Mohd Rafi and Statue of Mahatma Gandhi

So friends I am doing one thing from my side, I am renaming Mohd Rafi Sahab to Mr. Rafi Gandhi, I am hopeful after this change our government will listen to us as Gandhi surname is the synonymous of being patriot and every Gandhi automatically qualify to get a Bharat Ratna,

Bharat Ratna awards has to be given to people who has done something substantial in their life which may have impacted country or people around them. But history has proved that it normally given based on your birth location, your community belongings and yes for the people who may not be so so popular because popular means ‘cheap’ in our intellectual class.

Just went through the list of Bharat Ratna award holders from history and I was surprised to see so many names which are there for just ‘academic’ purpose…. and for the information I saw Lata Ji’s name in the list, I was again wondering what Lata ji has done to music industry which Mohd Rafi has not done during his around 30 year career (cut short due to sudden demise)… upon some research I found that Shiv Sena and NCP was the main force behind that government decision at that time.

I must clarify that I am not questioning why it has been given to Lata ji, She deserve it (Not hate campaign please)… but I am asking a question why it was not given to Rafi Sahab who is still one of the most ‘played/listened’ singer even after 31 years of his death.

Do you know Rafi, Kishore, Mukesh trilogy still rules the radio and around the world Indian music still known by them (Lata ji includes in this but I am not including her in my list because she already got this award)….

ON this website, I decided that I will never ever write any controversial things but today I am not able to hold myself. so instead of doing bad mouthing about system, I am resorting to this trick.. currently Congress lead government is ruling country, may be a ‘Gandhi’ name can ‘awake’ them.

… But at the same time I am getting little worried as Next govt may not be of congress in that case a Gandhi name can be a ‘Ajaab’….. Lets see.

(Sorry for my bad language as it just came unplanned and I am not a native English speaker)

He is going to give his tribute to Rafi Sahab on AIR FM Gold in Mumbai at 8:30 AM onwards. Listen to this gem radio presenter who has lent his voice to many programs like Chayaa geet, Independence Day parade etc.

He sent me first hand account of his experience. Here I am reproducing the exact text which Mr. Dixit has written.

I think that i am a luckiest person on this earth because i got the fortunate to visit “KOTLA SULTAN SING, AMRITSAR”, the birth place of our beloved “Rafi Sahab”.
In the morning of 15th october i reached AMRITSAR from LUCKNOW by “punjab mail(3005)”. From there i reached to MAJITHA TOWN(20 km from Amritsar) by a bus and from there i  went to village “KOTLA SULTAN SINGH(5 KM from Majitha town) by same bus fortunately.
After reaching the village i met with GURBIR SAMRA ji and his family.House of Gurbir ji is at the same place where was the house of RAFI SAHAB.
After some time i met with the childhood friend of RAFI SAHAB, MR. KUNDAN SINGH JI. He is now 85 years old but his memory is so good and he remembered every moment he passed with RAFI SAHAB.
He told me when RAFI SAHAB left the village in 1937, Rafi Sahab marked his name on a tree with a knife for him.
He also told me that  “ALI MOHD. SAHAB” the father of RAFI SAHAB, was able to prepare the RICE with 7 different color in 7 layer in marriages.
He told that name of Father in law of RAFI SAHAB was “MR. DEEN MOHD. & mother in law as “MRS. NAWABO” and RAFI SAHAB married with “BASHEERA JI” in 1945.
According to KUNDAN SINGH ji, a saint was there in his village who generally visited his village and played “SARANGI”. The wonder is this that he called the person’s(Villager’s)  name by his “SARANGI” and sang in very sweet voice. Rafi sahab liked his voice too much and followed him till very far from his house.
At the last of the meeting “KUNDAN SINGH JI” became sad and his eyes filled with tears by remembering his childhood friend “RAFI SAHAB” and he HUGGED me and said -”Please visit the village again, I am at the end of my life but after me don’t forget the village and be in touch with Gurbir & others.”
When Kundan singh ji hugged me then i felt the presence of RAFI SAHAB in Kundan singh ji.I also felt that RAFI SAHAB is giving a lot of blessings to me through Kundan singh ji.
He said that before two years we arranged a programme on RAFI SAHAB. many celebrities like “DARA SINGH, NAVJOT SINGH SIDDHU ETC.”attended the programme  and promised to give a donation to village for making a monument of RAFI SAHAB but they forgot his promise after the programme.He kept the cutting of that news paper till now for proof & for reminding the promise to politicians.
We also must have to try to contact with “DARA SINGH JI & NAVJOT SINGH SIDDHU JI”.If any one get the contact of any one of these two please remind him his promise.
Important- I just talked with Mr. Gaurav ji, P.A. of MR. NAVJOT SINGH SIDDHU JI,he is also a fan of RAFI SAHAB & became very happy that i remind him the promise.he said he will do whatever possible for the village.

