Mohammed Rafi Award
By Souvik Chatterji
The Filmfare award for best male singer should be renamed as Mohammad Rafi award.
Mohammad Rafi is beyond doubt the greatest singer India had ever produced. On his birth anniversary on 24th December, 2014, everyone remembered him and showed their respect and regard for the great soul. The nation remembers Mohammad Rafi on his death anniversary on 31st july every year. It was a very painful experience for most of the music lovers of India and abroad to recollect the experience of 31st July, 1980. 30 years had passed since his death and yet time could not heal the wound inflicted in the hearts of numerous music lovers of the country.
He is still alive in the hearts of millions of Indians with his 26000 songs. He had given expression to almost all the leading stars of bollywood and also the poets and composers of the golden age. He had created such an invaluable treasure of songs most of which can be termed as masterpieces, that the listeners can cherish his work for ever.
Rafi admirers all across the world feel that the filmfare award for the best playback singer can be renamed as Mohammad Rafi award. The reason is that he received the filmfare award for the best male playback singer 6 times, and also his songs helped the legendary composers to win the filmfare award many times. The awards ceremony looked incomplete without Rafi’s association in them during the 50s, 60s and 70s.
Rafi’s awards and nominations are hereby listed as follows.
Government Awards
1948 – Rafi received a silver medal from the Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, on the first anniversary of the Indian Independence Day.
1965 – Rafi was honoured with the Padmashri by the Government of India.
National Film Awards Winner
1977 – National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for Kya Hua Tera Wada song in the film Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin), composed by RD Burman, lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri.
Filmfare Awards Winner
1960 – Filmfare Best Male Playback Award for Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho song in the film Chaudhvin Ka Chand
1961 – Filmfare Best Male Playback Award for Teri Pyaari Pyaari Surat Ko song in the film Sasural
1964 – Filmfare Best Male Playback Award for Chahunga Mein Tujhe song in the film Dosti
1966 – Filmfare Best Male Playback Award for Baharon Phool Barsao song in the film Suraj
1968 – Filmfare Best Male Playback Award for Dil Ke Jharoke Mein song in the film Brahmachari
1977 – Filmfare Best Male Playback Award for Kya Hua Tera Vaada song in the film Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin
Nominated
1961 – Husnwale Tera Jawaab Nahin song in the film Gharana
1962 – Aye Gulbadan Aye Gulbadan song in the film Professor
1963 – Mere Mehboob Tujhe song in the film Mere Mehboob
1965 – Choo Lene Do Nazuk Hothon Ko song in the film Kaajal
1968 – Mein Gaaon Tum Sojaao song in the film Brahmachari
1968 – Babul Ki Duayein Leti Ja song in the film Neel Kamal
1969 – Badi Mastani Hai song in the film Jeene Ki Raah
1970 – Khilona Jaan Kar song in the film Khilona
1973 – Hum Ko To Jaan Se Pyaari song in the film Naina
1974 – Achha Hi Huva Dil Toot Gaya song in the film Maa Behen Aur Biwi
1977 – Pardah Hai Pardah song in the film Amar Akbar Anthony
1978 – Aadmi Musaafir Hai song in the film Apnapan
1979 – Chalo Re Doli Uthao Kahaar song in the film Jani Dushman
1980 – Mere Dost Kissa Yeh song in the film Dostana
1980 – Dard-e-dil Dard-e-jigar song in the film Karz
1980 – Maine Poocha Chand Se song in the film Abdullah
Bengal Film Journalists’ Association Awards Winner
1965 – Best Male Playback Singer for Dosti
1966 – Best Male Playback Singer for Arzoo
Very significantly, Rafi’s immortal presence contributed to the composers’ awards won in the respective years. In 1953, Naushad won the filmfare award for the best music director for his contribution in the film Baiju Bawra. Rafi’s songs “tu ganga ki mauj”, “wo duniyake rakhwale”, “man tarapat hari darshan” were the backbone of Naushad’s legendary creation.
OP Nayyar won the filmfare award for the best music director for his contribution in the film Naya Daur in 1958. Rafi’s songs like “ure jab jab zulfen teri”, “saathi haath barana”, “mai bambai ka babu” glorified OP Nayyar’s melodious creations.
