Kachha Dhaaga Options

[unni]

Ab se main apney postings/uploads sirf is "dhaagey' mein karoonga. Mein nahin chahta kay meri wajeh se koi kisi-bhi-tareh ki taqleef mehsoos karein.

After singing-star Suraiyya's recent demise Lata-ji paid a lovely tribute to her, during which she recollected a song-recording with her and "another singer". Suraiyya-ji was then a bubbling spirit and started giggling, which got Lata-ji also into a 'giglacious" mood and it went on to become a giggling spree. Apparently the "other singer" was not amused and complained that she (Suraiyya-ji) was disturbing his singing.

I can imagine a conscientious Rafi-sahab at the recording-studio, seriously humming the lines and rehearsing for the recording, only to be interrupted time and again by high-pitched giggles from his two female co-singers.

My guess is it was at the recording of "Bheegi palkein ootha".

And I wouldn't blame him for thinking of them by the name of the film they were recording for: "DO GUNDE"!

[UKM]

I envy anyone who has had the opportunity to meet, let alone know Rafi-sahab.

I met one in the mid-80's, an Indian businessman who was also a promoter of live performances in the USA. One of his visits to my office was just prior to an Asha Bhosle show arranged by him. When he made a mention about the forthcoming show, I tried to wangle out guest tickets (!), and he neatly diverted the subject by recounting his interaction with Ghulam Ali at a previous show. When he named this second artiste, I was curious to know which of the famous singers he had "presented", and among the names was "Mohd. Rafi".

Naturally, I was keen to elicit his experiences in regard to Rafi-sahab. His immediate response underscored the simplicity of the man, something we have all learnt from various sources.

My client had some role in promoting live performances by Rafi-sahab in the New York metropolitan area. He had met Rafi-sahab earlier and had taken him on a visit to his office in conjunction with the show-arrangements.

A day or two later, when he returned to his office after a meeting, he was totally surprised to find Rafi-sahab seated in his cabin, waiting for him! In the course of fetching him a soft-drink, my acquaintance exited the cabin and questioned his secretary/assistant about not having phoned and informed him that Rafi-sahab had come to see him. And she replied, "What could I do? I told him I would inform you. But he said, "Nahin, saab ko thung nahin karna, main thodi daer intezaar karoonga".n