This article is written by Mr. Souvik Chatterji

Geeta Bali with Geeta Dutt, Mohdrafi, Guru Dutt, Shekhar, Durga Khote and others

Rafi became a living legend in the mid-50s after dominating bollywood films over ten years and singing for nearly all the giant productions and leading actors of bollywood. He had very strong combination with thinking actor Guru Dutt.

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 include the brilliant songs sung by Rafi during the golden age. (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. Ashok Parekh.

Rafi Saab with Raj Kapoor

As regards Raj Kapoor’s long association with Mukeshji – when and how it started, it’s a matter of debate / discussion and to some extent research. However, Rafisaab have sung a number of songs for Raj Kapoor in his earlier films. Even Talat Mehood saab also had landed his voice to Raj Kapoor (Main Dil Hoon Ek Armaan Bhara film: Anhonee).  In respect of films produced and directed by Raj Kapoor under RK banner, Rajsaab used Rafisaab’s voice in many films but for other actors. So before talking of Rafisaab’s  songs on Raj Kapoor, first we look at Rafisaab’s songs in RK movies (either produced or produced and directed): (more…)

This article is written by Mr. Ashok Parekh

Mohd Rafi

“Jaane Kahan Gayi Dil Mera Le Gayi” is one of my favourite songs amongst innemerous songs by Rafisaab. I had neither seen this movie (Dil Apna Aur Preet Parayi) nor this song on television or anywhere but I was always curious to know who might have leap singing this song on the screen as I was sure the hero Rajkumar was not the one. Recently I saw this song on ‘youtube’ and was surprised to find that it was a lesser known actor Raj Kishore (one of the Kishore Kumar’s musical mandli in Padosan) and that it was a street song. (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. Biman Baruah, Assam

Mohd Rafi, Feroze Khan

In 1965, 44 years back, actor Feroz Khan publicly declared on-screen, Hum Tum Se Judaa Ho Ke, Mar Jaayenge Ro Ro Ke in the golden voice of Rafi Saheb. But in last 44 years he lived like a King both on-screen and off-screen. On Monday, last 27^th April, he died at the age of 69, in his Bangalore farm house after battling with life due to cancer for last one year. (more…)

This little article has been written by Mr Gaurav.D.Bijoor and equally shared by Mr D.P.Bijoor.

Pradeep Kumar and Mohd Rafi

The smart, handsome and princely attired personality and though this gentleman hardly possessed any acting ability in him still his various films can be considered as great hits mainly on account of the evergreen classic songs and equally on account of the popular female artists he worked with.

The list includes Nargis, Madhubala, Meena-Kumari, Bina Rai, Vyjantimala, Nutan, Mala Sinha, Kum Kum, Sayeeda Khan, Fariyal etc etc. (more…)

This article is written by Mr. Gaurav D Bijoor

Mohd Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar

The period from 24^th December 1924 to 31^st July 1980 comprising of 56 years can be truly considered as the Golden Era mainly since this period belonged to the Greatest Legend and our most dear & beloved king of melody Mohammed Rafi Saab.

However on various occasions I personally feel very sorry for myself and regret the most mainly since I was nowhere in the aforesaid period as I was destined to be born only in the year March 1981 to such lovely parents and in that beautiful small house situated in Bandra (West). (more…)

This article is written by Mr. Souvik Chatterji

Mohd Rafi, Dev Anand

Dev Anand, the stylish actor of the 50s and 60s was generally associated with towering composer SD Burman as he was preferred under the Navketan banner and contributed in most of Dev’s films from 40s to 60s. The team of Dev Anand comprising of SD Burman, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Lata, Geeta Dutt, Asha Bhosle, Kishore, Hemant Kumar, Talat Mehmood, was different from the team of Dilip Kumar, Naushad, Shakeel Badayani, Rafi, or the team of Raj Kapoor, Shankar Jaikishan, Manna Dey, Shailendra, Hasrat Jaipuri, Mukesh, etc. (more…)

This article is written by Mr. D.P.Bijoor & Mr. Nitin.D.Dhareshwar

Mohd Rafi during song recording for the film Usne Kaha Tha

Mohammed Rafi renders songs written by Shailendra – Toothe huwe kwaboon ne humko ye sikhaya hai Dil ne Dil ne jisee payya thha aankhon ne Gawaya Hai.

“Shailendra” who in him had that extra pinch of a unique greatness & that beautiful feather touch of class more than any of his other contemporaries or writers is our very personal opinion and hence he automatically becomes our favorite choice as one amongst the all-time Greats. (more…)