In the Loving Memory of Legendary Singer Muhammad Rafi Sahab.

[Bret Hawk]

30th Death Anniversary of a Legend: Rafi Sahab You're not Forgotten

This year marks the 30th death anniversary of a playback singing legend Muhammad Rafi Sahab (b. 24 Dec 1924 d. 31 Jul 1980). Needless to confess that among singers no one has left such an indelible mark on the consciousness and hearts of millions of his fans around the world and Im one of them. Mohd Rafi is an institution of play back singing, an icon for generations of music lovers who have happened to listened to him during his lifespan and even right now his legion of fans are spread right across the globe where ever the Urdu/Hindi speaking communities of the sub continent resides. My personal love for Mohd Rafi Sahab has dated back to the early days of 1993 when I had the honour of listening to his remarkable and soul shaking songs in an audio cassette format and ever since then I have become his die hard fan till this day.


I would like to dedicate this thread to my beloved singer and on time to time basis I would try my best to add his unforgettable songs here in an audio-visual format and some of the articles as well which has been dedicated to this legend of sub continent in the past few years. Friends of this forum who happen to be his fan can also post some of his gems here in this thread for the fans like me to cherish and enjoy the effervescent divine voice of Muhammad Rafi Sahab.




Movie Aakhri Dao: Aisa Na Hoke

Movie Tamanna: Tere Jaisa Kaun Hai

Movie Chitralekha: Man Re Tu Kahe

 

[Blue Moon]

A breath of fresh one and only a true legend thanks for the post. Here is one of my favorites

 

[babadeena]

Beyond any doubt, M. Rafi was the most melodious voice of his time, and for
that time generations. mine favorite used to be and to some extent still is
""Meri Mehbooba"

 

[gazoomartian]

Beyond any doubt, M. Rafi was the most melodious voice of his time, and for
that time generations. mine favorite used to be and to some extent still is
""Meri Mehbooba"

i cant believe that babadeena is showing interest in music, :24: time has changed I guess LOL

No longer a maulvi eh?

 

[Blue Moon]

i cant believe that babadeena is showing interest in music, :24: time has changed I guess LOL

No longer a maulvi eh?

Hi Brother Gazoomartin Can we pay our respect to Mr. Rafi without arguing among ourselves-Thanks

 

[Bret Hawk]

Rafi Sahab’s Golden Voice is a Gift of God to the Human Race

Authored by K.S Ramachandran

Mohammad Rafi, means the golden voice that the human race will never ever get to hear again, in the lifetime to come. But we are so much blessed to listen to his multi-various renditions – so soothing, human, emotional with that magical, mesmerizing vocal delivery, even after many years of his demise.

It is often said that Mohammad Rafi sang with a full force, delivering not only his golden voice but the much needed emotion, depth, feel, shruthi laya, range and a totally satisfying rendition, over and beyond the expectation of the music directors. He sang from his chest, entire body and soul and not merely from his throat. When there was song in a movie which meant challenge, the music directors often, invariably, fell back on Rafi Saab. One such song, which comes to my mind, is Sadpe Heer from Mera Naam Joker. Rafi Saab sang this song for Raj Kapoor in this movie, when most of the songs in the movie were obviously sung by Mukesh Saab for Raj Kapoor. There are many such songs of Rafi Saab and I am not here to list down the songs, which would only mean listing down the countless stars in the sky!

There are many singers, including the highly accomplished living (and even past) legends, trying to imitate his style and renditions, but no one is still able to conquer the unexplainable blend of the voice qualities and more importantly the “delivery” that Rafi Saab ensured in his renditions. It would not be an exaggeration, if we say that there would be no one, in times to come, to even, in the least, match his quality of singing.

It is also often said that the goodness of a human being is shown in their act and behaviour and in our Rafi Saab’s case; it was shown, in no uncertain terms, in his singing. A singer par excellence and no one, I am sure, can explain, in its entirety, the goodness of the human being called “Rafi Saab”!! He was truly a “Prodigy of God”.

After almost three decades of his demise, our hunger and desire to unearth his unique renditions, maintains a rapid pace, year after year and this momentum and growing speed would never end, for a lifetime.


A Rare Footage of Rafi Sahab's Life Moments

From Movie Jani Dushman: Chalo Re Doli Uthao

From Movie Ram Balram: Ladki Pasand Ki

 

[babadeena]

i cant believe that babadeena is showing interest in music, :24: time has changed I guess LOL

No longer a maulvi eh?

First of all mine post was "an acknowledgment" of the post of Bret Hawk, who is one of the matured
interlocutor and whose posts deserve a reply. Secondly, Maulvi also has a thing called "nafs" but
"by-standers" or "side-line-sitters" and "clappers only" do not understand that reality. I am not
a maulvi or traditional maulvi, in fact the Maulvi and company take me as their bitter foe. Your
memory due to old and advance age is fading rapidly otherwise you should have remembered that
"I play on opponents favoured pitch, be it politics, religion, international affairs,
maulvi, politicians or clappers". Although I have been adivsed by Abbasi Bhai to ignore
certain posts, but I see that one is being polished by other's knowledge through this board.

