Saira Banu's Heartfelt Tribute To Mohammed Rafi On His Death Anniversary
Veteran actress Saira Banu paid a heartfelt tribute to Mohammed Rafi on his death anniversary via Instagram. She celebrated the legacy of one of India's greatest playback singers and highlighted the special bond he shared with her late husband, Dilip Kumar.
Saira Banu's caption read, "One of the greatest playback singers, Mohd Rafi Sahab, is considered a genius when it comes to varied styles of songs. This great singer had an exquisite blend of melody, emotion, and energy, which always resulted in thousands of soulful songs."
She reminisced about the collaborative magic between Dilip Kumar and Mohammed Rafi. She recalled their work on the iconic song "Madhuban Mein Radhika Naache Rey" from the hit film "KOHINOOR." Dilip Kumar practised for 7-8 months on the sitar to achieve perfection for the song.
A particularly poignant memory from 1962 highlighted Rafi's commitment and the profound impact of his music. During a performance at the Indo-China border to entertain Border Security Force Jawans, Rafi developed a severe throat infection and lost his voice.
Saira Banu recounted, "Rafi Bhai was in tears and inconsolable at the thought of letting down the eager Jawans who were sending him little notes of requests on pieces of paper for their favourite songs."
In this moment of crisis, Dilip Kumar stepped in with a remedy passed down from his mother—a concoction of ginger and honey. Saira Banu described the scene vividly.
"Like a good boy, Rafi Bhai gulped it down obediently, and lo and behold! It worked wonders for him. Rafi Bhai could not believe it," she said.
The Golden Era
Saira Banu's tribute not only honoured Mohammed Rafi's musical genius but also shed light on deep personal connections that defined Indian cinema's golden era. Her words resonated with fans and followers alike.
This simple yet effective remedy proved to be a lifesaver for Rafi during that performance. It restored his voice and allowed him to perform for the Jawans.
Saira Banu noted the stark contrast between Rafi's teetotaler lifestyle and others around him who were "downing hard brandies in the cold weather."
Quoting Dilip Kumar, she continued, "There have been a number of highly talented playback singers, but with Rafi Bhai, it has been a mystical bonding as though he was part of me."
"Practically my own voice," she added. "A humble, unpretentious figure." She praised his ability to adapt his singing according to film situations.
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