What can I say about him. Well, the only think that will make me so joyful AFTER DEATH is meeting this legend! I call him the Legend and really think that still he is entertaining all the gods and goddesses with his magical voice out there!
In spite of being severely hurt by Lata Mangeshkar due to her arrogance (everyone knows Lataji as a ’person’ there....however, in singing, she is DIVINE..) Rafi sahab left singing with her in last couple of years of his life and started rethinking about how atrocious it is to be in Bollywood. There is no doubt that the songs this legend has sung are even heard today and soothe your ears but Rafi sahab was not at all justified in a way he should have had.
A handful of the people know that ’yodeling’ that is said to be Kishore Kumar’s properties is actually gift from this Legend. Hello sweety 17 (duet with Asha Bhosle), O Chale ho kahaa, Dilke Aaine main, Unse Rippy Tippy Ho gayi (duet with Geeta Dutt) are few of the songs where you find that yodeling that has been sung before Kishore’s discovery.
I never compare this divine singer with anyone since The Legend cannot be compared. Apart from being Greatest Ever singer, he was a human being with all best qualities possible! He had sung many songs chargning no money just because the musicians and producers of the film earn. The era of 1950s to 60s is considered to be the Golden Era of Film Industry wherein the major contribution had come from this master voice.
Rafi has also sung many songs for Kishore Kumar! He mastered on any sort of songs filmed on anyone. Johny Walker’s ’sir jo tera chakraye’ to most difficult one ’O Duniya ke Rakhwale’. Let it be a Quawwali (parda hai parda) or a divine Bhajan (Man Tadapat Hari Darshan or Sukh Ke Sab Saathi), he was thoroughly learned in singing.
One of the ocassions my father (die-hard rafi, manna dey fan) had told me that is quite noteworthy. In a live night in Ahmedabad (decades ago!), there were all the great singers including Lata, Rafi, Manna, Talat, Asha and many more. The crew also included legendery musicians like Shankar Jaikishen, Naushad, Hemant Kumar, OP Nayyar etc. The night begun and reached to its peak. Every person in that musical night enjoyed by all means. My father was among audience. He said, Md. Rafi was called to sing a song (I forgot the song...) and then he was to be joined with Lataji. Lataji, anyhow, started pitching high notes (that were not there in original song!!!!) and those days, she would be on her peak of perfection. Rafi noticed the hint of arrogance there and kept queit. He then answered by pitching more high! Lata understood and replied in even more! Both went to extreme and Lataji, finally lost her voice that burst and she had to stop in between! She bowed herself to this legend and requested ’ab niche aa jaiye’! The whole croud applaud like anything!
I really get surprised whenever I listen to the song ’Ye duniya, ye mehfil’ that can make your soul cry and on other hand song like ’Subhanalla Hasin Chahera’ and ’Taarif karun kya uski’ that can make you move by the same singer. Even more surpising, (that many of people may not know) if you watch video of Rafi singing any song, there are no notes of stretching his veins or putting any efforts!!! Age old video of ’o duniya ke rakhwale’ from doordarshan (I have it in my orkut) makes you so surprised that this legend finds it no difficult at all when he reaches the high notes. He sings as if he is speaking!!!
My salutation to this legendery singer ... long live Rafi sahab and be ready...whenver I come there.... you got to make me free from any pains, worries, sorrows by your ever ever green songs!
Thanks for reading this...!