By Souvik Chatterji

Mohd Rafi with Jeetendra

Jeetender started his career in the early 1960s with the patronage of eminent director V. Shantaram. He was launched as hero opposite Rajashri in the film Geet Gaya Pattharone in 1964. At that time Jeetender had to face the competition from the rulers of bollywood films like Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, Rajender Kumar and others. Probably Jeetender spend his toughest time of the career to cement his place between 1964 to 1970, when viewers starting recognizing Jeetender and appreciating his acting and dancing skills. (more…)

This article is written by: Zaheen Danish

Rafi Sahab with RD Burman

When we talk about the combination of Rafi Sahab and R.D. Burman and about their partnership,  some of the finest songs that were composed by RDB trying to resurface on the thin layer of memory instantly  such as – “Tum bin jaoun kahan”, “Ni sultana re pyar ka mausam aya”  “ kitna pyara wada” , “Arrey ho goriyan kahan tera desh re”,  “Chura liya hai tumne jo dilko”, “Yeh ladka hai alla kaisa hai diwana”,  “Hai agar dushman zamana gham nahi”, “Kya hua tera wada”,  “Chand mera dil”, “Pal do pal ka saath hamaara” and Maine poocha chand se. RD Burman started his journey with Chote Nawab in 1962 with the help of the man with the golden voice, Mohammad Rafi.

Major songs in the film was sung by Rafi and RD Burman commanded respect in the musical community of that period, who were still mesmerised with the classical compositions of Naushad, folk songs of SD Burman, western effects of Shankar Jaikishan, OP Nayyar, Salil Chowdhury, Ghazals of Roshan, Madan mohan. RD Burman had other skills like playing the mouth organ, tabla and other related instruments and he showed his skill while playing the mouth organ for Laxmikant Pyarellal in the film Dosti, 1964 where Rafi had galvanised the silver screen with his tragic andaz. (more…)

By Jagat Kant Choudhary

Filmfare

The Filmfare Awards, since its inception in 1953 has been one of the most coveted awards in the Hindi Film Industry. It was at the Regal Theatre in South Mumbai (then Bombay) on March 21, 1954, that the first awards were handed over to the winners. Hollywood star Gregory Peck, who was the guest of honour at the inaugural Awards ceremony, was delayed on a flight from Colombo and could only attend the banquet at Willingdon Sports Club later on.

Incidentally the Awards were called Clare Awards in the beginning, named after Clare Mendionca, the well known film critic of the Times of India in the 1940s and 50s. A couple of years down the line, however, the Awards began to be known as Filmfare Awards instead. (more…)

By: H.A.K. Walijah

Mohd Rafi with Mukesh, Talat Mohd and others

“Tere Jaisa kaun hain, Tere Jaisa Koi Nahin,” (who is there like you, no one is like you !) when we come to think of Mohammad Rafi Saab and his legendary status in Hindi Film Music, then I must say yes, it is true that no one is like Rafi Saab. Nevertheless this is the opening line of the song on which my write-up is based on. In fact, this is one of the most beautiful and romantic numbers ever rendered by the Melody King Mohd. Rafi Saab in the movie “Tamanna” (1969). That song was picturised on romantic actor of 60’s Biswajeet who always lucky in getting great songs, got his cream with Rafi Saab under a host of composers in Mere Sanam, Sagaai, Shehnai, Do Dil, Night In London, Jaal, Aasra, Pyar Ka Sapna, April Fool etc. and the then ravishing beauty Mala Sinha, penned by Anand Bakshi and class music composed by Kalyanji-Anandji – what a marvelous composition of  Kalyan?ji Anandji –  an absolute magic and lilting music. (more…)

By J.K. Bhagchandani

Mohd Rafi

The name Mohammed Rafi is synonyms with versatility. This singing wonder has given us masterpiece songs of almost all genres. This write-up is dedicated to the patriotic songs sung by Rafi saab.

The patriotic songs even though considered as one genre, also have different moods, suiting to different situations and conditions that the nation is in. Rafi saab has sung patriotic songs all moods and situations.

