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He was the man with the golden voice. More than forty years have elapsed since he departed for the other world, but his memories live on. In the era of YoYo Honey Singh and cringe-worthy lyrics with ‘chaar bottle vodka’, his fans still celebrate his birth and death anniversary with an utmost devotion and passion.
He was a religious Muslim, but listening to “Madhuban Me Radhika Naache Re”, which was in itself a sheer classical delight, one could almost envisage Radha dancing to the lilting tunes of the flute played by her lover, Lord Krishna. Music knows no boundaries, no religion, and no barriers, and the genius proved it time and again.
He was the voice of Shammi Kapoor, the actor with the twinkle toes – “O Haseena Zulfon Wali Jane Jaha”, “Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche Har Zabaan Par”. Could one discern ‘life’ in these hits? It was as if he swayed to these hits in his playback chamber. How could one explain the energy these songs possessed? Did he feel the pathos of a jilted lover? How else could he sing ‘Dil Ke Jharoke Me Tujhko Bithakar’? Did he experience the sheer joy of being carefree while belting out “Yahoo”? Was he mentally serenading his sweetheart while singing “Deewana Hua Badal”?
For some actors, who couldn’t emote to save their lives, he proved to be their savior. “Kaun He Jo Sapno Me Aaya” is remembered more than the movie ‘Jhuk Gaya Aasmaan’ and its hero Rajendra Kumar. “Jo Wada Kiya Wo Nibhana Padega” is more of him than Pradeep Kumar. “Kya Hua Tera Wada” brings back the memory of his golden voice, but who spares a thought for Tariq, the forgotten actor?
He had a contemporary in the great Kishore Kumar, who was a genius himself. Actors like Amitabh Bachchan and Rajesh Khanna were better suited for Kishore. But this down-to-earth person switched so effortlessly to be the voice behind them—”Teri Bindiya Re” and “Gulabi Aankhen” being classic examples.
Even the great comedians had the privilege of lip-syncing to his songs. Johnny Walker flirted with his real wife in Mr. and Mrs. 55 (Jane Kaha Mera Jigar Gaya Ji), and Mehmood thrashed racism in his own quirky style (Hum Kaale Hai To Kya Hua Dilwale Hai).
I am not a connoisseur of music. My repertoire of his songs is limited. And I am definitely no way near the genius. But if ever there was a God of Music, I know he would sound exactly like this man.
I offer my humble ‘Shradhdhanjali’ to him. As I type this post, I am swept away by the ‘Yaadon Ki Baarat’ from the glorious past.
He was none other than Mohd Rafi, who left us on July 31, 1980.
Narayani V Manapadam
