By: Jagat Kant Choudhary

Kishore Kumar and Mohd Rafi

It was inevitable. The Comparison. With two phenomenal singers like Mohd Rafi and Kishore Kumar dividing the lion’s share of the male playback music industry between themselves, it was only a matter of time before the big question would crop up- who is the better singer?

The huge fan following, bordering on reverence for the two singers coupled with the alleged preferences of certain music directors for one over the other, often triggered this question. However and fortunately so, while the fans swore by their respective idols, and still do, there has never been a clear polarization either in the fan following or the music industry as a whole. (more…)

Written by: H.A.K. Walijah

Mohd Rafi and Dharamendra

Who could be from the Forties till the late Eighties charmed the film world with his scintillating lyrics in about 200 films and Rafi Saab had sung at least 225 songs out of 1800 recorded songs penned – guess whom I am referring, yes it is Hasrat Jaipuri, “The King of Romance”. Hasrat Jaipuri is one of the best lyricists in Bollywood who have been in the Indian film industry for a long time. The lyricist is now being considered as an iconic figure in the Bollywood music world. The verses which came out of his pen were realistic, rhythmic and touched the soul. He spread the fragrance of his poetry during 50’s & 60’s with his brilliant poetic genius comprising some of the sweetest melodies sung by “The King of Melody”, Mohammad Rafi Sahab – “Teri pyari pyari soorat ko” (Sasural), “Tu kahan yeh bataa” (Tere Ghar Ke Saamne), “Tu mere saamne hai, teri zulfein hai khuli” (Suhagan), “Ehsan tera hoga mujh par” (Junglee), “Teri zulfon se” (Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai) and “Tum mujhe yoon bhula na paaoge” (Pagla Kahin Ka). (more…)

The article is penned down by Mr. Mohan S Murdeshwar and Mr. Nitin D Dhareshwar

Mohd Rafi

Koyee Sagar Dil Ko Behelata Nahee, Bekhudi Mein Bhee Karaar Ata Nahee

Any music buff especially close to old Hindi film songs would have heard many times over and enjoyed the evergreen number “Saawan ke mahine mein ek aag see seene mein lagti hai tho pee leta hoon dho char ghadi jee leta hoon” (from the film “Sharabi” under the music composition of Madan Mohan) so poignantly rendered by the legendary Mohammed Rafi in his mellifluous voice over half a century ago and continues to haunt every troubled soul seeking a desperate liberation from worldly miseries. (more…)

By Deepak Kirpalani

Kotla Sultan Singh

My trip to Punjab last week would have been incomplete without embarking on a pilgrimage of a different nature. To the birthplace of a man whose conduct was as saintly as his singing, divine. In a career that spanned over 36 years, Rafi Sahab sang his heart out in 5000 songs. For a long time I was given to understand that Kotla Sultan Singh was in Pakistan. Fortunately not! It is the fourth village to the east after crossing Majitha, about 24 km north of Amritsar.

The first man we met directed us to Gurbir Singh Samra standing in a group across the road. Gurbir is a teacher at the local primary school where Rafi Sahab studied till class IV. We visited his classroom and the library that displays a chart on the school’s most well-known alumnus. (more…)

By Souvik Chatterji

Rafi Sahab with SJ, Asha, Hasrat, Shailendra

Poet and lyricist Shailendra had glorified the world of bollywood with his romantic words. He had tremendous combination with legendary composer Shankar Jaikishan. Both of them in turn had magical relationship with immortal singer Mohammad Rafi.

The magic combination came together in the film Boot Polish with the song “nanhe munne bacche tere mutthi me kya hai” which had become immortal over the years. In the film Shikast, the combination came together in the song “gham me jal raha hai”. (more…)

By Ahamed Kutty (Member BBR Fan Club, Bangalore)

Mohd Rafi

Eventhough Rafi Saab did not sing a single song in Malayalam Language, he is Kerala’s own singer. It is a wonder how a person born and brought up in an entirely different region and language became a state’s favourite singer without singing a single song in that state’s language. It is a fact that hardly 5% of the population of Kerala familiar with Hindi or Urdu. The reason is they like the voice as well as the wonderful personality of Rafi Saab. (more…)

Rafi Sahab never touched alcohol and was a god-fearing person, content with his singing and family life. Despite never drinking, he masterfully sang numerous intoxication-themed songs in Hindi films, unmatched in his mystical modulation and diction. His voice defined an era from the late 1950s to the 1970s, and his deep understanding of lyrics and music remains unparalleled. — By an intoxicated fan – A S MURTY – rafimurty {a.t} gmail.com

Rafi Sahab never touched alcohol? Did he not ever take any drinks ? Unbelievable, many would say. But most know that Rafi Sahab stayed clear of any kind of alcohol.  A god-fearing person that he was, Rafi Sahab was content with his singing and loved to be back with his family after his recordings and did not give any time to partying.  His only other outings would be for live programmes around the globe and at the altar of the borders of India, giving succor the embattled and fatigued Indian soldiers who gave their all for the country’s safety.

By Sanjeev Kumar Dixit

Temple of Rafi Sahab

I am sending few pictures of the TEMPLE of our honorable MOHD. RAFI SAHAB in my room. Statue of RAFI SAHAB was established on 6/2/11 (Ravivar means RAFI-VAR) with sweets & fruits.

In the 2nd floor of temple, Holi soils from the birthplace, Amritsar of Rafi Sahab & from his grave are kept to right hand side & left hand side respectively of the statue.

In the ground floor of the temple there are the pictures of my respected FATHER & MOTHER with pictures respected RAFI SAHAB. (more…)

By Jagat Kant Choudhary

Filmfare

The Filmfare Awards, since its inception in 1953 has been one of the most coveted awards in the Hindi Film Industry. It was at the Regal Theatre in South Mumbai (then Bombay) on March 21, 1954, that the first awards were handed over to the winners. Hollywood star Gregory Peck, who was the guest of honour at the inaugural Awards ceremony, was delayed on a flight from Colombo and could only attend the banquet at Willingdon Sports Club later on.

Incidentally the Awards were called Clare Awards in the beginning, named after Clare Mendionca, the well known film critic of the Times of India in the 1940s and 50s. A couple of years down the line, however, the Awards began to be known as Filmfare Awards instead. (more…)

By: H.A.K. Walijah

Mohd Rafi with Mukesh, Talat Mohd and others

“Tere Jaisa kaun hain, Tere Jaisa Koi Nahin,” (who is there like you, no one is like you !) when we come to think of Mohammad Rafi Saab and his legendary status in Hindi Film Music, then I must say yes, it is true that no one is like Rafi Saab. Nevertheless this is the opening line of the song on which my write-up is based on. In fact, this is one of the most beautiful and romantic numbers ever rendered by the Melody King Mohd. Rafi Saab in the movie “Tamanna” (1969). That song was picturised on romantic actor of 60’s Biswajeet who always lucky in getting great songs, got his cream with Rafi Saab under a host of composers in Mere Sanam, Sagaai, Shehnai, Do Dil, Night In London, Jaal, Aasra, Pyar Ka Sapna, April Fool etc. and the then ravishing beauty Mala Sinha, penned by Anand Bakshi and class music composed by Kalyanji-Anandji – what a marvelous composition of  Kalyan?ji Anandji –  an absolute magic and lilting music. (more…)