By Sanjeev Kumar Dixit

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By KS Ramachandran

Mohd Rafi

Mohammad Rafi’s 86^th birthday falls on 24^th December 2010. Mohammad Rafi, the very definition of playback singing, for the past, present and future cannot be equaled by any singer but can only be appreciated. His unexplainable singing talent and dexterity is a wonder for any aspiring playback singers. He was not formally trained but sang from his heart, body, mind and soul. Was it good voice, feel, expression, modulating ability, range and a host of such factors which made him the greatest singer of all times? I certainly do not feel so. Beyond all this, he was the greatest human being, kind to fellow musicians and aspiring music directors and singers and supported them and all others selflessly without expecting anything in return. Probably because of this sterling quality as a human being that he radiated, his voice and feel was full of truth which seem to have stood the test of time and the whole world is talking about Rafi Saab, not only on his birth and death days but all the days throughout the year, singing and practicing his soulful melodious songs. (more…)

Written By: H.A.K. Walijah

Rafi Sahab with Naushad and Shakeel

The Hindi Film Industry has produced many stalwart lyricists / poets and those lyricists gave their best output, (meaningful and soulful) lyrics to the compositions of the well known music directors. The list of lyricists is very long, but to cut short, a few got name, fame and popularity at the same time.  In the gamut of filmy poets/lyricists I could remember three famous poets / lyricists of Hindi Film Music made their work to speak for ages – Shakeel Badayuni, Sahir Ludhianvi and Majrooh Sultanpuri.  I would like to focus on the association of Shakeel Badayuni with Rafi Saab where the eternal singer had rendered the most famous, lovable and easy to hum of those songs written by Shakeel Badayuni which had achieved enormous popularity in yesteryears. Shakeel Badayuni was elder to both Naushad Saab and Rafi Saab, three and eight years respectively. (more…)

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 Mahender Singh

Mohd Rafi

I have been associated this divine voice of our beloved Mohammad Rafi Sahab since my childhood. My father was an ardent fan of the legend. The day Rafi sahib bid adieu to this world, I was an 8 years old child, and saw my father crying first time in my life. I grew up listening to Rafi sahab’s voice every now and then. I remember after my father passed away, my grand father used to stay with us. (more…)

Shared by Saiyed Farooq Jamal

Read what Shammi Kapoor, Johnny Walker, Dilip Kumar, Devanand, Dharmendra, Jeetendra, Kishore Kumar and Rajesh Khanna have to say about Rafi Sahab. The language in the graphic is Hindi. For the benefit of fans who do not understand Hindi, I request some of our Hindi knowing fans can translate these in their comments.

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By Sanjeev Kumar Dixit

Photo of RAFI SAHAB in his schooll

I think that I am a luckiest person on this earth because I got the fortunate to visit “KOTLA SULTAN SINGH, AMRITSAR”, the birth place of our beloved “Rafi Sahab”. My this visit became possible only because of the blessings of “RAFI SAHAB”.

In the morning of 15^th October I reached AMRITSAR from LUCKNOW by “Punjab mail(3005)”. From there I reached to MAJITHA TOWN Siavara (20 km from Amritsar) by a bus and from there I went to village “KOTLA SULTAN SINGH (5 KM from Majitha town) by same bus fortunately. (more…)

By Souvik Chatterji

Mohd Rafi and Johnny Walker

Rafi had a huge contribution in the success of Johnny Walker, the elegant comedian of the 50s and 60s. Most of the songs sung by Rafi for Johnny Walker were hits and caught public attention. Rafi even imitated the style of dialogue delivery of Johnny Walker. Johnny Walker acted both in lead roles in notable films as well as supporting roles in hit films of stars like Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, Guru Dutt, Dev Anand, and others and the different composers who composed music in those films including OP Nayyar, Shankar Jaikishan, SD Burman, Salil Choudhury, Ravi, Naushad, Dattaram, Laxmikant Pyarellal and others composed catchy songs of Rafi which were picturised on the legendary comedian. (more…)

by: H.A.K. Walijah

Mohd Rafi with Sonik Omi

Bhoolega Dil Jis Din Tumhe, Woh Din Zindagi Ka Aakhri Din Hoga….. Kya Hua Tera Wada”. Even today all  Rafi fans dedicate these heart-stirring lines to the only singer whose immortality can be vouched for. Almost three decades have been passed after his sad demise and yet his popularity and fan-following remain intact. Mohammed Rafi was an Indian playback singer whose career spanned four decades and is one of the most prolific and versatile male singers in the history of Indian cinema.  Rafi had rendered in his long and distinguished career as the leading playback singer in Hindi Film Music. Rafi had a mastery over all genres of songs. No raga was beyond his reach and no emotion was left untouched. Rafi has left behind a rich legacy of songs sung by him over more than 30 years and he has been a great inspiration to a large bunch of singers. Magical singers like Rafi are one in a million. He was not only a valley of talent but also a very good person by heart. (more…)

by Sarah Modi

Mohd Rafi

There are several people who compare Rafi saab with Lata ji and debate who is better.  I believe, that the premise, structure, and conclusion of their arguments are all flawed.  There is no doubt that if there is any other singing legend that matches up to the greatness of Rafi, it is indeed none other than Lata ji.  However, Rafi is Lata, Asha, and Geeta all combined into one.  If Lataji represents the serious, pristine, and classic flavors of Indian music and Asha and Geeta represent the western, naughty, and seducing flavors, Rafi saab alone portrays all of these flavors and more.  He can impeccably sing classical songs, westerns songs, bhajans, ghazals, cabarets, light romantic songs, qawalis, etc.   A music director had to look no further than Rafi saab for any kind of song whether it inculcated southern, northern, eastern, or western styles of music. (more…)