"Ah parbat rasta daay mujhee" "Oh kantoo daman choor doh" Rafi did justice to this
song.

 

[gazoomartian]

First of all mine post was "an acknowledgment" of the post of Bret Hawk, who is one of the matured
interlocutor and whose posts deserve a reply. Secondly, Maulvi also has a thing called "nafs" but
"by-standers" or "side-line-sitters" and "clappers only" do not understand that reality. I am not
a maulvi or traditional maulvi, in fact the Maulvi and company take me as their bitter foe. Your
memory due to old and advance age is fading rapidly otherwise you should have remembered that
"I play on opponents favoured pitch, be it politics, religion, international affairs,
maulvi, politicians or clappers". Although I have been adivsed by Abbasi Bhai to ignore
certain posts, but I see that one is being polished by other's knowledge through this board.

"Ah parbat rasta daay mujhee" "Oh kantoo daman choor doh" Rafi did justice to this
song.

yeah yeah yeah, rangey hatho pakrey gayey beta tum :24: :24:

 

[gazoomartian]

Hi Brother Gazoomartin Can we pay our respect to Mr. Rafi without arguing among ourselves-Thanks

tum new ho, you have no idea why i made that comment to beta babadeena

Numbers of songs by rafi that I used to know and sing, you wont even come close it bro.........those were days ****sigh***

.read carefully, i didnt say anything against rafi

 

[Blue Moon]

tum new ho, you have no idea why i made that comment to beta babadeena

Numbers of songs by rafi that I used to know and sing, you wont even come close it bro.........those were days ****sigh***

.read carefully, i didnt say anything against rafi

Sorry, I thought you were being disrespectful to Rafi Saab.

 

[gazoomartian]

Sorry, I thought you were being disrespectful to Rafi Saab.

koi baat nahee, ub jaldi sey murgha bano :24:

 

[GeoG]

Wow, Didn't see who started this thread.

Dedicated to Bret Hawk Sahib.

 

[Blue Moon]

koi baat nahee, ub jaldi sey murgha bano :24:

For how long I am used to it?:133 (1):

 

[gazoomartian]

For how long I am used to it?:133 (1):

do kukru koon(crowing) once then you are done :24:

 

[Bret Hawk]

I would like to thank our friends, Blue Moon, Baba Deena and Geo G for their valuable contributions on this thread and I’m indebted to these friends for their appreciation and interest they have shown as ever on this tributary thread of legendary therapeutic singer Mohd Rafi Sahab. InshAllah I will add more gems of Mohd Rafi Sahab on this thread on occasional basis till the 31st of July of this year, the day when this immortal magician's soul made its final journey from this transient world to the world of eternity. And GM bhai why you’re not posting the songs of Rafi Sahab, as you seems to be the admirer of his songs as well?

 

[gazoomartian]

I would like to thank our friends, Blue Moon, Baba Deena and Geo G for their valuable contributions on this thread and I’m indebted to these friends for their appreciation and interest they have shown as ever on this tributary thread of this legendary therapeutic singer Mohd Rafi Sahab. InshAllah I will add more gems of Mohd Rafi Sahab on this thread on occasional basis till the 31st of July of this year, the day when this immortal magician made his pious soul made its journey from this transient world to the world of eternity. And GM bhai why you’re not posting the songs of Rafi Sahab, as you seems to be the admirer of his songs as well?

Actually you are I havent postedrafi's song. . Its my experience that when I posted some songs, some folks took offense because they are very religious (at least on internet anyway). Please check the random video in few min. Posting my favorite from Rafi. I will keep the song a secret until you see the Random videos

Bret bhai, eik secret bataoon? When I was a teenager, I used to sing this song 24/7 until a new one came out. By the way, I used to be a singer in college events in east Pakistan, despite my bhondi voice.

I have made use of many many samosas in return for singing and thats the truth.....LOL

by the way did you hear my quran qirat? a sample of my bhondi awaz. Its availabe in Random videos

 

[gazoomartian]

In Recognition of the Great Muslim Talent - Mohammed Rafi saheb.

Yeh Radio Pakistan New Delhi hai.

Gazoo Martian apki khidmat mein program Great Muslim Talent ley kar hazir hai.

Is program ki pehla gana hum Gujranwala, Pakistan sey Bret hawk saheb ki fermaish per pesh kartey hain.

Agar aapko kisi ganey ki fermaish karni ho humein is pata per likhen, phone karein, ya email karein.

Radio Pakistan
#2 Gali Qasim Mian, next to Pakeeza kotha,
New Dehli, Ulta Pulta
Pakistan
[email protected]
phone: 123-91-420-India

??? ?? ???? ??? ????? ?? +++++++++++ ???? ?? ???? ??? ??? ???
​

 

[Blue Moon]

Thank you Bret the pleasure was all mine I got to hear a couple of great songs that I did not hear before.

