By Salim K

Mohd Rafi

Mohammed Rafi is a name that takes a few seconds to pronounce but the unmatched talent, achievement, success and grace of the man is so large, diverse and unique that it would take a lifetime to appreciate the miracle of God. Yes Mohammed Rafi is nothing less than a miracle and miracles are rare and do not come cheap, nor they are a daily affair and nor they have any limitations. (more…)

By Souvik Chatterji

Mohd Rafi and Dharamendra

The combination of Mohammad Rafi, Laxmikant Pyarellal and Dharmender stormed bollywood films of 1960s and 1970s. When LP emerged in the musical arena with Parasmani and Dosti, bollywood music was being dominated by Shankar Jaikishan, Naushad Ali, Roshanlal Nagrath, OP Nayyar, Madanmohan Kohli and other big composers who created history. The stars of the golden age were associated with the big composers, for example Raj Kapoor was associated with Shankar Jaikishan, Dilip Kumar with Naushad Ali, to name a few. So Laxmikant Pyarellal required an upcoming star with whom they could create partnership. Dharmender was one of those stars. (more…)

By Manish Chhabra

Mohd Rafi

His was the voice which suited every hero of his era, yet, his was the voice which was so different that we are still looking for one, 32 years since his untimely death.

Rafi ruled the Hindi Film Music’s golden period of 1950s and 1960s.In fact, it won’t be an overstatement that Mohammad Rafi’s golden period was Hindi film music’s golden period.

Rafi was so popular during the 1950s and 1960s, that literally, no Hindi film worth its name was complete without his songs in it. There were singers who suited and suited very well on a particular style of compositions/heroes but Rafi was a fit-all singer. (more…)

By J.K. Bhagchandani

Two eternal lovers meet at dawn in a secluded place. These moments of love, of passion are stolen, yet sweet; short yet rich. The lovers are apprehensive yet ecstatic; they are silent yet communicative, conveying the inner most feelings; they are restless, yet tranquil. The atmosphere has elements of charming sensuality. The song ‘Meri duniya mein tum aayee….’  (Heer Ranjha) conveys this wonderful set-up through its lyrics, its composition and most importantly through the way Rafi and Lata have rendered, almost like whispering in each others’ ears. (more…)

By Amarjit Singh Kohli, founder chairman of Yaadgar-e-Rafi society

Mohammad Rafi claimed to have sung 28,000 songs. He didn’t go beyond 5,000.

Legendary singer Mohammad Rafi had a 36-year-long career. But till 1991, there was no clarity on the total number of songs he sang. If we go by the articles and programmes on Rafi in the media, this number is somewhere around 28,000. However, this seems unrealistic, as 28,000 songs in 36 years means that Rafi sang an average of 777 songs each year. Out of the 36 years, if we subtract the years between 1970-76, when Kishore Kumar emerged as the most popular singer and Rafi did not get many singing contracts, the average comes to about 1,000 songs a year. This means 2.74 songs per day. This is not humanly possible. (more…)

By Biman Baruah

(Shardhanjali to Rajesh Khanna)
NAFRAT KI DUNIYA KO CHOD KAR PYAR KI DUNIYA MEIN KHUSH REHNA MERE YAAR

This is the only Mohammed Rafi song aired when actor Rajesh Khanna passed way on 18^th July, 2012 due to prolong illness and his funeral procession crowded by mourners in the street which made a mark after 32 years, last seen at the time of funeral of Rafi Sahab. The song created a history in Hindi Film Music. The producers and actor of the film Haathi Mere Saathi (earlier named as Pyar Ki Duniya) wanted all the songs are to be recorded in the voice of Kishore Kumar. But after several attempt, Kishore Kumar unable sing this heartbreaking song as desired by the composers then tussle begin between producer, actor and music director duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal. (more…)

By Dr. Kuldeep Mathur.

Mohd Rafi

India has produced many great singers, since great Tansen, Sehgal and Mohammed Rafi is considered in this link.  Many of the Historians and Hindi film critics wrote about them and their life’s but very few of them had engaged to see the celestial singing of the above noted singers of their time.

What a voice they had! Our present generation is much more linked with Mohammed Rafi and prefer his songs because of their excellent, marvelous and celestial singing naturally pure and melodious voice still enthralls us, his songs connect us with emotional moments of life. (more…)

By Souvik Chatterji

Mohd Rafi

The film Barsaat Ki Raat released in 1960 was a milestone in music in bollywood films. It was directed by PL Santoshi. The music was composed by Roshan Lal Nagrath. Lyrics were written by Sahir Ludhianvi. The film exposed the versatility of Mohammad Rafi, who took the songs to a higher dimension than what they deserved.

Rafi had to face the capability of orthodox qawalli singers like SD Batish, Bande Hasan and Balbeer. Manna Dey was there and he always earned reputation of singing brilliant qawallis throughout his career. The female singers used included Suman Kalyanpur, Sudha Malhotra, Asha Bhosle, Lata Mangeshkar and Kamol Barot. (more…)

“Parda Hai Pardah” a timeless qawwali from the 1977 film “Amar Akbar Anthony,” showcases Mohammed Rafi’s unparalleled vocal brilliance, blending devotion and romance.
By: H.A.K. Walijah

Mohammed Rafi imprinted his name on the musical firmament with his appealing voice. His songs do not fail to mesmerize us, he is still fondly remembered for his captivating songs in Hindi films.  What is it about Rafi that pulls people 31 years after his death? Surely not just his singing – but also something deeper, sublime, spiritual to his melodious and mellifluous voice.

By Sanjeev
for the MADAN MOHAN Family

Mohd Rafi with Sanjeev Kohli, taken  on  30th July1980, one of Sanjeev’s  Proudest  moments,  ever!

We were blessed that we had the good fortune to spend some memorable moments with the great Rafi Saab. We were blessed that, as Madanji’s children, we had this privilege during Madanji’s lifetime, including attending various memorable recordings. And then, later in 1979/80, when I produced various non-film albums with the legend. (more…)