Remembering Mohd Rafi on 31th July
2009
Tags: 31th july, mohd rafi death, mohd rafi life, mohd rafi songs, rafi profile, Remembering Mohd Rafi on 31th July
Whenever there used be a fusion of Naushad’s music, Shakeel Badayuni’s lyrics and Rafi’s voice, that number would become super-duper hit. These three were quite a team then. Their songs were being heard in all corner of the streets. In fact, those songs are still equally melodious now. Rafi had several opportunities to sing in public. The range of Rafi’s voice was very very high. This is noticeable from the number O Duniya Ke Rakhwale from the movie Baiju Bawara. Naushad was very impressed by Rafi’s performance.
Rafi Sahab receiving the National Rajat Kamal Award from President Sanjiva Reddy for his song ‘Kya Hua Tera Vaada’ in the film ‘Hum Kissise Kum Nahin’ in 1977. Rafi could sing any type of song. Let it be pop, qawali, bhajan, gazal, romantic, rock’n’roll, light music, slow numbers, sad song, parody, fast numbers…, anything he was remarkeable. He was the first to fit into the playback singer role in a convincing way. His voice enhanced the brilliance of actors like Dilip Kumar. We could feel Guru Dutt’s heart beat when he sang Badi Dekhi Zamane Ki Yaari.
With the start of the famous Binaca Geet Mala in 1952, the program aired the immortal songs of the film Baiju Bawra and this really launched Rafi as a popular singer for all ages. Thousands of request for Rafi’s songs poured into Sri Lanka Radio. If he stylised his voice for the Dev Anand’s mannerisms, he took the job of instilling emotions in deadpans Suhani Raat Dal Chukhi in Dulari. 
It would not be an exaggeration to say that actors like Shammi Kapoor owe their career to this little man with the Voice of God.
No singer at that time or even now in this era, can match Rafi. Rafi’s singing style was so simple, that nobody could imitate it. Even if they tried, they were not successful. His verstality was very different and way too impressive. His contemporaries were either ineffective in this front or were unwilling to compromize.
All this was about his singing carreer. But as a person, he was much more. Rafi did not imitate any one nor did he stop any one from imitating him. Where there was cut-throat pressure, Rafi was always totally with himself. Through out his carreer Rafi has not been accused of anything. Nor did he stop any new singer from taking his position. He was such a whole-hearted person, who would agree to sing for producers who could’nt afford him in return to nothing. Listening to Rafi is like rowing down a river in a moonlit night.
Now, Rafi is not amongst us, but that divine voice and soul will never fade from this earth. He was, and remains, a major force in film music, the music of love, despair, hope, humor…etc. Rafi’s voice had the healing capability. His music is as calm, as raging, as deep, as beautiful. It is the manifestation of the goodness and the divine.
Tags: 31th july, mohd rafi death, mohd rafi life, mohd rafi songs, rafi profile, Remembering Mohd Rafi on 31th July
