The year 1992 got us our first ever cassette player. Appa played a certain Md. Rafi to herald the 'music-mad' family we were to become over time. Of course, Doordarshan and All India Radio rendered works by Rafi Sahab on their archetypal shows/stations. Somehow though, Chitrahaar, Chhayageet or Hawa Mahal couldn't do justice, or so it seemed, to the quantum of this talent.
So what is Rafi Sahab all about? I will retain the present tense and maintain that He lives, through his works. A phenomenon that launched long and successful careers, an event spanning almost 40 years and a statement that will never go out of fashion for eons.
Chaudvin ka chand ho ya aftaab ho,
Jo bhi ho tum Khuda ki kasam,
Lajawaab ho....
Certainly, Rafi's services had to be called upon for Guru Dutt to impress Waheeda Begum. Rafiesque to put the Moon and the Sun to shame, and Rafiesque to make you believe that it was Guru Dutt's rendition on screen. This song amongst scores of others made me feel that Rafi Sahab's contribution was akin to Ghost writing. He did the work and someone else got the credit!
...tumne mujhko hansna sikhaya,
rone kahoge ro bhi denge....
Who would've thought "Junglee Shammi" could cry? Rafi Sahab made it possible. Even as I typed those lines, moist blinded visibility. Shammi Kapoor's roles, as we've known them, were of the typical Jamboree. Jumping off cliffs, rolling down snow capped mountains, chasing novice leading ladies on-screen....all of these and many other happy-go-lucky, devil-may-care traits had come to epitomize Shammi Kapoor. To see him cry or mellow may not have been the exact picture in one's mind. It took a Rafi Sahab to turn that around. Shammi Kapoor could emote too...
....kar chalein hum fida,
jaan-o-tan saathiyon,
ab tumhare hawale watan saathiyon...
If this bit did not levitate the patriot in me, nothing else could. A post Sino-Indian war Ballad to stir men to devotion, worship; to fondly remember the undying commitment of martyrs.
...barbadiyon ka sokh manana fizool tha
barbadiyon ka jashn manata chala gaya,
har fiqr ko dhunye main udata chala gaya...
This lilting sonnet reiterates the philosophy of take it easy, come what may. Coupled with Rafi's Sahab's talent, it couldn't have been more relevant than it is today. With all the difficult times around, the song is as close to profundity as it gets.
...More Tum Been Bigare Sagare Kaaj
Binatee Karat Hoo, Rakhiyo Laaj
Man Tarapat Haree Darshan Ko Aaj....
Rafi Sahab's rendition of this dhrupad brings alive the legendary Baiju Bawra. Rafi learnt classical music from Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Ustad Abdul Wahid Khan, Pandit Jiwanlal Matto and Firoze Nizami (source Wikipedia). This song picturized on Bharat Bhushan is delivered with an enviable panache and realizes the pain described by the said to earn a glimpse of Your Divinity.
...nain lad jainhe to manavaa mein kasak hoibe kari
delivered prem kaa chhuti hai pataakhaa to dumak hoibe kari nain lad jaihe..Yet another testimony to Rafi Sahab's versatility. An incredibly racy song with totally convincing Bhojpuri accent.
Just some of the songs that come to mind to describe this phenomenon. Like the proverbial drop in the ocean, there are innumerable songs that a blog cannot contain.
There have been folks who draw comparisons with Talat Mehmood, Kishore Kumar, Manna and the like. Futile, sheer waste of words. These pseudo-intellectuals appear to force-fit their imaginations to prove a point. To me, Rafi Sahab was, is and will remain a bundle of talent, a versatile package. His ability to deliver classical, romantic and inspirational songs is unparalleled. I gather that his talent extended to regional languages too. Therefore, any comparison is felony. Every other artist has been a specialist. Rafi is also a specialist, a specialist in diverse genres. He is nothing short of a divine intervention.
"Nothingnesses" like Rajendra Kumar, Dharmendra, Jeetendra would all be thankful to Rafi Sahab for their launch and flourish. Thanks to his songs on them, they became what they did. Even today, we identify them through Sahab's voice alone. In sharp contrast, his songs for the only true actor Dilip Kumar, the great Sanjeev Kumar and the like, only added to their screen presence and talent.
Thank you Appa for introducing us to this Legend. And Thank You Rafi Sahab, for those immortal songs.
31 years post his demise, a fellow blogger quotes:
"Na fankar tujhsa tere baad aaya, Mohd Rafi tu bahut yaad aaya…"
Ram!
ReplyDeleteIt is a highly fitting testimonial to the great legend. I can forever sing his tunes (though my voice sounds much worse than that of a donkey!)
I loved reading this post!
I take this opportunity to thank Appa too. Rafi is unique just like the earth amongst other planets. There is just one earth and there is just one Rafi! Nice post.
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