Tribute to Mohammed Rafi

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Dr. Md. Shairul Mashreque :
We still remember Mohammed Rafi as a legendary singer all with his golden voice. His voice quality, talent, vocal expression, accent, extremely sweet tune brought to thousands of melodies. Everybody enjoying Rafi’s song feel the magic in his voice. From classical to pop, in all kinds of songs Rafi is simply extraordinary. Even rocken roll used by kishore Kumar is his creation.
There are many singers in the subcontinent reaching the height of excellence, but none compares Rafi. When he performed simply miracle in the film Boizubara with his dexterity in classical music many commented that Tansen had reincarnated. Rafi had the ability to sing at the top of the voice-the height no singer could ever reach. He was also efective in low notes ‘capable of singing every genre of music.’ The main quality is his superb style, command, and very strong voice mixed with sweetness. He used to sing in different style as situation demanded. During his lifetime even after death the height he reached rising to the pinnacle of glory no singer in the subcontinent could ever reach. ‘He created and then inhabitated all by himself a whole world, being the most popular singer in South Asia along with Ahmed Rushdi, Mehedi Hasan. Hemonto, and Talat Mahmud. The term Rafiology has been coined to refer to his master mind and unique singing capacity. In fact he is an institution.
As far as subcontinent is concerned despite political divisiveness and isolation we are aware of our common heritage all the way around ‘from the mountain passes of the northwest frontier through the plains of Deccan to the beach of Cox’s Bazar. It is within this ambience that we recall Rafi’s songs that even now go deepest into our Psyche with eternal appeal. When he sang sad song there was in him an immense pain. In romantic song arena Rafi was simply unparalleled. Even he was best in classical song along with Manna Dey. Please listen to the song’Modhu banme Radhika Nachere or Mane tara Pate or kase sham jo, aj hun na ae balma sawan.
 He was born in ‘a village Kotla Sultan Singh near Amritsar (24 Dec, 1924) long before India attained its independence. Salim Raza was also born in Amritsar. But music training beckoned Rafi to Lahore where he cut his musical teeth under the hawk-like eye of Ustad Ghulam Ali Khan. He made his singing debut in the Punjabi film Gul baloch by rendering a duet with Zeenat Begum.’ Though he was brought up in Lahore Pakistan Government never gave him visa to visit Pakistan to perform songs. This is simply meanness. They should have realised that so many Pakistani Singers now and then performed in India recording songs in Bollywood film industry, For example Adnan Sami, Nazia Hasan, Nusrat Fate Ali Khan , Salma Aga to mention a few others. We know scores of music loving Pakistansi are Rafi’s fans. I would like to hit out at government’s policy to Rafi going against Subcontinent cultural heritage.
On the other hand Rafi is an international figure taking position as one of the top five singers in the word along with Zubin Garg, Shakira, Brian Adams and Elvis Presley. (htt://www.com/ls008762947). Mohammed Rafi is ‘still considered by many to be the most prolific singer of all time because of his undisputed rule in Bollywood from the 50s to the late 70s. In his four decade long career he was the most precious voice for almost 30 years and yet was always modest and down to earth. ‘He won the Best National Singer Award and a number of Filmfare Awards. In 1967, he was honoured with the Padma Shri.
But I cannot advocate ranking among top graded male singers in the subcontinent. Apart from Rafi other all time great singers are Ahmed Rushdi, Hemo Mukherji. Kishore kumar, Mukesh, Mohendra Kapoor, Manna Dey, Mehdi Hasan, Shyamol Mitra, Satinath, Sonu Nigam, Selim Raza, and Talat Mahmud (not in order of merit)
Rafi’s singing capacity was simply inordinate To comment a Rafi’s fan He was, sent by the Great Almighty God to the world to preach humanity, peace of mind and love to the entire world and that is what he did all his life…We may have other great singers to come probably very talented but there shall never be another Rafi.; Some others appreciations are: no more adjectives – singer of the Milenium, ,Rafi can never be replaced, He was born to sing. He was God’s gift to us, the worlds greatest singer ever. There will never be a singer like this. A man made to sing in heaven or to bring the joy of heaven on earth. We are all lucky to be in touch with this greatest immortal voice ever.. Rafi lives forever.
Rafi sung (both solo and duet) for prominent Bollywood heroes like Dilip Kumar, Dharmendra, Sammi Kapoor, Rajendra, Shasi Kapoor, Risi Kapoor, Rajesh Khanna, Raj Kumar, Monoj Kumar Jitendra, Rajesh Khanna, to name a few. He had amazing quality to fit his voice with any great hero. Even he sang for comedians. In fact he was the most versatile singer ever produced. After his departure Rafi’s voice suits Sammi Kapoor. ‘Shammi Kapoor with heavy heart commented “I lost my voice” Some of his songs deserve mention: Duniya ke Rakhewale, Yahoon Ajnani, Chand vi ka Chand, Teri peri peri, Bare Bare Dekho, Ai Ai A Kero main, Sabhi Kuch Luta De, Bahosh o hash diwana, E kali rat vi kali, Husne Ale Tere jawab, Takra gaya Hamse, dil mujhe pa ke, happy birth day to you, Bheri duniya me akhir dil, Ae jane bahar..be misal do, Cha hunga main tujhe, janewa lo jera, Ea julfe, Zulfo hatalo chehere se, Parda ho parda, Hum aur tom e sama, saj aur tum awaj, Husne wale husne anjan ki, E ansu mera dil ki, Avina jao sor ke, o mera prem patra, Lakho me hazar ho zindegi ki rahame, Diwana hua badal, tumsa nehi dekha, Aja re A jera, Aisa moka phir, Main gao tum so jao, Job se tume dekha hae, manera pukara, pukara hae chalaho main, humdum mere, Kase sam za bare, Yadena aaya, Nazar bacha ker chale, dhadak se lakta hae, Aise se na dheko, tujhe jiban ki dor, Ae chand ki jebai basti basti parbat, badan sitare, gulabi jae se, Jane chman sola badan, Bohot yade aie hume yad ae, Tasvir tere dil me, Jo wada ke ae, Chakka me gari, Asmane se aewa firista, o mera prem patro, Hum kamsin ho. O dilber janie and many others to refer to.
We remember M. Rafi on the occasion of his birth day.