COPY HIS VOICE BUT NOBODY COULD DO IT. HE WAS NOBLE
PERSON. HE DID NOT CARE FOR PUBLICITY NOR HIS WIFE OR ANY
OF HIS SONS TOOK DISADVANTAGE OF HIS NAME. HIS VOICE WAS
INCRIDIBLY MATCHING WITH SHAMMI KAPOOR, DILIP KUMAR,
DEV ANAND, JITENDRA & DHARMENDRA AND MANY OTHERS. HIS
STYLE OF SINGING WILL BE A LABORATORY FOR NEW SINGER.
HE WAS INSTITUTE OF PLAYBACK SINGING ! HIS NAME WILL REMAIN
IN GOLD IN THE HISTORY OF PLAYBACK SINGING.
I am from maldives. we maldivians love rafi and his songs so much that the songs are used within our community even now. we listen to his songs over and over again. his songs are superb, and i never get bored while listening to them. its quite sad that he passed away too early. i wouild have definitelty loved to hear more of his songs. there never was and will not be another mohamed rafi. because he is class apart. undoubtedly the best singer ever
i think “RAFI SAAB” is the greatest singer ,this industry ever had.
Mohammed Rafi, A miraculous tone of voice which will always remain Impassive, and not just that, what a great personality too…’The world would be a better place if there were more people like Mohammed Rafi’
One of the greatest tunes ‘Tum mujhe yun, bhula na paaoge’ which is infact the truth in present living.
…May Allah’s blessings be upon you…
Raffi sahib is a singer of that caliber that no one can touch his sublime.
All musical work done during 80s owes to Rafi Sahib work during 60s&70s.
He gave all colours to music,he sung on every subject,on every mood and for everyone who performed on silver screen. His songs in 80s with other singers like,USHA,Usha Khana,Jiuty,Salaxna Pandat,Aarti&Chandrani Mukarji,Suman Kalyan pur are of the rank that these can be released even today.No matter he is ignored, but reality can never be hidden. In 80s when Music was turning over a new leaf, Rafi Sahib was ignored on purposes.But,he mede his presence felt even in that era.The difference b/w Rafi Sahib and othes is just as there is difference b/w Cinema and Film.As a DIE-HARD Fan of Great Rafi, I am compiling his Duets with Asha, and other singer and I will bring them on front for the Rafians.I invites all Rafians that i will provide them with all the rare songs and expect them to provide me rare songs i dont have.
Rafi Sahib We Miss You.We Miss You
Great article. I am just sad I dont know how to reply properly, though, since I want to show my appreciation like many other.
MOHAMMED RAFI SAHEB WAS THE ONLY SINGER WITH EVERYTHING A HIGHEST QUALITY SINGER POSSES, HE WILL REMAIN FOREVER THE GREATEST SINGER OF ALL TIME.
YOU CAN SEE KISHORE KUMAR, MUKESH, LATA, ASHA NIGHTS BUT I HAVE NEVER SAW ANYONE TRYING TO BRING GREAT RAFI SONGS.IT IS VERY SAD AND DISAPPOINTING THAT A SINGER OF HIS PHENOMENA IS IGNORED SO MUCH.
I CAN CHALLENGE AND EASILY SAY THAT HIS VOICE QUALITY, RANGE AND EMOTION WAS MILES AHEAD OF ANY SINGER.NO ONE CAN CHANGE THE VOICE, TEMPO ACCORDING TO THE ACTOR. I AM SORRY BUT NOT EVEN LATA JI CAN SING FEW SONGS OF RAFI SAHAB, LIKE MAN TADPAD HARDARSHAN KO….. FROM BAIJU BAWRA
WE MISS YOU RAFI SAHAB, YOU WILL BE WITH US FOREVER AND EVER
REMEMBERING YOU EVERY DAY
MOHAMMED RAFI SAHEB WAS THE ONLY SINGER WITH EVERYTHING A HIGHEST QUALITY SINGER POSSES, HE WILL REMAIN FOREVER THE GREATEST SINGER OF ALL TIME.
IT IS SAD THAT TILL DATE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT BESTOWED HIM WITH BHARAT RATNA . IT IS VERY SAD AND DISAPPOINTING THAT A SINGER OF HIS PHENOMENA IS IGNORED SO MUCH.
I CAN CHALLENGE AND EASILY SAY THAT HIS VOICE QUALITY, RANGE AND EMOTION WAS MILES AHEAD OF ANY SINGER
WE MISS YOU RAFI SAHAB, YOU WILL BE WITH US FOREVER AND EVER
REMEMBERING YOU EVERY DAY
ACHARYA SHAMMI BHASKAR
Mohd Rafi will never born
Rafi Sb was a complete versatile singer.He was Beyond comarison and at the best in any and every type of song or composition. He will live for ever with his sweet charismatic voice
Mohd Rafi was not only a good playback singer, but also a good human being.
As long as the world exists, mohd rafi’s voice will emanate like a breeze which refuses to stop.
Long live rafi’s voice in everyone’s heart.
A great artiste indeed.
Some of his unforgetteble numbers:
Tere chehre mein hain jo baat: [Chote Sarkar]
Tum Mujhe Yoon bhula na [Pagla Kahin Ka]
Babul ki duayen leti ja [Neelkamal]
Jis Raat ke khwab aaye [Habba Khatton]-unreleased.
Janewalon zara mud ke [Dosti]
Rafi had a voice of a golden quality and the power to pitch the lyrics in the lowest modulations as well as high soparano like banshee pitch , which makes him one of the most versatile singers of hindi songs-filmi or otherwise.
Unfortunately many of his works have not been preserved in audio formats or even the lyrics are not traceable (Mirza Ghalib)
….Chand