USHA TIMOTHY NEVER FORGETS MOHD. RAFI

USHA TIMOTHY JI ALWAYS REMEMBERS MOHD. RAFI SAHIB. WHILE TALKING, SHE SHARED MANY MOMENTS, SHE SPENT WITH RAFI SAHIB. D

SHE OFTEN CALLS HIM BY ONLY THE RESPECTUL WORD 'SAHIB.'

THUS SHE HAS GREAT REGARD FOR MOHD. RAFI, THE GREAT SINGER OF INDIAAN SUB-CONTINENT.

USHA TIMOTHY STARTED SINGING WITH RAFI SAHIB AT THE AGE OF 8

USHA TIMOTHY JI STARTED SINGING WITH MOHD. RAFI SAHIB AT THE AGE OF EIGHT UNDER THE DIRECTION OF KALYANJI-ANANDJI.

SHE SANG WITH RAFI SAHIB NOT ONLY FOR THE FILMS BUT ALSO FOR NUMEROUS STAGE SHOWS ALL OVER THE WORLD. SHE SHARED MANY ANECDOTES OF THOSE SHOWS DURING CONVERSATION.

ROYALTY WAS THE NOT MAIN CAUSE OF RAFI-LATA DISPUTE: USHA TIMOTHY

Bollywood's famous playback singer Usha Timothy has said that 'Royalty was not the main cause of 1960's Rafi-Lata dispute.  Actually its reason was another one.'  It is the first time that Bollywood's any renowned personality has expressed such a claim.  During telephonic conversaton (which is now available upon YouTube also at this link:

from Mumbai Ms. Usha Timothy told Mehtab-Ud-Din, a Writer & Journalist of the Punjab,"Mohd. Rafi Sahib was really a nice person, the Bollywood had.  He always supported the new singers just like me and Suman Kalyanpur.  Lata ji might have not liked Rafi Sahib's such type of gestures.  That's why, they were not in the speaking terms for some years." Ms. Usha Timothy even alleged,"I think, Lata ji had lost her mental balance that she created an unwanted issue with the Great Rafi Sahib.  Royalty was merely an excuse.  Royalty might be an issue of every singer's own will.  If a singer had not wanted it, he might not accept it and vice versa.  My song 'Tu Raat Kharhi Thi Chhat Pe' with Rafi Sahib had got a big hit in those days, while the Royalty dispute occurred.  Perhaps Lata ji might have thought that Rafi Sahib is bringing unnecessarily some new playback singers like Suman Kalyanpur, Usha Timothy and others.  Why is he singing with other female playback singers? I don't think that royalty was a bigger issue ever between the Rafi-Lata dispute.  Lata ji might have accepted royalty, if she wanted and Rafi sahib might not accept it willingly.  Kishoreda was in favour of singer's royalty and he always accepted.  Whenever Rafi sahib and Lata ji sang together, the songs became the best renditions of Bollywood.  The competition was always equal.  I never understood that why Lata didi's mind has gone upset and she created an unncessary issue of royalty with Rafi sahib."

FIRST SONG WITH MOHD. RAFI

While in long conversation, Ms. Usha Timothy told that her first playback song was also with Rafi sahib for film 'Himalaya Ki Goad Main' and the song was "Tu Raat Kharhi Thi Chhat Pe... However, earlier I had sung a theme song for the film 'Durga Puja', but actually those were the bhajans and no record was launched. That is why, my first song was for the film 'Himalaya Ki Goad Main.' I was only of 13 years old, when I sang the song with Mohd. Rafi in 1962. I was just like a kid and was studying in the 6th grade at the school. Kalyanji-Anandji told me before recording that there will be a lion before you and you must have to compete. I replied that the lion was my own as I had performed with Rafi sahib in a number of stage shows till then. I had been singing with Rafi sahib since my age of 8. But as soon as I stood before mic with Rafi sahib, I got disturbed. I was in a great tension as Rafi sahib's singing and status was the highest and versatile in Bollywood but I was almost nothing. He was world famous. But Rafi sahib understood my confusion and consternation. He patted my head and said,"you sing very well and will sing the best with me also." The way, he encouraged me a lot, I can't forget even today."

SANG SONGS IN VARIOUS LANGUAGE

Ms. Timothy, who was born in a Christian family of Nagpur (Maharashtra) on 8th October, 1949, told that she is still busy and have some assignments of singing. There are Hindi and Bhojpuri songs for some private albums and other projects. She told that she never counted that how many songs she have sung but she has sung more than 1,000 songs because she has sung for various Punjabi, Marathi, Bhojpuri, Gujrati, Rajasthani, Malyalam and other regional languages' films in addition to Hindi ones. She described the Punjabi film 'Kankan De Ohle' especially. She sang for Punjabi Music Director Surinder Kohli. She said that everyone in her family, from mother-father to brothers and sisters were singers and were very fond of music Her father was a CBI officer. Usha Timothy is the youngest of her 11 siblings. Her father used to have organised big mehfills (Singing Events/Concerts) even in the home, where various Classical singers often performed.

