Rumi Jaffrey3 days ago
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Last 24th December was the 100th birth anniversary of Mohammad Rafi. Rafi Saheb was born a hundred years ago on 24 December 1924 in Kotla Sultan Singh, Punjab.
Last week i.e. 24th December was the hundredth anniversary of Mohammed Rafi Sahab, who is called the king of tunes and the angel of the film industry. So I thought that this time I should definitely write something about him in my part of the story. When I sat down to think, many things told about Mohammad Rafi by many people like Laxmikant ji, Dharmendra ji, Sachin Pilgaonkar ji, Subhash Ghai ji, Amitabh Bachchan ji, Udit Narayan started roaming in my mind. Every person has been a fan of Rafi Saheb. Whoever met him face to face was there, even those who did not meet him have also been his big fans through his songs. People love him immensely, they are crazy about his voice. Even after Rafi Sahab’s departure, all the filmmakers and heroes have been searching for Rafi Sahab.
Once Dharam ji had told me that his first song ‘Jaane kya dhundti rahta hai ye aankhen mujh mein, rakh ke dheer mein na shola hai na chingari’, was sung by Rafi Saheb only. His specialty was that he used to sing songs by understanding every actor’s voice, dialogue delivery, speaking style, body language and facial expressions. This made it seem as if the actor himself was singing. Due to the expressions he gave on his voice, the actor did not have to work hard on his expressions. Rafi Saheb used to do a lot of his work with his voice alone.
When Dharam ji decided to launch Sunny and started the film ‘Betaab’, he started searching for Rafi Sahab’s voice. While searching for the same voice, Dharam ji met Shabbir Kumar and thus he got a break. Then we met Mohammad Aziz, who sang in his voice. Songs were also sung by him.
I remember that when the film ‘Barsaat’ was being made, at the same time my film ‘Azamaish’ was also being made. Sonu Nigam sang songs in it. Dharam ji had launched Bobby Deol in Barsaat. In that again, songs were sung by Sonu Nigam on the lines of Rafi Sahab. After that, when ‘Yamla Pagla Deewana’ was made, Rafi Sahab’s song was taken in it – ‘Main Jatt Yamla Pagla Deewana’. This was also re-recorded and Sonu Nigam was made to sing it due to his voice being similar to Rafi Sahab. That song also became a superhit.
Subhash Ghai ji had told me that whenever he makes a song, he also looks for Rafi Saheb. He also thinks that Rafi Saheb’s voice, expression and speech should be similar. He told that when I made the title track of ‘Karma’, I made it with the thought that it should be made like Rafi Sahab. I used to think that if Rafi Saheb had sung this song, how would he have sung it. Then I made Mohammad Aziz sing the same song. Dilip Kumar and Shammi Kapoor’s song in ‘Vidhaata’ was – ‘Haathon Ki Chand Lakiron Ka…’. I made Anwar sing it along with Suresh Wadkar, because Anwar’s voice also resembled Rafi Sahab. Then got Sonu Nigam to sing in the films Pardes and Taal. Ghai Saheb had told me, before recording, I used to give this brief to every singer that you should close your eyes and think how Rafi Saheb would have sung this song. All these singers sang my songs very well and all the songs became superhits.
I also remember an anecdote narrated by Shammi Kapoor ji. He was with Rafi Saheb on every recording. He used to tell Rafi Sahab what he was going to do in this song. He said that it would be better if you sing the Mukhda and Antara of this song in one breath. Rafi Saheb said- Okay, I will try and he sang that song with one breath in Mukhda and one breath in Antare. That song was – ‘By making me sit in the windows of my heart, make my memories your bride’. This song was from the movie ‘Brahmachari’. On this very matter, I am reminded of a couplet from Asi Uldani –
I have set my heart on patience but even now my senses go away due to the harsh voice.
Just like Shammi Kapoor’s voice was Rafi Saheb, similarly Raj Kapoor’s voice was Mukesh ji. However, Rafi Sahab had sung a very superhit and good song for Raj Kapoor in the film ‘Barsaat’. The song was – ‘I have been crying all the time in my life’. But Raj Saheb used to say that only Mukesh’s voice suits my face. Then a time came when the confluence was being formed. Rajendra Kumar’s favorite singer was Rafi Saheb and Raj Kapoor also said that the voices in my playback and Rajendra Kumar’s playback should be different, only then it would be fine. When he called Rafi Sahab. Rafi Saheb sang- ‘Don’t get angry after reading my love letter, you are my life, you are my worship.’ When the recording of the song was over, the production guy came to Rafi Saheb and gave him an envelope filled with the money given by Raj Kapoor as the song fee. When Rafi Saheb asked where Raj Saheb was, the production person told that his son had fever. He is not well. So he has gone home.
On this Rafi Saheb sat in his car and went straight to Raj Saheb’s bungalow. Raj Kapoor and Krishna ji were surprised as to how Rafi Sahab had suddenly arrived. Raj Saheb asked, Rafi Saheb, how come you are here? So Rafi Saheb said that I got the news that your Sahibzade Rajiv has fever, so I thought that I should also go and see. At that time Rajiv was only one and a half to two years old. Rafi Saheb went into the room, saw Rajiv, took out an envelope of money from his pocket and placed it under the pillow at Rajiv’s head. Raj ji asked what are you doing? So Rafi Saheb said that Sadaka is for Rajiv’s health. May God give him health.
So Rafi Saheb was such an angel. Today, in the memory of Rafi Saheb, listen to this song from the film ‘Kashmir Ki Kali’, take care of yourself and be happy.
Should I praise the one who created you…
