Mohammed Rafi:  A Tribute

             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.

---