This article is written by Ms. Usha Munshi, Mumbai.

Mohd Rafi and Madan Mohan

Was it magical, that evening? I would say it was…

I was very excited as I readied myself to sit through a concert that was organised to pay tribute to the legend – Madan Mohan. I am a huge fan. I was naturally drawn to most of his music compositions. Ironically, till about a few years back, I wasn’t even aware that I was a fan of Madan Mohan, till a close friend, Bhushan, who works with YashRaj Films, and is a sort of pro where Hindi film songs were concerned, closely observed my likes and pointed it out to me! (more…)

This article is written by Mr. Gaurav D Bijoor.

Mohd Rafi

Mohammed Rafi – “Mujhe Darde Dil Ka Patha Na Tha Mujhe Aap Kis Liye Mil Gaye, Main Akela Yoon Hee Majhe Main Tha Mujhe Aap Kis Liye Mil Gaye”

A very rare and a beautiful duet between Mohammed Rafi Saab and Ronu Mukherjee (daughter of Hemant Kumar) titled “Sara mora gajra chhudaya toonhe, garva kaise lagaya toonhe, O rasiya mana basiya, teekha teekha kajra lagaya toonhe …. Ko jaadu jagaya toonhe” from the film “Do Dil” written by Kaifi Azmi and music scored by Hemant Kumar. This film had Biswajeet & Rajashri in the lead roles. The other great song from this film being a super solo sung by Rafi Saab is titled as “Tera husna rahe mera ishka rahe tho ye subha ho ye sham rahe na rahe” indeed a master-piece composition. (more…)

This article is written by Mr. Anmol Singh

Mohd Rafi and Pradeep Kumar

This song has been rated as the best song by the Outlook survey some time back. What makes this song an all time great, perhaps the incredible lyrics written by Sahir or excellent delivery by Rafi or a great composition by Roshan. It is perhaps all the factors. Lets analyze the lyrics written by Sahir. (more…)

This article is written by Mrs Usha G Rao, a member of Baar Baar Rafi Fan Club.

Mohd Rafi

The myriad moods and emotions expressed by Rafi Sahab in his songs is not only awe inspiring but also a subject of discussion for music lovers in general and Rafi admirers in particular.

An aspect of his music that has always fascinated me is his duets.  He has sung some of the most beautiful duets in Hindi films.  Among them, some are light hearted,  some soulful and others intensely romantic.  A unique and interesting feature of some of his duets is the late entry of Rafi Sahab into the song. (more…)

This article is written by Mr. Biman Baruah, Assam

Mohd Rafi and Prakash Mehra

(A Personal Tribute to: Producer, Director and Lyricist: Prakash Mehra)

Zendegi To Bewafa Hai , Ek Din Thukrayegi
Maut Mehbooba  Hai  Apne  Saath Lekar Jayegi
Mar Ke Jeene Ki Ada Jo Duniya Ko Dikhlayega
Woh Maqaddar Ka Sikandar Jaaneman Kehlayega

The above few lines of the title song of the film sung by our beloved Rafi Saheb with full of enthusiasm which depicts ultimate reality of human life. The song was played in background when Amitabh dies at the end of the film after fighting with Amjad Khan and picturised on Vinod Khanna on screen. It was the sad version of the well-known Kishore Kumar song, “Rote Huye Aate Hain Saab, Hansta Huya Jo Jayega” from the film, Maqaddar Ka Sikandar. The Producer- Director of the film, Prakash Mehra departed on 17 May, 2009 in Mumbai at the age of 69 after long-standing illness. (more…)

This article is written by Mr. Gaurav.D.Bijoor

Mohd Rafi

Who was Mohammed Rafi and what was his sheer magic and composition consist of:

1. Many say he was the greatest ever singer the music industry has ever produced,
2. Most of them say he was indeed the uncrowned King of Melody,
3. A few lovingly say he was the most beloved King of Melody,
4. Some say he was the Angel, others are of the opinion that he was a Gandharva,
5. Innumerable fans are also of the opinion that he was a messenger of the Almighty and was destined to take birth on this Earth to render the much needed solace to the very common man like me and all of you friends,

(more…)

This article is written by Mr. Souvik Chatterji

Geeta Bali with Geeta Dutt, Mohdrafi, Guru Dutt, Shekhar, Durga Khote and others

Rafi became a living legend in the mid-50s after dominating bollywood films over ten years and singing for nearly all the giant productions and leading actors of bollywood. He had very strong combination with thinking actor Guru Dutt.

Guru Dutt had created his image in bollywood films in different categories being a thoughtful director and producer, dynamic actor, good choreographer. One of the numerous reasons for which his films became super hit in the 50s and 60s include the brilliant songs sung by Rafi during the golden age. (more…)

This article is written by Mr. Nagesh Sidhanti

Mohd Rafi

A ghazal usually deals with the whole spectrum of human experience, with its central concern being love. The underdog’s bard , Sahir Ludhianvi, who refused to eulogise Khuda(God), Husn(Beauty) and Jaam(Wine), occasionally departed from his bitter but sensitive lyrics. The result of one such welcome exception is the song ‘Door Rahkar Na Karo Baat‘ from the movie Amaanat, Starring Manoj Kumar and Sadhana.

Sahir Ludhianvi, had this uncanny ability of giving his poetry an intellectual aura with socially relevant and fascinating questions posed, capturing the imagination of rebellious youth especially. The transference of his Faizian ideologies into intensely lyrical pitch, was the quintessence of this progressive writer. (more…)

This article is written by Mr. Ashok Parekh.

Rafi Saab with Raj Kapoor

As regards Raj Kapoor’s long association with Mukeshji – when and how it started, it’s a matter of debate / discussion and to some extent research. However, Rafisaab have sung a number of songs for Raj Kapoor in his earlier films. Even Talat Mehood saab also had landed his voice to Raj Kapoor (Main Dil Hoon Ek Armaan Bhara film: Anhonee).  In respect of films produced and directed by Raj Kapoor under RK banner, Rajsaab used Rafisaab’s voice in many films but for other actors. So before talking of Rafisaab’s  songs on Raj Kapoor, first we look at Rafisaab’s songs in RK movies (either produced or produced and directed): (more…)

This article is written by Mr. Ashok Parekh

Mohd Rafi

“Jaane Kahan Gayi Dil Mera Le Gayi” is one of my favourite songs amongst innemerous songs by Rafisaab. I had neither seen this movie (Dil Apna Aur Preet Parayi) nor this song on television or anywhere but I was always curious to know who might have leap singing this song on the screen as I was sure the hero Rajkumar was not the one. Recently I saw this song on ‘youtube’ and was surprised to find that it was a lesser known actor Raj Kishore (one of the Kishore Kumar’s musical mandli in Padosan) and that it was a street song. (more…)