Visit to Rafi's Birthplace - Sept 2008 - Kotla Sultan Singh - Punjab

I have been inspired for much of my life by the legend that is Mohammed Rafi, and the unique combination of attributes (genius, humility and reaching out across race, religion & creed) that make him an ideal role model and an inspiration.

I was therefore drawn to seek out his birthplace (village by the name of Kotla Sultan Singh, near Amritsar in Punjab, India) to experience firsthand the environment that produced such a genius. My visit took place in September 2008, and I was accompanied by my son who recorded this interview with Sardar Kundan Singh, who is one of Rafi Sahibs few remaining (possibly last) childhood friends.

I have deliberately waited about 3months before posting this video to allow my impressions and feelings about the visit to mature. What has evolved is a mixture of inspiration and sadness.

Im saddened by the observation that Rafi Sahib never returned to his birthplace after 1945 (only to Amritsar where he greeted his village friends), which is surprising since people of that era were generally very affectionate about their villages. It is perhaps indicative of the toxic environment that led to partition, and Rafis family leaving the village, which must have been quite a horrifying experience.

The second disappointment is the lack of a more fitting commemoration, which would promote the very values we hold dear. What an icon we have to represent genius without arrogance, and an all embracing attitude that brings together people from all communities. I would argue that Rafi sahib, even today, has a wider following than, say Elvis Presley in the world.

On a more positive note, I am inspired by the fact that such an ordinary place can produce such a genius. In my mind he had a unique and divine gift to translate the technicalities of music into a language that shook even the musically illiterate (Im thinking of examples like madhuban mein raadhika naache re from Kohinoor). Perhaps there is hope for all of our children living in very ordinary places all around the world. It is incumbant upon us to make sure we promote talent when we see it and provide opportunity for all our children to excel in their own areas of genius.

My apologies for the quality of the video, and the somewhat disjointed nature of the interview which was due to a lack of preparation and not knowing what I would find. I hope this will not detract from my small contribution to the record of this legend, who will continue to be a shining light and an inspiration to billions.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Mohammed
• Rafi
• Singer
• Village
• Kotla Sultan Singh
• Punjab
• Music
• Bollywood

[insipid4444]

ssdhanjal You represent everything thats decent in a human being.Well done for this presentation.I hope some TV producer see's this and broadcats it so many more people can see. You have shown how close muslims and sikhs were before partition and how "politics" screws people up. I am assuming you are a sikh,well I am a muslim,and thank you for this beautiful presentation........

[ssdhanjal]

Sir, I'm grateful for the kind words & your recognition of my humanist tendency. You will see I'm just an ordinary person who I feel strongly about the oneness of humanity. It is my experience that most people around the world are just nice on a 1-1 basis, once you take them away from whatever flag they stand under (religious, political, ethnic, etc.).

If we remove the fear that comes through standing under one of these flags we can enjoy the richness of all the world's cultures.

[asim306]

this is the 4th video clips in five years- i seeing this kind of info-

Dont know who i realy trust this or other video i seen b4-

anyway i dont realy care about this-

but i do care more then anythings of MOHD RAFI voice-

thanx4upload -

plz dont take wrong meaning about -

[ssdhanjal]

An analogy-many witnesses 2 a crime give differing stories-an investigator hears all 2 establish generally what happened- then looks 2 answer his own question(who did the crime)

My attitude-collect all evidence (my video & others)-see general thrust - answer your own question(why did you watch the clip)

4 me details are not important- What can I learn 2 make my life & that of others better (do read my writeup)

One thing I do share with you- I 2 have no interest in gossip 4 entertainment

[MoleculaRafian]

Shan, your time and efforts in translating this video are appreciated immensely. I thought, I posted this comment yesterday, but I don't see it. I wish, I could have one of those bricks myself. Allah Hafiz, RP

[Pashon8man]

I am glad to read your comments. I wish more and more people should be encouraged to put some efforts to make things easier for the friends who have language barriers. Now more and more people are knowing how serious fan of Rafi Saab you are.

[KYMAMI]

@ssdhanjal ,oh man,i dont think this could of been said better,thank you...and bless you

[786maq]

Excellent interview ... I am a die hard fan of Rafi saab and learnt so much from this interview that did not know before. Manay thnaks dost.

[mohamedparvez]

dear friend thanx for sharing rare video, i have posted in ,orkut,face book,and in rafi saab"s blog,keep it up,take care

[thepamgogi]

Thanx Dhanjal SAHIB I met tha same person 2 yrs ago and visited the same place ..everything is true ..

[sweetboyfaiz]

hi uploader, thnx a lot for sharing this but can u tag the vdo as the punjabi is pure and its hard to understand. thnx a lot

[Pashon8man]

Sheikh Saab,

Iss zarah nawazi ka bohat bohat shukria. I did what I could do in a time frame and regretted to see some misspelled words. On my own channel, I could delete and post again but here I had very limited choice, however I still expect that my friends will over look my mistakes.

Your comments have infused some great strength in me to do more and get SHABAASH

Sheikh Saab bass yunhi chehakte rahen, that's is all what Shan wants.

[tsheikh56]

Please check this translation word by word. Awesome.

[tsheikh56]

Yaar Shan, I just saw this today and I cant beleive it, you did that word to wrod translation in a perfect manner. WOW. I am so dam impressed, I never thought that you will do that in such a detailed way. I am speachless.,so much time and so much effort, Yaar aap nay mujhe lajawaab kar diya hai. Allah Pak aap ko khush Rakhay, aap waqi se yaaroon ke yaar hu. Aap ko buhat sari duayain. Aap ka paristaar