Hindu-Muslim Divide: Rafi and Talat Were 'Muslim' Singers
By
Sumit Paul, New Age Islam
4 November
2023
Hatred,
Communal Hatred At That, Can Spread Faster Than Covid.
I
experienced this when a few days ago, a senior Punjabi-Hindu friend of mine
told me, "Aajkal Main Sirf Manna Dey, Mukesh Aur Kishore Kumar Ke Gaane
Sunta Hoon" (Nowadays, I listen only to Manna Dey, Mukesh and Kishore
Kumar). Surprised, I said, "Par Aap Toh Faqat Rafi Aur Talat Ko Sunte
Thay" (But you listened only to Rafi and Talat Mahmood). "Abhi
Bhi Sunta Hoon Lekin Kishore, Mukesh Aur Manna Dey Jaise 'Hindu' Singers Ne Bhi
Toh Bahut Badhiya Gaane Gaaye" (I still listen to Rafi and Talat but
'Hindu' singers like Kishore, Mukesh and Manna Dey also sang wonderful songs),
he said. I didn't argue with him.
File Photo: Mohammad Rafi
-----
I always
avoid fools like plague. But this got me thinking. A Hindu man in his
seventies, who listened to Rafi and Talat only, has switched over to 'Hindu'
singers like Manna Dey, Mukesh and Kishore Kumar, that too, at a ripe age! This
shocked and saddened me at the same time. Rafi and Talat's religion never
mattered.
Even
hardcore Hindus who didn't like Muslims, would love to listen to Rafi. Most of
them still listen to him (Rafi). I know a pretty old Sikh gentleman from
Gurudaspur, Punjab. His entire family was butchered during the Partition. He
somehow survived. Though he's still bitter and doesn't like Muslims, when it
comes to music and Hindi songs, he still listens to Rafi and admires the
legendary singer as a great human. He'll always say, "Rafi Toh Farishta
Thay " (Rafi Was an Angel). An Artiste Has No Religion. ' Fankaar Ki Koi
Zaat Nahin Hoti, Us Ka Koi Mazhab Nahin Hota,' the great ghazal maestro
Mehdi Hasan would always say.
File Photo: Talat Mahmood
-----
Alas,
things have changed and changed drastically in the recent years. So much so
that Rafi and Talat have become 'Muslim' singers! When people in their 60s and
70s are saying such things and discriminating on the basis of an artiste's
faith, it not only shocks you, it alarms and alerts you that worse is still to
come.
A couple of
months ago at Dhar, near Indore in MP, a Hindu boy was singing only Rafi's
songs on the stage. One of the organizers admonished him, "Bahut Ho
Gaya, Abhi Aap 'Hindu' Singers Ke Gaane Gaiye" (It's enough, now you
had better sing the songs of 'Hindu' singers).
This
Hindu-Muslim divide has crept into all spheres and today, even music and
singing scenario is not untouched by this rabid hatred, which's spreading like
a conflagration. Just think over this: if it goes on unabated, Hindus, who
loved to read and recite the poetry of 'Muslim' poets like Mir, Momin, Ghalib,
Daagh, Zauq, among others, will switch over to 'Hindu' poets! Who'll stem the
rot? We seem to be too much into the pettiness of religion, nation, province
and ethnicity.
This
frightens me because lumpen elements are on the prowl and religion has become
the most diabolical issue that can erupt at the slightest provocation.
-----
A regular columnist for New
Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special
reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier
publications in several languages including Persian.
URL: https://newageislam.com/interfaith-dialogue/rafi-talat-muslim-singers-hindu-divide-/d/131045
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