Dilip Kumar & Mohammad Rafi: A Bond Beyond Music & Religion

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 10 November 2024 December 11 is the birth anniversary of the legendary thespian Dilip Kumar. Had he been alive, he'd have turned 102. December 24 is the 100th birth anniversary of Rafi. Rafi sang a number of immortal songs for Yusuf Khan. Songs like ' O Door Ke Musafir Hum Ko Bhi Saath Le Le ' (Film: Udan Khatola, 1955, Shakeel/Naushad), 'Toote Hue Khwabon Ne' (Madhumati, 1958, Shailendra/ Salil Choudhury), 'Nain Lad Jayin Hain Toh Manwa Ma' (Film: Ganga Jamuna, 1961, Shakeel/Naushad), 'Koi Saaghar Dil Ko Bahlata Nahin' (Film: Dil Diya Dard Liya, 1966, Shakeel/Naushad), 'Aaj Ki Raat Mere Dil Ki Salami Le Le (Film: Ram aur Shyam, 1967, Shakeel/ Naushad), 'Aaj Purani Raahon Se' (Film: Aadmi, 1968, Shakeel/ Naushad), to name but a few. Dilip Kumar fro Files ---- I met Dilip Kumar a couple of times at Turf Club, Poona and also interviewed him for a few Pakistani Urdu publications. Dilip Kumar told me in his chaste Urdu, "Meri Kaamyabi Mein Rafi Ki Aawaaz Ka Aham Kirdaar Raha Hai " (Rafi's singing had a very big role in my success). He added, "Ve Theek Usi Tarah Gaa Liya Karte Thay, Jis Tarah Main Bolta Hoon " (He'd sing just the way I speak). "Maine Zindagi Mein Kabhi Kisi Se Oonchi Aawaaz Mein Baat Nahin Ki. Rafi Khud Bahut Aahistagi Se Baat Karte Thay. Chunanche, Ve Mere Andaaz-O-Jazbaat Ko Bilkul Sahi Dhang Se Samajh Kar Mere Hi Andaaz Mein Gaa Sake" (I never speak aloud with anyone. Rafi himself was an extremely soft-spoken person. So, he could empathise with my way of speaking and sing just like me). Yusuf Saheb told me. Dilip Kumar was of the view that Rafi was great not because he was gifted with such a mellifluous and unattainably perfect voice, he was successful because he was a thorough gentleman. "Ek Aala Darje Ka Insaan Hi Behatareen Fankaar Ya Gulukaar Ho Sakta Hai " (Only a great human can also become a great artiste/singer). Rafi was indeed a great human. When I asked Dilip sahab, "Aapko Rafi Sahab Ki Aawaaz Mein Kaun Sa Naghma Sab Se Zyada Pasand Hai " (Which's your favourite song of Rafi which he sang for you). He said, " Vaise Toh Saare Lekin ' Koi Saaghar Dil Ko Bahlata Nahin' Un Ki Aawaaz Mein Mera Pasandeeda Gaana Hai " (Though all, Koi Saaghar Dil Ko Bahlata Nahin is my favourite number). Dilip Kumar explained why he liked it the most. By the way, Dilip Kumar had a profound understanding of music and ragas. Before meeting him, I didn't know that the Ghazal 'Koi Saaghar Dil Ko Bahlata Nahin ' was based on Raag Jan Sammohini. Dilip Kumar added to my knowledge that it was the best cinematic and musical manifestation of Raag Jan Sammohini. Mohammad Rafi from Files ----- The melancholic cadences of this song prove that even a plaintive and pensive number can be so sublimely euphonic to the senses. Dilip Kumar suddenly started singing this song, much to my surprise and delight. He went gaga over how Rafi enunciated the word SaaGhar (goblet) with a perfect accent on the letter GHAIN/Ghai-een ( غ ). I could never meet the great maestro. But I could meet Dilip Kumar. His reminiscences of Rafi helped me understand the greatness of such a legendary singer whose voice shall remain the ultimate benchmark for the singers to come. Today, both the greats departed. But their memories are still verdant in our hearts. By the way, will this partisan government confer Bharat Ratna upon Rafi on his 100th birth anniversary? I doubt, though I'll be the happiest person if Rafi gets it ----- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/dilip-rafi-bond-music-religion/d/133981 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism