By: Dr Souvik Chatterji

On the anniversary of HIS passing, it is evident that Rafi Sahab played a pivotal role in delivering some of the greatest hits for lyricists and composers.

Rafi Sahab is commemorated globally on his death anniversary, July 31st, 2024. From the 1940s through the 1970s, every lyricist, music director, and composer who collaborated with him found immense success.

Naushad Ali Sahab’s most memorable song and Shakeel Badayuni’s finest lyrics are featured in “O Duniya Ke Rakhwale” from the 1952 film Baiju Bawra, sung by Rafisahab. Bharat Bhushanji famously lip-synced to this classic. Notably, Naushad Ali Sahab won his only Filmfare Award in 1953 for Baiju Bawra.

Naushad Sahab also earned the BFJA Award for his music in the Dilip Kumar film Ganga Jumna. Rafisahab’s landmark songs like “Nain Lad Jaihe O Manwama” and “O Chalia Re Chalia Re Man Mei Hamaar,” penned by Shakeel Badayuni, are still cherished.

Shakeel Badayuni received Filmfare Awards for Best Lyricist in 1961 for “Chaudhavi Ka Chand” from the film Chaudhavi Ka Chand, sung by Rafisahab. He also won in 1962 for “Husnwale Tera Jawab Nahi” from the film Gharana.

Hasrat Jaipuri was awarded the Filmfare for Best Lyricist in 1967 for “Baharon Phool Barsao” from the film Suraj, performed by Rafisahab.

Sahir Ludhiyanvi won the Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist in 1964 for “Jo Wada Kiya Wo Nibhana Parega” from the film Taj Mahal, sung by Rafisahab.

When Rafi Sahab’s Voice Blessed the English Language

Majrooh Sultanpuri received the Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist in 1965 for “Chahunga Mai Tujhe” from the film Dosti, sung by Rafisahab.

Shailendra won the Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist in 1969 for “Mai Gayun Tum So Jayo” from the film Brahmachari, sung by Rafisahab.

Anand Bakshi was awarded the Filmfare for Best Lyricist in 1979 for “Aadmi Musafir Hai” from the film Apnapan, sung by Rafisahab.

Shankar Jaikishan earned nine Filmfare Awards, including for the 1961 film Dil Apna Aur Preet Parayi, thanks to Rafisahab’s song “Jane Kahan Gaye.” In 1963, they won for the film Professor, which featured many landmark songs by Rafisahab for Shammi Kapoor, such as “Awaaz Deke Hume Tum Bulayo” and “Ae Gulbadan Ae Gulbadan.”

In 1967, Shankar Jaikishan received the Filmfare Award for the film Suraj, where Rafisahab sang many memorable songs like “Baharon Phool Barsao,” “Itna Hai Tumse Pyar Mujhe,” “Kaise Samjhayun,” and “Gustaqi Maaf.”

Rafisahab won the Best Filmfare Male Playback Singer Award for the song “Teri Pyari Pyari Surat Ko” from the film Sasural, composed by Shankar Jaikishan.

Roshanlal Nagrath received the Filmfare Award for the film Taj Mahal in 1964. Rafisahab sang many iconic songs in the film, such as “Jo Wada Kiya,” “Jo Baat Tujh Mein Hai,” and “Pao Chul Lene Do.”

Rafisahab received the Sur Singer Award in 1964 for the film Chitralekha, with music by Roshan Sahab. The song was “Man Re Tu Kahe Na Dhir Dhare.”

O.P. Nayyar won the Filmfare Award in 1958 for the film Naya Daur, which included many memorable songs sung by Rafisahab, such as “Ude Jab Jab Zulfen Teri,” “Maang Ke Saath Tumhara,” “Aana Ho To Aa,” and “Saathi Haath Barana.”

Salil Choudhury received the Filmfare Award in 1959 for the film Madhumati. Rafisahab sang landmark songs like “Tute Hue Khwabon Mein” and “Jangal Mein Mor Nacha.”

Ravi Shankar Sharma won the Filmfare Award in 1962 for the film Gharana. Rafisahab sang the iconic song “Husnwale Tera Jawab Nahi.” Rafisahab also won the Best Male Playback Singer Award for the song “Chaudhavi Ka Chand,” composed by Ravi Sahab for the film Chaudhavi Ka Chand.

Madan Mohan won the National Award for the film Dastak in 1970. Rafisahab sang the song “Tumse Kahoon Ek Baat.” One of Madan Mohan’s biggest hits composed for Rafisahab was “Kar Chale Hum Fida Jaan O Tan Saathiyo” from the film Haqeekat in 1964.

Laxmikant-Pyarelal received the Filmfare Award for the film Dosti in 1965. Rafisahab sang notable songs like “Chahunga Mai Tujhe,” “Rahi Manwa Dukh Ki Chinta,” and “Koi Jab Raah Na Paye.” Rafisahab won the Best Male Playback Singer Award for “Chahunga Mai Tujhe.”

Rafisahab received the National Award for the song “Kya Hua Tera Wada” from the film Hum Kisi Se Kam Nahi, composed by R.D. Burman Sahab.

Khayyam gained prominence with Rafisahab’s song “Jane Kya Dhoonti Rehti Yeh Aankhe Mujhme” from the film Shola Aur Shabnam. Jaidev rose to fame with Rafisahab’s song “Mai Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala Gaya” from the film Hum Dono. Chitragupt gained fame with Rafisahab’s song “Chal Ur Ja Re Panchi” from the film Bhabhi. Kalyanji-Anandji rose to fame with Rafisahab’s song “Pardesiyon Se Na Ankhiyan Milana” from the film Jab Jab Phool Khilen. Ghulam Mohammad gained prominence with Rafisahab’s song “Chalo Dildar Chalo” from the film Pakeezah. Iqbal Qureshi became known with Rafisahab’s song “Subah Na Aayi” from the film Cha Cha Cha. G.S. Kohli rose to fame with Rafisahab’s song “Agar Mai Puchu Jawab Doge” from the film Shikari. Sonik-Omi gained recognition with Rafisahab’s song “Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya” from the film Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya. Usha Khanna rose to prominence with Rafisahab’s song “Dil Deke Dekho” from the film Dil Deke Dekho.

Rafi’s song “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, Rafisahab was voted the greatest voice of Hindi cinema.

In 2001, Rafisahab was named the “Best Singer of the Millennium” by Hero Honda and Stardust magazine.

Rafisahab’s films and songs deserve restoration

This blog was published on Wednesday, July 31st, 2024 at 12:20 pm and Last modified on Saturday, August 17th, 2024 at 5:31 pm and is filed under Meri Awaaz Suno. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.