In the realm of Indian music, few collaborations are as coveted as sharing the stage with music maestro A. R. Rahman.
For local musician Mohamad Raffee, that very dream became a reality for the second time when he received an unexpected call from Rahman just a day before the latter’s concert in Singapore on Aug 31.
With less than 24 hours to the concert, the home-grown veteran was asked to come down for rehearsals with the crew that was going to perform alongside Rahman at the National Stadium.
The last time Raffee, 63, had the opportunity to perform at Rahman’s concert was more than two decades ago.
On Aug 31, in front of 25,000 spectators, Raffee was called out on stage to sing one of Rahman’s biggest hits – Jumbalaka.
“I was not in the line-up of artists slated to perform with Rahman. The audience didn’t expect to see me on stage. I was so glad that I managed to hug and fist bump him,” Raffee told tabla!
Raffee’s friendship with Rahman, an Oscar and Grammy winner, goes back several decades.
He was introduced to Rahman by his younger brother Mohamad Bashir – also a musician – who worked in India during the 1980s.
“In 1989, I bumped into Rahman on the streets and struck up a conversation with him. After that, I kept in touch with him regularly,” recalled Raffee, who in those days would travel to India often in search of opportunities in the music industry.
“In 1995 I decided to stay in India and work for a while. I contacted Rahman and asked if I could help him with his music. He was a budding artist back then.
“One day, Rahman asked me to visit his studio – and the rest is history.”
Rahman offered Raffee the opportunity to sing Ennai Kanavillaiye Netrodu from the movie Kadhal Desam (1996). Though the song was eventually sung by playback singer SP Balasubrahmanyam as per the film crew’s request, Raffee was thrilled that Rahman used his voice for the chorus section of the song.
A couple of years later, Raffee was invited back to Rahman’s studio again – this time to help produce and arrange a song, Jumbalaka, for an upcoming film soundtrack.
“While working on the track, Rahman suddenly decided that I should sing the song instead,” Raffee said.
“I asked Rahman if he was kidding, and he insisted that I should sing Jumbalaka. Who would have thought that the song would make me popular? Only Rahman can think up such sudden ideas.”
Raffee remained in India for the next eight years with his wife, all the while helping to produce and arrange songs that Rahman – who by this time was a bonafide star in India’s music scene – composed and sang.
Notable Tamil songs Raffee worked on include Sandhipoma, Hey Hey Enna Aachu, Kama Kama, Mayilarage, Maram Kothiye and Solli Tharava.
He also ventured into Hindi music and worked on songs from the movies Taal, Rang De Basanti and Pukar.
Describing his working relationship with Rahman, Raffee said: “Rahman loves to work at night as it’s very peaceful. We start around 10pm and call it ‘a day’ at 6.30am the next morning. Then we go for our morning prayers and come back to sleep.
“I love all of Rahman’s songs, but my personal favourite is Nenje Nenje from the movie Ratchagan. The song has a deep meaning and I love the lyrics.”
Though Raffee returned to Singapore in 2010, he constantly stays in touch with Rahman.
“I’ve gone on meditation retreats with Rahman before. He goes to Melaka frequently and I sometimes tag along. Apart from music, we love to talk about spirituality,” said Raffee.
