The iconic title song “Chaudvin ka Chand ho ya Aftab ho” marked Mohammed Rafi’s first Filmfare victory, immortalizing his heavenly voice and the genius of Ravi and Shakeel Badayuni.
by: H.A.K. Walijah

This title song “Chaudvin ka Chand ho ya Aftab ho” clearly signifies the first landmark victory in playback singing as such Rafi Saab was awarded his first coveted Filmfare Award for this majestic and mass loving song. This title song became much famous song of Mohammad Rafi Sahab and Lyricist Shakeel Badayuni so that they both got the Filmfare award for this beautiful track.

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…)

“Chahoonga Main Tujhe Saanjh Savere,” sung by the legendary Mohammed Rafi, is a timeless classic from the film Dosti (1964). The song, composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal with lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri, is celebrated for its emotional depth and Rafi’s mesmerizing rendition. The track earned Rafi the Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer in 1965 and is considered an anthem among his fans, capturing the essence of friendship and love in the movie. The song’s enduring popularity reflects Rafi’s unmatched versatility and the brilliance of the composition.
By: H.A.K. Walijah

Many songs of Rafi Saab are ceaseless but some have achieved the status of immortality, means it can be heard million of times even though it does sound fresh and vibrant.  You may call it the miracle of the singer’s voice or the marvelous composition or the magical words embedded in the lyrics that suited the mood of the song. 

By Chirag

Mohd Rafi

One of Mohammed Rafi’s famous songs is “Subah Na Aayi” from the movie, “Cha Cha Cha” which was released in 1964. It had a now forgotten hero, called Chandrashekhar and Helen was the heroine of this movie. Lyrics were written by Neeraj and music was given by Iqbal Qureshi.

The song conveys the greatness of love, and that love is superior to all other material things. The Hero has set out in search of his true love. He remembers her every second and every minute of the day. Without her memory his day is incomplete and he remains unaware of other happenings. He is so madly in love; his happiness is incomplete without her as well as his sadness has no meaning without her. If only she belongs to him and they get united in love, he will be the happiest man in the world. The words of this song talk about the depth of the love of the hero. They have great meaning hidden in them. (more…)

By J.K. Bhagchandani

Mohd Rafi

The name Mohammed Rafi is synonyms with versatility. This singing wonder has given us masterpiece songs of almost all genres. This write-up is dedicated to the patriotic songs sung by Rafi saab.

The patriotic songs even though considered as one genre, also have different moods, suiting to different situations and conditions that the nation is in. Rafi saab has sung patriotic songs all moods and situations.

‘Watan ki raah mein watan ke naujawan shahid ho……. (Shaheed- old version- Dilip Kumar starrer), Ae watan ae watan humko teri kasam…… (Shaheed- later version- Manoj Kumar starrer) are the great songs conceived to capture the time and moments of freedom movement. Rafi saab has sung Ghulam Mohammed and Prem Dhawan (respectively) composed songs so brilliantly that one gets the first hand account of a true freedom fighter. The ‘josh’, the conviction, the motivation to lay own life for the sake of motherland is craftily incorporated in the songs by the singer. Both songs have a second (and sad) part representing the moments before the execution of the death sentence of a freedom fighter. (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…)

This article is written by Mr. Achal Rangaswamy

Mohd Rafi with S.D.Burman and Guru Dutt

Arey dekhi zamaane ki yaari
bichhade sabhee, bichhade sabhi baari baari
kya le ke milen ab duniya se, aansu ke siva kucch paas nahi
ya phool hi phool they daaman mein, ya kaanton ki bhi aas nahi
matalab ki duniya hai saari
bichhade sabhee, bichhade sabhi baari baari

what a song!! What lyrics!!
And what a rendering!!!

Chronologically speaking, this song is 50 years old today!! But honestly, doesn’t it reflect a lot of how the world works today?? (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…)

The review of Nain Lad Jain Hei is written by Mr. M.V.Devraj

Mohd Rafi

It is universally accepted that the smell and scent of Mother Earth gives that soothing flavour and fragrance which is beyond conception, perception and imagination. Indian villages, the village people, the village dialects and generally village life have that earthly flavour which touches heart strings of every Indian.

Ganga Jamuna is a film created out and out with a village background. Dilip Kumar (Ganga), Vyjayanthimala (Dhanno) are seethed in village systems and practices. The dialogues are in rich Bhojpuri lingo and the music by Naushad and the lyrics by Shakeel are soaked, immersed and drenched in instruments and language used by village folks. (more…)

A review of “ye parbaton ke daayere…” by Gan Sharma

Gan Sharma is an ardent fan of Rafi saab and lives in Toronto, Canada. He has written other reviews for mohdrafi.com.

Mohd Rafi with Lata Mangeshkar

The usage of atmosphere in Hindi film music was not unique; many songs refer to the weather, the environment and the seasons as metaphors for the protagonist’s state of mind. Indeed, this technique allowed writers to express in poetry and song what mere conversation could never convey.

This is probably also why Indian films used so much music; a five-minute song, when well done, could replace hours of dialogue. So, while it is a habit amongst the intelligentsia to talk mockingly of the “time-wasting” tactics of moviemakers of “putting in” a large number of songs, it must be remembered that the song was a very efficient way of conveying feelings in an aesthetic way. (more…)