KALYANJI-ANANDJI RECOGNIZED USHA TIMOTHY'S TALENT

In 1956-57, there was Kalyanji-Anandji night in Nagpur; the concert became turning point in the life of baby Usha Timothy. Mr. Madhusudan had organized the musical event. The singing artists like Mohd. Rafi, Mukesh, Manna Dey and Hemant Kumar were present in it but there was not a single female singer. Thus, Mr. Madhusudan suggested the name of 8 years old Usha Timothy to Kalyanji-Anandji but while they knew the exact age of Usha ji, they outrightly rejected. But Mr. Madhusudan and his colleagues did not lose their hearts and they sent baby Usha Timothy on the stage during an interval. Then she sang the song "Rasik Balma" of film 'Chori Chori' and the audience had gone mad. Everyone in the audience cried and demanded more songs of Usha Timothy ji. Kalyanji-Anandji also appreciated the singing style of Usha ji and they got her services for singing in their every future concerts/nights. Then she toured every corner of Bombay (now Mumbai) and other prominent cities of India. She began to sing with not only Kalyanaji-Anandji's stage show groups, but also with Rafi sahib, Mukesh ji, C. Ramchandra and Hawaiian guitarist S. Hazara Singh. She got President of India's Award for the best playback singing in 1965. She had experienced of singing with the top singers of India like Mohd. Rafi, Mukesh ('Dhol Baja Dhol Jania' Film Vishwas), Kishore Kumar ('Rafta Rafta Dekho Aankh Meri Larri Hai' Film Kismat), Mahendra Kapoor, Shamshad Begum, Asha Bhonsle, Suman Kalyanpur, Hemlata, Krishna Kalle in a very short duration.

I ALWAYS TRY TO COPY LIKE MOHD. RAFI SAHIB: USHA JI

But Ms. Usha Timothy tells proudly that she always tried to copy like Mohd. Rafi sahib, not like Lata ji or Asha ji. She said that she often suggested the newcomers to sing like Rafi sahib, if they want to be immortal in the playback singing field. "The musical notes (sur) of Rafi sahib were extraordinarily strong and every playback singer must try to just like HIM only. If Rafi sahib were alive today, his musical notes would have been the strongest even today."

'CAN'T FORGET THE MOMENTS, I SPENT WITH RAFI SAHIB'

USHA JI SAID FURTHER,"I had been working with Rafi sahib for almost more than 20 years and nowadays, whenever I remeber the moments, having spent with him, I often shared on the Facebook. Bollywood's Music Directors used to honour the best singers every year in the 1960s and that award was presented by Rafi sahib to me. Those moments are the treasure of my life." Ms. Usha Timothy also admitted that she got some benefit to sing with Rafi sahib only due to his dispute with Lata ji.

'INDEBTED TO K-A'

Usha Timothy is really indebted to the great Music Director Kalyanaji-Anandji; as they provided her 100's of chances to sing for the Bollywood films. She said,"When I began to sing, that was the peak time of Lata ji's career. That is why, me and other female playback singers got their turn to sing only after Lata ji and Asha ji. She said that her musical notes are also accurate even today and if any Music Director wants, I will definitely sing for him or her." She said that the songs of Bollywood's yesteryears always had a soul, which is absent in today's songs. The songs of 1960's and 1970s still touch every heart easily as they seem very close to spirituality. "Today's songs are just like murki (A short taan or inverted mordent in Hindustani classical music), that is why they extinct easily. These songs are never heard only after three or four months, but songs of the Golden Era (1960s) are evergreen only due to their soulful power."

MOHD. RAFI TAUGHT USHA TIMOTHY JI A LOT

The ustad (teacher) of Ms. Usha Timothy in playback singing remained always one and only Mohd. Rafi sahib. He taught her to understand the real emotions of the lyrics and also explained how to control upon the breathing while singing. He also elaborated to her how to provide the touches of acting while singing. Usha Timothy ji told,"My chemistry with Rafi sahib was so intact in real life also. That is why, when he died in July 1980, there was a rumour in the Bollywood that Usha Timothy has given up playback singing, which was wrong."

USHA JI STILL ACTIVE

Usha Timothy ji is still active in her stage shows. She is living in Mumbai with her son Abhijit Chandekar and daughter-in-law. Her daughter Amita Chandekar has also acted in some famous TV serials like 'Nach Balliye', 'Kasturi', 'Kkusum', 'Kutumb', 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' etc. but she gave up acting after her marriage with Ritesh Tiwari and settled in California (USA).

