26/08/2026
Rafi Sahab with Balasaheb Thackeray Ji and Shrikant Thackeray Ji - a beautiful glimpse of warmth, respect and camaraderie. This memorable photograph shows the legendary singer Mohammed Rafi Sahab in a warm and friendly encounter with Balasaheb Thackeray Ji. Shrikant Thackeray Ji can be seen standing nearby, along with others.
This image represents an interesting juncture where the worlds of music, public life and culture intersect.
What makes this photograph even more interesting is the musical connection between Rafi Sahab and Shrikant Thackeray Ji. Between the years 1974 and 1980, Rafi Sahab recorded 12 non-filmi Marathi songs under the musical guidance of Shrikant Ji. Language was never a hurdle for Rafi Sahab. He expressed deep feeling and respect for every song, regardless of the language being Hindi, Marathi, or anything else.
His Marathi songs, for the most part unknown to many, are an important and fascinating component of his vast musical work.
Shrikant Thackeray Ji, the younger brother of Balasaheb Thackeray Ji, had a genuine fascination for music, and his collaboration with Rafi Sahab resulted in a truly unique repertoire that warrants wider recognition among music enthusiasts. The photograph beautifully encapsulates Rafi Sahab, Balasaheb Ji and Shrikant Ji together in one frame – a truly cherished view into a time of camaraderie and artistic expression.
