"If God had a voice, it would be Rafi's voice", a very true statement by Mr.Manmohan Desai. Rafi is the best singer of all the times and even 30+ years after his death, Rafi lives on eternally. His songs still fascinating the people of all age.Born in Kotla Sultan Singh located near Amritsar on 24th Dec 1924, Rafi claimed to have recorded about 28000 songs in his career (from 1944 to 1980) in several languages including English and Persian. He learned classical music under Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan. Rafi's first public performance was at the age of 13. He recorded his first song in the year 1944 which was for a punjabi movie 'Gul Baloch'. In the same year he sang for movie 'Pehle Aap' composed by Naushad. The first major hit for Rafi was 'Yahaan Badla Wafa Ka' from movie Jugnu(1947) was and it started the journey of the most versatile singer of India.
He also acted in a couple of movies i.e.Laila Majnu (1945) and Jugnu (1947).
Rafisaab was really a dedicated soul towards music. Having 100+ degree fever he recorded the song "Ek Haseen Sham Ko" (just listen to this marvelous song and you will not believe this).
Till 1970, Rafi was the most wanted singer in bollywood music industry and this was the golden era of Indian film music. He recorded many remarkable and unforgotten songs with his soft and silky voice.
In 1970's Kishore Kumar started overshadowing his popularity. Rafi's output was declined and he got thrown to the background. Later after mid 70's he made a grand comeback winning a national award for song "Kya hua tera vaada" and proved that no matter how many competitors appear and disappear, there is no match for his class.
Rafi recorded for Kishore too including "Apni Aadat Hai Sab Ko Salaam Karna" in 1972 when Kishore Kumar was already started storming bollywood with his voice.
Rafi was the singer who introduced 'yodeling' to the Indian film music which generally is associated with Kishore Kumar (songs 'O Chale ho kaha', 'Dilke Aine main').
Any type of song let it be, the maestro gives the perfect justice with his versatility and range.
So whether it was qawali, bhajan, gazal, romantic, solo, rock, slow, sad, patriotic, fast,classical, anything... he made immortal his songs.
The day was 31th July1980, after composing a song "shaam fir kyon udas hain dost" for the movie 'Aas Paas' with Lakshmikant-Pyarelal duo, Rafi said "Should I leave?". Lakshmikant-Pyarelal were surprised because Rafi had never said anything like this before. While leaving, Rafi said once again "OK. I will leave." Rafi passed away on the same day due to a massive heart attack.
When it comes to the knowledge about music I stand in the last row but still I feel that Rafi was the Best and no one can beat his par excellence. Whenever I listen his songs I simply find myself going lost into it, his voice touches the soul such that even after the song is over, mood created by his song still remains. In fact his golden voice and the way of singing brings the feeling into the front and you get involved deeply in it. Whatever emotions exists out there, Rafi sings it for you...
Being a Patriotic, Rafi with his crystal clear voice tells " hum watan ke noujawan hain, humse jo takarayega.. wo hamari thokaron se khaak main mil jayega (song;Apani azaadi ko)". At the same time as a sacrificer he says "phool kya cheez hain tere kadamo main hum, bhet apane saron ki chadha jayenge.. (song:Aye watan)" and inspires by " raah kurbaniyon ki na veeran ho.. tum sajate hi rahana naye kaafile (song:Kar chale hum fida)".
As a divotee he shows a great emotions singing " tumare dwar ka main hu jogi, hamari aur nazar kab hogi.. (song:Mann tarpat hari darshan ko aaj)" and so with the high pitch number "O duniya ke rakhawale" where one can find his faith. And yes offcourse "Madhuban main radhika", a masterpiece.
Disappointed with the life he says "ye duniya jahaan aadmi kuch nahi hain,Wafa kuch nahi hain, dosti kuch nahi hain...ye duniya agar mil bhi jaye to kya hain". Similar melancholy in "kis kaam ki ye duniya, jo jindagi se khele re..(song: O door ke musafir)". Everywhere he puts emitions into the words superbly.
Trying to convince his beloved, Rafi utters melodiously "Teri khusabu ne mere hosh bhi chchin liye, hain khushi aaj hame tere pahalu main gire (song: Dekho rootha na karo)" , "hum aapke kadamo par, gir jayenge gash khakar (song: Hum aapki aakhon main isdil ko)", "Ab to haske apni bhi kismat ko chamka de,kaano main kuch keh dde jo is dil ko bahala de.(song: apni to har aah ek toofan hai)".
Describing what is love in his soul touching voice Rafi sings " seena taane maut se khele, kuch na kare fariyad.(song: Aye mohobbat zindabad)". Hi pitch maintained here is quite awesome.
A sensitive lover in him sings " mere nagamo main jo basati hain wo tasveer thi wo, naujawani ke hasi khwab ki taveer thi wo.(song:Jindagi bhar nahi bhulegi)" with blending his voice.
As a betrayed he asks his disloyal love "nasha daulat ka aisa bhi kya... ke tuze kuch bhi yaad nahi (song: kya hua tera vaada)" on the same line tells her "meri mohobbat ko thukara de chahe..main koi tuzse na shikva karunga (song:Dil ke zaroke main)". this strikes deeeeeeep.
Expressing a perfect feeling of a person with a broken heart but still hoping something he sings "Dhundhata hu tuze her raah main har mehafil main, thak gaye hain, meri majboor tamanna ke kadam(song:Mere mehaboob tuze)", " chand(few) lamho ke liye saath ka vaada kar lo (song:Phir milogi kabhi)".
He nicely puts a complete broken heart with his vercatelity "baat nikli to har ek baat pe rona aaya (song: kabhi khud pe, kabhi haalat pe)" a low pitch broken heart soul touching sad number.
Accepting life without any excuses Rafi in his velvet voice says " gum aur khushi main fark na mehasus ho jaha, main dil ko us makam pe laata chala gaya (song:Main jindagi ka saath nibhata chala gaya)".
And then who can forget his romance from sweet "tere ghar ke saamne" to gentle ,soft cutting "paaon chu lene do, phoolon ko inayat hogi", "deewana hua badal" to the lively songs "yahoo","badan pe sitare", "dil tera deewana" along with his comedy style "jungle main mor nacha kisine na dekha".
Well................. the list is simply endless. whatever emotions, feelings, situations that we feel,face, there is Rafi's voice which could express the same with us. I am a very tiny-miny to write anything descriptive about those.But would like to list down my 10 most favorite Rafi songs (though it is really hard to put only 10 songs I am just giving a try).
- Madhuban main radhika, Mann tarpat hari darshan ko aaj.
- Main jindagi ka saath nibhata chala gaya.
- O duniya ke rakhawale
- Khoya khoya chand.
- Apani to har aah ek toofan hain.
- Ek hasin shaam ko.
- Tum jo mil gaye ho
- Mere meheboob tuze
- Badan pe sitare
- Kabhi khud pe
"Saath rakhta hoon hamesha tere gaano ki dhanak, Main kabhi khud ko kabhi akela nahi hone deta".
