Today, July 31, is the death anniversary of one the best singers (the best,
acc. to me) ever produced by the Indian film industry: MOHAMMED RAFI. It's been 14 years
since Rafi Sahab left us, and yet his songs are as popular as they ever were during his
lifetime.
As a tribute to my favourite singer, I am posting the typewritten version
of a special Jaimala program presented by the Shehanshah-e-Mausiqui, Naushad Sahab, in the
memory of Mohammed Rafi.
Jaimala is a popular Vividh Bharati program for "Fauji Bhai"s and
the Vishesh Jaimala used to be presented by a famous (usually film) personality.
Although Rafi Sahab sang under the baton of almost all music directors of
the Hindi film industry, his association with Naushad was special. Naushad was
instrumental in grooming this highly talented singer, although he modestly says that he
"merely showed Rafi the right direction".
Here's the special Jaimala program which I have translated into English
from the original Urdu version. The beauty of Naushad's refined Urdu is certainly lost in
the translation, but I hope you will enjoy reading what the legendary music director has
to say regarding Mohammed Rafi, the singer and the person. Portions which cud not be
translated properly have been left in the original language. All errors in translation are
mine.
May Rafi Sahab's soul rest in peace.
Sami Mohammed (A MOHAMMED RAFI fan)
Fauji bhaion ko Naushad ka salaam!
[Unfortunately, the initial statements made by Naushad in the program got
erased from my cassette by mistake. Naushad recollects the moment when Rafi Sahab had
first approached him with a letter of recommendation from someone]
It was recommended that this young man, who possesses a beautiful voice, be
given a chance to sing. I heard the young man sing a song or two and was highly impressed.
I told him that one day he would become a great singer and asked him to keep in touch.
During the initial stages, I let the young man be a part of a chorus, and I think one such
chorus Hindustan ke hum hain, Hindustan humara....
might still be embedded in your memories. Later, in the film Dillagi, I had the
opportunity to use his voice exclusively in a solo. As if it were predestined, this song
became immensely popular throughout the country. This was my first song (solo) with him.
With this song, Rafi Sahab not only carved a niche for himself, but also added a new
dimension to my music.
Tere kooche me armaanon ki duniya leke aaya hun Tujhi par jaan
dene ki tammanna leke aaya hun
After that, Rafi Sabab never looked back. He earned respect and his
popularity touched the sky. The magic of his voice enthralled the whole world. His
popularity, respect and wealth all increased tremendously, YET he ALWAYS remained modest.
Like a fruit-bearing tree, the more he fructified, the more he bent in front of the world.
His heart was filled with fear of God and the love for truth. Generosity and altruism were
part of his system. God and truth were the only sources of inspiration for him. And he
always used to say "Tum yahan jaisa karoge waisa bharoge, ye duniya ek mandir
hai":
Insaaf ka mandir hai ye, Bhagwan ka ghar hai.....
Here's an anecdote which aptly desribes his altruistic nature. My
relationship with him had grown from a professional to an informal one. Once he had to go
to a foreign country for a live performance. He came up to me to seek advice: "Main
bahar se koi aisi cheez lana chata hun jo GHareebon ke kaam aae". I suggested that he
bring a dialysis machine and donate it to a hospital for the benefit of poor
kidney patients who could not afford the medical costs. He liked the idea, but the foreign
trip did not materialize due to some reason. However, this incident left a permanent mark
of his altruistic nature on my heart. I cannot describe how great a person Rafi Sahab was.
These are the small things which make a man immortal. For instance, people may forget
Shahjehan, but his legacy of love, the Taj Mahal will be remembered forever. Log Shahjehan
ko bhool sakte hain, lekin uski mohabbat ki nishani, Taj Mahal ki soorat me quayamat tak
zinda rahegi:
Ek
shahenshah ne banwaake hasin Taj Mahal Saari Duniya ko mohabbat ki nishani di hai Iske
saae me sada pyaar ke charche honge Quatm jo ho na sakegi woh kahani di hai...
Rafi Sahab adored Indian music (Bharateey Sangeet). He used to like singing
semi-classical songs in his live programs. He always tried to make an attempt to propagate
Indian music in foreign countries. For instance, whenever he sang "Madhuban me
radhika nache...", he ALWAYS used to mention that it is based on Raag Hamir.
Similarly, Raag Darbari would be mentioned before singing "O duniya ke
rakhwaale...". In this manner, irrespective of whether the people understood the
lyrics or not, they always appreciated Indian music. The following bhajan of his, which is
based on Raag Malkaus, was admired throughout
the world:
Hari Om.... Man tarapat Hari darshan ko aaj Man tarapat Hari
darshan ko aaj...
