By Souvik Chatterji

Mohd Rafi

Mohammad Rafi virtually ruled bollywood music during the 50s and 60s. Therefore his contribution was unique in the career of all the leading stars of the golden age including Dilip Kumar, Rajender Kumar, Shammi Kapoor, Pradeep Kumar, Bharat Bhushan, Guru Dutt, Pradip Kumar, Joy Mukherjee, Biswajeet, Dharmender, Jeetender and others.

But in the 70s, Rafi did not get the same amount of songs from the upcoming composers if compared with his domination in the 60s. He made his existence felt in style with romantic combination in the films of Rishi Kapoor. Two factors went in his favour. Firstly Rishi Kapoor was the leading romantic actor of that age who balanced the action films of Big B, Vinod Khanna, Shatrughun Sinha and others with his romantic films. At the other hand Laxmikant Pyarellal, the composer who was loyal to Rafi till the last day of his life was the main contributor in Rishi Kapoor’s films. (more…)

Written by Mr. Achal Rangaswamy. Also adding in comments by staunch Rafi fans.

Rafi Sahab

On the 12^th of February, the Times of India carried a front page article on the news of Mohd Rafi Saab’s mazaar having been demolished to accomodate more bodies for burial. In this process many luminaries’ tombs also have been razed. This includes Sahir, Jan Nisar Akhtar, Naushad Saab and Madhubala, amongst others. Islamic law- the shariyat says it does not approve of tombs to be made for the dead. How come we still sing praises of the Taj, Humayun’s tomb, Bibi ka Makbara and so many other monuments and show them off to the whole world? (more…)

Rafi Bhakts present a new tales to the unending saga
Article by A S MURTY, Secretary, Rafi Foundation, Hyderabad Chapter – rafimurty@gmail.com

Mohd Rafi

For the past several years now, I have had a very close interaction with many Rafi Bhakts, from across the globe.  Fans of Rafi Sahab,  like that of any other legend, come from all walks of life.  They have very varied lifestyles and come from different cultural backgrounds.  Yet they have many commonalities in them.  I have found some very dedicated Rafi Bhakts, who indulge in a wide spectrum of activities that spread the works of Rafi Sahab. All of them do it selflessly and purely out of their own personal passion for Rafi Sahab and his songs.  Most of them work ceaselessly, devoting a lot of time and money on their activities – unmindful of any rewards. Their only reward is their personal satisfaction of doing what they like most – spreading the fragrance of Rafi Sahab.  There are several communities of Rafi Sahab on social networking sites on the internet. Several groups exist in almost all the major cities. These groups conduct musical shows, musical sessions, get togethers, mehfils and so much more. They inter-act and discuss the movies for which Rafi Sahab has given his impeccable renditions and relive the magic of these immortal songs. (more…)

Written by Mr. Souvik Chatterji

Mohd Rafi

Roshan Lal Nagrath, better known as Roshan was born in Gujranwala on 14^th July, 1917. His lessons from Ustad Allauddin and Sarangi King Bundu Khan transformed himself into regular composer of All India Radio in the 40s.

He started his career as composer in bollywood films with the film Neki Aur Badi in 1949. In the early 50s Mukesh and Talat Mehmood featured in most of the films of Roshan. Some of the hit songs included “khayalon me”, “sun bairi balam” from Bawre Nain, “tare toote duniya dekhe” from Malhar. Although he had success in the films Shisham, Anhonee, Malhar, etc., his immense talent did not get recognition until he used the man with the golden voice Mohammad Rafi. (more…)

By Utthara Kumari B

Mohd Rafi

Can one describe God? In 1,000 words? Even in 10,000 words? It is impossible to capture the magic and genius of Mohammed Rafi, the singing God, whose voice you can go on listening to forever.

He lifted mediocre into sparkling gem. His usual was better than the best around him. The kind of range and brilliance he had is unparalleled. From low-pitched whispering songs like Tum se ek baar to high-pitched ones like the O duniya ke rakhwale climax, Rafi sang with ease. Another song which comes to mind is the thought-provoking number in Pyaasa. The song __ Yeh mehlon, yeh takhton __ Rafi begins the song as a murmur, gradually his voice rises and in the end, he gives full rein to his vocal prowess when he exposes the hypocrisy of the society __ his voice soars saying Jalado jalado ise phoonk dalo yeh duniya. Is it possible to imagine anyone else singing this song bringing out all the frustration, bitterness and helpless anger? (more…)

Shared by Caivaa

Mohd Rafi

Rafi sahab`s voice has a divine flow. What this flow is all about? Perhaps Rafi sahab himself is an ocean n in his every word he lead us with flow of his divinity. Here is a small reference of a Rafian, a Rafi Lover, who was so much inspired by Rafi sahab that she used to consider herself just a wave of Rafi ocean and she finally merged in ocean itself.

