Let’s salute the great singer and composer on Raja`s birthday
- By Jugal Kishore Bajaj, Vijay Vyas and Manish
All these days we have been so much of praise for the mesmerising voice of Raja Hasan. But on his birthday, we have for you a voice that could even surpass our own favourite Raja’s voice. Why not check out this video first?
As you would have guessed, giving company to Raja is none other then Rafiq Sagar Sahab - Raja’s father.
But before we get to Rafiq Sahab, as he is fondly known, let’s first have a look at Raja’s family - something we know very little about till now. Raja Hasan is the eldest son of Rafiq Sagar Sahab and Begum Para. Raja has three younger sisters -Henna, Shana and Rani - all three whom Raja really adores. And of course there is Ayesha, his wife.
Now let’s have a look at Raja’s father - Rafiq Sagar Sahab, who happens to be a wonderfully talented singer and composer in his own right.
Born on 1st November 1953 at Bikaner, Rafiq Sagar Sahab got his early training in singing from Shamshudin Khan Chandwani between 1962 to 1969. In his long singing career, Rafiq Sahab has performed ghazals and bhajans in various cities across India and abroad. His shows in Manchester, Leicester, Birmingham and London in the UK brought him great praise. In his illustrious singing career, he has also been featured on Aakashvani and Mumbai Doordarshan.
Rafiq Sahab has three Ghazal albums of his credit - Nawajiz by HMV, Aaina by Zee music and Sada by JMD. He also has more than 10 audio cassettes of Bhajans like Chalo Runeche, Sain teren Naam, Mahima Baba Ramdeoji Ri and many more to his credit.
But Rafiq Sahab has done a lot more than just private albums. He has made his mark in Bollywood as well. He has sung for leading music directors. He sang an extremely melodious Ghazal Ab Jo Bichhde in the 1981 movie Pyara Dushman - which was composed by Bappi Lahiri. In 1984, he sang two songs with Anuradha Paudwal for the movie Bhai Akhir Bhai Hota which were composed by Chand Pardesi. For the same composer, Rafiq Sahab sang with Mahendra Kapoor for the movie Dil Ka Nasha.
But there is more to Rafiq Sahab than just singing. He is an extremely accomplished composer as well. He was the one who composed and directed a song Sapne mein Sakhi which was sung by Kavita Krishnamurty for the J.P.Dutta movie Khastriya.
He has composed for quite a few Hindi and Bhojpuri movies. Among Hindi movies his compositions were seen in films like Bekhauf, Aur Ab Tak , Bedna and Dulhan Kahin se Laoge. Among his Bhojpuri movies are Angan ki Laxmi, Hamar Ghar Hamar Sansar, Bhag ke Lekha and several others. A number of leading singers have sung Rafiq Sahab’s compositions in the past. Besides this, he has also composed the album Guubar which was sung by Batsala Mehra. Rafiq Sagar Sahab has also performed in various important programmes including many for Kargil Shahids.
In August 1998, on an occasion to mark 50 years of Indian Independence, he was honoured by the District Collector of Bikaner in the presence of many other dignitaries.
This profile of Rafiq Sagar Sahab as well as these videos have been contributed by our own Vijay Bhai. A big thank you to Vijay Bhai for sharing all this information about Raja`s family and Rafiq Sagar Sahab to us.
On the occasion of Raja’s birthday, let’s salute Rafiq Sagar Sahab. For it is because of him, his guidance and upbringing that we have a gem of a person called Raja. If we find Raja’s voice divine - it’s because his father has guided him with his singing. And if we find Raja’s behaviour and humility flawless, it is because his family has brought him up that way.
Thank you Rafiq sahab. Without your guidance, our Raja wouldn’t have been the Raja we all know.
With best wishes for Rafiq Sagar Sahab and his family.