‘Watan ki raah mein watan ke naujawan shahid ho……. (Shaheed- old version- Dilip Kumar starrer), Ae watan ae watan humko teri kasam…… (Shaheed- later version- Manoj Kumar starrer) are the great songs conceived to capture the time and moments of freedom movement. Rafi saab has sung Ghulam Mohammed and Prem Dhawan (respectively) composed songs so brilliantly that one gets the first hand account of a true freedom fighter. The ‘josh’, the conviction, the motivation to lay own life for the sake of motherland is craftily incorporated in the songs by the singer. Both songs have a second (and sad) part representing the moments before the execution of the death sentence of a freedom fighter. (more…)

Compiled by: Mr. Biman Baruah, Sivasagar, Assam

Rajkumar and Mohd Rafi

Rafi Saheb had sang some milestone songs for prominent & stylish actor Raaj Kumar in some highly memorable films: Ghamand, Nausherwan-E-Adil, Mother India, Phool Bane Angarey, Kaajal, Neel Kamal, Mere Huzoor, Heer Raanjha, Maryada, Lal Patthar, Pakeezah and Chambal Ki Kasam.

In the early 1950s, Kulbushan Pandit, a sub-inspector of the Mumbai police gave up his job, changed his name to RAAJ KUMAR and made his acting debut in the film RANGILI (1952) which was unnoticed. In the next five years, he acted in few incomprehensible films which failed to launch his career. In 1957, Mehboob Khan’s Oscar nominated classic blockbuster film MOTHER INDIA where he played a role of poor farmer, established him a lead actor in Hindi Film. After that there is no looking back for him, he acted in more than 70 films in a career of four decades and played leading, central supporting or villain roles. His most notable performances were in hit films like PAIGHAM(1959), DIL APNA AUR PREET PARAYI (1960), GHARANA (1961), DIL EK MANDIR (1963), WAQT (1965), HAMRAAZ (1967), NEEL KAMAL (1968), HEER RAANJHA(1970), LAL PATTHAR (1971), PAKEEZAH (1972) and HINDUSTAN KI KASAM (1973), out of which he got Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for DIL EK MANDIR & WAQT.  He was best paired with Meena Kumari and Mala Sinha. (more…)

This article is written by Mr. Souvik Chatterji

Mohd Rafi with Asha Bhonsle and Kalyanji

Mohammad Rafi was the uncrowned king of bollywood music in the 50s and 60s. After the composers like Naushad, Shankar Jaikishan, Roshan, Madanmohan, Ghulam Mohammad, OP Nayyar, and others realized the range of voice of Rafi, they made him the first choice during a period when able singers like Mukesh, Manna Dey, Talat Mehmood, and others were at the top of their career.

But Kalyanji Anandji’s association with Rafi in the 70s require special mention considering the fact that RD Burman and SD Burman sidelined Rafi to promote Kishore Kumar and with the death of Jaikishan, Roshan and many composers the only challenge that could be put forward before RD Burman was done by LP and KA. (more…)

This article has been written by Mr. Ali Rashid

Mohd Rafi with Kishore Kumar and Kalyanji

Zindagi to bewafa hai
Ek din tukhrayegi
Maut mehbooba hai apne
Saath lekar jaayegi

How right Rafi-saab was, when giving a soul-stirring rendition to this Kalyanji-Anandji tuned composition from Muqqadar Ka Sikandar. Three years later, Khuda willed, and Mohammad Rafi breathed his last, bringing to a close an era of melody. Now, twenty-nine years after his death, his star shines brighter than ever, and his legacy continues to enthrall music lovers of all generations, across the globe. (more…)

A personal tribute to Mohd Rafi and Rajendra Kumar. Compiled by: Mr.Biman Baruah, Finance & Accounts Officer, ONGC Ltd., Assam Asset, Sivasagar

Mohd Rafi with Rajinder Kumar

Baharon Phool Barsaoo……… Mere Mehboob Aaya Hai………

At the age of eight, I became a reactionary fan of great Mohammed Rafi Sahab with this great romantic song from the 1966 film “SURAJ” which was very perfectly picturised on Rajendra Kumar showering with flowers to Vyjayanthimala in a natural location with Elephant and Peacock. The film was produced by S. Krishnamurthy & directed by T. Prakash Rao which considered one of the first highly commercially successful fantasy dramas of Hindi Cinema.

Shanker-Jaikishen’s chartbuster music and Mohammed Rafi’s singing played an important role in the film’s popularity. The film showed Rajendra Kumar as a blustering hero with swords, horses, elephant, etc. and the songs of the film are remembered till date considering all time evergreen hits. (more…)

This article is written by Mr. D.P.Bijoor

Mohd Rafi with Dilip Kumar

Today when I look behind I remember those beautiful child-hood days and my mind suddenly flickers down the memory lane and slowly takes me some where around the year period 1965-1966. Those were the first impressions of my child-hood days where I tried to understand & know a little of myself & the small world around me. (more…)