"Did you know? Saira Banu and Mohammed Rafi once sang a duet together!
Rafi Bhai was a lot of things to many people, a legend for all his fans, a dear friend to Dilip Sahib, and as far as I am concerned I had the most wonderful rapport with Rafi Bhai who always smiled graciously like a revered elder brother. You see, there came a time when Director Mohan Kumar with whom I was filming "AMAN" pounced on a surprise for me that he wanted a Duet Song where in between the romantic lyrics I also hum the song along and whisper sweet nothings to the Hero.
It had been our honour for Dilip Sahib and I to have access to sit in Lataji's and Rafi Bhai's recording rooms during "The Take" of the different numbers being recorded for our films. It was a privilege with the live orchestra just outside but I had myself never sung for a movie whereas Sahib had the pleasure of singing a duet number with Lataji for "MUSAFIR" (Laagi Naahi Chhute, Rama Chahe Jiya Jaye)
Now here came the opportunity for me to sing with Rafi Bhai. I was shaking like a leaf. I was so nervous that I was hardly audible to anybody but Hats Off to Rafi Bhai, as soon as we started sharing the mike, he encouragingly said to me, "Sairaji, You are singing so well". Why are you being nervous? I think you have a lovely voice, Aur Dekhiye, Is line Ko Aap Aise Kahengi Toh Aur Achcha Lagega". And he guided me through the ordeal and I bravely waded through the singing lines and the romantic dialogues in the song. Goodness knows I was perspiring away and it's a miracle that I never fainted. (Aaj Ki Raat Yeh Kaisi Raat Ki Humko Neend Nahin Aati) the song proved to be a run away hit with fans and the Movie goers.
This Golden Velvety Voice of this great personality was suddenly silenced at his home in Rafi Mansion on 31 July, 1980. A procession of stunned 10,000 mourning fans accompanied him till the Juhu Muslim Kabristan where his mortal remains were laid to rest and are revered till today.
My friend @faridadadi786 and I climbed onto the office balcony of a friend the artist Manoj Kumarji, and watched the sea of people praying for him and getting a glimpse of him away, away from all of us 'His fans'. May his soul rest in Peace, Aameen!