Savita Garcia (Kate Garcia), a German social worker, running a social organisation in remotest village of West Bengal India,,with the profession of modelling in fashion world (in France), was working on a shrine short of foundation in the name of Rafi sahab in south Africa has died prematurely (25 year old) recently on July 31st 2009, after a snake had bitten her in the ploughing field in village Kumarpukur, Bengal, where she was working on a educational program for the poor villagers. (more…)

Written by J.K.Bhagchandani

Mohd Rafi

Nature is God’s most powerful and captivating symbol of HIS presence on this planet. Being near to nature is believed to be being near to God. The nature has inspired and spurred the creative instincts of artists of almost all streams to produce their artistic creations and showcase their talent. Painters have been fascinated by different facades of nature to capture its various colours on canvas. Poets, novelists have written many classics in the process of describing the beauty, the serenity of the nature.

Film lyricists also have very beautifully penned down umpteen number of rhythmic lines for many wonderful songs glorifying the nature. Such nature-inspired songs not only enrich the aesthetics of the composition but also provide an opportunity for the film maker to capture some breath taking visuals of the nature. These songs also help in portraying the character on the screen and his feelings. And when a song of a theme as divine as nature is sung by a voice as Godly as of Rafi saab… the result is bound to be ‘sheer magic’. This write-up is just a small attempt to celebrate some (randomly picked) songs of Rafi saab where one beauty of the nature is combined with another beauty of nature (Rafi saab’s voice). (more…)

Compiled by: Mr. Biman Baruah, Sivasagar, Assam

Rajkumar and Mohd Rafi

Rafi Saheb had sang some milestone songs for prominent & stylish actor Raaj Kumar in some highly memorable films: Ghamand, Nausherwan-E-Adil, Mother India, Phool Bane Angarey, Kaajal, Neel Kamal, Mere Huzoor, Heer Raanjha, Maryada, Lal Patthar, Pakeezah and Chambal Ki Kasam.

In the early 1950s, Kulbushan Pandit, a sub-inspector of the Mumbai police gave up his job, changed his name to RAAJ KUMAR and made his acting debut in the film RANGILI (1952) which was unnoticed. In the next five years, he acted in few incomprehensible films which failed to launch his career. In 1957, Mehboob Khan’s Oscar nominated classic blockbuster film MOTHER INDIA where he played a role of poor farmer, established him a lead actor in Hindi Film. After that there is no looking back for him, he acted in more than 70 films in a career of four decades and played leading, central supporting or villain roles. His most notable performances were in hit films like PAIGHAM(1959), DIL APNA AUR PREET PARAYI (1960), GHARANA (1961), DIL EK MANDIR (1963), WAQT (1965), HAMRAAZ (1967), NEEL KAMAL (1968), HEER RAANJHA(1970), LAL PATTHAR (1971), PAKEEZAH (1972) and HINDUSTAN KI KASAM (1973), out of which he got Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for DIL EK MANDIR & WAQT.  He was best paired with Meena Kumari and Mala Sinha. (more…)

Written by Mr. Amarjit Singh Kohli, Chairman, Yaadgar-e-Rafi Society

Rafi Memorial Function, held in Chandigarh on 6th Dec, 2009

Born on 24th December 1924 in a small village in Amritsar District, Rafi made his debut in Punjabi Film ” Gul Baloch” in 1944 with the song “soniyi ni heeryi ni” set to music by Shyam Sunder. Rafi was so enamoured of Kundan Lal Saigal that he participated as a chorus singer in Saigal’s song in film Shahjehan (1946) “Roohi roohi roohi, mere sapnon ki raani“, composed by Naushad.

Rafi remains till today the most versatile of all the singers who could sing any type of song. In classical he rendered masterpieces like ” madhuban mein radhika“; in comedy “sarr jo tera chakraye“; in pop “laal laal gaal“; in softness “suhani raat dhal chuki“; in boisterousness ” kaan mein jhumka“; in anguish ” yehi armaan lekar aaj apne ghar se hum nikle“; in ecstasy “ jiya o jiya kuchh bol do“; in qwwali “aaj kyon hamse parda hai“; in bhajans ” man tarpat hari darshan ko aaj“; in patriotic “kar chale hum fida jaan o tan saathiyo“. (more…)

Written by Mr. Souvik Chatterji

Rafi with Shankar of SJ fame

Mohammad Rafi was the virtual ruler of world of playback singing in the 60s. As far as his combination with Shankar Jaikishan is concerned, generally the loud numbers gather popularity due to the pomp and grandeur of those songs.

For example Rafi’s song “chahe koi mujhe jungle kahen” in Junglee, picturised on Shammi Kapoor, “kaun hai jo sapno me aya” in Jhuk Gaya Aasman picturised on Rajender Kumar, “jiya ho jiya ho jiya kuch bol do” in Jab Par Kisi Se Hota Hai, picturised on Dev Anand, “Japan, Love in Tokyo”, in Love in Tokyo, picturised on Joy Mukherjee, “april fool banaya, in April Fool picturised on Biswajeet , etc., were the most popular songs of those films. Shankar Jaikishan’s innovative orchestrations were involved with all these songs. (more…)