“Who is this?” echoed through many minds as social media posts and Whatsapp messages featuring a young man singing legend Muhammad Rafi’s song ‘Teri Aankhon Ke Siva’ from the movie ‘Chirag’ started doing the rounds. The pleasant-looking young man, in a yellow T-shirt, belting out songs immortalised by Rafi caught the attention of many.

“We have been waiting for decades for a new Muhammad Rafi. That wait seems to be coming to an end. I can not even turn off the video,” is what businessman Anand Mahindra tweeted. Soon, singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan added, “Look at this talent!! What a voice! So happy to hear him sing like this!!”

Twitter was soon flooded with comments and retweets of this song. And, in Kerala’s Kozhikode the man in question, 23-year-old Saurav Kishan, is yet to get used to adulations coming his way from far and wide, from music lovers and singers, friends and strangers, through phone calls and tweets.

Currently pursuing his MBBS degree from Xinjiang Medical University, China, Saurav has been singing Rafi songs for years at events and on television. This is the moment of fame for Saurav, known in music circles as Kutti Rafi (Chota Rafi).

Now, with all the recognition pouring in, he remembers music director, Late Johnson master, who first gave him that name – Kutti Rafi. He is thankful to Johnson master for his valuable advice from the judge’s chair in a reality show years ago – “Listen to Rafi, listen more, and sing more.”

An advice that Saurav has made his life mantra. Talking to Opoyi, Saurav shares his thoughts on music, his home that was filled with music, his teachers and of course, Rafi, a name he carries in his voice.

“My grandfather had a gramophone that played Hindi songs non-stop. My love for music is because of my grandfather, a singer himself. He had a gramophone and he used to play classic Hindi film songs. Rafi sir, Asha ji, Lata ji and all were familiar voices right from my childhood. That is how I developed an interest in music. My father also was a music buff,” he says.

On his early training, Saurav says , I was trained in Carnatic music by Prathapan sir in Kozhikode, and later I learnt Hindustani too.

When asked to pick Hindustani or Carnatic, the singer says he will never be able to answer that. “Each has its own unique soul. Carnatic is elegant, and Hindustani helps you get immersed in your singing.. other than that I can’t say if there is any difference,” he adds.

On his early days in music, Saurav says that music director Johnson master wanted him to listen to Rafi more. “Johnson master was one of the judges of Gandharva Sangeetham, a reality show, where I was a participant. After he heard me singing many times, he suggested I should listen to Rafi. He complimented me on my voice and wanted me to sing more. In fact, he was the first to call me Kutti Rafi (Chota Rafi). His words are still alive in my mind. Because of his encouragement I started listening to Rafi songs regularly and began singing for Mohammed Rafi Foundation. I still sing for them for programmes held on Rafi sir’s birth anniversary,” he says

So, how does he feel about the Rafi comparison? “I am absolutely nothing compared to him. Rafi sir is a legend, a god, in fact. I have learnt from his modulation and the way he talks. And I have a lot more to learn too. It is said that music is eternal, so there are always many things to learn,” adds Saurav.

On Anand Mahindra, Shankar Mahadevan and many other prominent personalities sharing his song on social media, he says, “I just couldn’t believe it. That people of their stature like my song, share it through social media ….it is all a major achievement for me. And each word motivates me to carry on singing.”

When asked if he was interested in singing for films, he adds, “of course, yes! I would love to sing for movies. Experimenting in music has always been something I really enjoyed. And I want to create outstanding songs by working with great directors,” he adds.

Talking about his favourite singers, Saurav says, “I am a great fan of Babukka (M.S. Baburaj), Dasettan ( K.J. Yesudas) and Chithrechi (K.S. Chithra), and I admire all their songs. When I am on stage, I sing Malayalam songs very rarely, but I love all classics. Frankly, I am yet to reach the new genre of music. What I believe is that old songs are eternal, and nobody finds fault with them. Those classics are ingrained in everyone’s heart.”