Shahid Rafi, Sonu Nigam, and Subhash Ghai Remembered Mohammad Rafi at the Cadence WWI Extravaganza

A special press meet titled "Cadence WWI Extravaganza" was recently organized. The event turned into a heartfelt musical celebration where legendary singer Mohammad Rafi’s son Shahid Rafi, renowned playback singer Sonu Nigam, and veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai came together to discuss the legacy of Mohammad Rafi and the timeless beauty of music.

The Cadence WWI Extravaganza recently became a grand celebration of music. In this press meet, Shahid Rafi (son of the legendary Mohammad Rafi), singer Sonu Nigam, and director Subhash Ghai discussed Rafi Sahab's life, his music, and the universal language of melody. The theme that opened the event was “Music has no language.”

"God Lies in Detailing" – Sonu Nigam on Rafi Sahab

During the event, Sonu Nigam paid tribute to Rafi Sahab by describing him as the embodiment of the phrase, “God lies in detailing.”
He said, “Rafi Sahab was not just a singer – he was an extraordinary blend of performance, emotion, and devotion. His voice had the power to transform words into deep emotion, even for someone who didn’t understand the language. His songs had such realism that often actors had to mold their performance to match his singing.”

“There Was No One Like Rafi Sahab”

Sonu Nigam further praised Rafi Sahab, saying, “No one ever imagined that acting could be done through singing. But Rafi Sahab proved that it could be. Even if you didn’t understand the language of the song, you could feel its essence. That was his gift.”

He also noted how Rafi Sahab’s voice perfectly suited all actors of his time — whether it was Johnny Walker, Dilip Kumar, or Shashi Kapoor — his voice carried the same magic for everyone.

Shahid Rafi Shares Personal Memories

Shahid Rafi shared some heartfelt anecdotes about his father. He recalled, “Rafi Sahab used to speak very softly. Sometimes we wouldn’t hear him properly and would ask, ‘Abba, did you say something?’ To which he’d reply jokingly, ‘Are you deaf? Can’t you hear?’”

He described his father as a very simple and humble man. “He didn’t enjoy parties. Even when he did attend, he would meet everyone quickly and leave within 5 minutes. He loved only a few things — music, kite flying, carrom, badminton, and spending time with family and kids. His lifestyle was very modest.”

When He Dined With Big B

Shahid also shared a sweet memory about Rafi Sahab’s childlike excitement: “Once he sang for superstar Amitabh Bachchan and later had a meal with him. He came home thrilled like a child and told us, ‘I had lunch with Amitabh today!’ We asked what he wore, and he described everything with joy.”

Every Song Was Close to His Heart

When asked about Rafi Sahab’s favorite songs, Shahid said he never declared any one song as his favorite, but there were a few he would always sing at live shows, such as: “Suhani Raat Dhal Chuki Na Jaane Tum Kab Aaogi” (from Dulari, 1947), “O Duniya Ke Rakhwale” (from Baiju Bawra, 1952), and “Madhuban Mein Radhika Nache Re” (from Kohinoor, 1960) — these songs were extremely close to his heart, and they continue to live on in ours as timeless classics.

Subhash Ghai Announces Scholarship in Rafi’s Name

Filmmaker Subhash Ghai announced the launch of a scholarship in the name of Mohammad Rafi to honor his musical legacy. This scholarship will be awarded annually to deserving students.

“Lata or Asha? Kishore or Rafi?” – Sonu Nigam’s Thoughtful Response

Towards the end of the event, Sonu Nigam addressed the media’s questions about comparisons in music.
He said, “Learn from every artist, but create your own identity. Music is not about comparison — it’s about devotion. Debates like ‘Who is greater — Lata or Asha? Kishore or Rafi?’ are meaningless. Everyone has their own space, and each one teaches you something. Most importantly — there’s no substitute for hard work. Like Rafi Sahab, it is sadhna (devotion) that makes you a true artist.”

This event dedicated to Mohammad Rafi was more than just a musical evening — it was a spiritual experience. An occasion where music was not just entertainment, but presented as a form of devotion and sacred art.

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Tags: best of mohammad rafi | mohammad rafi tribute | mohammad rafi song | sonu nigam concert | Subhash Ghai Foundation