Mohammed Rafi Sahab is remembered on his 100th Birth Anniversary
By Dr. Souvik Chatterji
Today, on December 24, 2024, the world fondly commemorates the 100th birth anniversary of Mohammed Rafi Sahab.
Mohammed Rafi Sahab is remembered all over the world on his 100th birth anniversary today on 24th December 2024. Every actor between the 1940s to 1970s had one of their greatest hit songs sung by Rafi Sahab.
Dilip Kumar’s song “wo dur ke musafir” in film Uran Khatola sung by Rafisahab always use to top the geetmala in 1956. Naushad Ali Sahab composed music for the film. Ajit sahab’s song “ajake intezar me” in film Halaku sung by Mohammed Rafi Sahab and Lataji was his biggest hit song ever. Shankar Jaikishanji composed it in 1956.
The chorus song sung by Rafi Sahab “ramaiya vasta maiyya” in Raj Kapoor film Shree 420 was the biggest hit song in 1955. Shankar Jaikishanji composed the music and Mukeshji and Lataji also sang it along with Rafi Sahab.
Bharat Bhushanji’s song “wo duniya ke rakhwale”sung by Rafisahab in film Baiju Bawra in 1952 was his greatest hit song ever sung. Naushad Sahab composed the music of the film. Pradeep Kumarji’s song “ab kya misaal doon” sung by Rafi Sahab in film Aarti in 1962 was one of his greatest hit songs. Roshansahab composed the music of the film Aarti.
Rajender Kumarji’s song “baharon phool barsao” in film Suraj sung by Rafisahab was one of the greatest hit song ever . Shankar Jaikishanji composed the music of film Suraj. Shammi Kapoor sahab’s song “yeh chand sa roshan chehera” in film Kashmir Ki Kali was one of his greatest hit songs. OP Nayyar sahib composed the music in 1964.
Joy Mukherjeesahab’s song “Japan love in Tokyo” sung by Mohammed Rafi Sahab was one of his greatest hit songs in film Love in Tokyo. Shankar Jaikishanji composed the music of Love in Tokyo. Biswajeetji’s song “pukarta chala hoon mai” in film Mere Sanam in 1965 was one his greatest hit songs. OP Nayyarsahab composed music of the film. Raj Kumar Sahab’s song “yeh duniya yeh mehfil” in film Heer Ranjha in 1971 was one of his greatest hit songs. Madanmohan Kohlisahab composed music of the film.
Guru Dutt Sahab’s song “chaudhavi ka chand” in film Chaudavi ka Chand was one of his greatest hit songs sung by Rafisahab. Ravi Shankar Sharmaji composed the music of the film in 1960. Shashi Kapoorji’s song “pardesiyo se na ankhiyan milana” in film Jab Jab Phool Khilen in 1965 was his greatest hit song. Kalyanji Anandjisahab composed music of the film.
Dharmendersahab’s song “jane kya dhoondti rehti hai yeh ankhen mujhme” was one of his biggest hit songs in film Shola Aur Shabnam in 1961. Khayyam Sahab composed the music of the film. Jeetenderji’s song “baar baar din yeh aye” was one of the biggest hit songs in film Farz in 1967. Laxmikant Pyarellalji composed the music of the film.
Sanjeev Kumarji’s song “tumhari zulf ke saye me sham kar lunga” was one of biggest hit songs in film Naunihal in 1967. Madanmohan Sahab composed the music of the film. Chandrasekhaji’s song “subah na aye sham na aye” was one of the biggest hit songs in film Cha Cha Cha in 1963. Iqbal Qureshi Sahab composed music of the film.
Rajesh Khannaji’s song “gulabi ankhen” in film The Train was one of the biggest hit songs sung by Rafisahab in 1971. RD Burmanji composed music of the film. Tariqsahab’s song “kya hua tera wada” in film Hum Kisi Se Kam Naji was one of the biggest hit songs sung by Rafisahab in 1977. RD Burmansahab composed music of the film.
Dev Anandsahab’s song “tere mere sapne” in film Guide was one of the biggest hit songs sung by Rafisahab in 1965. SD Burmanji composed music of the film. Rishi Kapoorji’s song “dard-e dil dard-e jigar” in film Karz was one of the biggest hit songs sung by Mohammed Rafi Sahab in 1980. Laxmikant Pyarelalji composed music of the film.
The list goes on.
Every music director and composer between 1940s to 1970s rose to fame due to their association with Rafisahab.
Shankar Jaikishan Sahab received 9 filmfare awards. Out of that they received filmfare award in film Dil Apna Aur Preet Parayi with lead role of Raj Kumar Sahab in 1961 due to Rafi Sahab song “jane kahan gaye”.
