Remembering Mohd. Rafi, Day 40: Naushad (Medley and "Tu Ganga Ki Mauj")

And so, we have reached the final step of this (particular) journey commemorating 40 years since the physical departure of Mohd. Rafi. While he was quick to become the favorite of so many composers, it's hard to argue that any sangeetkaar played a more crucial role in his ascendancy (and my fandom) than Naushad Ali.

The choice to highlight the Naushad collection on this last day can hardly be unexpected, though I imagine my strategic decision to limit my horizon here to the "pre-Kohinoor" era may be uncomfortable for some. To be sure, the Rafi-Naushad partnership continued on strong for years afterward, but Kohinoor for me represents both the zenith of their collaboration and a time point after which other composers had gained significant share of Mohd. Rafi's musical bandwidth. On top of that, not imposing this restriction could easily have resulted in a prohibitively lengthy video that crashed my computer and never got uploaded!

This series finale, then, begins with an echo of Naushad's early gift to Mohd. Rafi, a brief opportunity to sing with boyhood hero K.L. Saigal. From there, it travels through a series of dearly-cherished melodies that formed the critical early foundation forever establishing Mohd. Rafi as an institution in the arena of Hindi Film Music (and still inducing a childlike awe when I hear them today). True-to-form, I have chosen to sidestep some iconic songs in favor of other favorites from the same soundtrack or time period.

Classically-based melody was a Naushad hallmark. As Bhairavi is an auspicious way to end any musical endeavor, the tailpiece of this video (and the series) comes from a landmark soundtrack I first heard as a pre-schooler on Dad's shoulder that made Mohd. Rafi my boyhood hero - and so it has continued into my adulthood, parenthood, etc.

I reach this (temporary) stopping point with mixed emotions and a sense of impending hangover. What started off as something of a whim turned into a far more expansive and consuming effort (more like 40 days and 40 nights) of self-expression than I had first envisioned...but if anything, it has intensified my attachment to these musical treasures and renewed my deep appreciation for all (even beyond singer/composer/lyricist) who created them. Many of these may never have shined quite so brilliantly had it not been for specific passages in the interlude, or an unprecedented approach to a well-known rhythm, etc. Capturing my renditions (voice, harmonium, and tabla as-needed) on video has meant reliving and relishing it all. Finally, my hope is that my attempts chasing the shadows of greatness have prompted the curiosity of at least a few (more) to explore the magic of Mohd. Rafi's finely-crafted originals, both chartbuster classics and relatively obscure gems. Thank you all for joining me on this journey.

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