Lyricist Javed Akhtar recently shared a heartfelt regret. He spoke about legendary singer Mohammed Rafi, wishing he had the chance to write songs for him. “Fate just didn’t give me that opportunity,” Akhtar said, expressing a long-held wish.
This poignant reflection came during a special musical event, “Rooh-e-Rafi,” held in Mumbai on Saturday. The evening celebrated Rafi’s timeless voice and brought together several music artists to pay tribute. Veteran actor Jeetendra also joined Akhtar as a special guest.
Akhtar grew emotional as he explained his deep sorrow. He started his career in the entertainment world as a scriptwriter. His journey into songwriting began much later. By then, Rafi Sahab was no longer with us. “My heart always held the desire for Rafi Sahab to sing my lyrics,” he admitted, “but destiny simply didn’t allow it.”
During the event, Akhtar also shared some of his favorite Rafi songs. He named classics like ‘Jaag Dil E Deewana,’ ‘Meri Duniya Mein Tum Aayi,’ ‘Saathi Na Koi Manzil,’ and ‘Hui Shaam Unka Khayal Aa Gaya.’ He added that a good society always remembers its artists and gives them proper respect. Rafi’s voice, he noted, still echoes in people’s hearts today, just as it did when he was alive.
Actor Jeetendra also offered his thoughts on Rafi’s impact and the charm of older music. He observed that many new singers appear every day now. However, he remembered a time when only a few voices ruled the music scene for decades. Jeetendra specifically mentioned legends like Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Rafi Sahab, and Kishore Kumar. He believes it is almost impossible to recreate their unique magic. He feels that while talent is plentiful today, the special “soul and depth” from that earlier era are often missing.
This musical evening was presented by Rajesh Dhabre. He is a senior IRS officer, a musician, and an author. Dhabre has spent a lot of time trying to share Rafi’s singing and his musical legacy. By naming the event “Rooh-e-Rafi,” which means “Rafi’s Soul,” he paid a fitting tribute to the singer’s spirit and melodies.
Indeed, Mohammed Rafi is widely seen as Hindi cinema’s greatest singer. His amazing versatility made him immortal. He sang everything from romantic ballads to devotional songs, patriotic anthems, and soulful ghazals. Whether it was ‘Teri Aankhon Ke Siva’ or ‘Kya Hua Tera Wada,’ Rafi Sahab’s voice still inspires new artists and listeners alike.