 

[Bret Hawk]

A Journey Through Rafi Sahab's Hometown Lahore


Authored by Sohail Butt

Mohd Rafi With Hameed in Poona, India



I am pleased to attach a copy of my article that I wrote in 2007 following my visit to Rafi Saheb’s house in Lahore and met his real brother Mohd Saddique and his nephew Mohd Ashfaq (Late Mohd Ibrahim’s son). I am also attaching some photos of a musical function in Lahore where Mohd Saddique sahab sang his late brother’s songs. The written article and photos can be related to each other.

Lahore ( founded by prince Loh, son of Ram Chandra in 1000BC) has been described by many during its long history in so many different ways that it is extremely difficult to sum it all up in a word, sentence or even a book. However there are few sayings in Punjabi that I have heard and will like to quote them if I were to describe the city:

(1) ‘ Lohrre , Lohrre Aiye” ( Lahore is Lahore).
(2) “ Jinay Lohrre Nahin Waykhay, oh, nay kuj nahin waykhay” (If you have not seen Lahore , you have not seen anything).
(3) Nahin Reesan Shahar Lahore Deeyan ( The city of Lahore is incomparable and unmatchable).

The Lahore of pre partition India was the richest nursery of talent in almost all fields of knowledge and performing art. Dev Anand in his recently launched book “Romancing with life “says that Lahore was the most ‘fashionable’ city of undivided India. People used to take lot of pride in associating themselves with the city and in particular its educational institutions. Lahore being at center stage of culture & arts of North India and with a rich history was best described as the place where people by birth or grooming or both found the city’s multicultural and multi-ethnic environment extremely conducive for establishing their roots and enhancing their potential to the fullest. There are many examples of such people related to all walks and trade of life in both India and Pakistan who attained legendary status in life.

Narrowing down the ‘Lahoris’ to the Indian Film industry who have been associated in one way or the other with this great city, I remember quite a few names out of a long list: Mohammad Rafi, Nur Jehan, Chopra brothers –( BR & Yash Raj), Pancholis, Dev Anand, Kamini Kaushal, Surender Kapoor, Prem Chopra, Pran, A.R. Kardar, Geeta Bali, Shamshad Begum, Surriya, Zohra Sehgal, Manorma, A.R. Kardar, Rajendra Kumar, Kabir Bedi, Manoj Kumar etc and Music Directors (Khayyam , O.P. Nayyar & Feroze Nizami), Ustad Barrey Ghulam Ali and many notable classical singers and musicians of various ‘Gharanas’ too had their roots in the city .

Mohammad Rafi, the subject of this article was one such great contribution of Lahore to India and the rest of the world. There is hardly any living moment on this earth when Rafi Sahab’s voice is not being splashed through the airwaves and heard by some one, somewhere on this globe. Mohammad Rafi sings every moment of ‘to-day ‘and in all probability will continue doing so for every ‘to-morrow’ to come.

Being a die hard fan of Rafi Sahab, I had always wanted to meet him in person, but alas that wish remained unfulfilled due to his sudden passing away on 31st July 1980. However God almighty had planned a different route to partly fulfill my apparently ‘lost wish’ that seemingly looked impossible to be fulfilled otherwise. The almighty chose two different phases of satiating my desire.

First, I was very lucky to have met Abdul Hameed (Rafi Sahab’s God brother, mentor and guru) through a common friend ‘Zaifee Hussain’ ( the die-hardest Rafi fan I have ever known) and then remained in the regular company of late Hameed Sahab in Toronto Canada for about two years till he passed away in July 2001.

Abdul Hameed was the person who accompanied Rafi Sahab on his first journey from Lahore to Mumbai in early 1940’s and played a key and defining role in first getting him trained in Lahore under various music directors ( Waheed Khan , Chhotay Ghulam Ali & Feroze Nizami), convincing Rafi Sahab’s parents to let him go to Mumbai and then marketing his singing talent in the Mumbai Film World. Once settled , both Hameed Sahab and Rafi Sahab married two sisters and became brother-in-laws. Career success was yet far away.

Hameed Sahab remained with Rafi Sahab in India probably till late 70’s and then migrated to Toronto, Canada . He never returned to his native Lahore while Rafi Sahab did few times till 1962. Preceding his death at the age of 85, I tried many times that Hameed Sahab agrees to visit his native Lahore that he left in early 1940’s but his reply always was that, all my closest family members including parents who were alive when he left have passed away during the 56 years of his absence from Lahore. To visit home with every one gone will be too much to bear.

Hameed Sahab died in July 2001 and is buried in Toronto, thousands of miles away from his parents in Lahore and a brother like saint ‘Mohammad Rafi’ in Mumbai, for whom literally he dedicated his own life.