Next day i visited the primary school of village “KOTLA SULTAN SINGH” where RAFI SAHAB studied till 4th std.
A photo of RAFI SAHAB was there in the office of the head master and Mr. Jaspal singh ji worships daily to Rafi Sahab  with putting a “AGARBATTI” in front of the photo.he introduced me to the children and children said -” JAI SRI MOHD. RAFI SAHAB”, followed to Mr. Jaspal singh ji. I advised him to put a pic. of RAFI SAHAB in every class room & given him few more pics. of RAFI SAHAB on his computer.I also advised him that during assembly they can use a Bhajan or patriotic song with daily prayer. He agreed with me and said he will must try to do so in near future.
Every child of the school is  familiar to RAFI SAHAB.I girl child sang the song “BABUL KI DUVAAYEN LETI JAA..” on my request. I also sang a song “HAM LAAYEN HAIN TOOFAN SE KASHTI NIKAL LE..” for the children on the request of JASPAL JI.
I also saw the class room of RAFI SAHAB, Peepal tree under which RAFI SAHAB passed his time in recess and the hand pump which RAFI SAHAB used to drink water.

At the last  i distributed some toffees to children and returned back.
My this visit was very successful and like a “yatra of chardham of Haz”
My this visit became possible only with the BLESSING OF RAFI SAHAB, great help of MR. GURBIR SAMRA JI AND HIS FAMILY.
I want to say many thanks to GURBIR JI AND HIS FAMILY. I will always grateful to him.

Knowledge, intellect, passion, bhakti, shruti, and samruddhi all came together in an extremely easy and comfortable manner on the November 14, 2009 the infectiousness of which will remain with us for a very long time to come. Sitting down to write about our Rafi Holiday in honour of our Chennai, Hyderabad and Delhi friends gives me great pleasure.

I have broadly outlined the program as it went..The eagerly awaited morning started around 10 with coffee/tea and as soon as our Delhi friends got in we began the session with a welcome speech by yours truly. Therafter, Manish invited ASM (who is an excellent MC) to introduce his team members followed by Jagat Saab introducing the Chennai team.

Now let me introduce THE RAFI BHAKTS and the khaasiyat of each one of them.

OUR HYDERABAD FRIENDS WHO JOINED US:

AS Murty – He is the driving force behind the entire team and his presence and presentation had a huge impact on the entire proceedings of Saturday. More strength to you Murty Saab!

NRP and Mrs. Padmanabhan – Sir thoroughly enjoying the proceedings .. he was verbally very quiet but very active mentally I am sure…we now have to wait for his valuable comments to know how he and his wife exactly felt being amongst us…

R. Padmanabhan – He enthusiastically took part in the antakshari and ASM sang praises about his knowledge of lyrics.

Sanjay Deshpande – He amazed us all with his fund of knowledge..I heard someone saying in the background..’hum samajthe the ke hum hi sabse bade bhakt hai Rafi Saab ke..par hum toh kuch bhi nahi hain in sabke saamne’

Satyendra – Absolutely and extraordinarily the find of the meet…the young Satyendra is a force to reckon with…his exuberance for quizzing was so high that Mukund had the time of his life controlling this young man…! hum sab ka salaam tumko and may Rafi Saab Bless!

S.K. Elias – What a singer! He was first to go on the stage to sing and he sang Duniya Na Bhaye from Basant Bahaar….he made me cry with his rendition! The quiver in his voice and the emotions were outstanding!

S. Chandar and Radha Chandar – A very young (looking) and lovely smiling couple who never left each other’s side and came forward with some excellent jokes and songs…

K. Sivaram, Mrs. Sivaram and Shanti Sivaram – Very enthusiastic..it was wonderful that your whole family could make it to the meet. Shanti has a lovely voice.

OUR CHENNAI BHAKTS

K. Ramachandran or Chandan – He held the crowd spellbound with his rendering of Aaj Ki Raat mere dil ki salaami and one more song on which Manish made a funny comment (Chandan please update..!)

Jagat Tarkas – He has an amazing talent in that he can sing songs by whistling. ..and though he would have wanted to sing, by popular demand he gave us some wonderful whistling numbers of Rafi Saab.

Surinder – what a soothing voice he has…and very humble in his demeanor.beautiful songs he sang Madan Mohan’s Tere Bagair and Roshan’s Mere Mehbood Kahin Aur Mila Kar Mujhse

S. Narayan and Sreedhar – your involvement and appreciation of the participants was very heartening..thank you for being there..

OUR DELHI GUESTS

Zareef – Sir jee, jo aapne sher sunaya tha bahut hi badhiya tha..zara likhkar bhejiyega please… he filmed the entire program on his personal handycam and will post it in his website www.rafi.co.in (please correct if I am wrong)..it was most wonderful having you amongst us..

