Remembering Rafi Saab - The Romantic Genius!!!!

I have written so many blogs in the past, composed shayiris and even tried my hand at poetry but never did I think of paying a tribute to the man I idolize. Its not because of laziness or nonchalance. Even while I am writing this, I feel I dont deserve even to talk about his greatness. His contribution to music is second to none and yes...I am talking about none other than Rafi saab.

Rafi saab has been the main reason for my obsession for music. I grew up listening to his songs thanks to my mom who happens to be a huge fan of him too. I have been singing his songs from the time I was 3 years or so....that was when I gave my first stage performance too and I sang Suhani Raat Dhal Chuki from Dulaari. Since then his songs were a part of my life.

Rafi saab is the only one who can control the mood around you.The human mind submits to his voice whenever it hears him and he is the master from then. I have always been gathering little titbits of information about him and I was told that he always smiles whenever he sings. This would cheese off the music directors whenever he sings a sad song because the melancholy would not be there. But when he sings his trademark romantic songs, he was always unstoppable. This explains why he smiles in all his photos :-)...

I always envy the heroes for whom he had given his voice. Dilip Kumar and Shammi Kapoor were the most fortunate ones in this case. Almost all their songs were sung by him. Shammi Kapoor had his greatest hits with Rafi saab and his movies used to click at the box office mainly for their combination. Who can forget Ehsaan Tera Hoga Mujhpar or the naughty Tumse Achcha Kaun Hai? Shammi Kapoor had himself stated in an interview that Rafi saab was his alter ego. I shudder to think the music industry without this great man's voice.

Dilip Kumar also had his share of luck. Do Sitaaron Ka Zameen Par Hai Milan with Rafi Saab in the movie Kohinoor was a huge hit. Rarely this combination was disturbed.

Rafi saab had also given beautiful hits for Dev Anand like Abhi Naa Jaao CHodkar and Mera Mann Tera Pyaasa. I would consider even those people lucky who had his voice just for one song. If he was alive today, I would have begged him to be my voice just for a song whether the video releases or not.

He was miles ahead of his contemporaries like Mukesh and Kishore too. Listen tot he songs sung by them together or the different versions. In Amar Akbar Anthony, Rafi saab was the most melodious of the three. In songs where he had sung with Kishore, his voice had a soothing effect to the song compared to Kishore's rough voice...yup it was a superb combination nonetheless. He sang O Duniya Ke Rakhwaale flawlessly and ended up damaging his throat because of which he was out for a long time.

Rafi saab never had the luxury of modern technology something which singers today like Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghoshal enjoyed(very competent singers but they always had another chance for a mistake) but he has sung his songs perfectly in the first take and has never cribbed about re recording the song for someone else's mistake too. A man with a heart of gold, he never hesitated in helping music directors who were struggling. He even sang songs free for them when he was in dire need of money. A man who never says no to anyone.....not even to the people who wronged him repeatedly, he was forced to beg for songs in the early 70's when Kishore Kumar was ruling. Still, he showed his class by winning an award for his comeback song Teri Galiyon Mein from Hawas and then his second innings at the top started.

Sadly, it didnt last long as Rafi saab left us early. Maybe God felt he was worth much more than his place among us mere mortals. Maybe the heavens needed him more. But one dream will always be unfulfilled. I always wanted to meet him, touch his feet and get his blessings but that was never possible given the fact that he died before I was born. I did dream that I met him in the heavens, sang a couple of his songs and got his blessings then and yes, till date this has been my most cherished dream......now with the advent of remixes, his voice is fading away slowly and I only wish the future generations do not lose out.

Even today when two lovers decide to leave after spending some romantic moments, the guy says Abhi Na Jaao Chodkar Ki Dil Abhi Bhara Nahi :-)...or Abhi Humse Bachkar Kahan Jaaiyega....Jahan Jaaiyega Humein Paaiyega :-). Badan Pe Sitaare is still a rage in parties and Ehsaan Tera Hoga Mujhpar is a romantic's delight. And no matter how much modern technology has advanced or new talent comes, Rafi will still be GOD...no one can even think of coming close!!!!!!

I always listen to his songs when I go for a long drive..........am putting up my music listing(my long drive cd's) here, any suggestions are welcome

01. Love In Tokyo - O Mere Shaah-E-Khuba

02. Gharana - Husnwaale Tera Jawaab Nahi

03. Aaj Aur Kal - Yeh Waadiyaan Yeh Fizaayen Bula Rahi Hai Tujhe

04. Loafer - Aaj Mausam Bada Beimaan Hai

05. Taj Mahal - Jo Waada Kiya Woh

06. Chaudhvi Ka Chand - Chaudvi Ka Chand(My personal favourite)

07. Barsaat Ki Raat - Zindagi Bhar Nahi Bhoolenge

08. Parasmani - Woh Jab Yaad Aaye

09. Mere Mehboob - Tumse Izhaar-E-Haal Kar Baithe

10. Junglee - Ehsaan Tera Hoga Mujhpar

11. Prince - Badan Pe Sitaare

12. Teesri Manzil - Deewana Mujhsa Nahi

13. Sharabi - Kabhi Na Kabhi

14. Neel Kamal - Tujhko Pukare Mera Pyar

15. Gambler - Mera Mann Tera Pyaasa

16. Jigri Dost - Dil Mein Kya Hai

17. Hum Dono - Abhi Na Jaao Chodkar

18. Jewel Thief - Dil Pukaare

19. Haste Zakhm - Tum Jo Mil Gaye Ho

20. Karz - Dard-E-Dil

21. Yeh Raaste Hain Pyar Ke - Yeh Khamoshiyaan

22, Mere Sanam - Humdum Mere

23. Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya - Jaan-E-Bahar Husn Tera

24. Naya Daur - Uden Jab Jab Zulfein Teri

25. Hum Kisise Kum Nahi - Kya Hua Tera Vaada

26. Yaadon Ki Baaraat - Chura Liya

27. Kashmir Ki Kali - Ishaaron Ishaaron

28. Chirag - Teri Aankhon Ke Siva(Just love the lyrics)

29. Aaye Milan Ki Bela - Tum Kamsin Ho

30. Kohinoor - Do Sitaaron Ka Zameen Par