Nasir's Eclectic Blog: September 2016

We all know about the golden voice of Mohammed Rafi Sahaab (1924-1980) who was the most versatile playback singer of the Hindi screen. Among the thousands of his songs of various genres, there are also many heart-rending numbers that convey the plight of the poor. In fact, these songs have kept alive the memory of those movies which otherwise would have long been forgotten.

That Rafi Sahaab had a golden heart as well is also generally acknowledged and there are countless stories of how he helped the people in financial distress or how he doled out money for charity. Incredulous as it may sound, here’s another story by an eye-witness, one Jaffer Wali, who has written about seeing Mohammed Rafi singing on the footpath to raise money for charity. Jaffer Wali was a Std.V kid at that time. Based on his information, I am hereby presenting an abridged version in my own words:

Rafi Sahaab never used to miss his Friday prayers which he offered in the BaRee Masjid at Bandra. Once, after the Friday prayers, Rafi sahab as usual walked past the famous Lucky Restaurant down to the petrol pump to hail a taxi for home. There he was accosted by three persons of the Sikh community. They told him that they had come from the Guru Nanak Charity Clinic which was located on Station Road, Bandra. They were in dire need of some funds. Now, right on the road, Rafi Sahab had nothing with him. Even the coins that he used to carry in his handkerchief while leaving for prayers had already been distributed to the wayside needy people. What was he to do? The enterprising Rafi Sahaab didn’t lose his heart. He took the Sardars along with him towards the Riyaz Restaurant on Station Road where old 'KabbaRi' shops existed. There, from one of the shops, he borrowed a harmonium. Notwithstanding his immaculate white churidar pyjama, white kurta and a white skullcap he sat down on the footpath under the shade of a tree. For about 15 minutes he played the harmonium, fine-tuning it. By this time a large crowd had gathered. Then Rafi Sahaab began to sing to the immense pleasure of the crowd. He sang three songs. After each song, he would ask the listeners to donate generously in the name of Allah. The people in the crowd willingly gave what they had in their pockets. Soon coins and currency notes were piled up before him. He asked for a sack and the money thus collected was put in the sack. Then Rafi Sahab handed over the entire sack of money to the three Sardars who were stunned by Rafi Sahab’s humility as well as his helpful and resourceful nature. They thanked him profusely and happily departed from the scene.

While on the subject, it would be appropriate to list some of the songs that have come to be termed as “the Beggars’ Delight”. These songs were commonly sung by beggars and street urchins who begged for money on the streets of Mumbai and in the local trains. Since those songs were popular, the beggars did a brisk business. I especially remember the Vachan’s number, O babu O babu O jaane waale babu ek paisa dede… that was popular for decades together. One of the songs even talk about the plight of the Rich. I call these songs as Rich Man-Poor Man Rafi’s Tributes”.