Sunanda – You were an honored guest from Delhi quietly sitting and enjoying the show but your presence was an encouragement in itself madam. Thank you for giving us that small stanza of Talat Mehmood song inspite of not keeping too well,.

AND NOW THE BAAR BAAR RAFI TEAM..

Raj, Narayan, Ashok, Guruji, Manish – our pillars of BBR – thank you ever so much for the impeccable arrangements – you are responsible for the sustained enthusiasm of every BBR member.

Raj our President has always encouraged us and we were given a free hand to handle and organize this event, as he was away on business. His presentation of An Evening in Paris title song was a major hit.

Narayan, the well-loved PR man of BBR was in his element, answering a major of the questions in the quiz round, which stumped even Satyendra, the young prodigy of Hyderabad.

Ashok was responsible for the food arrangements (excellent lunch Ashok..you can give yourself a pat on your back!) but what appeals to you is his ardent love of Rafi Saab and he makes no bones about it..!

Guruji ke baare mein kya kahen…he is our encyclopedia and we depend on him for any info about Rafi Saab or films in general…par aise waise kaise bhi antakshari mein aa hi gaye .though he is formally banned from taking part in any quiz or antakshari because he would win hands down! (and he and his team did!! they won the first prize for the antakshari with the Hyderabad Bhakts being the runner ups!)

Manish..whose controlling and scheduling the entire program was excellent and he deserves a big round of applause for it. His quips and witty remarks on the mike were very enjoyable..

Mukund, Krishna, Hemanth, Srinivas, Shankar – Aap logon ne gaakar, nachkar (Krishna only you can add that extra life to a show on which people are already hooked) bahut dil lubhaaya hamara…thank you Hemanth for the thoughtful and amazing paintings of Rafi Saab and of course, for regaling us with your wonderful voice…Mukund ..likhe jo khat tujhe…kuch sur laga ke nahin?

Asha – she is a gem of a singer and an ustaad at ideas for antakshari..Her presentation and themes were excellent and challenged the vast knowledge of the participants…! The antakshari was won by the Bangalore team consisting of Guruji, Vinatha and Hemanth and Hyderabad consisting of Sanjay, Shailaja and (???) followed closely with a tie-break win..

Vinatha – aah! her quiz was a super hit with Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore alike…Chennai especially did very well in the video quizzing where the clip was played for just 2 seconds and Chandan guessed most of them!

Alka – She is the lively lady whose Oh Haseena Zulfon Waali (with Hemanth) had Krishna and Snigdha shaking a leg much to the delight of the crowd!

Shailajaji, Sapna, Ananya, Vidya, Radha, Ushaji, Raji – Your heartwarming and lovely presence encouraged Raj to sing ‘dekho yeh pariyon ki toli,’ and your participation is continued encouragement for all of us at BBR. Raji you were brilliant in the Ghalib ghazal that you sang for us…

Devraj Saab and Lakshmi Devraj – every grateful for your presence and efforts to make it to the venue…with his usual booming voice Devraj Saab entralled the crowd with Madhuban Mein Radhika..

Snigdha – Your vibrant presence is a scene stealer..! We need hardly say how much we appreciate your spontaneous performance with Krishna for Oh Haseena Zulfon Waali..

So that was how it went folks. Tea and snacks were served in the evening. A cake ordered by Murty Saab was cut to the singing of Baar Baar Din Yeh Aaye…and we wound up around 7:30 -8:00 after an enthusiastic rounding up the proceedings with Baar Baar Dekho, the theme song of BBR.

Hope I have not missed out anyone. If I have please do let me know…I had a wonderful time and we hope you did too..

Fond regards,
Bina

no further detaild are available to me as of now, I will soon provide the more details about it.

( posted from mobile)

Just share your views about it. Think how we can proceeds with this? When government has not declare any Bharat Ratna since many years, will it be easy to get it for Mohd. Rafi?

But When Lata Ji. Pt. Ravi Shankar, Ustaad Bismillah Khan can get it, why not Mohd. Rafi?

Share all your views about it and lets discuss.

(You will not be able to forget me/whenever you hear my song/you will sing along with me)

NOT one of Mohammed Rafi’s best songs, but it perhaps best expresses his enduring appeal. An appeal that continues 27 years after the man died on July 31, 1980.

Growing up in the 1970s with only a radio for entertainment, it was hard not to miss Rafi’s voice. As you begin to search the Rafi repertoire, it is hard not to be amazed by the singer’s range.

[kml_flashembed movie="http://youtube.com/v/sT2f_ZIEUho" width="450" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

Film was released after 9 years of Mohd. Rafi’s unfortunate demise.

Enjoy

[kml_flashembed movie="http://youtube.com/v/lFf6YPMO5xE" width="450" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

Unlike Kishore and Lata who never got to meet Saigal, Mohd.Rafi not only met him but also sang with him. Just once.

The gentleman who sings the final line in this song after the chorus is Mohammed Rafi himself, believe it or not!