A 17-year-old fan, a rainy Mananchira night and a lifetime with Rafi Saab

Hydroos Koya, better known as Radio Koya, was just 17 when he saw his idol Mohammed Rafi for the first time. More than five decades later, he remembers every detail of that rainy night.

“It was a dream come true,” says the 74-year-old radio mechanic and collector, whose room today is filled with vintage valve radios, gramophones and rare Mohammed Rafi records.

As admirers across the world commemorate Rafi’s death anniversary on Friday (July 31, 2026), Radio Koya recalls the legendary singer’s Kozhikode concert in 1973.

Rafi came to Kozhikode on December 15, 1973, a Saturday, to perform at the historic Mananchira grounds for an MES (Muslim Educational Society) fund-raising programme. Singer Usha Timothy and comedian Johnny Whisky accompanied him.

The concert was announced for 7 p.m. But Rafi’s flight was delayed. He landed at Mangaluru airport and travelled to Kozhikode by road. He reached the venue at 9 p.m., two hours late.

By then, the Mananchira grounds were packed. Fans had travelled from places as far as Pollachi. Thousands stood outside after tickets sold out.

Tickets ranged from ₹500 to ₹5. “Even ₹5 was beyond me. I had no ticket. I came only to listen to Rafi Saab from outside,” recalls Mr. Koya.

As the crowd surged, police resorted to a lathicharge. “I ran through the gate in the confusion and somehow reached the front row.”

Actor Kuthiravattom Pappu also entered the venue in the same rush, Mr. Koya remembers.

Radio Koya being felicitated in Al Ain, UAE. File
| Photo Credit:
Special arrangement

Rafi walked straight onto the stage and opened the concert with ‘Aaj mausam bada beimaan hai bada’ from Loafer.

The concert continued until 11 p.m. “It rained throughout. But nobody left.”

Rafi sang many of his popular songs, including duets such as ‘Jo wada kiya woh nibhana padega’ and ‘Dekh liya maine’. Usha Timothy also sang a Malayalam song made famous by S. Janaki, recalls Mr. Koya.

PVS General Agencies at Muthalakulam recorded the concert on a spool tape recorder and played it outside its shop the next day. Crowds gathered to hear Rafi’s voice again until police stopped the playback as the gathering grew.

Mr. Koya says the microphone and speakers used for the concert were later preserved by Geeta Sounds.

His passion even shaped his career. “I became a radio mechanic only to listen to Rafi songs.”

Radio Ceylon introduced him to Rafi’s music. He travelled across India collecting Rafi LPs. “Even if I skipped food, I would buy a Rafi record.”

He remembers buying a rare LP in Mysuru. On the return journey, the car carrying him, his friend and the friend’s family overturned. “My first concern was whether the record was safe.”

Radio Koya with his Mohammed Rafi memorabilia.
| Photo Credit:
Special arrangement

He visited Rafi’s home in Mumbai twice. Rafi’s son, son-in-law and singer Unni Menon have visited Koya’s home in Kozhikode. He was also honoured in Al Ain, UAE, for his Rafi collection.

When Rafi died in 1980, Mr. Koya heard the news on Radio Ceylon and wept. He never named his son after the singer. “I was not sure my son could uphold the honour of that legend.”

Old valve radios from across India still arrive at Mr. Koya’s workshop for repair. His home has become a private museum of vintage radios and Rafi memorabilia.

“I was blessed to be born in Rafi Saab’s time,” says Mr. Koya.

For him, no singer has matched Mohammed Rafi. “No one was born to replace Rafi Saab,” he says.