MOHAMED RAFI: THE VERSATILE GENIOUS

It is over 25 years since Mohammad Rafi passed away (July 31, 1980), but his voice continues to haunt us even today. After all, he's left behind a rich legacy -- of songs sung by him over 35 years.

Rafi's voice, ranging from the melancholic to the boisterous, was such that it suited every mood and every occasion in films. His is one voice that has been imitated the most: to be called a Rafi clone is actually regarded as a compliment by most newcomers. Yet, no one has been able to recreate the Rafi magic. Perhaps, no one can. At best, each of these singers has been able to imitate just one aspect of his voice. But nobody possesses the versatility that Rafi did.

The singers that comes the closest to Rafi is Sonu Nigam, Debashish DasGupta, and Vipin Sachdeva and Bankin Pathak.

In spite of his success, Rafi remained an extremely quiet and reserved person. Many of his admirers could not fathom how such a low-profile man sounded so flamboyant in some of his songs. His son Shahid recalls, "When we asked him whether he had actually sung the 'yahoo' number, he just smiled and nodded. We kept asking him, 'how did you sing this song?' But he wouldn't expand on the subject. It was difficult for us to imagine a gentle person like him shouting out that yahoo." Perhaps, it was Rafi's humility and willingness to learn that made him such a great singer.

Maybe if he was alive today he might have been collecting royalty from "Yahoo"


next the early years

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anadda thousand page thread

wha happening deh asj...spin us some nice Rafi tunes bai

Bhaiya asj..
i can wait fuh u and freaky fuh post de songs !!!!!!!!!
the top 2 of my ALL time favorite songs r
SAU SAAL PEHLE
JO VADA KIYA


nah furget
HUM INTEZAR KARENGE
ZINDAGI BHAR NAHI BHULUNGI
CHAUDVInd KA CHAND HU

oh ..
i can go ona and on..DOSTI songs!!!

Whats up Bro, coming up in due course...........June/July will be dedicated by fans all over the worrld to Mohd Rafi:
Maybe you can put in some of your selections:

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yeah bhaiya..
im workingonline..
would be nice to listen to dem songs now!!!!!!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by raymond:
anadda thousand page thread

I promise you that if it reaches 10,000 we will archieves, our range is like about 5000.

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quote:

Originally posted by lynn:
yeah bhaiya..
im workingonline..
would be nice to listen to dem songs now!!!!!!!!!!

Sis bear with me, coming up shortly,

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MOHAMED RAFI: THE VERSATILE GENIOUS

Rafi was born in a small village called Kotla Sultan Singh near Amritsar in December 1924. His family shifted to Lahore when he was still a baby. A fakir used to come to their locality in Lahore every day and sing. The young Rafi was so fascinated by him that he used to follow him around. His elder brother Hamid was aware of Rafi's love for music and encouraged it. "In fact," says music director Naushad, "A lot of credit for Rafi's success must go to Hamid who knocked on several doors and tried everything to ensure that his brother got work.''

In Lahore, Rafi started taking music lessons from Ustad Wahid Khan. One day Rafi and Hamid had gone to attend a performance by K L Saigal. But the legendary singer refused to sing since there was a power failure at the venue. Hamid went up to the organiser and asked if his brother could sing to keep the audience quiet. That was Rafi's first public performance -- at the age of 13. As it turned out, the setting was just right for him. Among the audience sat noted composer Shyamsunder who was so impressed that he invited the young Rafi to come to Bombay. Hamid brought him to Bombay without telling their father why they were going. Their mother, however, knew about it and blessed them.

continues.........

quote:

Originally posted by asj:

quote:

Originally posted by lynn:
yeah bhaiya..
im workingonline..
would be nice to listen to dem songs now!!!!!!!!!!

Sis bear with me, coming up shortly,

.

lol
thanks bro
me lil impatient nah??

MOHAMED RAFI: THE VERSATILE GENIOUS

Before we go further, I will spin this one, it is from the movie Baiju Bawra, this songs is actually the one that gave Mohd Rafi much prominence. Every Rafi imitator try to imitate the master with this song some did a remarkably good job, but in their rendering of this song, one can definately note the trouble and effort it took; but in listening to the Master; take in the ease, the soothing and melodious voice, that effortless keeps coming at you like majic: Fantastic final moment of this song.

O DUNIYA KAY RAKHWALAY..................BAIJU BAWRA: 1952

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nice rendition....painfully sad!!

quote:

Originally posted by lynn:
nice rendition....painfully sad!!

Went to another source, as the first source there were scratches in the sound, please tell what you think of this other source. Sound at my end like a better recording.

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MOHAMED RAFI: THE VERSATILE GENIOUS

The Early years

But things were difficult in Bombay. The brothers had very little money. They lived in Bhendi Bazaar and walked every day to the studio in Dadar to meet Shyamsunder. They had filled two pillow cases with chana (gram) and lived off it for days. Finally, they did meet Shyamsunder who, as promised, gave Rafi a song in the Punjabi film Gulbaloch. His second film was a Hindi one, Gaon Ki Gori.

Naushad Ali was one of the first composers to work with Rafi. He narrates an endearing story. "When I heard Rafi, I liked his voice and promised him work in future. I was already doing a film called Shahjehan with Saigal. Rafi, who was a fan of Saigal, came to me with a request: that it was his greatest desire to sing with Saigal. I gave him one line in the song Roohi roohi mere sapno ki rani," recalls Naushad. "The first full song he sang for me was in Anmol Ghadi -- it went like Tera khilona toota balak..." he adds. "Then again he sang for me in Dillagi: Is duniya mein aye dilwalon dil ka lagana khel nahin and Tere koonche main armanon ki duniya leke aaya hoon."

continues.........

quote:

Originally posted by asj:

quote:

Originally posted by lynn:
nice rendition....painfully sad!!

Went to another source, as the first source there were scratches in the sound, please tell what you think of this other source. Sound at my end like a better recording.

.

\
asj bhai..
u forgot to post the 2nd one!!!!!

nice write up on Rafi..things I didnt know about the Maestro!!!!!!!!

Baiju Bawara is the about the extraordinary journey of an ordinary man Baijnath, who has vengeance against the great singer Tansen, the official court singer of the emperor Akbar. His only goal in life is to defeat Tansen in an authentic royal face off. He comes to a village and learns music from a great musician. he falls in love with his childhood friend Gouri. They have barriers that separate them. Baijnath is forced to leave the village, he meets the Guru who had trained Tansen himself and masters his skill. Finally, he meets Tansen and wins in the Jugal Bandhi.
Bai
The story is lengthy with lots of twists and melodramatic events. The performances are all animated and old school. The actor who plays Tansen gives a pretty good performance. Bharat Bhushan is okay. Meena Kumari is really good.

The outstanding traditional and Classical music by Noushad needs special mention. Baiju Bawara features some of the greatest songs by Mohammed Rafi and Lata Mageshkar. The melodies are simply haunting. "O Duniya ke rakhwale", "Insaan Bano", "Mohe Bhool gaye sawariya" and "Tu Ganga ki Mouj me" are timeless classics of Hindi cinema.
Big names in this film: Mohd Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar, Naushad, Meena Kumari:


Another Classic by Mohd Rafi from the film Baiju Bawra: Persons that frequent Jags, Hindu Religious Functions and listens to Kirtan singing, will connect with this one, a light Classical


MAN TARPAT HARI DARSHAN KO AAJ..................BAIJU BAWRA: (1952)
Just like the masters before him, he has proved at a yooung age "a find indeed"

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MOHAMED RAFI: THE VERSATILE GENIOUS

After this, Rafi became very popular and started getting work from other music directors as well. But it was left to Naushad to explore the wide range of Rafi's voice. The film was Baiju Bawra, the song O duniya ke rakhwale sun dard bhare mere nale. Naushad discovered that in an era when low octave singing was the norm, Rafi had a phenomenal range, and yet, he never sounded out of tune.

continues......

next we will spin an older song than 1952; how about 1947:

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Most of us was not even born yet in 1949; but we can still connect with this one


SUHANI RAAT......................DULARI (1949)

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SUHANI RAAT......................DULARI (1949)

(Suhaani raat dhal chuki
The lovely night has descended
Na jaane tum kab aaoge) - 2
I don't know when you will come
Jahan ki rut badal chuki
The world's climate has changed
Na jaane tum kab aaoge
I don't know when you will come

Nazaarein apni mastiyaan dikha dikhaake so gaye
The sights have shown their madness and gone to sleep
Sitaarein apni roshni luta lutaake so gaye
The stars have thrown out their shine and gone to sleep
Har ek shamma jal chuki
Each and every lamp has burned out
Na jaane tum kab aaoge
I don't know when you will come
Suhaani raat dhal chuki
The lovely night has descended
Na jaane tum kab aaoge
I don't know when you will come

Tadap rahe hai hum yahan
I am suffering here
Tadap rahe hai hum yahan tumhaare intezaar mein
I am suffering here in your wait
Tumhaare intezaar mein
In your wait
(Fiza ka rang aa chala hai
The atmosphere's color has come
Mausam-e-bahaar mein) - 2
In the spring season
Mausam-e-bahaar mein
In the spring season
Hawa bhi rukh badal chuki
The wind has also changed face
Na jaane tum kab aaoge
I don't know when you will come
Suhaani raat dhal chuki
The lovely night has descended
Na jaane tum kab aaoge
I don't know when you will come


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MOHAMED RAFI: THE VERSATILE GENIOUS