During Rafi Sahab’s visit to Toronto, Canada in 1979 that proved to be his last one also, Hameed Sahab told Rafi Sahab in Punjabi , (being translated in English) the following and I

“You started to sing on my persuasion and initiative. Now I ask you to stop singing altogether and shift to Canada where we could spend last few years of our life close to each other.. Rafi Sahab nodded in the affirmative. I will do as you suggest and will quit singing. “

Mohd Rafi With Hameed in Toronto, Canada




Never did Hameed Sahab realize how prophetically Rafi Sahab was speaking at that time He indeed left everything including this world for his heavenly abode within few months thereafter”. While narrating me this event, Hameed Sahab had tear in his eyes. He said he never knew that asking him to stop singing meant that he will leave this world too!!! Perhaps for Rafi Sahab, keeping a promise and honoring a commitment was more important than his life. Once he committed to stop singing meant the end of his life. A word that he kept till the very end and fulfilled a promise he made to his mentor and an ‘elder brother’.

The itch in me to have met Rafi Sahab never faded or left my system. It grew with passage of time in parallel with the growing recognition across the sub-continent of Rafi Sahab’s unmatchable voice and his exceptional qualities of playback singing that were not to be found in any other human being since his death. The world simply could not find a replacement of him or any one close to his godly voice. Another Mohammad Rafi was no where, no more and perhaps would never be found.

I remember once attending a musical function in the memory of the late singer in Canada when a poet cum writer went as far as saying and I “ Rafi Sahab was a unique creation of God and even if God once again tries to create another Mohammad Rafi , He cannot” . This is the ultimate compliment that can be given to a human being though such statements cross the red lines of religious beliefs and Allah’s greatness. I should be pardoned for this sin of quoting an otherwise ‘unholy’ statement.

The second phase started with my regular surfing of internet websites about Rafi Sahab. This brought another revelation to me. Rafi Sahab’s youngest brother ‘Mohammad Saddique’ is still alive and lives in his old ancestral home in Lahore. This information was provided by two extremely friendly and cooperative ‘Rafians’ Mr. Ghulam Mujtaba and his nephew Mr. Adeel, both residents of Lahore and who were also involved with the Lahore Chapter of ‘Rafi Foundation’ along with another very famous fan of Rafi Jee Col (Retd) Saeed Khan, Pakistan’s ex-Olympic Hockey Player and a star by himself in the field of sports .

Locating the ‘real brother ‘ of Rafi Sahab was indeed a great discovery for me and very exciting one. I decided to visit my own home town Lahore as soon as possible to meet the gentlemen mentioned in the previous para and through their efforts meet the real brother ‘Mohammad Saddique’ and other close relatives of Rafi Sahab.

The moment that I was so keenly waiting for finally arrived barely 36 hours of my landing in Lahore. I warmly embraced Saddique sahib at the entrance of a small auditorium of National University of Modern Languages (NUML) at Lahore where Saddique Sahab had come as a chief guest to participate in a small musical tribute to Rafi Sahab arranged by the Principal of the college Colonel (Retd). Saeed Khan (Also an enthusiastic Rafian, former Pakistan Hockey Olympian) under the banner of RAFI FOUNDATION.

I found Saddique Sahab very warm, affectionate and friendly on my very first encounter. It felt a lot of humility, warmth, simplicity and, genuineness in him. This was perhaps a family trait for which Rafi Sahab too was uniquely remembered. The saying that Rafi Sahab was a Saint who sang in God’s voice was quite so true.

The evening choosen for paying Tribute to Mohammad Rafi happened to be 12th Rabbi-ul-Awwal’ (21st March) the day our prophet ‘Mohammad (PBUH)’ was born and was a public holiday in Lahore. Nevertheless the musical tribute did take place. Mr. Saeed Khan and his son Bilal sang wonderfully well some of Rafi Sahab’s popular songs. Later on I also sang few songs and ghazals and felt very proud to be singing in front of the real brother of ‘Rafi Sahab’.

The treat of the evening was yet to come. Saddique Sahab in the end took over the harmonium and sang some of the favorite and difficult songs despite the old age factor He started with Maduhuban Mera Dika Nachey Raye in his soft, low tone, husky and melodious voice .and ended with ‘Jane Bahar Husn Tera, in Raag Malkous. I felt that I have eventually heard ‘Rafi Sahab’ sing in person. My wish to meet him and listen to him seems partly fulfilled. No one could have fulfilled my wish better than this, in any other way. God almighty did this for me. I thank ‘Allah’ Almighty.

The musical session concluded at midnight and here I must praise the commitment to music and Rafi lovers by Saddique Sahab who stayed with us till the very end despite his old age. We parted with a commitment that we shall meet each other in the next few days prior to my departure for Kuwait for an informal chat that can be communicated to the Rafi Lovers around the World.

