Rafi is one of the greatest playback singers India is proud of. His singing style unveiled the ineffable mood of the moment the song embodies, whether it is the intricately-patterned classical 'Madhuban me Radhika nachere' or the liltingly romantic 'Baharo phool barsavo' or the maddeningly melodious 'Deewana hua badal' or the hauntingly nonpareil 'Abhi na jao chodekar'. The phrase 'magnum opus' gets deprived of its meaning when it comes to the corpus of Rafi's songs as as many songs compete for that epithet as there are moods and then some. The discerning lovers of music wherever they are responded to the aalaps of Rafi with artless affection. If the 'due' is counted in terms of sirkari titles, doubtlessly Rafi was dealt a raw deal. If success is measured in terms of money, Rafi certainly might have been left way back and behind in the race. But, if listening to whose songs the warmth of nostalgia animates the soul, that person is not just a recipient of the mere 'dues' but remains truly immortal and lives sublimely in the collective conscience of the people. -RBR Sarma
sadly no----till date what ever the ocassion there is song sung my rafi and it seem that is the best for the ocassion like birthday we go back to the farz song and patrioting song we go back to the leader song and when we r at wedding and the bride is going our eyes get filled with tears when we hear rafi sahebs...babul ki duaaa and doli o doli---deserves the dada palki---
RE:The Legend of Rafi
by Raja Mohan on Sep 07, 2006 10:14 AM
Hi Sunil, I am shocked when you reminded me that Rafi Saab is a Muslim which many of us never thought while enjoying his songs. Rafi Saab is an Indian or perhaps belongs to the whole universe. I agree that there was ignorance in honoring Rafi Saab but he being a Muslim can be the last reason. If we understand our Govt correctly, we must know that Govt could have considered his religion as opportunity to show their secularism rather than honoring his great voice. Best regards, Raja Mohan
RE:The Legend of Rafi
by Narasimha on Sep 08, 2006 09:30 AM
C Ramchandraji(Anna) career spawned from mid-forties till the mid fifties.He gave rafisaab several hit songs during the late forties which are of course forgotten today.In fact anna was the first MD who used rafisaab's voice for the hero Ashok Kumar, a top star then, when he found that Ashok Kumar's voice had a limited range.Naushadsaab started using rafisaab extensively only after Baiju Bawra(1952).Agreed rafisaab was a great singer but undermining someone like Anil Biswas et all just because they were not fully in favor of rafisaab does not look fair.Anil Biswas is one of our legendary composers who was responsible for the basic structure of our film songs even today.Naushadsaab himself accepted in a TVS saregama programme in front of several others that all MDs including himself condider Anida their "guru"
RE:The Legend of Rafi
by Sunil on Sep 06, 2006 12:27 AM
IF Rafi was Hindu, the gov't would have givenbestow Bharat Ratna long before Lata! Reason: He was far better singer then ANY singer of his time or latter....In my humble opinion, Lata comes second! She was not as versatile as rafi!
He was the most versatile singer of hindi film industry! Even after 26 years of his death, we are still discussing him! That proves his talent beyound any doubt!
He was THE greatest Male singer of ALL time! If Lata gets all the awards then definetly Rafi Saab should get it too! He ruled the Hindi Film Industry as the top male singer longer then anyone! Plus, his songs r gems for generations to come! He was THE most versatile singer of india. Its truly sad, even after 26 years after his death, we can still discussing IF he deserves Bharat Ratna or not! Its truly shameful situation! While he was alive, Kishore managed to rule the industry for 3 1/2. That shows the greatness of Rafi Saab! Even with ALL prejudice, he managed to secure the top slot. Who cares if RD\Anil\C. Ramchander or Salil C didn't care for him? There were countless of MDs who think of him highly! As they say, you can't please everyone!
It would be nice to see Indian gov't bestow him with this award and recog. his immense contribution to music.
A singer like Rafi is born once in thousand years if at all..In a way, I can associate a Rafi song to every moment of my life- ecstasy, grief, pangs, even indifference..
In songs which have a Rafi version and a Lata version, invariably the Rafi version has fared better and even went on to become superhits. Examples:
-Mere Mehboob tujhe (Mere Mehboob) -Dil jo na keh saka (Bheegi Raat) -Ehsaan Tera hoga mujhpar (Junglee) -Akele Hai chale aao (Raaz) -Jab jab bahar aayee (Taqdeer) -Pardesiyon Se na aakhiyan (Jab jab phool khile) -Zindagi bhar nahin bhoolegi (Barsat Ki Raat) .............More
Rafisab was extremely gifted singer. Whenever I listen his song from Baiju Bawra 'oh, Duniyake Rakhawale, tears come to eyes. The same thing with all his songs, which even after so many years touch our heart. I feel this legendary artist should have been given Bharat Ratna, which he truly deserses.
Yes, Rafi Sahab did get his due. Forget the National Awards and Awards given by commercial Organisations. They are sham. Rafi Sahab was loved by all. Not only in India but all those places where his voice could be heard.
It is decades since we lost this extremely gifted singer whose songs we cherish still today and it goes without saying that his voice was adored by young , old , poor , rich and the very common man for whom he sang and created a niche in the music industry . His songs were mesmerising and the soothing , pulsating , romantic voice still remains in our midst and even after a quarter of century after his passing away , leaving thousands of his beloved fans in a state of shock , his voice remains unparalled and difficult to fill up and we continue to miss his supreme voice and have to console by listening to his evergreen musical songs which he sang with his heart out and still lingers in our memory .It will be difficult to fill the vaccum left by him and it is right that the Govt should have honoured with more awards .