And before we end, do check out this awesome video of Rafiq Sagar Sahab singing a Bhajan:
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jugal bhai,RHB n vijay ji….thanks a ton….u hav given the best gift for all fans of raja….
so PROUD of RAFIQ UNCLE…raja is really a gem…and has made his parents so proud…not only by proving he is the best singer but also being such a humble kind person…full of humility….I CALL RAJA as KING OF HUMILITY….
god bless his family alwaz…get success in every step of his life n i wish raja reach the heights alike rafi sab…..lots of love n best wishes to rafiq uncle,his ammi jaan, his wife ayesha. n his sisterz….may they stay alwaz happy n healthy alwaz —-ameen
i love u raja till ma last breath…..
Awesome article… Manish, Jugal and Vijay bhai… thanks a zillion
Salute to Rafiq sahab!! Rafiq sahab, thanks a zillion for being the awesome you! Thanks a zillion for upbringing such an humble and down to earth and loving soul called Raja… The entire credit definitely goes to the family and the upbringing that our Raja is soooooo awesome today… a person who can never hurt anybody’s feelings, is so humble and sweet to each and everyone of his fans and non fans.
Family always plays a big big role in everything… and Raja is really lucky to be born in such a family which gives importance and live life the real sense. Thanks to the family to make sure he keeps his feet on the ground and loves everyone the same way. I salute Rafiq sahab, salute raja’s mom and salute raja’s sisters and also our dear Ayesha who stood by him in his struggling days and nourished him with her love… may you both live happily ever after!! Amen!
May God bless Rafiq sahab and his entire family with good health, wealth, success, cheers, joys, love, happiness, and tons and tons of laughter!! May the entire family’s dreams come true even the secret ones.
Please remember, we are always with you and will be praying the best for you Raja jaani and also pyaying for your entire family!! May you succeed and be a well known name in the music Industry that leaves a name for generations to come!! Amen!
Wishing you a very very happy birthday and many many happy returns of this lovely day!! May you live a million healthy and successful loving years!! Amen!!
Aapki diwaani,
Raffu
Aaj Raja ka janamdin hai. Aur main is mauke par sab raja ke fans ke saath apni feelings share karna chahti hun. Main Saregamapa Show ki pichle kai saalon se ek regular viewer rahi hun. To Raja ko main jab se dekh rahi hun jab wo eklavya group me tha. Show ke format ke mutabik, jab do contestant eliminate hote the to eklavya group se judges do contestant select karte the. Raja jab queue mein khada hota tha to usko dekh kar mujhe lagta tha ki is bachche me kuch baat hai aur ye select kyun nahi ho raha hai. Jab aakhiri do bacho me raja ko chuna gaya to mujhe apne decision par bahut proud hua. Aur maine apne aap se kaha ke yehi winner hai. Tab raja ne ‘meri zindagi ek khwaab’ gana gaya tha. Is gane ko sunkar main bahut roi, bahut bahut roi…Uski personality aur awaaz ki sacchai ne mujhe rone par majboor kar diya…Main ek 48 yr old woman hun…aur maine is bache ko kamyaab hone ki itni duaan di..ki jitni shayad maine apne bachon ko bhi nahi di hongi…..mai lord krishna ko bhot manti hun…aur ab main krishna me raja ka chehra dekhti hun…meri yeh kamzori hai ki main jab bhi mandir jaati hun..to mere aankhon me aasoon aa jate hain…aur jab main raja ka gaana sunti hun tab bhi meri aankhen geeli ho jaati hain…iska reason wohi hai …wo divine power..jo ki raja ki poori outer aur inner personality mein hai…ishwar kare saari duniya uski kaayal ho jaye….aur wo safalta ki un ucchaiyon par pahunche jahan par aaj tak koi bhi na pahuncha ho aur duniya ka har chota bada shaks jo insaniyat aur kala ka kadardaan ho usko pyaar aur izzat de…mujhe uska har gaana pasand hai..lekin mere favourite wo teen gaane hain jinse uski pechaan bani…’meri zindagi ek khwaab’ , ‘naina thag lenge’, aur ‘upar khuda’….
@ M J V,
Excellent article. God bless you all.
After hearing him, I’ve become Rafiq Sagar Sahab’s fan too. Thank you so much Team M-J-V.