By Rajiv Nair

His Guru Rafi Sahab
Mahendra was around 13 when he heard the Mohammed Rafi number Yahan badla wafa ka (Jugnu, 1947) and was totally mesmerized by the singer. “Dad somehow found out Rafi saab’s house in Bhendi Bazaar and reached there even though it was a riot-affected area post-Partition,” recalls Ruhan. (more…)

An unpublished interview of Naushad Sahib by Mehtab-Ud-Din

I had an interview of Naushad Sahib, the Great Music Composer of the Bollywood. I wanted to publish it in my book about all time Great our Mohd. Rafi Sahib. But my dream couldn’t be a reality only due to some unavoidable circumstances in my family. But, now I want to share my feelings about our Rafi Sahib & Naushad Sahib after 10½ years, as I am still not able to publish such a book. I hope, the fans of Rafi Sahib and the readers of Mohd Rafi.com ’ll surely forgive me for the delay in presenting the precious information.

It was an occasion of the annual Mohd. Rafi Award Function of Yaadgar-e-Rafi Society, Chandigarh (Regd.).  The day was 12^th November, 2000.  Naushad Sahib, the foremost music composer of the Bollywood & the Chief Guest for the Award Function had come in Chandigarh on 11^th Nov.  Then, I was working as News-Editor in a Punjabi Daily ‘Desh Sewak’ (Chandigarh) & I managed to meet Naushad Sahib especially alongwith Mr. Sardul Singh Abravan, my colleague and the Cultural Representative of the vernacular daily.  We reached the Room No. 319, 3^rd Floor, U. T. Guest House, Sector-6; where Naushad Sahib was officially staying. (more…)

This article is written by Mr. Achal Rangaswamy

My great friend of over 23 years Bashir Shaikh, who is another film and cricket freak like me wrote to me via my blog some time back. He was writing in response to my maiden write up on my blog on my idol and inspiration- the great Mohd Rafi Saab.

I want to share with you all what bashir wrote: (more…)

In this article I want to share few rare facts about RAFI SAHEB with all the readers of this site – Sanjeev Kumar Dixit

Even though Rafi Sahab’s father was against Rafi taking up music and singing as his career, he gave some teaching to him at the time when he was leaving home:

a)     Beta aadmi chahe jitna hi ooncha kyon na ud le use apne paaon (feet) zameen pe hi rakhne padte hain, isliye kabhi ghamand(proud) mat karna, kisi gareeb ka dil na dukhana aur ho sake to koshish karna dusron ka sahara banne ki…

b)     Tumhari nazren(sight) hamesha jhuki rahen, kisi ke saamne uthen nahi… (more…)

By: Mr. Murali Nagaraj.
This anecdote is what I heard from my Father. He passed away in 1990. But he was an ardent fan of Mohd.Rafi and he has so many stories to tell about Rafi Saab. I would like to share this one with our Fan Club. It just amazes me reading so much about him and I am not SATISFIED yet, Never will I be satisfied reading about our Rafi Saab. I am pretty sure that there are more and more stories about him.

I would like to share one which I heard from my late father. I believe that Naushad saab used to visit Rafi’s house often and during conversations would tell Bashira Begum (Rafi Saab’s wife) that ‘She was the most LUCKIEST Woman on the Planet’ and when asked why….Naushad saab’s reply was ‘Aapko tho sub kuch itni Meeti awaz mein milthi hai, Pyar ki baaton bhi and Gusse ki baaton bhi’. (more…)

This article is written by Mr. Vinod Kapoor, ex Sr.Director-Doordarshan. Email: vinodkapoor5@rediffmail.com

He needs no introduction nor does one have to extol the greatness he possessed. Millions still get mesmerized by the unadulterated mellifluous renderings, Mohammad Rafi has left behind. I often wonder, what would have happened, had phonographic system not been invented? Generations would have not marveled the great sounds of well cultivated voices and sought eternal pleasure out of them. It would be big loss. Music lovers miss out on Mian Tansen, Bach and Mozart but that’s history. (more…)

This article is written by Mr. Hashim Khan

The one and only shagird of our mentor Mohamed Rafi Saheb, popular Playback Singer of the Sixties and Seventies, Padamshree Mahendra Kapoor, winner of 3 Filmfare Awards, as well as the Dada Saheb Phalke Award, who shot into fame in 1958, with the chartbuster hit Aadha Hai Chandrama, Raat Aadhi ( Navrang ) was honoured posthumously with the Rafi Memorial Award 2008. Concieved, scripted and executed by Founder President Ruhi Khan, the Rafi Lovers Circle hosted a grand musical concert in memory of the noble singer, who passed away on Sept 27, 2008. (more…)

This is written by Perry Khan (Mazher Mahmood) @ HF

In fact Rafi Saab’s last interview was given to my father Sultan Mahmood just a couple of weeks before his death. The article for Indian film mag Shama has been widely circulated. However, I would like to share a small anecdote. (more…)

This anecdote was provided by Ms. Nalini Ramji

In the early days, when Rafi was trying to establish himself, Firoze Nizami composed a duet between Noorjehan and G.M.Durrani, for ‘Jugnu’. However, (more…)

This anecdote was provided by Ms. Nalini Ramji

In 1947, the Shankar-Jaikishan team was given its first job, composing the music for Barsaat. Their first composition was Main Zindagi Mein Hardam Rota Hi Raha Hun, which required a singer with an extremely wide vocal range. (more…)