On Thursday March 27 Mr. Mujtaba and Mr. Saeed were able to arrange as well as accompany me on long desired meeting with Saddique Sahab at his and Rafi Jee’s family home in Bilal Ganj (Behind the Mouselum of Hazrat Data Gaj Buksh the famous 12th century Muslim Saint which was once a regular place of visit by Rafi Sahab also) . We arrived after driving through narrow streets and alleys of Bilal Ganj. The crowded area where driving during the day time was virtually impossible but was expertly managed by my cousin Ismail Butt who kindly provided logistical services during my Lahore Yatra specially the ones I undertook for Rafi Sahab’s lovers across the world.

On our arrival at about 3PM in the afternoon we found Saddique Sahab waiting for us in his room on the ground floor of a building that saw our beloved Rafi Jee through his child hood. We walked on the same street where Rafi Jees footsteps once rolled and spread the particles of gold dust that spread and converted into the voice of ‘God’ and thus became ‘immortal’ . We were in the same house where Rafi Jee climbed and walked down the staircase many times during a day and where his golden voice echoed many times day or night.

I looked at the surrounding walls of the house many times while I was there, visualizing that a young Mohammad Rafi in his teens would come down from some place of his house, humming and singing and getting out of the house into the street into the waiting arms of his teenage friends. I touched Saddique Sahab ‘s hands and hugged him many times too, to feel that Mohammad Rafi not only lives in our hearts, but we can feel him too.

I admirably watched Saddique sahib whose primary concern on our arrival seemed how best and how soon to entertain us. A typical Lahori ‘host’ who would do about anything to feed his guests with the best snacks, food, drinks that can be made available. Saeed sahib and Mujtaba Sahab being his regular visitors successfully restrained him and we finally succeeded in getting into a conversation mode.

I briefly summarize the main points of conversation with Saddique Sahab with myself, Mr. Saeed Khan and Mr. Mujtaba for the amusement of the readers. My younger cousin Ismail who drove us through the narrow and crowded lanes of ‘Bilal Ganj’ also took the responsibility of making a video while we informally conversed. This video is an invaluable record of a memorable and unforgettable conversation with someone who shares not only ‘blood and flesh’ but child hood memories, time spent together on various visits to Mumbai, his presence during the creation, composition and recording of scores of Rafi Sahabs famous songs that we all listen so fondly and so often.

1. Rafi Sahabs singing talent was discovered during his child hood. A ‘Faqir’ who used to pass by usually sang while walking thru the street and the young Rafi would reproduce the same with no difficulty. “Khaidan Dey Din Chaar” (Days of Play and Fun are Four) was one such melodious verse that young Rafi reproduced in front of the fakir prompting him to praise the young boy with lots of prayers for his success. The fakir prophetically declared that the boy will create a big name for himself in the field of music in the days to come.

1. The first Ustaad was Chootay Ghulam Ali. Later Ustaad Feroze Nizami and Ustaad Whaeed Khan sahib also contributed in training the legend.

1. Saddique Sahab reminisced the day when Rafi Sahab departed along with Hameed Sahab for Mumbai by train. Almost all close friends and relatives accompanied them to Lahore Railway station to see them off. He was sent off with lots of prayers and good wishes.

1. Rafi Sahab’s father ‘Haji Ali Mohammad’ instructed his son at the time of departing that since he is venturing on this great journey, coming back to Lahore without achieving success and his ultimate goal is not an option. Effectively he was instructing him to take a ‘one way ticket’. He said he was willing to forget that he had a son named Rafi in case his journey to Mumbai does not yield the desired results.

1. Rafi sahabs love for his family back in Pakistan was very deep, caring and never ending. He never lost an opportunity of seeing his brothers and parents whenever and wherever he could.

1. Rafi Sahab was the true face of love, peace, inter-religious harmony based on Gandhian philosophy, Secularism and Indian Nationalism. Despite the fact that he belonged to Lahore and all his immediate family lived in Lahore, he remained an Indian citizen by choice till death. His burial in Mumbai India proved his eternal and everlasting love with the soil that immortalized him for ever. Rafi Sahab’s parents are buried in Miani sahib grave yard in Lahore that he visited last in 1962.

1. Saddique Sahab narrated many events of his visits to Mumbai to meet his brother particularly the ones that happened around the recording of various songs during which he used to be present.

Later Saddique Sahab took us to a special room where few original portraits of himself, Rafi Sahab and their father Haji Ali Mohammad were hanging. The best I could do was to video film those hanging portraits.

Subsequently we visited late. Mohammad Ibrahim’s house (Rafi Sahab’s elder brother) in the street nearby. It was a pleasure meeting Rafi Sahab’s look alike nephew ‘Mohammad Ashfaq’, who too narrated some events of his family’s interaction with the legend. He proudly showed us many family photographs that included Rafi Sahib.

Returning from this memorable visit and driving through the evening rush hour of the crowded narrow lanes of the older part of Lahore, I was looking at the surrounding buildings with envy who had seen young Rafi pass by many times. Everything probably stood as it was in the early 1940’s but Rafi Sahab was no where, not any where in this world. But for sure his golden voice will live on for ever, he too will live in the hearts and minds of people for all times to come.



