This song review is written by Mr. Shrirang Nawathe

Mohd Rafi with Laxmikant-Pyarelal

The journey of life through Rafi sahab’s songs is  a unique experience for all of us. It is the beauty of that saintly figure who had contributed  so much for us  that, one can have all sorts of experiences through his golden songs.

Music Director Vasant Desai believed that Rafi Sahab was “shaapit gandharva” whereas Naushad sb. Confirmed him “suron ka betaaj badshaah”. For few others he was versatile, matchless, ultimate and so on….. Above all, for a common man like us he was the nearest soul.. as he was there with us under all circumstances (more…)

This article is written by Mr. Padmanabhan NR, Rafi Foundation, Hyderabad Chapter – This is for you Sandeep Nadkarni Sab

Mohd Rafi with Dilip Kumar

This review is being attempted at the instance of  Shri Sandeep Nadkarni, who wished it  from Sri. Nagesh Sidhanti who in turn had mesmerised us all with his review of Door rah kar na karo baat. I am trying a song review for the first time and would request forbearance of all concerned in case I fall short of expectations.

This song is from the film Deedar (1951) starring Ashok Kumar, Dilip Kumar, Nargis, Nimmi, Baby Tabassum and Yaqoob among others. The lyrics are by Shakeel Saheb and music by Naushad Sahab (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. Sivanandam

Mohd Rafi

In the vast ocean of golden oldies, there are few pearls in which the tune, orchestration, lyrics and last but not least the singer come together in perfect unison to create sheer magic. The  song ” Johoom ke gaa yun aaj mere dil” from the film Patanga , with the magic combination of Rafi sahib’s golden voice , music by Shankar(Jaikishen) and lyrics by Neeraj is one such pearl. (more…)

This article is written by Mr. Devraj M.V

Mohd Rafi, Dilip Kumar

Amar (Dilip Kumar) is an advocate in a typical Indian village. Accidentally he meets the village girl (Nimmi) who innocently falls in love with him. During a village festival Nimmi performs a dance and an appreciative Amar garlands her. To the girl, Amar’s act is symbolically equivalent to marriage and she becomes his devotee although Amar is engaged to Anju, a rich lady (Madhubala). (more…)

This article is written by Mr. A.S.Murty, Rafi Foundation, Hyderabad Chapter.

Mohd Rafi

Hundreds of songs sung by the legendary singers of the golden era of film music in India are on the lips of millions of music lovers who enjoy listening and singing them again and again.  Several decades after they first hit the stands, these songs have given millions of music lovers solace, taught social messages, inculcated in them a fervor for nationalism and patriotism, spread brotherhood and a sense of god-fearing among the masses.  They have enlivened several kinds of rituals, functions, programmes and enriched the thriving industry of music in all forms. (more…)

This article is written by Mr. M.V.Devraj

Mohd Rafi with S.D.Burman and Guru Dutt

Guru Dutt’s film Kaagaz ke Phool released in 1959 was the first full Cinemascope Indian film. This was considered to be a slow movie and was an initial flop. Guru Dutt, a brilliant filmmaker, was way ahead of his times. But when the film was later re-released, it became a cult film. The film won two Filmfare awards, one for its cinematography and the other for its art direction. Two lyrical gems, ‘Waqt ne kiya kya haseen sitam’ and ‘Dekhi zamaane ki yaari’ written by the inimitable Kaifi Azmi and set to music by Sachin Dev Burman are distinct high points of the film. (more…)

A very different review of ‘O Duniya Ke Rakhwale” by Dr. Vasudha Theertharam and Gan Sharma.

This review is the result of collaboration between two fans of the great Rafi saab who met very recently over the Internet. Although this song is perhaps one of Rafi saab’s most reviewed, the reviewers bring a unique perspective to the song. They hope Rafi fans all over the world will enjoy it.

Dr. Vasudha lives in Bangalore, India, and Gan lives in Toronto, Canada

Mohd Rafi

Naushad Ali saab recalls reading in a newspaper that a man, sentenced to be hanged until dead, was asked what his last wish was. We always thought that this last wish was just an over-romanticised element in movies; however, it seems that this incident actually took place. The normal request, under these tragic circumstances, is either for a favourite food or a drink. Occasionally, it may be a request to meet a beloved; but more often, it is a priest that the condemned man asks for. The staunchest atheist, it is said, becomes God-fearing on his deathbed; when the end is near, the desire to bribe the Almighty is at its peak. (more…)

This article is written by Ms. Utthara Kumari B, a member of the Baar Baar Rafi club in Bangalore.

Mohd Rafi with S.D.Burman and Guru Dutt

There is one song of Mohd Rafi which I consider the best among his bests. This is one of those classics where the immortal Rafi sahab, the romantic rebel Sahir Ludhianvi, the song king S D Burman and the brooding genius Guru Dutt combined to make one of the most powerful song sequences in cine history. It is that thought-provoking song from the black-and-white classic Pyaasa. To attempt to review the song is a tall order. I have only poured out my feelings, I wouldn’t dare call it a review. (more…)

This song review is written by Mr. M.V.Devraj

Mohd Rafi and Dilip Kumar

I wish to write about a song after my heart and soul. Being a mortal unlike Rafisaab I do not profess to have done justice to the immortal and evergreen song but I assure you that whatever I have stated hereunder is from the bottom of my heart.  Udan Khatola (1955) produced by Naushad and Directed by Sunny S U had Dilip Kumar, Jeevan and Nimmi in the lead roles. Naushad composed its music and the songs were penned by lyricist Shakeel Badayuni. The music composition is the highlight of this film. (more…)