This article is written by Mr. Souvik Chatterji

Mohd Rafi with Asha Bhonsle and Kalyanji

Mohammad Rafi was the uncrowned king of bollywood music in the 50s and 60s. After the composers like Naushad, Shankar Jaikishan, Roshan, Madanmohan, Ghulam Mohammad, OP Nayyar, and others realized the range of voice of Rafi, they made him the first choice during a period when able singers like Mukesh, Manna Dey, Talat Mehmood, and others were at the top of their career.

But Kalyanji Anandji’s association with Rafi in the 70s require special mention considering the fact that RD Burman and SD Burman sidelined Rafi to promote Kishore Kumar and with the death of Jaikishan, Roshan and many composers the only challenge that could be put forward before RD Burman was done by LP and KA. (more…)

This article is written by Bina Krishna – Rafi Saab Ke Charnon Mein

Mohd Rafi with Lata Mangeshkar and Jaikishan

I could never decide with certainty whether Rafi Saab sang better with Lata or with Asha. Everytime I hear a dulcet duet of Lata-Rafi I instinctively opine that it is Lata who is best suited for Rafi Saab and this twosome is matchless, Then when I hear a marvellous duad of Asha-Rafi and that perfect taal-mel between them I unabashedly change my opinion and my leanings and apologize to Lata Didi in my mind. (more…)

This article is contributed by Mr Gaurav.D.Bijoor

Mohd Rafi with C. Ramchandra

C Ramchandra was born in the year 1918 in a small town situated in Puntamba in the Ahmednagar District. He joined the movie industry playing the lead role in the film “Naganand” and also some small roles in the films “Saeed-e-Havas” and “Atma Tarang”.

Mr C Ramchandra in-fact greatly loved, admired and respected our beloved King of Melody Mohammed Rafi Saab the most. In-fact he was the one of the few initial music director’s who was very much instrumental in rendering the required break to Mohammed Rafi Saab at the very start of his career in the industry almost in the period 1944-1945. (more…)

This article is written by Mr. H.V.Guru Murthy

Mohd Rafi with other playback singers

Just imagine if Mohammed Rafi Saab had sung “Mere Naina Sawan Bhadon” from ‘Mehbooba’ instead of Kishore. Well, this classical song was a Do Pehlu, sung both by KK and Lata. RD Burman, the Music Director of the movie had chosen these two Singers for rendering the song. Where as Lata excelled, in fact sung effortlessly, KK showed the strain and could not match Lataji in this round and RDB lost a golden opportunity to give one of the best do-pehlu’s of Hindi film industry. KK was not suited for this classical number and if only RDB had given this song to Rafi, the Farishta would have converted this song to a memorable one, matching Lata, step by step, sur by sur. (more…)

This article is written by Mr. Shrirang Nawathe

Mohd Rafi with Roshan and Asha

Rafi sahab’s songs are like rare gems to be discovered from the depth of the musical ocean and one gets immense satisfaction when one dives deep. Our life’s journey becomes smooth with these songs as these melodies give us true satisfaction and peace. The journey with these songs is nothing but the journey with the Master.

Today, I have selected  unforgettable classic gem of Hindi Film Music. This song is a milestone in many aspects. It has the beauty of the lyrics, melody of music, expressions through singing, depth of the subject, peace of the mind, philosophy of the life..I am sure that this song  itself can be a subject of research for many. (more…)

This article is written by Mr. Souvik Chatterji

Mohd Rafi with Chitragupt

Chitragupt gave very melodious tunes in the 50s and 60s and as most of his songs were sung by legend of legends Mohd Rafi, the songs became immortal after creation. Rafi’s song “chal ur ja re panchi” composed by Chitragupt in the film Bhabi brought tears in the years of numerous viewers. Rafi used his emotions towards fulfillment of the literary value of the song and Balraj Sahani’s lips in the song also require special mention. (more…)

This article has been written by Mr. Ali Rashid

Mohd Rafi with Kishore Kumar and Kalyanji

Zindagi to bewafa hai
Ek din tukhrayegi
Maut mehbooba hai apne
Saath lekar jaayegi

How right Rafi-saab was, when giving a soul-stirring rendition to this Kalyanji-Anandji tuned composition from Muqqadar Ka Sikandar. Three years later, Khuda willed, and Mohammad Rafi breathed his last, bringing to a close an era of melody. Now, twenty-nine years after his death, his star shines brighter than ever, and his legacy continues to enthrall music lovers of all generations, across the globe. (more…)

This article is written by Mr. Achal Rangaswamy.

Mohd Rafi

With Navratri round the corner my mind went to the Nava Rasas, though I wonder if there is any connection at all…except that there was a Tamil film by the name Navaratri which had the famous actor Sivaji Ganesan doing nine roles. Each of the roles displayed one Rasa each as embodied in the Nava Rasas described in the Natya Sastra. The same film idea found its way into Bollywood with the great Sanjeev Kumar in Naya Din Nayi Raat, an easily forgettable film, but with a lovely song by Rafi Saab.

Rafi Saab sang “mere liye to har din naya din, har raat nayi raat”. While remembering this song the other day I thought to myself- why not look at Rafi Saab’s songs that clearly underlined each of the Rasas. (more…)

This article is contributed by Mr D.P.Bijoor

Mohd Rafi and Shamshad Begum

Shamshad Begum was born in Amritsar, Punjab on 14^th April 1919 and she was a very big fan of K L Saigal. Presently the singer is staying with her daughter Mrs Usha Ratra and her son-in-law in Powai, Mumbai ever since her husband Late Mr Ganpat Lal Batto died in the year 1955. She celebrated her 89^th birthday at her elder sister’s place.

Shamshad Begum made her debut on radio on the Peshawar radio in Lahore on 16^th December 1937, captivating the hearts of her listeners with the enchanting depth of her voice. In fact Shamshad was not so conscious of her not so beautiful face and she never posed for any pictures and not many people saw her pictures any where. (more…)

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…)