When I remembered Mohammed Rafi on his death anniversary, I missed him a lot

That day of 31st July 1980 is recorded as an unlucky day for Indian cinema music when the magician of velvety voice suddenly went silent while singing. The world was in love with that voice, every music and song lover was devoted to it. You must have understood that I am talking about the king of voice Mohammed Rafi Sahab, who had sung hundreds of songs in his lifetime but one song which after his demise became a hook in the throat of every music lover, that song is, 'Tum mujhe yun bhula na paaoge, jab bhi sunoge geet mere, sang sang tum bhi gungunaoge'. Let us talk about him once again, some heard, some unheard, some known, some unknown.

The date was 24 December 1924, this was the day, the year, and the month when a star was born in the Indian music world. Mohammed Rafi, who later became synonymous with melody, passion, and versatility.

Born in Kotla Sultan Singh amidst the rustic charm of Punjab, Rafi was fondly called Feeko by his family members. This child was always lost in thoughts since childhood. He was not as interested in studying as he was in music. In those days, it was difficult to have a radio in anyone's home. Therefore, people from ordinary households did not get a chance to connect with music. But it is said that where there is a will, there is a way. Mohammad Rafi's connection with music was spiritual and natural, that is why on hearing the songs of a Fakir or Pir on the road, little Rafi would run out of the house like a madman and stand on the road and automatically start following those singing Fakirs and Sadhus. He got his initial inspiration for songs from the mantras of a wandering Fakir. This raw, unfiltered music got absorbed in his soul, and then a seed was nurtured which went on to grow into a musical talent. At a very young age, he had clearly told his parents that he wanted to be in the world of music and songs. Although singing was not considered a good job in those days, Muhammad Rafi's mother (Allah Rakhi) and father (Haji Ali) heard the call of their son's heart. In those days, Haji Ali shifted from Kotla to Lahore with the whole family and was running a barber shop to make a living, but he did not stop his son from learning music. Under the tutelage of maestros like Ustad Abdul Wahid Khan, Pandit Jeevan Lal Mattoo, and Firoz Nizami, his voice became refined, melodious, and filled with the richness of the classical tradition.

At the age of just thirteen, Rafi gave his first performance on stage, which was heard and appreciated by the famous singer of that era, KL Saigal. In this way, Rafi got connected to the world of film music.

His journey in the world of playback singing began in Lahore, where his duet with Zeenat Begum for the Punjabi film "Gul Baloch" launched a great career. In those days, change was becoming rapid in the Bollywood world. Film directors and audiences too needed a fresh, modern voice. The entertainment world was looking for something new. And in such a situation, young Rafi got a chance to sing film songs.

It was a tough decision for him to move from Lahore's film world to Mumbai but he took the risk, came to Mumbai, started struggling in the Bollywood music world by living in a dirty 10x10 room in the crowded Bhindi Bazaar and finally got an offer to sing a song in his first Hindi film "Gaon Ki Gori" (1945). The naughty lyrics of the song were, "Aji dil ho kabu mein toh dildar ki aisi taisi". This song brought him into the limelight and his voice became the most sought after in the film industry.

When the praise of Rafi's voice reached Naushad sahab, what happened was that Rafi sahab sang his first song for Naushad sahab, "Hindustan ke hum hain" and then Rafi never looked back.

Rafi was not just a singer, he was a chameleon of the world of music. His repertoire of songs was a world of magic, encompassing everything from superhit Bollywood songs, and the pulsating rhythms of Punjabi folk to the ethereal beauty of classical ragas. Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, Telugu, and countless other languages ​​bowed before his vocal mastery. He sang songs not just in every Indian language but in many foreign languages ​​as well. From the classical beauty of ghazals to the jingle of dance songs, Rafi's versatility was unmatched. He transcended linguistic boundaries with ease, mesmerizing audiences with his renditions in Assamese, Konkani, Bhojpuri, English, Persian, Dutch, Spanish, Telugu, Maithili, Urdu, Gujarati, Punjabi, Marathi and Bengali. His voice was a universal language beyond geographical and cultural divides. 4,516 Hindi songs, 112 in other languages, ​​and 328 private compositions stand as a testimony to his unparalleled versatility. His voice suited the diverse characters on screen whether it was Rajendra Kumar, Dev Anand, Dilip Kumar, Sunil Dutt, Jeetendra, Rajkumar or Johnny Walker, David, Balraj Sahni, and gave them a soul, a personality. From the passionate lover to the rebellious youth, from the devout saint to the carefree traveler, Rafi's repertoire of songs was as vast as the ocean. His voice was a medium to expose the love, betrayal, loss, joy, and sorrow that raged in the human mind, touching the deepest strings of the human heart. It is the emotional resonance of these songs that truly set him apart from other contemporary singers.

His songs with Asha Bhosle, Manna Dey, and Lata Mangeshkar are immortal. His romantic voice, like the instruments in perfect harmony, created magic on the silver screen.

Everything about Rafi Sahab's professional life and work was an open book but very few people know about his personal life because he never liked to make his personal life public. There was both happiness and sorrow in his life. He was first married to Basheera Bibi in 1938 but their hearts did not match. Later he married Bilquis Bano in 1945. His second marriage gave him a loving family, a source of strength and solace.

The assassination of Mahatma Gandhi on 30 January 1948 was a tragedy that shook the nation, and Rafi's voice for Bapuji's Amar Kahani consoled the weeping masses. The touching song 'Suno Suno Ae Duniyawalon, Bapuji Ki Amar Kahani' composed overnight became a timeless tribute, earning him praise from the country's leaders. The song became a testimony to the healing and inspiring power of music.

31 July 1980) - - The outpouring of grief at his death was a living testimony to his immense popularity. More than ten thousand mourners walked along his funeral procession, a spectacular procession that reflected the grandeur of his musical legacy. The years that followed, too, saw countless tributes, a continuous celebration of a life dedicated to music.

Mohammed Rafi Sahab was bestowed with awards and accolades galore. Six Filmfare Awards, a National Film Award, a Padma Shri, and the title of 'the greatest voice of Hindi cinema' are just some of the honors that adorned his illustrious career. Yet, the true reward for Rafi was in the hearts of millions who found solace, inspiration, and joy in Rafi's music.

Mohammed Rafi was more than just a singer. He was a cultural icon, a timeless legend. His voice, a divine gift, will resonate for generations and remind us of the power of music to uplift, console, and inspire. As we mark the anniversary of his death, let us not only mourn his loss but also celebrate a life lived to the fullest, a life that continues to enrich our souls with its melody.

In the field of music, Mohammed Rafi reigned, reigns, and will reign eternally. His voice is a divine music that will always reverberate in the history of time.

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