Tuesday Thought

For last one month the political circle was very hot with Himachal and Gujarat Elections and during last week after the result Congress party’s behaviour in Parliament was uncalled for, when they decided to bring the comments passed by BJP stalwarts against Congress leaders during campaign and BJP  counter attacked the Congress Party for the similar remarks.

Now we are in fag end of 2018, and during the remaining last few days of this year I am not covering Indian Polity in my blogs, will try to cover other topics.  Today I am going to cover  the greatest play back singer to grace the hindi film industry and ie Mohd Rafi, whose 93rd Birth anniversary was on 24th Dec.

Rafi started playback singing in late 40s his first major hit song was ” Jahan Badla Wafa Ka Bewafai Ke Siva Kya Hai” with Noorjahan from the film Jugnu.. He came into prominence when he sang the song ” Suno Suno Ae Duniyawalon Bapu Ki ye Amar Kahani” a private song which was written by Rajendra Kishan and composed by Husnlal Bhagatram after Gandhiji’s death in 1948.

He became top male play back singer in 50s and it is often said the decades of 50s and 60s belonged to him and he gave playback for all the leading men of that era , he even sang for character artists and comedians like Johny Walker and  Mahmood. The leading men for whom he sang were Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, Rajendra Kumar, Sunil Dutt Shammi Kapoor, Manoj Kumar , Dharmendra, Shashi Kapoor, Balraj Sahni, Raaj Kumar, Joy Mukherjee and even Raj Kapoor in few movies. He even sang for Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan in their earlier films. In the 70s with the rise of Kishore Kumar as playback singer he suffered a little set back but he held of his own with songs like “Parda Hai Parda”, “Kya Hua Tera Waada”, ” Dard e Dil  Dard e Jigar”, “Aadmi Musafir Hai” and many more.

Rafi had the rare speciality of moulding his voice with the voice of  leading man, when you hear his voice you can feel the pathos of Dilip Kumar, Naughtiness of Shammi Kapoor, Romanticism of Rajendra Kumar, style of Dev Anand, boldness of Sunil Dutt, Comic timings of Johny Walker and Mahmood . He could create the mannerism of the character in his voice like ” Tel Maalish Champi” for Johny Walker in Pyasa, “Chahe Koi Mujhe Junglee Kahe” from Junglee & “O Jaaneman Dilara- Aasman Se Aaya Farishta” from Evening in Paris for Shammi Kapoor. The list is endless.

Rafi died at the very young age of 56 in 1980 due to heart attack in Mumbai on 30th July 1980. Thousands of people braved heavy rains next day to attend his funeral and film industry came to grinding halt and who is who of film industry was present at his funeral. The most touching tribute was paid by Shammi Kapoor when he heard about Rafi’s death,  he said ” Today I have lost my voice and soul. He further added that I became dancing/singing star because of Rafi was singing my song. Fans saw me on screen singing but soul of the song was always Rafi’s voice.”

I am listing below 10 songs of Rafi  which are my favourite in random order

1. Suhani Raat Dhal Chuki, Na Jaane Tum Kab Aaoge  from Dulari,
2. O Door Ke Musafir, Hum Ko Bhi Saath Lele from  Udan Khatola
3. Mohabbat Zinda Rehti Hai, Mohabbat Mar from Changez Khan
4. Choudhavin Ka Chand Ho from Chaudhavin Ka Chand
5. Man Tadpat Hari Darshan Ko Aaj from Baiju Bawra
6. Tareef Karoon Kya Uski Jisne Tumhe Banaya from Kashmir Ki Kali
7. Aaja Aaja Main Hoon Pyar Tera from Teesri Manzil
8. Yeh Duniya Yeh Mehfil Mere Kaam Ki Nahin from Heer Ranjha
9. Sau Baar Janam Lenge, Sau Baar Fana Honge from Ustadon Ke Ustad
10. Kya Hua Tera Waada, Woh Kasm Woh  from Hum Kisise Kam Nahin

Friends if you have any other song of Rafi which is your favourite, please write in comments section.

Rafi was a very simple and humble man and was very shy in nature. In those days in the film industry he was one singer who never demanded and quoted any fees from producers. Once called for recording of the song,  he used to sing the song and what ever producer gave him he used to accept, it could be even few hundred or few thousand rupees. He would never grumble, there were playback singers in those days also who only sang when there fees demand was met and payment made in advance. He had a big tiff with Lata Mangeshkar in 60s on royalty issue, Lata was demanding royalty from music cos while Rafi was of the view that once producer has paid for his labour then royalty belongs to producer. Rafi and Lata never song together any duet song for almost 4 years.

it is proven fact that he was always first choice of all producers and music composers of 50s and 60s. He sang for all of them. Even  great singer Lata Mangeshkar never sang for composer OP Nayyar and in all the films produced by Guru Dutt, except on song in Chaudhavin Ka Chand.

This great singer never got recognition from govt except Padma Shri in 1967. With lesser deserving artists getting higher awards like Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan. When Lata Mangeshkar can be awarded Bharat Ratna then why not Rafi, his achievements are no less than hers. Just because no one is pushing her name therefore govt has forgotten him. When Sardar Patel, BR Ambedkar can be awarded Bharat Ratna  so many years after their death then why not Rafi. Although during his life time Rafi was never interested in any awards but to see that his legacy remains intact he should be awarded the nation’s highest civil award.

In the end waiting for your feed backs and comments.