This article is written by Harish C. Menon, for Indo-Asian News Service. It’s an old article (2006) republished to refresh our memories.

Neither old age nor the vicissitudes of a long singing career have weakened Mahendra Kapoor’s zest for music. The singer who gave us the soulful “Chalo Ek Baar Phir Se” way back in 1963 is now ready with a collection of Sufi songs. Even at 72, the voice that took high pitch singing to unmatched levels still has a lot to offer. The affable veteran singer says that his sufiana album is something he wanted to do after he had his full in other genres of singing. (more…)

This article is written by Mr. H.V.Guru Murthy

A big debate is going on in various web sites of Rafiji, KK and others regarding who was a better singer. In fact, this sort of discussion was always going on even in our days when we used to heatedly argue as to who was better.

No doubt, all these great Singers, whether it was Rafi or KK or Mukesh or Hemant or Talat or Mannadey or Mahendra, gave us wonderful songs which we remember even now after so many years. Mukesh was very good in songs filled with pathos, uncomplicated songs without much high or low, soft, simple songs. Some of his songs especially for Raj Kapoor were superb. Hemant Kumar with a heavy voice, was also good in all these respects as Mukesh was and his songs had a touch of the Bengal culture and Rabindra Sangeet. Talat was King of Gazals, soft, velvety voice used especially well by Madan Mohan and he was the main Singer for Dilip Kumar before Rafi took over. (more…)

This article is written by Mr. Anmol Singh.

The Eyes which are an integral part of our body are a gift of nature. Eyes can give an expression without words. The portrayal of love, emotions, fear, confusion, mischief, solitude, pain, cruelty, truthfulness, etc can be expressed through eyes. In the golden era of 50s and 60s when love was expressed through sensuality, eyes played an integral part of the characterization of a role. This provided a lot of scope to writers to pen down some of the evergreen writings in the form of songs, dialogs, scripts, etc. (more…)

More at Hamara Photos

Veteran actor Shammi Kapoor remembered Rafi Sahab during his felicitation by Aamir Khan at 10th Osian’s-Cinefan Festival of Asian and Arab Cinema. Legendary filmmakers of his era Shakti Samanta, who made hits like ‘Kashmir Ki Kali’ and ‘An Evening in Paris’ with him and Lekh Tandon, who directed him in ‘Professor’, gave him the award. Sammir Dattani, Veteran actress Kamini Kaushal, Shakti Samanta, Lekh Tandon, Satish Shah with wife, Kamal Siddhu, Aditya Raj Kapoor with wife and mother Neilu, Raj Zutshi, Chetan Bhagat and many others arrived for the event. More at Hamara Photos.

This information is shared by Mr. Binu Nair, Rafi Foundation

MOHD RAFI centric singers will test their singing skills, singing gems from the store-house of two legendary composers of the hfm : Roshan and Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Rafi lovers are expected to attend in full strength and lap up the gems on offer "live" at the Naushad Hall in Mumbai’s central district – Sion on June 14, from 6.30 p.m. onwards. The Chief Guests expected to attend are: M/s. Sharada : playback singer and Mr.Padmakar Shivalkar the great Indian leg spin bowler – both of whom are dyed in the wool Mohd Rafi Lovers. (more…)

This article is written by Mr. Vinod Viplav.

Mohammad Rafi transformed thousands of ordinary songs into unforgettable & immortal with the touch of his charismatic voice. After the departure of this great legend, incalculable numbers of new singers came to light and many of his contemporary singers claimed to be best, but all disappeared in the dark. On other hand the magical effect of the songs of Rafi Sahab on the hearts of millions of music lovers is becoming deeper day by day. (more…)