MOHAMMED RAFI IN THE WORDS OF RAVINDRA JAIN

Ravindra Jain, the visually-challenged Musician, began his career with his first recorded song of the Singing Legend Mohammed Rafi in Silsila Hai Pyaar Ka. However, his first released movie was Kaanch Aur Heera in which, again, he had the immortal Golden Voice of Rafi Sahaab to begin with. Ravindra Jain remembers that Rafi Sahaab never made him feel that he was just beginning his career. Ravindra Jain also remembers that Rafi Sahaab put in the same dedication as he would put for a song by, say, Naushad Saab. NAZAR AATEE NAHEEN MANZIL, sung by Rafi Sahaab in Kaanch Aur Heera remains one of his most popular compositions. Of course, later on Rafi Sahaab sang many of his compositions in such movies as Chor Machaaye Shor, Badrinath Dhaam, Raja Harishchandra, Khoon Kharaba, Aatish, Toofan, Shatranj Ke Mohre, Do Jaasoos, Yeh Kaisa Insaaf, Saudagar, Daku Aur Mahatma, Saajan Mere Main Saajan ki,Atyachaar, Raees Zaada, Ek Gaon Ki Kahani, Ram Bharose, Ghar Ki Laaj, Ham Nahin Sudhrenge, Aakhri Kasam, Geet Gaata Chal, Khwaab,and so on from about 1973 to 1980.

Ravindra Jain, who remains one of the staunchest admirers of Rafi Sahaab, has time and again categorically stated, especially on TV channels, that no playback singer can occupy the high place of Rafi Sahaab. Ravindra Jain, being multi-talented himself, is also singer and lyricist. He is also known for coming up with his spontaneous lyrics.


After Rafi Sahaab passed away, the entire Indian film industry paid rich tributes to the memory of the eternal singer. Tributes also came from Pakistan and the rest of the world. Ravindra Jain has paid a glowing tribute to Rafi Sahaab in the following words which have been translated literally by me in English below:


Peshaani pe shams aankh me.n taaro.n ki ziya theeh
THE FOREHEAD WAS RESPLENDENT AS THE SUN, THE EYES SHONE WITH THE BRILLIANCE OF THE STARS,

Woh kaise bujha jis ko zamaane ki dua theeh
HOW COULD HE BE EXTINGUISHED WHO HAD THE BLESSINGS OF THE WORLD,

Naakhush hai Khuda apne farishto.n se
GOD IS DISPLEASED WITH HIS ANGELS,

Nahee.n toh dharti ke farishte ki zaroorat kya theeh
OTHERWISE, WHAT WAS THE NEED FOR AN EARTHLY ANGEL,

Naghme toh tere phir bhi sune jaayenge lekin,
YOUR SONGS WILL NO DOUBT BE LISTENED TO, BUT

Kuchh teri zaroorat, hame.n is ke sivaa bhee theeh.
WE NEEDED YOU ALSO FOR SOMEWHAT BESIDES THIS. 

On the occasion of Shahid rafi's launch of Mohammed Rafi Academy in Mumbai, Ravindra Jain said:

 “Rafi sahaab ne naam apnaa Mohammed se sajayaa hai

  Mohammed naam aisaa hai jo doh aalam pe chhaayaa hai

  Rafi Sahaab ke pardaa karne ke baad naa aisaa gaayak aayaa hai

  naa aisaa insaaN aayaa hai....” 

NASIR.