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Mohammad
Rafi's fans demand music academy
Kotla
Sultan Singh (Amritsar): The fans of playback
singer Mohammad Rafi have demanded a music academy
in his name in his native place of Kotla Sultan Singh,
35 km from Amritsar. He died about three decades ago.
They believe the State Government should take the
initiative in view of his huge contribution to the
world of music. His childhood friends say such a step
would be a just tribute to the legendary singer.
Observing
his 27th death anniversary here on July 31, Rafi's
friends organised a small function at his village
(Kotla Sultan Singh). Rich tributes were paid to the
renowned singer, with some of his fans singing his
melodies of yesteryears. Santokh Singh, a childhood
friend, said: "When we organised a fair on February
28, 2007, many celebrities attended the function where
Navjot Singh Sidhu, MP, announced a package of Rs
22 lakh for establishing a music academy, but we haven't
received a penny of it." Villagers, in the meanwhile,
have erected a gate and instituted a computer laboratory
in Rafi's memory. Savinder Singh, a villager, said:
"We want a music academy in our village where youth
not only from our village, but also from nearby places,
would learn music. We request the Government to establish
this academy so that the village also becomes well-known
around the world." Rafi's friends were aggrieved that
some of Rafi's memorabilia have already been removed
by the administration. Kundan Singh said: "Mohammad
Rafi had engraved his name on a mango tree in a garden
here. He had said that it will remind us about him,
when would be no more. Now, that tree has been chopped
off." According to the members of the village council,
they have allotted an acre of land for the academy.
Mohammad
Rafi (December 24, 1924 - July 31, 1980) is regarded
as one of the most popular playback singers in the
Indian music industry. Rafi sang songs in many languages,
including Hindi, Marathi and Telugu. He is chiefly
remembered for his Bollywood songs.After Rafi's death,
in its 1984 edition, the Guinness Book of Word Records
stated Lata Mangeshkar's name for the "Most Recordings"
but also stated: "Mohammad Rafi (d 1 Aug 1980) claimed
to have recorded 28,000 songs in 11 Indian languages
between 1944 and April 1980." Many of his fans claim
that he had sung over 28,000 songs. However, according
to available records, Rafi had sung 4,516 Hindi film
songs, 112 non-Hindi film songs, and 328 private (non-
film) songs from 1945 to 1980. The Guinness Book entries
for both Rafi and Lata were later removed in 1991.
-
August 1, 2007
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