On the 44th death anniversary of legendary playback singer Mohammed Rafi, heartfelt tributes pour in from across the nation. Among the most poignant is a message from Bollywood icon Saira Banu. Sharing an emotional note, she expressed her deep reverence for the singer whose voice was synonymous with the golden era of Indian cinema.
Saira Banu took to Instagram to share a long heartfelt note while commemorating the singer. She wrote," One of the greatest playback singers, Mohd Rafi Sahab, is a genius when it comes to varied styles of songs. This great singer had an exquisite blend of melody, emotion, and energy, which always resulted in thousands of soulful songs."
She also shed light on the close connection shared by her late husband and actor Dilip Kumar and Mohammed Rafi. "To quote Dilip Sahib, "There have been a number of highly talented playback singers, but with Rafi Bhai, it has been mystical bonding as though he was part of me, practically my own voice, and a humble, unpretentious figure. Rafi Bhai had the God-given ability to mould and adapt his rendering of a number as per the given situation in the film, the characters, mood of the time, and overall nature of the character in the film," she continued the caption.
Saira Banu reminisced about Dilip Kumar working hard to learn the Sitar when he collaborated with Mohammed Rafi on the iconic song "Madhuban Mein Radhika Naache Rey". She wrote, "Sahib and Rafi Bhai together worked on the special song "Madhuban Mein Radhika Naache Rey" in the massive hit "KOHINOOR." Sahib practiced for 7-8 months on the sitar to be perfect."
In the heartwarming tribute, Saira Banu shared an anecdote of the time following the Indo-China War when the legendry actor-singer duo, Mohammed Rafi and Dilip Kumar had planned to perform for the armed forces but Rafi contracted a sore throat. Narrating the incident she wrote, "I would like to quote an incident from 1962, soon after the Indo-China conflict, which is fondly recalled by my husband, the legendary Dilip Sahab. Both legends of Indian cinema were on the border to entertain the Jawans of the Border Security Force, but suddenly Rafi Bhai developed a terrible throat infection and lost his voice. Rafi Bhai was in tears and inconsolable at the thought of letting down the eager Jawans who were sending him little notes of requests on pieces of paper for their favourite songs, which they wished to hear live at the show.
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Dilip Sahab said Rafi Bhai kept praying to regain his voice, and Dilip Sahib kept giving him a concoction of ginger and honey, which was his mother’s remedy at home. Like a good boy, Rafi Bhai gulped it down obediently, and lo and behold! It worked wonders for him. Rafi Bhai could not believe it, and when he woke up the next day and cleared his throat to hear his own inimitable, velvety voice! The Tragedy King Dilip Sahab said, "There was a feeling of elation and great relief for Rafi Bhai, for me, and for the Border Security Force Jawans. This simple mixture worked, while others were downing hard brandies in the cold weather, but Rafi Bhai, being a complete teetotaler, would not touch it."
Saira Banu further wrote that she would share more personal anecdotes about the iconic artist and concluded the post with, "There's a cute personal anecdote with Rafi Bhai that I shall love to share with you tomorrow!"
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