I am not really qualified to talk at length about Mohammed Rafi. I was lucky to be growing up during the 60s when the best of our music was all around me. Rafi was here, there and everywhere. He ruled the airwaves. The careers of actors like Rajendra Kumar were actively boosted by the glorious voice of Rafi. Shammi Kapoor was able to rise to the top of the ranks thanks to the booming voice of Rafi that yodeled ‘Yahoo’ as he slid down the slopes of Kashmir. He had oodles of charm, Shammi Kapoor did, but he needed Rafi’s voice to woo his lady love. Of course, there were many very good films being made then. There were even more films that had nothing but the songs to draw the audience into the cinema hall. These were the films that ran purely on the magic of the music and voice of the lead singers, usually Lata and Rafi. During the 70s Rafi had been upstaged by Kishore Kumar. These are the ups and downs that the famous people have to contend with. In 1976 Laila Majnu came out. The music was initially provided by Madan Mohan, and upon his death, completed by Jaidev. The tune of the qawwali that follows, resembles the music Madan Mohan provided in the film Hanste Zakhm (Yeh Maana meri jaan) Rishi Kapoor started out by using the voice of Shailendra Singh, picked for him as Raj Kapoor wanted someone new for his son’s first film as a hero. In his next film on he lip-synched to songs sung by Kishore Kumar (O Hansini), which suited him as well. In this film, Laila Majnu, he was playing the legendary lover, Majnu or Qais. Contrary to what Raj Kapoor thought, the voice of Rafi does not sound ‘older’ at all. His voice was still fresh and not like that of a singer whose career is about to end. He was only in his early 50s, and it seemed like he had many more years to go as a lead singer. Alas, fate played a cruel trick, and on 31st July 1980, Mohammad Rafi’s passed away. In this song, Laila and Majnu have been ordered to keep apart by Laila’s father. This has driven Qais crazy (Majnu). He is on the brink of death when he reaches the dargah of Sakhi Peer and vows to kill himself if he does not get to see Laila. Right at the moment, Laila comes to the dargah to pray. Their eyes meet, and the qawwali starts. For the entire duration of the first part that is sung by Aziz Nazaan and an unidentified singer (Help!), Laila and Majnoon look deep into each other’s eyes. It was an intensely romantic moment. Sahir came up trumps with his usual touch in all other songs of this film, except (I feel) “Koi paththar se na mare mere diwane ko”. Pathhar se maare to kis cheez se maare? Here is this qawwaali in it’s full glory. Today is the day to listen to Rafi sahib’s voice ad infinitum. youtu.be/I699yLKc5iQ
Posted on: Wed, 31 Jul 2013 10:12:01 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015