Haseena Maan Jayegi: Chandni Raat Main

Dosti: Koi Jabh Raah Na Paye

Gharana: Husn Wale Tera Jawab Nahin

Barsaat Ki Raat: Zindagi Bhar Nahi Bholaygi

 

[rana14801]

A SAINT AMONGS SINGERS,MUHAMMAD RAFI, this what i can say about him.

:You_Rock_Emoticon:

A Journey Through Rafi Sahab's Hometown Lahore


Authored by Sohail Butt

Mohd Rafi With the Author in Poona, India


I am pleased to attach a copy of my article that I wrote in 2007 following my visit to Rafi Sahebs house in Lahore and met his real brother Mohd Saddique and his nephew Mohd Ashfaq (Late Mohd Ibrahims son). I am also attaching some photos of a musical function in Lahore where Mohd Saddique sahab sang his late brothers songs. The written article and photos can be related to each other.

Lahore ( founded by prince Loh, son of Ram Chandra in 1000BC) has been described by many during its long history in so many different ways that it is extremely difficult to sum it all up in a word, sentence or even a book. However there are few sayings in Punjabi that I have heard and will like to quote them if I were to describe the city:
(1) Lohrre , Lohrre Aiye ( Lahore is Lahore).
(2) Jinay Lohrre Nahin Waykhay, oh, nay kuj nahin waykhay (If you have not seen Lahore , you have not seen anything).
(3) Nahin Reesan Shahar Lahore Deeyan ( The city of Lahore is incomparable and unmatchable).

The Lahore of pre partition India was the richest nursery of talent in almost all fields of knowledge and performing art. Dev Anand in his recently launched book Romancing with life says that Lahore was the most fashionable city of undivided India. People used to take lot of pride in associating themselves with the city and in particular its educational institutions. Lahore being at center stage of culture & arts of North India and with a rich history was best described as the place where people by birth or grooming or both found the citys multicultural and multi-ethnic environment extremely conducive for establishing their roots and enhancing their potential to the fullest. There are many examples of such people related to all walks and trade of life in both India and Pakistan who attained legendary status in life.
Narrowing down the Lahoris to the Indian Film industry who have been associated in one way or the other with this great city, I remember quite a few names out of a long list: Mohammad Rafi, Nur Jehan, Chopra brothers ( BR & Yash Raj), Pancholis, Dev Anand, Kamini Kaushal, Surender Kapoor, Prem Chopra, Pran, A.R. Kardar, Geeta Bali, Shamshad Begum, Surriya, Zohra Sehgal, Manorma, A.R. Kardar, Rajendra Kumar, Kabir Bedi, Manoj Kumar etc and Music Directors (Khayyam , O.P. Nayyar & Feroze Nizami), Ustad Barrey Ghulam Ali and many notable classical singers and musicians of various Gharanas too had their roots in the city .

Mohammad Rafi, the subject of this article was one such great contribution of Lahore to India and the rest of the world. There is hardly any living moment on this earth when Rafi Sahabs voice is not being splashed through the airwaves and heard by some one, somewhere on this globe. Mohammad Rafi sings every moment of to-day and in all probability will continue doing so for every to-morrow to come.

Being a die hard fan of Rafi Sahab, I had always wanted to meet him in person, but alas that wish remained unfulfilled due to his sudden passing away on 31st July 1980. However God almighty had planned a different route to partly fulfill my apparently lost wish that seemingly looked impossible to be fulfilled otherwise. The almighty chose two different phases of satiating my desire.

First, I was very lucky to have met Abdul Hameed (Rafi Sahabs God brother, mentor and guru) through a common friend Zaifee Hussain ( the die-hardest Rafi fan I have ever known) and then remained in the regular company of late Hameed Sahab in Toronto Canada for about two years till he passed away in July 2001.

Abdul Hameed was the person who accompanied Rafi Sahab on his first journey from Lahore to Mumbai in early 1940s and played a key and defining role in first getting him trained in Lahore under various music directors ( Waheed Khan , Chhotay Ghulam Ali & Feroze Nizami), convincing Rafi Sahabs parents to let him go to Mumbai and then marketing his singing talent in the Mumbai Film World. Once settled , both Hameed Sahab and Rafi Sahab married two sisters and became brother-in-laws. Career success was yet far away.

Hameed Sahab remained with Rafi Sahab in India probably till late 70s and then migrated to Toronto, Canada . He never returned to his native Lahore while Rafi Sahab did few times till 1962. Preceding his death at the age of 85, I tried many times that Hameed Sahab agrees to visit his native Lahore that he left in early 1940s but his reply always was that, all my closest family members including parents who were alive when he left have passed away during the 56 years of his absence from Lahore. To visit home with every one gone will be too much to bear.

Hameed Sahab died in July 2001 and is buried in Toronto, thousands of miles away from his parents in Lahore and a brother like saint Mohammad Rafi in Mumbai, for whom literally he dedicated his own life.