Fauji Bhaio, it is your duty to safeguard the security of our country. In a
similar fashion, it is the duty of us sangeetkars, to safeguard our traditional music and
art. Not only that, it is also our duty to entertain you and raise your morale in times of
crisis. In 1962, when our country was attacked by the enemy, a request was made in the
presence of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, that a song be composed in order to boost the morale
of our soldiers. So, Shakeel Badayuni Sahab penned down the lyrics, I composed the tune,
and Rafi Sahab poured his heart out into this song in such a manner that whoever heard it
was filled with patriotic fervour! Later, this song was included in the film, Leader:
Apni aazaadi ko hum hargiz mita sakte nahin Sar kata sakte hain
lekin, sar jhuka sakte nahin Apni aazaadi ko hum hargiz mita sakte nahin.....
Once,
while Rafi Sahab and I were discussing a song, we were informed that Mukesh had breathed
his last in America. Rafi Sahab was stunned. The only words which he uttered were Hai kitna achha gayak, kitna achha insaan, kitna pyaara saathi chala
gaya. Some child switched on the radio at that time, and
can you guess the song which was on then ?:
Chale aaj tum jahaan se, hui zindagi paraaee Tumhe mil gaya
Thikaana, hume maut bhi na aaee.... O door ke musafir, humko bhi saath lele re Humko bhi
saath lele, hum reh gae akele......
Rafi Sahab had gone through a lot of trouble and had made countless
sacrifices on his way to the top. But, alas! He had attained a position at which death
itself envied him and wanted to make him it's own:
Mushkilen sangeet ki woh muskurakar jhelta
Tairta raagon ki lehron me, suron se khelta
BaRke Ganga jal se bhi pakeezah tar aakar thi
Uski har tarkeeb mausiqui ka ek shahkaar thi
Gayaki me uski beshak ek niraali shaan thi
Saaf pani ki tarah behti hui har taan thi
Dekhkar ye kaamyaabi muskura uthi ajal (ajal = death)
Pargae sab raag pheeke, ho gaya funkaar shal (shal = silent, still)
Gir para chashm-e-falak se sitara Tootkar
Ek naqsha ranj-o-Gham ka khinch gaya pesh-e-nazar
Bujh gaee phir shamma mehfil me andhera ho gaya
Zindagi ka taar Toota aur taraana so gaya
One day we received the shocking news of Rafi Sahab's demise. The sad news
spread like wild fire throughout the country. Songs turned into a dirge. The angels wept
in the sky and tears were shed in the form of raindrops over his namaaz-e-janaza (funeral
prayer). His funeral procession started amid heavy rain and thunder. People gathered on
the top of buildings, trees and in windows to catch a last glimpse of their favourite
singer. The procession reached the Juhu graveyard. Many famous film personalities were
trying their best to control the crowd which had gathered to pay it's last respects to the
voice which had warmed their hearts for decades. A voice which had become a part of their
lives. Millions of eyes were watching one single glowing face; eyes which belonged not to
any religion, caste or creed. And perhaps, that glowing face was saying this:
Main TooTi hui ek nayya hun, mujhe chahe jidhar le jaao Ji
chaahe dubodo maujon me, ya saahil par le jaao Main TooTi hui ek nayya hun, mujhe chahe
jidhar le jaao..
Finally, the mortal body was interred in the same dust from which it was
initially made. Log keh rahe the ek achha gayak chala gaya; ek achha insaan chala gaya.
Koi keh raha tha ek achha dost chala gaya, aur main quabrastan (graveyard) ke ek hisse me
sonch raha tha:
Kehta hai koi dil gaya, dilbar chala gaya,
Saahil pukarta hai, samundar chala gaya,
Lekin jo baat sach hai, woh kehta nahin koi,
duniya se mausiqui ka paembar chala gaya !!! (paembar = messenger)
Dust had returned to dust, and all that we were left with were sweet
memories.
Har dil me bhaRakta hua woh saaz hai baaqui Woh jism nahin hai magar aawaaz
hai baaqui !!
Ohoho, ho ho ho Aaj puraani raahon se, koi mujhe aawaaz na de
Aaj puraani raahon se, koi mujhe aawaaz na de Dard me doobe geet na de, GHam ka sisakta
saaz na de Dard me doobe geet na de, GHam ka sisakta saaz na de
Swargeeya gayak Mohammed Rafi ki yaad me, aaj ka vishesh Jaimala prastut
kar rahe the, film jagat ke suprassidh sangeetkaar, Naushad.
Sami Mohammed (A MOHAMMED RAFI fan) |