Mohammed Rafi: A Tribute
--Kumar Krishnan
(SPECTRUM - M.L.DAHANUKAR COLLEGE OF COMMERCE
Vol. XXI, 1981)
August 1, 1980 saw us glance over the newspaper headlines with apparent disbelief as it
reported the demise of Mohammed Rafi, a priceless jewel among singers and a man of exemplary
character. The vivacious voice that had been a source of solace and ecstacy to millions all
over the world had been suddenly stilled by a heart attack late at night the previous day
forcing him quit earthly existence, leaving behind a legacy of sweet memories.
Born on December 24, 1924 in Kotla Sultansingh, a small village in Amritsar, Rafi came from
a poor peasant family and hence had very little schooling. Right from his childhood he had
tremendous zeal and enthusiasm for music and often travelled citywards to hear the different
Ustads and Pandits perform. Being blessed with a melodious voice, Rafi was put for
classical training under the able tutorship of Ustads Bade Ghulam Ali Khan and Abdul
Waheed Khan. By the age of 13, Rafi's talent had considerably matured and he often
gave programmes over the Delhi and Lahore stations of the A.I.R.
An incident of his early teens clearly reveals his admirable self-confidence and courage.
K. L. Saigal. then the most popular singer was to give a public performance in front of a
capacity audience when at the last moment the mike failed. The Organisers, confused, could
not imagine any way by which the cast crowds could be contained. A proposal was put before
them of allowing Rafi to sing. Initially, the idea was rejected outright, but perceiving no
way out., they finally conceded. Rafi's well wishers infused him to seize the opportunity.
At that young age, in front of a capacity audience and without a mike, Rafi let through a
glimpse of the genius in him to come. He instantly struck a responsive note with the
audience and earned a rousing applause from them. Saigal, amazed at the lad's intrepidity,
promptly blessed him, predicting a great future for him. Very truly, Rafi sang his way to
glory, making a name for himself to posterity and became a legend of our times.
Rafi's career in films began in the early 40s. Initially, he had to struggle under the
shadow of Talat Mehmood who then held sway, but through unflinching patience and indomitable
perseverance he gradually made his way to the top where for over two decades he reigned
supreme, singing over 15,000 songs in different languages.
Rafi's mellifluous, flexible voice aided by his limitless talent was not only a challenge to
music-directors but also a blessing which they thoroughly relished. In every realm of music
, be it Ghazal, Classical, Quwwali, Bhajan, Folk or merely 'Pop' and at any pitch, high or
low, Rafi's versatile genius excelled effortlessly beyond human credence arousing in hearer's
mind just the appropriate feeling conveyed by the song. Such was the range and
diversification commanded by his voice that many a mediocre song won public recognition
by his adroit rendering, whereas compositions of a higher order were considerably
re-invigorated by his inimitable improvisations. Every music-director, be he a veteran or
novice, exploited Rafi's voice and inexhaustible talent to great effect and it was thus
that in the period preceding the 70's, the public was gifted a feast of enchanting music
that inevitably carved its way into the hearts of all- young and old, male and female.
In the early 70s Rafi's career suffered a severe reverse during which period he was grossly
neglected. But how long can genius be held back ? Once again Rafi shot back into the
limelight with- 'Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin' that fetched him the Golden Lotus and many other
awards.
At India's first Republic Day celebrations, an invitation was extended to Rafi to sing for
"only 3 minutes", But so spellbound and enraptured was the audience as the captivating voice
Few can reach the pinnacles of prosperity and glory that Rafi attained, but fewer still
could have combined it with such benevolence and modesty that he demonstrated. Tacit by
nature, in an absolutely non-controversial career, he never gave anyone a cause for a sore
feeling or thought. Rafi showed genuine appreciation for good cornpositions and there were
occasions when he even declined to accept his dues for particular compositions that
impressed him. His devout and condescending demeanour ever added to his wellwishers.
Rafi's death signifies the end of an Era when melody was sovereign. Singers of Rafi's
calibre are born once in centuries. An irreparable loss not only to India but the world
at large, the voice that cast its spell all over the world shall continue to haunt generation
s for years to come.