By Srinivas Gudimella
Mohd Rafi
Jitnaa bhi suno lage na kaafi …. aawaaz hai aisaa Md. Rafi !
Aawaaz ki duniyaa kaa Raja hai tu
Khudaa ki sadaa kaa doojaa hai tu !
Sangeet ki duniya ka naayak hai tu
Naa koi tujhsaa aisaa gaayak hai tu
Sabke abhimaan kaa laayak hai tu ! (more…)
By Souvik Chatterji
Rafi Sahab with O.P.Nayyar
The musiclovers had remembered legendary composer Omkar Prasad Nayyar, popularly known as OP Nayyar on his birthday on 16th January, 2011. He had died few years back, but his tunes had remained immortal for the audience of bollywood films for years. Whenever the name of OP Nayyar appeared in the minds of the audience, the name of immortal singer Mohammad Rafi had come together, without whom OP Nayyar was incomplete. OP Nayyar started his career with the film Kaneej in 1949.
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 included the brilliant songs sung by Rafi during the golden age. (more…)
By Ramesh Narain Kurpad – Rafiaarenkay / rameshkurpad (gmail)
Rafi Sahab with his awards
Dear Rafi fans / bhakts from near and far away land – I have voiced myself vehemently in my own country through this beautiful dedicated Rafi website, but in vain – the Indian fans in India are meekly whispering “ alas Rafi Sahab cannot be conferred Bharat Ratna since he is no more and he cannot be given posthumously.” – says who?
Now this letter is being addressed to all international fans / bhakts who are not living in India they may be Indians – Pakistani’s – Bangladeshi’s – Afghani’s – from UAE – Saudi – America – Canada – UK – Europe – New Zealand – Australia – Germany – France anywhere. (more…)
By Sarah Modi
Mohd Rafi
Rafi is certainly my sweetheart and I bet yours as well. If you are a romantic at heart, Rafi saab’s voice is the eternal sound of love. And if you are not a romantic, you will become one at the mere touch of his mellifluous voice. His intoxicating and honey-soaked vocals can woo any hard hearted person. The warmth in his voice can thaw and melt anything frozen — be it a thing, human being, thought or an emotion. If you don’t believe me, listen to the songs I have listed below and be prepared to be hypnotized by his mesmerizing and soulful renditions.
If you want to praise your girlfriend or wife, or express your love to them, or if you want to embark upon a beautiful journey of courtship, you can begin with any of these wonderful songs, and Lady Love will surely be your Valentine! (more…)
By Mr. D.P.Bijoor & Mr. Milind Bijoor
Mohd Rafi and Madhubala
The Almighty has created 2 of the most wonderful & cherished personalities on this Universe, one with that ultimate velvet touch of voice which automatically became the Shehenshah of Taranum and the other with that ultimate beauty who came to be known as the Mallika-e-Husna and above all both thy names starting with that magical alphabet M = Mohammed Rafi and Madhubala. Both these personalities contributed their individual credibility in the Hindi Film industry and by virtue became immortal legends.
Kudrat Ke Do Anokhe Shakahar aur do Anmol Ratn – Mohammed Rafi – Madhubala. “Zindagee bhar na bhulegi woh barsaat kee raat ek anjaan hasina se mulaqat kee raat” (more…)
Compiled by: Mr. Biman Baruah
Rafi Sahab and Naushad Ali
Naushad Ali and Mohammed Rafi both were the legends of Hindi Film Music, former one is one of the greatest Music Directors of Indian Cinema and later one is one of the greatest playback singers of Indian Cinema who made for each other and born on 25th and 24th December respectively. Both the legends are almost forgotten man today. But the immortal songs created by them still continue to live on in the minds of all music lovers and the songs are the undying treasure of Hindi Film Music. On their birth anniversary in December, they were more or less ignored in Film Industry, to which both the maestro devoted their life.
Naushad Ali was born on 25th December 1919 in Luchnow, a traditional city famous for refined North Indian Culture. From early childhood in Luchnow he was a keen listener to the live orchestras accompanying silent films. Before coming to Bombay, he used to repair harmoniums and composed for amateur theatricals such as the Windsor Music Entertainers. (more…)
By: H.A.K. Walijah
Mohd Rafi
John Keats once wrote: “A thing of beauty is a joy forever”, today I can pretty much say “A song of Rafi is a joy forever”. Even 30 years after his death – I am sure Rafi’s popularity did not go into oblivion. Millions of million Rafi lovers pay their respects and tributes everyday which alone is the strongest proof that Rafi still rules and his chair did not occupied yet, no replacement so far!!!. Could anybody ask for a grander memorial than that? Rafi Saab’s voice has given us a song for every emotion and mood. Rafi’s voice will always be with us, and considering how popular he still is. As for Rafi’s memorial being his voice, that was exactly why I thought versatility of character that makes him so special. Mohammad Rafi was a superb vocal actor and could bring a range of emotions into the limited time (usually about 3 minutes, back then) a song allowed him. From romantic to sensual, angry to soothing, loving to despairing, or outright joy and laughter, there isn’t a single emotion that his wonderfully fluid voice did not express, and express beautifully. (more…)
By Ravi Kumar
Mohd Rafi
The depth of ocean, the expanse of the space and the greatness of Rafi Saheb cannot be measured by any means. At the bottom of an ocean many precious pearls remain undiscovered and many a shining star remains obscure due to the immensity of the space. Similarly a number of great songs sung by Rafi Saheb could not be popularized or were underrated due to one or the other cause. But the melody, greatness and appeal of these little known songs is as eternal as the gloss of the undiscovered pearls and the shine of the distant stars, only because they were sung by Rafi Saheb. (more…)
By Santosh Vishwanath
.jpg "Bed decorated by Umesh Makhija")
Bed decorated by Umesh Makhija
Umesh Makhija the name doesn’t sound popular, does it? But the moment you add Rafi saab’s name with it, the name rings a bell in our ears. Yes, it is true as true is the temple of love for Rafi Saab in this man’s heart. You will have to see it to belive it. Narayanji from Banglore and myself have been fortunate enough to have seen it. So I thought it would be nice to write about Umeshji who has done so much to keep our Rafi Saab’s memory live here in Ahmedabad. (more…)
By Mr D.P.BIJOOR & Mr MILIND BIJOOR
Mohd Rafi and Naushad Ali
In the year 1967 when the Colossal & Classic film Ram Aur Shyam was released, I was at my tender age of 10 and considered myself fortunate enough to witness the sheer magic of Dilip saab. The scene which really captured my mind and of course the minds of millions of fans was the song “Aaaj kee raat mere dil kee salami lele kal tere badmase diwana chala jayega shamma rahe jayegi parwana chala jaega” enacted by Dilip saab with great ease and confidence. A film I cherish all my life.
No doubt it was the sheer magic of Dilip Saab. But no less was the contribution of the other three great maestros Rafi Saab, Naushad Saab & Shakeel Baduyuni Saab. Their contribution, though not visible to the eyes, can be noticed whenever this great evergreen hit is played or heard. It sounds like pure magic pouring out and which has mesmerized millions of music lovers till date across the world. And will continue to do so for the next generation too. Truly a terrific combination of the greatest artists & performers which the film industry has ever seen (more…)