Salil Choudhury won the filmfare award for the best music director for his contribution in the film Madhumati in 1959. Rafi sang two landmark songs in varying moods including “jangal me mor nacha kisi ne na dekha” and “tute hue khwabon ne”.
Ravi won the filmfare award for the best music director for his contribution in the film Gharana in 1962. Rafi sang the landmark songs in the film including “husnwale tera jawab nahi” and “jab se tujhe dekha hai”.
Shankar Jaikishan won the filmfare award for the best music director for his contribution in the film Professor in 1963. Rafi was instrumental in most of the westernized songs like “awaz deke hume tum bulayo”, “ay gulbadan, ay gulbadan”, etc.
Roshan won the filmfare award for the best music director for his contribution in the film Taj Mahal in 1964. Rafi’s songs “paon chulene do phoolon ko inayat hogi”, “jo wada kiya hai”, “jo baat tujhme hai” had emerged as timeless classic and made Roshan immortal through Rafi’s brilliance.
Shankar Jaikishan won the filmfare award for the best music director again in the years 1966, 1968. In 1966, SJ’s efforts in the film Suraj was given adequate expression by Rafi. All the songs were super hit including “baharon phool barsao”, “gustaqi maaf”, “itna hai tujhse pyar mujhe”, “kaise samjhayun bari na samajh ho”, to name a few. In 1968, SJ won it for Brahmachari, where Rafi’s songs “mai gayun tum so jayo” “chakke pe chakka”, “dil ke jharoke mai”, “aajkal tere mere pyar ke charche” had made the viewers and listeners spell bound.
In the late 70s, when Laxmikant Pyarellal won filmfare award for best music director back to back in the 4 years, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, Rafi’s contribution was immense. In the film Amar Akbar Anthony, the film for which LP won the filmfare in 1978 Rafi sang landmark songs like “parda hai parda”, “shirdiwali saibaba”, “humko tumse ho gaya hai pyar kya Karen”. In the film Sargam, LP’s songs sung by Rafi including “dafliwale dafli baja”, “ramjiki nikli sawari”, “koel boli”, etc., stormed Bollywood in the late 70s. LP won the filmfare once again in 1980, for Karz where Rafi’s song “dard-e-dil dard-e-jigar” created everlasting impact in the minds of youngstars for generations after generations.
There are no words to pay homage to the noble soul Mohammad Rafi, whom Raj Kapoor used to call Sufisahab. Neither awards can judge Rafi’s worth, nor praises can describe the Godliness, of the giant singer whose down to earth nature had swept the world of music with peace, romance, love and friendship.
The listeners should revisit the songs of Rafi and restore the creations to pay homage to the noble soul who departed the music -lovers 34 years ago.
Souvik Chatterji (left), the author of this article.
Rafi sahab was very great singer. I am very old fans of rafi sahab I am daily listening his song.
Sir,
How much more we tell about Rafi sahab, still it is nothing. No priase or words would describe his capability fully ! I am 59 years old. When I was a boy of 7 years, I first saw the films Dosti in which there were 5 hit solo songs rendered by Rafi sahab. They all with different advices (sandesh). After 50+ years also I have not forgotten these songs and can sing them by heart. UNPARALLEL RAFI SAHAB!
Regards.
Hemant Sampagaonkar
HUBLI (Karnataka)
Cell: 88926 74724
Mere pyare bharatwasiyo
When will you be awakeful if our Bharat Govt.has been sleeping for about 40 years in ref.to BHARAT RATAN to give greatest singer of World.The voice of legend gives peace,happiness , spirit of patrotism,devinity,harmony and courage in difficulties to the million of peoples on this Earth & perhaps other planets.
It is shameful to RAFI SAHAB’s lovers & impartial indians for not to protest for Bharat Ratan to great legend Mohd. Rafi sahab.
I challenge no singer in World can be parallel to Rafi Sahab’ melody.
M Rafi sab is an unparalleled singer.I used to hear constantly for last fifty years and enjoy all his songs.I like kishore ,Talat Mehmmod,Mukesh,Hemant kumar .Mahendra kapoor,Mannadey.But Rafi is special,his range is high under all music composers.He is still living through his immortal songs voice in the heart of millions of people all over the world.
