Work at the Lafite Museum will be completed this year

The artist’s impression of the proposed Muhammad Rafi Museum in Kozhikode. |Picture source: Special arrangement

Kozhikode dreams that the museum of the late singer Mohammed Rafi is quickly becoming a reality as the building has begun under the Aegis of Kozhikode, the Mohammed Rafi Foundation. Mohammed Rafi’s son Shahid Rafi’s visit Sunday was the foundation’s arm and has been working hard to achieve that dream for nearly a decade. Once completed, it will be the country’s second Mohammed Lafite Museum and the first in southern India.

The cornerstone of Mohammed Rafi Garden & Museum was in 2020, when Kozhikode mayor was then MLA Thottathil Raveendran in Kozhikode North. Kozhikode Corporation donated a 4.6-cent plot from Aurobindo Ghosh, which was once a dump. The Mohammed Rafi Museum committee under the Rafi Foundation is handling the building for Rs 60 crore.

Cleaning up the plots, getting permission from the forest department to cut down trees and rolls are some of the reasons for delaying completion of the work. “The foundations of two legendary museums have been completed now, and we hope to complete the building within one year,” TPM Hashir Ali said.

The plan is to showcase all the songs by Mohammed Rafi and some of the artifacts he used in the museum. It will also have research on Rafi’s musical life. The small amphitheater is also part of the museum, where regular music shows will be held.

Shahid Rafi’s visit ensured the support of the singer’s family. The foundation hopes that family and Lafite fans share some of the artifacts used by Lafite with the museum.

Meanwhile, Mr. Shahid Rafi said he was fascinating to Kozhikode’s Rafi fans. “I’ve seen my father’s fans share their true love for him all over the world. But in Kozhikode, there are more fans in just one city,” he said.