Rafi’s pleasant memories with Madan Mohan
Sunday, October 12th, 2008This article is written by Mr. Souvik Chatterji.
If any composer had utilised the ghazal andaz of Mohammad Rafi to the best of his potentiality it is Madanmohan whose name appears in the minds of the lovers of music across the nation. Madanmohan’s father Rai Bahadur chunnilal send his son to Dehradun to join the army. Instead he left the army and joined All India Radio in Lucknow. He came in contact with Ustad Faizz Khan, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and carried on their legacy in the compositions he made for 30 years which can be classified as masterpieces. (more…)
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, Madanmohan, OP Nayyar are glorified and the contribution of Shankar Jaikishan is ignored. 
The power of evergreen Hindi film hits of yesteryears is even sung and enjoyed today, by one and all. It is surprising to realize that the younger generation has taken a special interest in its music and rhythm. What could be the reason behind it? 
Sonu Nigam, much to my expectations, sang Rafi songs very normally. In fact, I would rate him much much lower than what he used to sing when he came in about 13years ago through Saregama. His voice has conspicuously deteriorated with his singing all types of medlee/Hindi pop songs and of that sort. 
Mohammed Rafi Saab was very much at ease while singing any type of songs. He used to sing all types of songs effortlessly as usual maintaining the melody and his forte, throw of words. Whenever there are situations in our Films when the hero is betrayed by the Heroine, usually our Heroes sing songs wishing the heroine all the best and also narrate how they would sacrifice their love for the sake of her. But, as I recollect, there are two rare songs sung by Rafi Saab, where the hero expresses his hatred for his lady love for betraying him and the songs have hatred or Nafrat as the main theme. 
The versatile Singer Rafi Sahab was known for singing any type of song at any pitch. But still some considered singing at higher pitch his forte. True, Rafiji was able to raise and lower his voice effortlessly and maintain his voice steady at higher pitches. But if carefully observed, Rafiji has sung many soft and slow songs. Such songs sang throughout at very low voice, at slow pace, but still maintaining the raag, melody, diction and his usual throw of words and feelings are very many. 
Padamshree Mohd.Rafi Sahab a man who is known as the king of melody and his voice which is spread in all over the world and get a place in every hearts of his fans. Rafi sahab was a man of God always given happiness to everybody by his voice . And today after twenty-eight years of his death still he is alive in the hearts of his fans.