What a beautifully woven tapestry of memory and melody! I confess I had to pause mid-read when you mentioned 'Pukarta, chala hun main' - found myself humming those lines before I could continue. There's something magical about how you've connected Rafi's voice not just to your Baba's morning serenades, but to the broader canvas of a changing India - the shift from the optimistic 60s to the turbulent 70s, the way cinema mirrored society's moods.
The mention of Chitrahaar brought such a wave of nostalgia! Your essay is a beautiful tribute - to Mohammed Rafi, to your Baba's voice carrying his spirit, and to the way music becomes the invisible thread connecting generations.
I grew up a little later - so we had laptops by then, and my mother had downloaded every old Hindi song there was. Everyday I would come home from school to the sound of Rafi or Talat or Kishore filling her bedroom and the whole house. The music was always playing, all through my school years, kind of like a soundtrack. Rafi has always been my favourite.
Very nice, detailed piece about my all time favourite. He was sent to earth by the Gods for a short while to spread bliss and happiness .
I’ve written a short story woven around the legend here . Do take a look if you can
https://open.substack.com/pub/sunilsemail/p/meri-awaaz-suno-listen-to-my-voice?r=azudn&utm_medium=ios
What a beautifully woven tapestry of memory and melody! I confess I had to pause mid-read when you mentioned 'Pukarta, chala hun main' - found myself humming those lines before I could continue. There's something magical about how you've connected Rafi's voice not just to your Baba's morning serenades, but to the broader canvas of a changing India - the shift from the optimistic 60s to the turbulent 70s, the way cinema mirrored society's moods.
The mention of Chitrahaar brought such a wave of nostalgia! Your essay is a beautiful tribute - to Mohammed Rafi, to your Baba's voice carrying his spirit, and to the way music becomes the invisible thread connecting generations.
Thank you for this lovely read.
I’m so glad I came across this today! Beautiful writing!
I love this!
I grew up a little later - so we had laptops by then, and my mother had downloaded every old Hindi song there was. Everyday I would come home from school to the sound of Rafi or Talat or Kishore filling her bedroom and the whole house. The music was always playing, all through my school years, kind of like a soundtrack. Rafi has always been my favourite.
Loved this piece and many bits resonated for me.