Thanks to the proximity Mohammed Rafi, whose birth centenary falls today, December 24, shared with his late father, composer Sardar Malik, and his maternal uncle, the legendary Hasrat Jaipuri, composer-singer (and occasional lyricist and actor!) Anu Malik shared a cordial relationship with Rafi from his childhood, and his admiration for him knew no bounds.
His contemporaries, Raamlaxman, Nadeem-Shravan and Jatin Pandit (as Mandhir-Jatin) may have recorded once or more with the titanic singer, but it was Anu Malik who recorded three memorable songs for his debut film, Poonam, released in 1981. Rafi dominated this album that also featured a song each by Amit Kumar and Bhupinder Singh.
It is clear from the way Anu later employed Shabbir Kumar, Mohammed Aziz and finally Sonu Nigam, that the composer never forgot Rafi’s impressions and influence and it is a moot point whether Rafi would have remained his voice of choice had he lived on. And today, Anu Malik has sent me a personal note on the immortal legend, that I quote in full.
“You also know there will never ever be another Rafi saheb! So howsoever one praises the greatest of all Rafi saheb, words fall short!
There is no word left in the dictionary of the world and the universe that has a new word to praise the legends of legends
I consider myself blessed beyond blessed when I hear people talking and praising Rafi saheb that I belong to a family whose uncle the late and great Hasrat Jaipuri saheb wrote most of his super-hit songs under the baton of Shankar Jaikishan. I am the son of the absolute great Shri Sardar Malik saheb whose songs with Rafi saheb stand the test of time, especially Mujhe tumse mohabbat hain magar main keh nahi sakta(Bachpan in 1963), which incidentally was one of Rafi saheb’s favourite songs.
I myself have had the good fortune of recording at least 4 songs with the king of singers the one and only Mohammed Rafi saheb RAFI SAHEB LIVES ON
Because not only for his great Voice but his humane qualities.”
The emotional note ends. But the emotions will not!
The three fabulous (and popular) songs of the composer are Aa zaraa mere humnasheen, Laagi lag jaaye and Mohabbat rang layegi (with Chandrani Mukherjee). The remaining songs mentioned by the composer were recorded probably for films that never released.
(Used with permission)
