IN his rejoinder (Aug 21) to my letter (Aug 16) on the above subject, Mr A. Zuberi has tried to cast an impression as if all the facts mentioned in it about Mohammad Rafi are based on fallacies. Let me clarify that I had mentioned about the initiation of Rafi’s playback-singing career in Bombay, which had brought to him worldwide fame.

In her book on Rafi, his daughter-in-law Yasmin Khalid Rafi, writes about his participation in the chorus composed by Naushad Ali for the film Pehle Aap as follows: “This was Abba’s first breakthrough. Abba was now acknowledged as a playback singer”.

About Rafi’s song O Duniya Ke Rakhwale for the film Baiju Bawra released in 1952, I had mentioned that after listening to it, the floodgates of singing offers from the top melody makers of Bombay were opened for Rafi. This was Rafi’s first song in which his singing potential and wide voice range was fully exploited by composer Naushad. The song became immortal and in music concerts the audience would not allow Rafi to leave the stage without singing it.

There is no doubt that Rafi’s duet with Nur Jehan Yahan Badla Wafa Ka, composed by Feroz Nizami, for Jugnu, released in 1947, became popular amongst the public. I had acknowledged the fact in my letter of July 31, 2013, published on Rafi’s 33rd death anniversary. However, it was not acclaimed by melody makers.

A song may become popular due to its lyrics, tune or singer’s voice, but composers will judge its standard only on the basis of the vocalist’s singing quality.

Feroz Nizami used to teach classical music at the Alhamra Arts Council in Lahore in the late 1950s and one of my cousins was his favourite student. Despite the popularity of the duet, he would often tell his students that Rafi and Nur Jehan did not sing it in the manner he wanted them to sing.

Anyone having an understanding of music will appreciate the difference in the quality of songs sung by Mohammad Rafi for Baiju Bawra and in the films released prior to this musical extravaganza.

Parvez Rahim
Karachi

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2014