By Dr. Souvik Chatterji

Jaikishan with Mohd Rafi

Jaikishan Dayabhai Panchal is remembered on 12^th September, his death anniversary in 2013. The listeners of music all over the world wished happy birthday to legendary composer Jaikishan better known as Jaikishan Dayabhai Panchal on 4^th November, 2012. He was part of the legendary duo Shankar Jaikishan who dominated bollywood music during the 1950s and 1960s. Rafi had a very sweet relationship with Shankar Jaikishan but unfortunately their relationship had not been glorified in bollywood history. Whenever contribution of composers relating to classic creations involving Rafi are highlighted the name of Naushad, Roshan, Madan Mohan, OP Nayyar are glorified and the contribution of Shankar Jaikishan is ignored. (more…)

By Dr. Souvik Chatterji

Only genius singers have the capability of simplifying difficult ragas and Hindustani classical music simplified into the version which is understandable by the common mass. Both Manna Dey Sahab and Mohammad Rafi Sahab had the capability of making those complicated tunes simple, melodious and romantic. There were huge numbers of difficult songs composed for both of them in the 1950s and 1960s. (more…)

Written by P. Haldar

He did send a letter. But it was not an apology letter.  And it was not to her. It is the most celebrated prem patra that he delivered on Jai’s behalf, a year or so after they had stopped singing together. And it was at the height of their rift that he recorded Kaise kategi zindagi tere bagair, an unreleased song composed by Madan Mohan, recently released as part of an album by the composer’s son. (more…)

By Shrirang Nawathe
Admin note: This tribute missed its publish on July 31st 2013 due to email spam issues.

Mohd Rafi

We have been listening Rafi Sahab’s umpteen number of melodious songs day in and day out. It is difficult to choose the one to be shared here on his PUNYA TITHI today. Whether I choose Yaad na Jaye Beete dino ki…or Baharo Fool Barsao or Japan Love in Tokyo,or Jaane chaman shola badan….or Taareef karu kya uski or O duniya ke rakhwale…or Ai dil hai mushkil jeena yaha…?????  Oh. A big problem for music lover to select one song for sharing with all…. (more…)

by Biman Baruah

(An overgenerous tribute to Villain of the Millennium)

Mohd Rafi and Pran

Pran Krishan Sikand popularly known as Pran passed way on 12^th July, 2013 at the age of 93 who was born on 12 February, 1920 in Old Delhi to a wealthy Punjabi family. Pran started his livelihood as a photographer and accidentally got his first role in Punjabi film Yamala Jat (1940) in Lahore. He had done his first Hindi Film as romantic hero opposite Noor Jahan in Khandaan (1942). He acted more than 20 films in Lahore from 1942 to 1946. Due to partition in 1947, there was break in Pran’s film career for a while and he shifted his base from Lahore to Bombay. (more…)

By Dr. Souvik Chatterji

Mohammed Rafi Saab with Rajendra Kumar

There can be a big debate which actor did benefit the most out of Mohammed Rafi’s singing Dilip Kumar or Rajendra Kumar. Mohammad Rafi, the eternal singer had sung more than 150 songs for Jubilee Kumar Rajendra Kumar. Superstar Rajendra Kumar had a deadly combination with Mohammad Rafi and Shankar Jaikishan. Whenever the three combined together they created history.

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By Vijay Bavdekar

Mohd Rafi and Dev Anand

In one Musical programme Burmanda honoured Rafi as “All Time Great“. It was always said that Kishore was Burmanda’s first choice for Dev Anand, also it is an open truth that Burmanda had a special feeling for Kishore, rather Kishore was his weak point, and so he created special tunes for him which were picturised on Dev Anand. Though Kishore was projected as Dev’s voice, in my opinion facts are somewhat different. So without prejudice, let us have a flashback. (more…)

By Dr. Souvik Chatterji

Mohd Rafi and Manoj Kumar

Bharat Kumar Manoj Kumar had great combination with Mukesh and Mahendra Kumar. The media did not highlight the great combination of Rafi Sahab with Manoj Kumar. Rafisahab was instrumental in shaping the career of the patriotic actor in the 1960s. (more…)

Written By : Suneil K. Makwana

Rafisaab’s Final Resting Place

After 33 years, the magic of the gentleman and his noble voice continues, yes, I am speaking about the legend Immortal the king of the singing world Padmashree Mohd Rafisaab the numbers of his fans are increasing day by day from the older generation to the younger generation come to pay their tribute at his final resting place at Santacruz, Mumbai. My self Suneil K Makwana, My Father Mr. Kishore Makwana, Mr. Sandeep Pathak & Mr.Raju Gupta has been there on the 33rd death anniversary to pay our tribute to the legend Mohd Rafisaab. (more…)

By Achal Rangaswamy

Mohammed Rafi

The family was driving down the Expressway connecting Ahmadabad to Baroda and some radio station was playing songs randomly. When the family travels together, I don’t necessarily get the freedom to play just my own favourites only.

Suddenly my son, sitting behind us, asked a question.

“Dad, would Mohd Rafi have been able to sing this song?”

I just took a minute to listen with some patience to the noisy and somewhat jarring piece that was being dished out as a song. (more…)