USHA TIMOTHY SHARED NUMEROUS MOMENTS, SPENT WITH MOHD. RAFI

Ms. Usha Timothy shared various moments, she spent with Rafi sahib. She often shares these moments on her Facebook Account also.  She told,"I sang many songs with Rafi sahib; like ‘Nain Se Nain Mila Chain Churaya Tumne’ Film Vidyarthi, ‘Dilwalon Se Pyar Kar Lo’ Film Zorro, ‘Meri Jaan Tumse Mohabbat Hai’ Film Mera Salaam, Noore Mujassim Rehmate Aalam, Bhojpuri Film's title song Tikulia Tarrke Bindiya, ‘Chambe Di Daliye Ni’ for a Punjabi Film Kannkan De Ohle & ‘Tu Raat Chhat Pe Kharhi..’ for the Film Himalaya Ki Goad Main."  When Mohd. Rafi had gone for various stage shows in Holland, Usha Timothy ji was also in his troupe.  She told an incident of the tour that - "We noticed that a person had remained in the front rows of the audience almost in every show.  We went to various cities of Holland during that tour and that person was seen every time.  One day, he came to Rafi sahib after the show and said,"I want to marry to Usha Timothy ji.  I have 125 diamond stores in many countries, you can check."  Rafi sahib replied,"Usha is still just like a kid and she is destined to go to new heights."  The person went away with a great disappointment but many musicians were also present there and all of them jibed me a lot by saying/singing "Jhumka Gira Re Holland Ke Bazar Main..." and Rafi sahib was also with them. Once, during another stage show in London (United Kingdom), I saw my niece in third row and I was over-excited to see her.  I went outside immediately after completion of the show.  But there was a noise everywhere 'Usha Timothy-Usha Timothy...', I was surrounded by a great mob and there was a commotion of people.  I was very confused.  Soon, there was a traffic jam.  At last, London Police saved me and brought me to Rafi sahib.  Initially, Rafi sahib looked very angry but when he saw my sobbed face, he burst into laughter. He advised me,"Now you are not a simple guy, rather you are a celebrity.  Why did you get out of the theatre?"  I was very surprised to know that I had become 'a celebrity, I was very much unaware."  Usha Timothy ji told an incident of Kerala also,"We were going to Kunnur for a stage show.  In the way, we halted at a absolutely lonely place for a little while.  Suddenly, we heard a voice - 'Rafi, O Rafi !'  We looked here and there, there was none... At last, we saw upwards, there was a man upon the coconut tree, who was calling Rafi sahib.  Rafi sahib smiled to see him and signaled him to climb down.  He did so, Rafi sahib hugged him heartily and had also some snaps with him.  He didn't know Hindi, but he was an ardent fan of Rafi sahib."  Ms. Usha Timothy shared some more moments also - "We were going to Raipur for Shankar-Jaikishan nite.  We commenced our tour by road from Nagpur Airport.  We had to stop to change a tyre of the car.  Rafi sahib and my husband Madhu Chandekar was also with us.  A wheel-cart owner with grams came there.  My husband purchased some grams from him and started to eat alone; Rafi sahib also demanded.  We suggested him not to take risk of eating such cheap eatables as he was going to perform a stage show but he refused to accept the advise.  Moreover, he asked to squeeze a lemon also upon the grams.  Thus he enjoyed a lot there.  Mohd. Rafi always had such type of simple living."  Usha Timothy ji shared another interesting incident,"Kishoreda and Mukesh ji often made a fun of me.  One day Mukesh ji saw me and asked,'Kishore, Is Usha your neighbour?'  Kishore ji instantaneously replied,'Yes, she resides near me, but she always sings only with Bandrewale.'  Actually, in those days, Rafi sahib was living in Bandra region of Mumbai and Kishoreji was pointing about him only.  In those days, Rafi sahib had to go to various cities/towns for stage shows almost every Saturday & Sunday.  If, today he was in Calcutta, the next day he had to attend a function in Kerala; thus he often got tired but even then, he never gave up his evergreen smile.  I was quite young, when I started singing with Rafi sahib in stage shows.  Karim Bhai remained on tabla and Narayan Naidu had been on dholak.  Rafi sahib himself sang while playing a harmonium.  When I used to sing with him, he felt some diffculty in having my musical notes on harmonium.  The musicians came in our troupe after so many days.  Moreover, I still remember the valleys of Darjeeling when Rafi sahib sang a song only before me.  I can't forget those moments.  Actually, we came out from the hotel to wander in the evening.  The show was fixed on the next day, but we reached there a day earlier.  Only some people knew that.  The song he sang only before me, was- ‘Ik Hasin Sham Ko Dil Mera Kho Gaya...’ Rafi sahib had recorded the song only some days ago for the film 'Dulhan Ek Raat Ki' in 1967."  Usha Timothy ji shared more moments, spent with Rafi sahib,"In those days, there was not very much tight security on the airports.  Thus, whenever Rafi sahib had gone to Calcutta (now Kolkata) for a show, many people used to come even near the runway only to see Rafi sahib.  I myself saw many people there, who often bowed and saluted him even by lying even on the ground.  I never saw such type of honour for any singer of India as I have worked/performed with almost every singer."

When asked the reason of any Christian not being the Prime Minister or the President of India even after 67 years of independence, Usha Timothy ji replied that the Christians are often very polite and have simple nature.  They never seek more political powers and they keep themselves away from the worldly matters.  They have more beliefs in praying and spirituality.  But, she also said that she doesn't know much about the politics, thus not competent to comment minutely upon the topic.

— MEHTAB-UD-DIN

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