MOHAMMED RAFI : BIRTH CENTENARY OF A SINGING LEGEND
Mohammed Rafi (MR) took birth on 24th December,1924 in Kotla Sultan Singh village of Punjab. He began singing at a young age of eight years and later got training in classical music. None of his family members were singers. He started singing for Radio Stations as also gracing the stage shows. A maestro, he began his singing debut in Hindi films from Gaon Ki Gori (1944). But M.R.’s actual breakthrough was with the song ‘Tera Khilona Toota Baalak’ in the film Anmol Ghari (1946).
Songs In 20 Languages
Rafi Saheb (RS), as he was fondly and popularly known, sang for a variety of heroes and worked with prominent music directors of his time, viz, Naushad, Shanker Jaikishan and Laxmikant Pyarelal. Gradually, he attained popularity and could secure wide influence. In a career spanning three decades, he sang over seven thousand songs in Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, Bengali (total 13 languages) and seven foreign languages : English, Arabic, Persian, Sinhalese, Dutch and Mauritian Creole. These songs were recorded in over a thousand films.
Versatile Singer
His voice had versatility, a wide range and depth. His songs had a range from fast peppy numbers to patriotic ones, sad to romantic and Bhajans to classical. MR possessed the unique technique to mould his rich voice to the personality and style of the actor concerned. No other male singer was privileged to have this quality.
Voice Through The Ages
His exceptional legacy continues to inspire new generation of singers and music lovers. During his formative years, his voice was high pitched with a nasal tone. Next, during the golden era of 1950-1960, it developed maturity and gained in depth. During the mid career of seventies, MR’s voice began to show signs of wear, losing some of his earlier suppleness. In later years, however, it retained its emotional intensity and expression.
Incredible Vocal Control
Rafi Saheb (RS), despite facing emerging changes, could adapt to various singing styles due to his incredible vocal control. He maintained this quality throughout his long career. His melodious songs would leave a lasting impression on film goers. His songs for films Chaudhanvi Ka Chand, Jaanwar, Suraj, Baiju Bawra, Mother India, Mughal-e-Azam, Hum Dono, Dosti, Kashmir Ki Kali, Aradhana, Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin, Amar Prem, Padosan, Kanyadaan, Teesri Manzil, Guide, Yadon Ki Baaraat etc. will be always remembered apart from being heard and relished time and again.
Away From Controversies
MR would be generally away from controversies of tinsel world, emanating from gossip sessions or from printed features on films. But on the question of share of singers in the success of a film, he developed differences with Lata Mangeshkar, the Nightingale of India.
Awards & Accolades
In 2013, RS was voted as the greatest voice of Hindi cinema in a T.V. poll. He received numerous awards – 6 Filmfare Awards, National Film Award for the Best singer and Padma Shree in 1967. Surprisingly, he was not found fit to move up the ladder in Padma category of awards. Further in 2001, he was honoured with the Best Singer of The Millennium Award given by Hero Honda and Stardust Magazine.
Contended Family Life
MR was first married to Bashira Bibi, his first cousin. However, due to partition of country, she preferred living in Lahore. Subsequently, a sad Rafi Saheb had no option but to marry Bilquis Bano in 1945. He had one son from the first wife and three sons and three daughters from Bilquis Bano.
End of Life at 55 Years
Although, RS was a teetotaller, and throughout his life he abstained from smoking and attending hi-fi film parties, he succumbed to a heart attack on 31st July,1980 at a relatively young age of only 55 years. No one can predict death as it is natural to die. But when near and dear ones like RS are involved, one simply refuses to believe. None of the seven children of MR became playback singers. So, his grand and widely spread legacy could not be carried forward.
Conclusion
An incredible, egoless, devoted, family loving and God fearing human being, MR was an iconic singer who gave countless unforgettable songs to the movie lovers. He was a gentleman to the core. RS was not just a name but a feeling of love for vibrant life. He would help the needy through charity and noble deeds. His notable contribution to Hindi cinema will be always celebrated and cherished. His outstanding legacy will continue to inspire generations of singers and music lovers. In a communally divided and Mafia infiltrated Maya Nagri, his was a sane and truly secular voice, a voice that could assert and inspire.
R.I.P.
(The author is former Chief Secretary of Sikkim)
A legendary singer no doubt! In the Sanatani Hindu religio-cultural parlance, he will be said to have been blessed by mother Saraswati, the goddess of fine art. Rafi’s ancestors must also have been Hindus as he was born in the socially backward caste of barbers, recognized as Pasmanda muslims these days in India. The Hindu devotional song sung by MR, “Man tadapat Hari Darshan ko aaj” (penned by Shakeel Badayuni and composed by Naushad, again two other geniuses from the Hindu-converted Muslim community from India) still holds record in the most popular song dedicated to Lord Hari. A stage, however, came in Rafi’s life when, in pursuit of being a devout Muslim, he gave up singing as the art of singing was considered ‘Haram’ (impure) in Islam. This was the time when he had undertaken Haj (pilgrimage) to Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia. Later on, he must have realized how nonsensical this proposition was and came back to singing. He also had a brief discontinuation in professional relationship with Lata Mangeshkar, the other female legendary singer. He had stopped singing duet with Lata. The lull stopped with the intervention of S.D.Burman, a legendary musician, singer and director. Dil pukare aare aare-aare sung by the two took Indian music lovers by storm. Lives of most talented and successful people are also riddled occasionally with setbacks!