During Rafi Sahabs visit to Toronto, Canada in 1979 that proved to be his last one also, Hameed Sahab told Rafi Sahab in Punjabi , (being translated in English) the following and I

You started to sing on my persuasion and initiative. Now I ask you to stop singing altogether and shift to Canada where we could spend last few years of our life close to each other.. Rafi Sahab nodded in the affirmative. I will do as you suggest and will quit singing.

Mohd Rafi With Hameed in Toronto, Canada




Never did Hameed Sahab realize how prophetically Rafi Sahab was speaking at that time He indeed left everything including this world for his heavenly abode within few months thereafter. While narrating me this event, Hameed Sahab had tear in his eyes. He said he never knew that asking him to stop singing meant that he will leave this world too!!! Perhaps for Rafi Sahab, keeping a promise and honoring a commitment was more important than his life. Once he committed to stop singing meant the end of his life. A word that he kept till the very end and fulfilled a promise he made to his mentor and an elder brother.

The itch in me to have met Rafi Sahab never faded or left my system. It grew with passage of time in parallel with the growing recognition across the sub-continent of Rafi Sahabs unmatchable voice and his exceptional qualities of playback singing that were not to be found in any other human being since his death. The world simply could not find a replacement of him or any one close to his godly voice. Another Mohammad Rafi was no where, no more and perhaps would never be found.

I remember once attending a musical function in the memory of the late singer in Canada when a poet cum writer went as far as saying and I Rafi Sahab was a unique creation of God and even if God once again tries to create another Mohammad Rafi , He cannot . This is the ultimate compliment that can be given to a human being though such statements cross the red lines of religious beliefs and Allahs greatness. I should be pardoned for this sin of quoting an otherwise unholy statement.

The second phase started with my regular surfing of internet websites about Rafi Sahab. This brought another revelation to me. Rafi Sahabs youngest brother Mohammad Saddique is still alive and lives in his old ancestral home in Lahore. This information was provided by two extremely friendly and cooperative Rafians Mr. Ghulam Mujtaba and his nephew Mr. Adeel, both residents of Lahore and who were also involved with the Lahore Chapter of Rafi Foundation along with another very famous fan of Rafi Jee Col (Retd) Saeed Khan, Pakistans ex-Olympic Hockey Player and a star by himself in the field of sports .

Locating the real brother of Rafi Sahab was indeed a great discovery for me and very exciting one. I decided to visit my own home town Lahore as soon as possible to meet the gentlemen mentioned in the previous para and through their efforts meet the real brother Mohammad Saddique and other close relatives of Rafi Sahab.

The moment that I was so keenly waiting for finally arrived barely 36 hours of my landing in Lahore. I warmly embraced Saddique sahib at the entrance of a small auditorium of National University of Modern Languages (NUML) at Lahore where Saddique Sahab had come as a chief guest to participate in a small musical tribute to Rafi Sahab arranged by the Principal of the college Colonel (Retd). Saeed Khan (Also an enthusiastic Rafian, former Pakistan Hockey Olympian) under the banner of RAFI FOUNDATION.

I found Saddique Sahab very warm, affectionate and friendly on my very first encounter. It felt a lot of humility, warmth, simplicity and, genuineness in him. This was perhaps a family trait for which Rafi Sahab too was uniquely remembered. The saying that Rafi Sahab was a Saint who sang in Gods voice was quite so true.

The evening choosen for paying Tribute to Mohammad Rafi happened to be 12th Rabbi-ul-Awwal (21st March) the day our prophet Mohammad (PBUH) was born and was a public holiday in Lahore. Nevertheless the musical tribute did take place. Mr. Saeed Khan and his son Bilal sang wonderfully well some of Rafi Sahabs popular songs. Later on I also sang few songs and ghazals and felt very proud to be singing in front of the real brother of Rafi Sahab.

The treat of the evening was yet to come. Saddique Sahab in the end took over the harmonium and sang some of the favorite and difficult songs despite the old age factor He started with Maduhuban Mera Dika Nachey Raye in his soft, low tone, husky and melodious voice .and ended with Jane Bahar Husn Tera, in Raag Malkous. I felt that I have eventually heard Rafi Sahab sing in person. My wish to meet him and listen to him seems partly fulfilled. No one could have fulfilled my wish better than this, in any other way. God almighty did this for me. I thank Allah Almighty.

The musical session concluded at midnight and here I must praise the commitment to music and Rafi lovers by Saddique Sahab who stayed with us till the very end despite his old age. We parted with a commitment that we shall meet each other in the next few days prior to my departure for Kuwait for an informal chat that can be communicated to the Rafi Lovers around the World.

On Thursday March 27 Mr. Mujtaba and Mr. Saeed were able to arrange as well as accompany me on long desired meeting with Saddique Sahab at his and Rafi Jees family home in Bilal Ganj (Behind the Mouselum of Hazrat Data Gaj Buksh the famous 12th century Muslim Saint which was once a regular place of visit by Rafi Sahab also) . We arrived after driving through narrow streets and alleys of Bilal Ganj. The crowded area where driving during the day time was virtually impossible but was expertly managed by my cousin Ismail Butt who kindly provided logistical services during my Lahore Yatra specially the ones I undertook for Rafi Sahabs lovers across the world.

On our arrival at about 3PM in the afternoon we found Saddique Sahab waiting for us in his room on the ground floor of a building that saw our beloved Rafi Jee through his child hood. We walked on the same street where Rafi Jees footsteps once rolled and spread the particles of gold dust that spread and converted into the voice of God and thus became immortal . We were in the same house where Rafi Jee climbed and walked down the staircase many times during a day and where his golden voice echoed many times day or night.

I looked at the surrounding walls of the house many times while I was there, visualizing that a young Mohammad Rafi in his teens would come down from some place of his house, humming and singing and getting out of the house into the street into the waiting arms of his teenage friends. I touched Saddique Sahab s hands and hugged him many times too, to feel that Mohammad Rafi not only lives in our hearts, but we can feel him too.

I admirably watched Saddique sahib whose primary concern on our arrival seemed how best and how soon to entertain us. A typical Lahori host who would do about anything to feed his guests with the best snacks, food, drinks that can be made available. Saeed sahib and Mujtaba Sahab being his regular visitors successfully restrained him and we finally succeeded in getting into a conversation mode.

I briefly summarize the main points of conversation with Saddique Sahab with myself, Mr. Saeed Khan and Mr. Mujtaba for the amusement of the readers. My younger cousin Ismail who drove us through the narrow and crowded lanes of Bilal Ganj also took the responsibility of making a video while we informally conversed. This video is an invaluable record of a memorable and unforgettable conversation with someone who shares not only blood and flesh but child hood memories, time spent together on various visits to Mumbai, his presence during the creation, composition and recording of scores of Rafi Sahabs famous songs that we all listen so fondly and so often.

1. Rafi Sahabs singing talent was discovered during his child hood. A Faqir who used to pass by usually sang while walking thru the street and the young Rafi would reproduce the same with no difficulty. Khaidan Dey Din Chaar (Days of Play and Fun are Four) was one such melodious verse that young Rafi reproduced in front of the fakir prompting him to praise the young boy with lots of prayers for his success. The fakir prophetically declared that the boy will create a big name for himself in the field of music in the days to come.

1. The first Ustaad was Chootay Ghulam Ali. Later Ustaad Feroze Nizami and Ustaad Whaeed Khan sahib also contributed in training the legend.

1. Saddique Sahab reminisced the day when Rafi Sahab departed along with Hameed Sahab for Mumbai by train. Almost all close friends and relatives accompanied them to Lahore Railway station to see them off. He was sent off with lots of prayers and good wishes.

1. Rafi Sahabs father Haji Ali Mohammad instructed his son at the time of departing that since he is venturing on this great journey, coming back to Lahore without achieving success and his ultimate goal is not an option. Effectively he was instructing him to take a one way ticket. He said he was willing to forget that he had a son named Rafi in case his journey to Mumbai does not yield the desired results.

1. Rafi sahabs love for his family back in Pakistan was very deep, caring and never ending. He never lost an opportunity of seeing his brothers and parents whenever and wherever he could.

1. Rafi Sahab was the true face of love, peace, inter-religious harmony based on Gandhian philosophy, Secularism and Indian Nationalism. Despite the fact that he belonged to Lahore and all his immediate family lived in Lahore, he remained an Indian citizen by choice till death. His burial in Mumbai India proved his eternal and everlasting love with the soil that immortalized him for ever. Rafi Sahabs parents are buried in Miani sahib grave yard in Lahore that he visited last in 1962.

1. Saddique Sahab narrated many events of his visits to Mumbai to meet his brother particularly the ones that happened around the recording of various songs during which he used to be present.

Later Saddique Sahab took us to a special room where few original portraits of himself, Rafi Sahab and their father Haji Ali Mohammad were hanging. The best I could do was to video film those hanging portraits.

Subsequently we visited late. Mohammad Ibrahims house (Rafi Sahabs elder brother) in the street nearby. It was a pleasure meeting Rafi Sahabs look alike nephew Mohammad Ashfaq, who too narrated some events of his familys interaction with the legend. He proudly showed us many family photographs that included Rafi Sahib.

Returning from this memorable visit and driving through the evening rush hour of the crowded narrow lanes of the older part of Lahore, I was looking at the surrounding buildings with envy who had seen young Rafi pass by many times. Everything probably stood as it was in the early 1940s but Rafi Sahab was no where, not any where in this world. But for sure his golden voice will live on for ever, he too will live in the hearts and minds of people for all times to come.



Haseena Maan Jayegi: Chandni Raat Main

Dosti: Koi Jabh Raah Na Paye

Gharana: Husn Wale Tera Jawab Nahin

Barsaat Ki Raat: Zindagi Bhar Nahi Bholaygi