In 1963 SJ received filmfare award in film Professor. There were many landmarks songs of Rafisahab for Shammi Kapoorji like “Awaaz deke hume tum bulayo”, “Ae gulbadan ae gulbadan”, to name a few. In 1967 SJ received filmfare award in Rajender Kumar film Suraj. Mohammed Rafi sahab sang many landmark songs like “baharon phool barsao”, “itna hai tumse pyar mujhe”, “kaise samjhayun”, “gustakhi maaf” to name a few.
Mohammed Rafi sahab won best filmfare male playback singer award for Rajender Kumar film Sasural for the song “teri pyari pyari surat ko” composed by Shankar Jaikishan sahab.
Naushad sahib received filmfare award in 1954 for composition of music in Bharat Bhushan film Baiju Bawara. Rafi sahab showed over all excellence in classical oriented songs like “o duniya ke rakhwale”, “man tarapata hari darshan ko aaj” to name a few.
Naushad sahib received BFJA award for Dilip Kumar film music in Ganga Jumna. Mohammed Rafi Sahab sang landmark songs like “nain lad jaihe o manwama”, “o chalia re chalia re man mei hamaar” to name a few.
Roshanlal Nagrath sahab received filmfare award for Pradeep Kumar film Taj Mahal in 1964. Rafi Sahab many landmark songs like “jo wada kiya ho”, “jo baat tujh me hai” “pao chul lene do” to name a few in the film.
Mohammed Rafi Sahab received Sur Singer award in 1964 for Pradip Kumar film Chitralekha. The music director was Roshansahab and song was “man re tu kahe na dhir dhare” OP Nayyar Sahab received filmfare award in 1958 for Dilip Kumar film Naya Daur. Rafi Sahab sang many landmark songs in the film like “ure jab jab zulfen teri”, “maang ke saath tumhara”, “aana ho to aa”, “saathi haath barana” to name a few.
Salil Choudhury Sahab received filmfare award in 1959 for Dilip Kumar film Madhumati. Rafi Sahab sang the landmark song “tute hue khwabon me” and “jangal me mor nacha” in the film.
Ravi Shankar Sharma sahab received filmfare award in 1962 for Rajender Kumar film Gharana. Mohammed Rafi sahab sang the landmark song “husnwale tera jawab nahi”. Rafisahab also won best male playback singer award for the song “chaudavi ka chand” composed by Ravisahab in Guru Dutt film Chaudavi Ka Chand.
Madan Mohan Sahab received national award for Sanjeev Kumar film Dastak in 1970. Rafi Sahab sang the song “tumse kahoon ek baat”.
Laxmikant Pyarellalji received filmfare award in film Dosti in 1965. Rafi Sahab sang landmark songs like “chahunga mai tujhe”, “rahi manwa dukh ki chinta”, “koi jab raah na paye”. Rafi Sahab son best male playback singer award for the song “chahunga mai tujhe”.
Mohammed Rafi Sahab received national award in Rishi Kapoor film Hum Kisi Se Kam Nahi. The song was “kya hua tera wada” composed by RD Burman Sahab.
Khayyam Sahab shot to fame with Rafi Sahab song “jane kya dhoonti rehti yeh ankhe mujhme” in film Shola Aur Shabnam. Jaidev Sahab rose to fame with Rafi Sahab song “mai zindagi ka saath nibhata chala gaya” in film Hum Dono. Chitragupt ji rose to fame with Rafi Sahab song “chal ur ja re panchi” in film Bhabhi. Kalyanji Anandji rose to fame with Rafi Sahab song “pardesiyon se na ankhiya milana” in film Jab Jab Jab Phool Khilen. Ghulam Mohammad Sahab rose to fame with Rafi Sahab song “chalo dildar chalo” in film Pakizaa. Iqbal Qureshi sahib rose to fame with Rafi Sahab song “subah na ayi” in film Cha Cha Cha. GS Kohlisahab rose to fame with Rafi Sahab song “agar mai puchu jawab doge” in film Shikari. Sonik Omi sahib rose to fame with Rafi Sahab song “dil ne phir yaad kiya” in film Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya. Usha Khanna ji rose to fame with Rafi Sahab song “dil deke dekho” in film Dil Deke Dekho.
Rafi’s Baharon Phool Barsao was voted the most popular Hindi song in a BBC Asia Network poll commemorating 100 years of Hindi Cinema.
In a CNN-IBN survey in 2013, he was voted the greatest voice of Hindi Cinema.
In 2001, Mohmmed Rafi Sahab was named as the “best singer of the millennium” by Hero Honda and Stardust magazine.
Happy birthday Rafi Sahab