Tum Mujhe Yun Bhula Na Paaoge
The strains of the itinerant fakir’s chants wafted across the gentle summer air of a hamlet in Amritsar. They had done so, day after day, from time immemorial. But, to an impressionable ten-year-old, the chants were special. He would hum along, and into the day, long after the vagrant’s croons had died into the distance. A dozen or so years before the partition, Pheeko and his folks would migrate to Lahore, where, thanks to a brother-in-law with a keen eye for talent, the boy would learn classical music from maestros Ustad Abdul Wahid Khan, Pandit Jiwanlal Matto and Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan.
A serendipitous opportunity to sing in a KL Saigal concert at the age of 13 and a chance to do vocals for the Punjabi film Gul Baloch in 1941 preceded the inevitable – an offer for a Hindi film, Gaon Ki Gori. Soon, Mumbai beckoned. Many films and hits followed, putting Pheeko on the path to stardom. He had already collaborated with that maestro of a music director, Naushad. But it took a Baiju Bawra in 1952 to catapult both of them to stratospheric heights of fame, and to cement a partnership that would rule the charts of Hindi film music through the ‘50s and a better part of the ‘60s. Pheeko lent his voice for nearly every composer on the horizon. His associations with music directors OP Nayyar, SD Burman, Shankar Jaikishan, Madan Mohan and with singers Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle, all legends in their own right, are the stuff of fairytales. Time was when a Pheeko song meant the film was guaranteed to be a blockbuster, regardless of the film-maker, story and cast. He even sang for several nondescript film-makers, sometimes in exchange for pittances.
Without a shadow of doubt, any language would fall short of adjectives in describing the qualities that make Pheeko’s voice magical. The pathos of O duniya ke rakhwaale, the relentless pain of Rang aur noor ki baaraat, the lilting romance of Teri Aankhon ke siva, the gay abandon of Aaja Aaja mein huun paar tera, the sensuousness of Na ja kahin ab na ja, the chaste classicism of Man tarpat hari darshan ko, his is a voice that can convey a million emotions.
With a body of work too stupendous to make even a superficial dent on in this column, and a vocal range more all-encompassing than just three octaves, Pheeko touched the heartstrings of the pamara and the pandita alike.
They say his golden voice was lost three decades ago. I say we have yet to find it in its entirety. They say Pheeko died on that inauspicious day 30 years ago. I say he merely merged into eternity. No, Pheeko didn’t die. Pheekos never die.
Oh, and before I forget, Pheeko charted the path to immortality as Mohammed Rafi. And on this day, I cannot but help quote Anand Bakshi from what was Rafi’s last recorded song -
Tere aane kee aas hai dost,
Shaam phir kyon udaas hai dost?
Mehkee mehkee fizaa
Yeh kehtee hai tu kahin aas paas hai dost…
[Note: Guest writer Vinod Raman is anagram maker by day, crossword setter by night, old Hindi film music buff by day and night, software development manager the rest of the time. He blogs at Chiaroscuro but is mostly disseminating information (within) 140 characters at a time on Twitter.]
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haider 786 on August 7, 2010 at 6:18 pm
jane wale khabhi lot ke nahi aate.
jane walon ki yaad aati hai.
dil ek mandir hai.pyar ki jismein hoti hai puja yeh sapno ka mandir hai.
haider shaikh bombay boy
Ashik Hameed on August 5, 2010 at 1:08 pm
Mohd rafi saab ” awaaz ki pharishtha”. Rafi saab paased away but his voice will never pass away from peoples mind.Ever green voice and songs.generation to generation ,decades to decades his voice will stay alive.
viju on August 5, 2010 at 10:56 am
we all miss u sir
SIDDIQUI on August 5, 2010 at 9:27 am
Md. Rafi’s BABUL KI DUAEN was not only appreciated but made so many souls, including our first Prime Minister, emotional.Although Rafi saheb did collect numerous awards in his life but the government was perhaps not too emotional and a bit miser to confer him with the highest degree the BHARAT RATNA
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S.SUDHA on August 2, 2010 at 11:10 am
One in a hundred borns a brave person, A Scholar is born one in a thousand, a good spokes person is born one in ten thousand, but Mohammad rafi has still not come back.
My heartfelt thanks to the almighty for giving us a chance to relish his lovely songs till date and everafter.
Fit to Post: Yahoo! India News » Blog Archive FTP Recap 8 – The Week That Was « on August 1, 2010 at 4:20 pm
[...] We also remembered iconic musician, singer and guru involving all things music, Mohammed Rafi, as we celebrated his 30th death anniversary last week in the post, Tum Mujhe Yun Bhula Na Paaoge. [...]
Krishnan on August 1, 2010 at 2:50 pm
Rafi’s velvety voice will serenade us and the generations to come.
Mona Roy on August 1, 2010 at 10:14 am
Mohhd Rafi’s songs are music what life sounds like. Rafi Saab’s unforgettable songs give me back my childhood. I used to listen every evening that unforgettable program for soldiers on Radio. All songs sung bu Rafi Saheb was so popular among our brothers and energize all solders. His voice, his style, his songs are all immortal. We are lucky enough to live in his periode of grace and love.
SALUTE to My Legend Unforgettable Rafi Saheb .
Nerurkar on August 1, 2010 at 9:58 am
We can not evaluate Mohammad Rafi we are too small for that. But still I feel that he was the greatest actor in singing capable of singing songs of every mood and for all ages. Melody which has been the core of Hindustani Music and which is becoming rare day by day Mohammad Rafis songs will remain a boon to those who loves and respects him
Govindraj Joshi on August 1, 2010 at 9:56 am
Mohd. Rafi.. the Legend!!!