Dear Souvik chatterji sahab
World has no words to praise and measure the range & sweatness of Rafi sahab’voice.Sir you are absolutely right in your article,i had met Rafi sahab in 1972 at his home,i had come from Haridwar when i passed my intermediae exam.
please read my composition “betabiyonka daur suhana chala gaya, wo kiya gaye ke saath zamana chala gaya ….kiya naghmi thi soz tha aawaz me teri, toote hooye dilon ka tarana chala gaya.
Every melody/Tuning of Rafi Saheb,when remembered makes the ever jammed and crazy mind of mine a clean slate,with beautiful Sky as background and lovely pictures of Flowers,Birds,Rivers,Waterfalls-a place like Heaven,which is imagined only conceptually.
My shat,shat Naman
Honey Singh obviously has no talent what so ever and needs to keep his name in the media and what better way than causing controversy. Disgusting that he has to compare his rubbish with popular classic songs sang by legends like Mohd Rafi. I don’t listen to his rubbish but I’d advise others to boycott his so called music.
Honey Singh ,known as a cheap singer with no voice quality, in kapil sharma’s show describes a beautiful composition of naushad, sung by god’s own voice rafi ” aaj kee raat mere dil kee salami le le, kal teri wazm se deewana chala jaaega- shamma rah jaayegi parwana..” ..as vulgur and compares it with his stupid ‘ 4 bottle vodka’ — readers may decide how to desribe honey singh – i will say ” better sense prevails upon him” rajesh k ranga, ranga.rajesh@yahoo.com
voice of god, voice of hero, voice of a complete man, mohammed rafi’s voice not just stands for these imaginations, but goes much beyond…..
There is no doubt that Mohd Rafi is the best singer ever and it is really painful that he is no longer with us because no one can ever fill that void. The list of awards however seems incomplete without the Bharat Ratna which should have been bestowed on him decades ago. The love from his fans will always be there for him.
A simple humble down to earth man with an EXTRAORDINARY talent and definately worthy of many more awards than those bestowed on him.
I think when there’s any type of music award show in bollywood there should definately mention and highlight Mohd Rafi’s name as being a very important contributor towards the music/film industry.
He is and always will be the legend of all legends with no one coming close.
Its next to impossible to get a person who is equally SIMPLE, NOBLE , MODEST,SHY at the same time a Singer par excellence. Thats our LOVING Rafi Sahab is….. So am not wrong to designate him as the DIVINE INCARNATION. For me rafi sahab is the POLE STAR of MELODY. SAJDAA……….
If I am not wrong Rafi saheb infact bagged three National awards in his career the other national award is for the song Jineh Naaz hai hind per from the movie PYASA.Rafi saheb is the greatest singer the world of music has ever seen.
Words fail to understand the reach of this greatest singer of India. Rafi sahib could make you laugh, smile, cry with his beautiful songs. You name any genre – romantic song, pop song,comedy, kawwali, bhajan, ghazal – his effortless mastery is unmatched. His versatility is fabulous. Even now when I feel a bit low and if I happen to listen a romantic song or ghazal, my day is made. He deserves Bharat Ratna more than anyone else.
In short, totally agree with you, Souvik Jim.
The Singing Prodigy of India,who can not be reborn in India and whose way of singing can not be mastered by some one in future.
Rafi was the voice of India only. No one can come into existence on earth again. Music has been completed by this wonderful miracle person.
This Article says time could not heal the wound inflicted on millions of hearts on 31st of July 1980.True, and it will never be healed.This sense of loss will prevail as long as the world exists.The reason for this being, Rafi Sahab is irreplaceable.Just as what Albert Einstein said about Mahatma Gandhi, goes for Rafi Sahab too.Coming generations would find it hard to believe, such a Divine soul ever existed here in flesh and blood…………
Mohd Rafi Saheb is the Bharat Ke Ratna. Tansen of our Music.
thanks
The Rafi Foundation.
Thanks Bimanji for the comments. Thanks Manasbabu and Vipulji also for the comments.
Grt article n Grt idea Sauvikji. I would like2 add Natiol Award 4 “Babul Ki Duwayen”.
Mohammad Rafi ‘s singing is too enormous to be gathered in words from any language ! A singer of his magnitude, calibre or talent has neither appeared after him and nor shall. . The enormity, the charisma,the divinity of his fascinating voice spellbinds one n all !It will be fair enough on the part of his coutless fans n admirers to make all out efforts to ensure a befitting honour set in his name for the aspiring artists of today n tomorrow !