The 11 Emotions of Mohammad Rafi

In Indian classical music, each raga is an inspired creation for a specific mood.In Hindi Film music Mohammad Rafi was a superb vocal artist and could bring a range of emotions into the limited time 3 to 4 minutes a song allowed him.As per Indian classical music there are 9 rasas or 9 major basic emotions/expressions.In music rasa is associated with the emotion of a Raga.There are now a total of 11 rasas and all of them go into the making of a good Bollywood masala flick! And guess what - Rafi Saab’s voice has given us a song for every emotion. So without much ado I give you the 11 emotions or Rasas of Rafi.
One element that is common among all performing arts is their ability to express the emotions which make up different slices of life. Rafi Saab’s voice has given us a song for every emotion. 

Bhakti Rasa-Bhajans, Ghazals, Nagmas, Shairi and Sufi Sangeet are part of Bhakti Rasa. Bollywood has properly used these in its music.Mohammad Rafi sang many songs in this Rasa. Some of the popular are

Man Tadpat Hari Darshan ko Aaj

Insaaf ka Mandir hai yeh 

Tere Dar pe aaya hoon kuchh kar ke jaaonga

Song from Baiju Bawra 1952

Vatsalya Rasa

vatsalya is linked to mother but in Bollywood Parental love  is emoted in many songs sung by male singers also.There are many songs sung by Rafi Saheb in this category
Babul ki duaayein leti ja (Neel Kamal)
O Nanhe se farishtey (Ek Phool Do Maali)
So ja baba mere so jaa” from Koshish

Song from Ek Phool Do Maali 1969

Shringara Rasa
This emotion can be used to paint love for any person, be it specifically sweetheart or anybody else. Rafi certainly was a master at expressing romance and the sheer number of his great romantic songs is a testament to that.Some of his popular shringar rasa songs are
Aaj ki raat yeh kaisi raat ke hum ko (Aman)
“Aise toh na dekho” from Teen Deviyaan
Chaudvin Ka Chaand Ho  
Mere Mehboob tujhe meri mohabbat (Mere Mehboob)

Song from Chaudhvin Ka Chaand 1960

 Karuna Rasa
The sympathy and fellow-feeling.The actual Karuna means the sadness,Karuṇarasa  refers to the “pathetic sentiment”There are many popular songs in this emotion
Kahan ja raha hai (Seema, 1955)
“Main gaaoon tum so jaao” (Brahmchaari)
Chahunga main tujhe (Dosti)
Na tu Zameen ke liye (Dastaan)

Song from Dosti 1964

Hasya Rasa
Teasing and laughing with a friend is one face of “Hasya rasa”. Much has been said about Rafi and Johnny Walker  and their superb comedic partnership. But Rafi did great comedy for others too  like Mehmood and Om Prakash
Sar jo tera chakraye ya dil ( Pyasa )
Chhuri ban kaanta ban (Jaali Note, 1960)
Hamein kale hain to kya hua (Gumnaam)
Chakke pe Chakka (Brahmchaari)

Song from Jaali Note, 1960

Roudra Rasa
Raudra Rasa is one of the important rasa in Natyashastra and the dominant emotion or the Sthayi Bhava in this rasa is Krodha or anger. Rafi was especially adept at expressing anger, his voice could slip into the high notes and quick enunciation of the angry man, with extraordinary control and with such great effect. The songs depicting anger where Rafi excelled in this emotion
O Duniya ke rakhwaale (Baiju Bawra)
Mere dushman tu meri dosti ko tarse (Aye din bahar ke)
Yeh mahalon yeh takthon yeh taajon ki duniya(Pyasa)
Yeh Duniya ye mehfil mere kaam ki nahin (Heer Ranjha)

Song from Aye din bahar ke 1966

Vibhatsya Rasa
The bhava it represents is Disgust or aversion.This emotion is evoked by anything that is a symbol of repugnance, nausea  Rafi at its best to render  this rasa more effective 
Yeh Duniya agar mil bhi jaye to kya hai(Pyasa)
Mere Dushman tu meri (Aaye din bahar ke).
Kya miliye aise logon se (Izzat)

Song from Pyaasa 1957

Bhayanak Rasa
The Sthayi Bhava of Bhayanaka rasa is Bhaya or fright. The outcome of Bhayanaka rasa is through the Vibhavas or determinants such as Vikrta Rava or terrific noise, Rafi Saab brings this rasa effortlessly in the following songs which shows sheer disgust and antipathy towards the atrocities of the society
Guzre hain aaj ishq main us maqam se (Dil Diya Dard liya)
Mili khaak main mohabbat (Chaudvin ka Chand)
Dono ne kiya tha pyar magar (Mahua)
Main apne aap se ghabra gaya hoon (Bindiya)

Song from Bindiya 1960

Veera Rasa
 it deals with the exhibition of energy and enthusiasm with persons of high rank. Most of the patriotic songs are in this Rasa.Rafi’s voice quickens with the strength of his emotions and how heroic and sad the high notes sound in veer rasa.
Kar chale hum fida jan-o-tan saathiyo(Haqeeqat)
Apni Azaadi ko hum hargiz mita sakte nahin(Leader)
Zindabad aye Mohabbat zindabad (Mughal-E-Azam)
Mere desh premiyo aapas main prem karo (Desh Premi

Song from Leader 1964

Adbhuta Rasa
It is about the sentiment of wonderment surprise. The Sthayi bhava of the rasa is Vismaya or astonishment. Rafi has many songs in this Rasa.While most if us are lost in the wonder of his voice, Rafi could be vocally lost in the wonder of discovery in other ways – as this song highlights. "Tumne mujhe dekha hokar meherbaan" (you looked kindly on me) – you can hear the joy and the wonder of a man who, contrary to his expectations, finds himself loved by his beloved.Tumne mujhe dekha (Teesri Manzil, 1966
“Yeh duniya patang nit badley yeh rang koi jaane na udaane waala kaun hai”
Maine poocha chand se (Abdullah)
Wadiyan mera daaman, raaste meri bahaen(Abhilasha)

Song from Teesri Manzil, 1966

Shaanta Rasa
Beyond all these emotions lies the emotion of peace and serenity.“Shantha Rasa“ represents complete harmony among mind, body and the universe. This is a state where the mind is in rest, a state of tranquility.One of my all time favourite songs is “Tere Mere Sapne” from Guide. When Rafi Saab says “Tere dukh ab mere, mere sukh ab tere, tere yeh do naina chand aur suraj mere”, he sounds so utterly reassuring and comforting
.Basti basti parvat parvat (Railway Platform, 1955)
Main Zindagi ka saath Nibhata (Hum Dono)
Tere Mere Sapne (Guide)

Song from Guide, 1965