Shammi Kapoor acknowledges that Rafi had a lot to do with his success. "It was amazing the way Rafisaab adapted himself to what I wanted him to do. I used to be terribly involved with my songs and go for all the recordings. I used to make it clear how I wanted a certain line sung and Rafisaab always responded," says Kapoor. He cites an instance. "I remember when the song Tareef karoon kya uski (in Kashmir Ki Kali) was being recorded, I wanted the signature line Tareef karoon to be repeated till it reached a crescendo. O P Nayyar, the composer and a friend of mine, objected. He thought it would sound boring. But suddenly, Rafisaab spoke up and said 'I would like to do it the way the boy wants it because I know what he wants,' " Kapoor remembers. When the film was released, the song was a big hit. Nayyar hugged Kapoor and congratulated him for his foresight, but the actor maintains "it was possible only because Rafisaab had taken the song to such a pitch and had sung each repetition in a different style." He adds, with a touch of pride, "Though Rafisaab sang for all the actors -- be it Dilip Kumar or Johnny Walker -- he was especially identified with me. Some songs sungs by him and picturised on Joy Mukherjee and Biswajeet were actually my kind of songs. Baharon phool barsao, Pukarta chala hoon main or Teri pyari pyari surat ko -- these were my songs, sung in Rafi's special style for me. I remember when he sang Main gaoon tum so jaao for Brahmachari, I told him how I wanted him to sing one particular line. When he saw the picturisation he came and kissed my hand and said, 'it's very beautiful, why didn't I think of that?' "

continues..........

MOHAMED RAFI: THE VERSATILE GENIOUS


APNI ANKHON SAY BASAKAR....................THOKAR

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MOHAMED RAFI: THE VERSATILE GENIOUS


CHALE THEY SAATH MILKE..............HASEENA MAAN JAYENGAY


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MOHAMED RAFI: THE VERSATILE GENIOUS

YEH DUNIYA YEH MEHFIL......................HEER RANJHA

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MOHAMED RAFI: THE VERSATILE GENIOUS


PARDESIYON SE NA AKHEYON MILANA............JAB JAB PHOOL KHILE

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This message has been edited. Last edited by: asj,

These are some of my favorite Rafi songs:

Tum Bin Jaao Kahan

Wadiya Mera Daman

Gulabi Aakhen

My favorite duet:

Ni Sultana Re

]

Yeh Zulf Agar

Janewalo zara
[URL=http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/kU2moBJ3R9.As1NMvHdW/]
http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/kU2moBJ3R9.As1NMvHdW/

Rahi Manwa


http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/7qpmIBKkPS.As1NMvHdW/

Dil Mein Chhupa Ke

http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/bUOmu40wVt.As1NMvHdW/

Khoya Khoya Chand http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/NVQmUMWndd.As1NMvHdW/

Baharon Phool Barsao
http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/_Bfm9SQlOt.As1NMvHdW/

Teri Pyari Pyari
http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/zsbmJI0kBt.As1NMvHdW/



http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/wVpm0yDEGS.As1NMvHdW/ Tum Mujhe Yun



http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/PqfmHh.PHd.As1NMvHdW/ o sanam tere ho gaye hum



http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/05fmNfvxst.As1NMvHdW/ Raat Suhani



http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/G5Km2e0.A9.As1NMvHdW/ aaj mausam bada



http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/Q5Omc69ubt.As1NMvHdW/ Do Sitaron Ka Zamin Par

Meri Mohabbat Sada Rahegi


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Mere Bechain Dil Ko


http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/rJXmZQm4_d.As1NMvHdW/

Aaj Puranee Rahon Se


http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/1JOmqZeTnd.As1NMvHdW/

Mere Mitwa Mere Meet Re


http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/oUmmiEaHAt.As1NMvHdW/

Mere Huzoor


http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/A5ImX_01DS.As1NMvHdW/

Janam Janam Ka Saath Hai


http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/NWOmEDNwxS.As1NMvHdW/

Rangat Teri Surat Si


http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/XBfmfQZwpd.As1NMvHdW/

Aaj Ki Raat Mere


http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/G5vm0WNjy9.As1NMvHdW/

Yeh Mera Prem Patra


http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/3Wfmeh42-d.As1NMvHdW/

Aasman Se Aaya Farishta


http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/r4fmiF.WtS.As1NMvHdW/

Ehsan Tera Hoga Mujh Par


http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/jVbmOVJ.tt.As1NMvHdW/


jab jab bhar ayee


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Koi Bata De Dil


http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/_r2mAhJj-t.As1NMvHdW/

Likhta Hai Woh Taqdeer
http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/a6fmXihW2d.As1NMvHdW/

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MOHAMED RAFI: THE VERSATILE GENIOUS

Everyone should have an album of these collections after put together:
Some of the songs that were posted by Ri and Lynn are very welcome, will try to see if I can come up with these in MP3's so that it will be easier to put in one collection and easier to put on CD's:


WADIYAN MERA DAAMAN..............ABHILASHA

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