He still remains my favorite singer!!! Hazaaro saal me kahin ek baar shaayad aisa gaayak paida hota hain…
He is incomparable with any generations (before and after)!!!
Rafi sahab truely deserves the INDIA’s highest honor. The BHARAT RATNA… Though, our greedy Government haven’t honored him, WE THE AAM JANATA OF MAHAN “BHARAT” have HONORED HIM AS “RATNA”…
krunal kakkad on August 1, 2010 at 9:47 am
Rafi saheb is very next to God for me, not only he undoubtedly the greatest singer on planet,but also the best ever human being i have heard, a complete artiste though not here phisically but he will be within us through his art till this world, i also consider him as my guru because i got the recognition as voice of Rafi. I salute the “Sartaj Of sur” and pray that his melodious voice heals my soul everyday and i always be among the biggest fan of SAHEB through my excusive and unique collection of BHARAT RATNA MOHD RAFI…!Krunal kakkad,radhanpur ,(DIST:PATAN) Gujarat.
Ibrahim Khan on August 1, 2010 at 9:31 am
He WAS and IS incomparabe:
Hazaron saal nargis apni benoori pe roti hai
Badi mushkil se hota hai chaman mein deedawar paida
Balwinder Singh on August 1, 2010 at 9:24 am
Rafi’s songs use to take one on a journey to heaven with heart simmering, eyes wet and feet tapping.No less then meditation.Ragas of Indian music makes the songs just matchless.In the flood of love we remain as long as we listen to sahib.Believe me it is equivalent to sacred mantras.
Mohammad Shafi on August 1, 2010 at 9:20 am
Gunjate hain tere nagamow se ameero k mahal
Garibow k jhupadow may bhi teri awaz hai’
Apni mausaki pe sab ko fakar hota hai magar,
Mohammad Rafi aaj bhi mausaki ko tuz pe naaz hai.
Yes Mohammad Rafi was a legendry singer 30 years have passed Rafi saheb’s death still his songs are as fresh as morning air.
D.Visvanathan on August 1, 2010 at 9:03 am
Can any other song be equated with ” YEY MERA PREMA PATRA PADUKAR KE THUM NARAS NA HONA ” of Sangam ? It is immortal because of Ravi’s golden voice and the crystal clear background of the orchestra.Ravi is a singer for time immemorial.
syeda on August 1, 2010 at 8:51 am
be it bhajans,quwwalis,ghazala,light songs, sad songs,sufiana,club songs,comedy songs,classical songs you name it, he has sung them all with excellence……a real true singer
firoz on August 1, 2010 at 8:04 am
I totally agree that its very disappointed Mhod.Rafi sb.not received BHARAT RATAN AWARD from Indian Govt.But as an Indian we always treat Mohd.Rafi sb. as a BHARAT RATAN.
RIYAZ AHMED SHAIKH on August 1, 2010 at 8:01 am
Rafi Saab will rule our hearts with his unforgettable songs forever. My cheeks were wet with tears without my knowledge when I heard of his demise.Three decades have passed but can anyone forget him. There can be no other Rafi. His songs really lift my mood and lowers my high blood pressure. He is a real gem of our country. Why not Bharat Ratna be conferred on him posthumously? He has lent his velvety voice to so many heroes, comedians, character artists and even villains. Many artists shot to fame purely portraying his voice on the silver screen. Is there anyone who can even imitate his voice to perfection today? I have a good collection of his songs which soothe me in this fast and furious world. I cannot believe he is no more with us. His voice is eternal and will entertain this world till the Doom’s day. Mohammad Rafi tujhe lakhon Salaam. May Almighty give him the highest place in heaven. Aameen.
KULDIP SINGH MAHL on August 1, 2010 at 7:50 am
The soul of AMRITSAR is a very special with the blessing of Guru’s, pir, faqirs and bhagwan etc. and produced so many gems whose lighted the India as well as world, and the Mohammad Rafi was one of them a kohenoor heera. Sorry, alas; he is no more as phisically with us but his voice is forever with us. God may rest in peace.
karasu on August 1, 2010 at 4:11 am
His songs in Mere mehboob will always remain the greatest.He has sung many songs which are legend. His wonderful voice was well harnessed by the great music directors like Naushad,shankar-Jaikishan etc.His voice will remain on this earth for ever
Vaseem on August 1, 2010 at 2:29 am
HI all,
First of all we all miss Rafi saheb…!Lets pray that all mighty GOD rest his soul in peace…………!
I am mad about his voice.. My cousin brother who is a singer,Have sang in many Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi movies like Rang-de-Basanti,Jodha Akbar and lot’s more—————-> his name is Mohammed Aslam he try’s to sing like Peekho aka Rafi Saheb…
if he is successful in his life we will have one more legend like Rafi saheb.
“A salute to Rafi Saheb, who is one of the India’s greatest singing maestro”.
nizam on August 1, 2010 at 2:27 am
Rafi Sahab is undoubtedly a Shanshah of Indian Music, who still lives in the hearts and minds of Music lovers. His melodious voice, singing style, emotion and precision is uncomparable and Rafi Sahab will still be a Pioneering Ambassador of golden voice and Guide in the music world for years to come…..!!
AMINA SADAF on August 1, 2010 at 1:10 am
Jaanee walee khabi nahi aatee jaanee walee ki yaad aathi hai . He will be remember for ever. it is shame on the part of the Govt of India for not awarding RAFI SAHIB with BHARAT RATNA. He should be awarded. MAY ALLAH BLESS HIS SOUL JANNAH. AMEEN.
Ashamenon on August 1, 2010 at 12:17 am
Rafi Saab We still remember u and love u. After u left many came. But your throne remains unoccupied.Even the younger generation adore you