This article is submitted by Faiz Ahmed from Kolkata, who needs no introduction in these lanes. A big thanks to him for sending this. (You can also send your articles for us to publish here.)

Many a time we hear how Rafi Sahab transcends every boundary and reaches out to the farthest and most unlikely places. From the inner sanctums of Kashi Mandir to the milad of a Muslim home, his voice has made a residence of every perceivable place. This is another small incident that demonstrates this reach.

This is about my chat friend from Philippines where Rafi sahab is obviously not a household name. She was not in the best of moods the other night and asked for some soothing music to uplift her spirits. I, the Rafi-enthusiast that I am, latched on to this opportunity to introduce Rafi Sahab to her. I searched for my eternal favorite “Aapke haseen rukh” from Baharein Phir Bhi Aayegi on youtube and gave her the link.

Her first reaction was – “Nice song, the piano is soothing, but I don’t understand what he says.”

“What do u think of the voice?” I poked further.

“Nice indeed,” was the reply. “Can you please tell me what it means? This song is so fresh that I don’t want it to stop. Neither do I want to let it go not understood.”

Well, I tried, but I was not satisfied with my translation. So I sought help from another Rafian, Samarjit Acharjee, who I felt could chip in.

Here is his translation for the reader -

The glow in your face, today, is not quite the same

If my heart throbbed to that, am I to blame?

The words your eyes said - I've surely heard them!

If my heart throbbed to that, am I to blame?

An alluring shine - the shade of your hair, undone

Like, through clouds trickle, rays of the morning sun

Your eyes keep flitting, and the stupor follows them

If my heart throbbed to that, am I to blame?

In the downcast look, there's a wish for a calamity

Lighting writhes, suppressed, in your smile's serenity

Your beauty's drunk on itself, sets itself aflame

If my heart throbbed to that, am I to blame?

The surroundings change, as you walk about

As if, dressed up as you, Spring has come out

In front of your charm, the rest can but look tame

If my heart throbbed to that, am I to blame?

Indeed Samarjit did an excellent work of it. And it helped that he didnt do it instantly. My friend heard it for the voice many times before reading this. When after the delay I presented this excellent translation to the newcomer, she paused to listen again.

“I wish he had sung it for me,” she sighed, “I would have felt so good and the world would have been so jealous of me.”

I again asked about the voice. And what I got was in reply was a shocker. She found it similar to Frank Sinatra. I murmured, “Rafi Sahab, tussi great ho. Awaaz ka jaadugar gar koi hai to wo tum ho.” I told her Mohammad Rafi, the greatest singer, sang it. And, of course, added that he is my most favourite singer.

When I start on Rafi Sahab I seemingly cannot stop, as this article is proving as well. So I went on from his singing capabilities to his angelic nature. I guessed she understood little about those classifications of Indian light music but she told me one thing, “Wow, that type of man is so rare nowadays. I can’t deny I am impressed.”

Before I ended our chat, I didn’t forget to give her the link for Pukarta chala hoon main.

A few days later, she asked me the meaning of “Ek na ek din ye kahani banegi.” I was pleasantly surprised to realise that in my absence she was searching for and listening to Rafi Sahab in Youtube regularly. She likes the voice even if she doesn’t know what it says. That, my friend, is in short, how Rafi Sahab won the heart of a Filipina. And I am sure all of us would feel proud to be a Rafian. One more time, one more reason.

Long live the true maestro.

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Last update : 26-03-2010 05:49

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