Even though Rafi Sahab’s father was against Rafi taking up music and singing as his career, he gave some teaching to him at the time when he was leaving home:
a) Beta aadmi chahe jitna hi ooncha kyon na ud le use apne paaon (feet) zameen pe hi rakhne padte hain, isliye kabhi ghamand(proud) mat karna, kisi gareeb ka dil na dukhana aur ho sake to koshish karna dusron ka sahara banne ki…
b) Tumhari nazren(sight) hamesha jhuki rahen, kisi ke saamne uthen nahi…
c) Aur beta sab se zaroori hai CHARITRA (character), is par kabhi koi aanch na aane dena…
And Rafi saheb followed these teachings of his father all through his life; he never hurt anybody, never taken bad wishes from anybody and never became obstinate for money & accepted happily whatever he got.
During the initial days of his career, Rafi Sahab used to walk-up to the studio and there were times wherein he had to spend time at the railway station, in case the recording got cancelled.
Once Naushad Sahib due to some reasons cancelled the recording of his song in which Rafi Saheb was a chorus singer. All the other artists left the studio one by one but Rafi Saheb was still standing there silently by holding his hands together. Seeing Rafi, Naushad Saheb asked him- “Aap abhi tak yahan kyon khade hain?” Then Rafi Saheb saw here & there and replied with lots of hesitation- “Janab mere paas keval ek hi rupiya tha jisse main yahan taka a to gaya, lekin wapas jaane ke liye mere paas kuchh bhi nahi..” On hearing this, Naushad Saheb gave him a rupee for returning, but Rafi Saheb did not spend that rupee and returned again on his feet.
After few years when Mohd Rafi became “thee Mohd Rafi” he kept that rupee in a golden frame in his drawing room. Thus, he never forgot his past.
Naushad Speaks on Depart of Rafi Saheb -
Hindustan to kya puri dunia ke karoron logon ke liye Rafi Saheb ki Aawaz unki zindagi ka ek hissa ban gayi thi. Unki aawaz se hi logon ka din shuru hota tha aur unki aawaz par raat dhalti thi. Aaj unka hamare beech na hona hamare, aapke aur sab ke liye ek na-kabile-talafi nuksaan hai, aur mai samajhta hoon ki unki jagah hamesha khali rahegi….
“Tujhe nagmo ki jaan ahle-nazar yun hi nahi kahte,
Tere geeton ko dil ka humsafar yun hi nahi kahte.
Dukhi the laakh phir bhi, mutmain the dard ke maare,
Teri aawaz ki shabnam se dhul jaate the gam saare.
Teri taanon me husn-e-zindagi leta tha angdai,
Tujhe allah ne baksha tha andaze masihaai.
Tu hi tha pyaar ka ek saaz is nafrat ki dunia me,
Are ganimat thi teri aawaz is nafrat ki dunia me…”
How true was Naushad Saheb! Really The golden voice of Rafi saheb is a gift of GOD for us. Rafi Saheb is not only known for his song but also for his great character & humility.
Rafi Saheb was a great human being and a great singer. He believed in donations & charity. He was a very soft hearted person. Once, while he was returning from his regular morning walk with his friend, a strange person came to him and asked for some money. Rafi sahib inserted his hand in his pocket & gave him some rupees without counting and went forward. Seeing this, his friend asked- “Kya aap yun kisi ko bhi bina gine hi rupaye de dete hain?” The reply of Rafi Saheb was dignified which only he could give – he said with innocence – “Jab khuda mujhe bina gine rupaye de raha hai to main uske kuchh zaruratmand bandon ko bhala gin kar rupaye kyon doon?” This was the greatness of Rafi Saheb.
He has also said in his songs-
a) Gareebon ki suno wo tumhari sunega, Tum ek paisa doge wo das laakh dega….
b) Kar de madad gareeb ki tera sukhi rahe sansaar, Bacchon ki kilkari se gunje sara ghar baar….
c) Insan bano kar lo bhalai ka koi kaam insan bano… dunia se chale jaaoge rah jaaega bas naam insaan bano……
During the seven day celebration of first Republic day, Rafi Saheb was also invited. But, he was listed for the last day of the programme. When Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru saw Rafi Sahab, he announced – “Mohd. Rafi ko bulwaiye, unka bhi gana sunenge.” Rafi was happy – “Chalo Pandit ji ke saamne gaane ka mauka to mila”. Since all the programmes were already set, the organizers could only squeeze 5 minutes for Rafi Sahab. Once after he took up the microphone, due to heavy audience requests he was there for 30 minutes.
Since food can influence the quality of voice and tone, Rafi Sahab was apprehensive about his intakes. During one occasion when Rafi Sahab was invited by Pandit Nehru, he offered him Chat (Pani Puri wala chat). Rafi Sahab refused very softly – “Maaf kijiyega main ye nahi le sakta.” Pandit ji in return said, “Are main aap ko kuchh khilaunga nahin, le lijiye.” Then Rafi Saheb said- “Pandit ji agar meri aawaz sirf meri hoti to main zaroor kha leta lekin ab meri aawz sirf meri nahi rah gayi hai, ab ye pure Hindustan ki ho gayi hai, jiska khyal mujhe rakhna hi padta hai.” On hearing this, Nehru patted him on back and hugged him very affectionately.
Mohd. Rafi Saheb loved children very much. He sent few gifts for them daily in his locality and also played with them whenever he could. At the time of singing a children song he also looked like a child. The song “choon-2 karti aayi chidia, daal ka dana laayi chidia…” Of the film “Ab dilli door nahi” is the live example of the same.
Rafi Sahib’s daily routine was clear and simple. In spite of his great stature, he would ensure his time for his family. He would wake up early and go for a morning walk, after which he would play badminton and then proceed for recordings. He used always dedicate minimum of 4 hours for his daily riyaaz.
Color white was Rafi Sahab’s favourite color and in perfumes he would prefer Yardley. Khemchand, Naushad, C. Ramchand, Jaya Dutt and O.P.Nayyar were few of his favourite MDs.
Rafi Sahab’s own favourite songs were:
a) Suhani raat dhal chuki from Dulari
b) O Dunia ke rakhwale from Baiju Bawra
c) Man re tu kahe na dheer dhare from Chitralekha
d) Madhuban me radhika nache re from Kohinoor
Mohd Rafi Sahab & Kishore Da were very dear and close friends. Inspite of being a great singer, Kishore da was also an ardent fan of Rafi Saheb. There was only a single picture in Kishore da’s drawing room and that was of Mohd. Rafi Saheb. According to Manna Dey – “Dono ek dusre ke dil me rahte hain“.
Rafi Saheb is not only known for his songs but also for his great character & humility. His golden voice is a gift of GOD for us.
Unki aawaz ka koi sani nahi. wo insan ke roop me ek FARISTA the aur un jaise insaan roz-roz nahi aate, kabhi sadiyon me janm lete hain. unki aawaz khuda ki kisi NEMAT se kam nahi.
“Sabhi se zuda jiska andaaz hai,
Zami-Ta-Falak jiski parwaaz hai.
Wohi jis per sangeet ko naaz hai,
Mohd. Rafi saheb ki wo aawaz hai.”
“Mahfilon ke daamno me sahilon ke aas- paas, Sadiyon tak ye sada goonjegi dilon ke aas- paas .. MOHAMMED RAFI .. MOHAMMED RAFI .. MOHAMMED RAFI “
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