Written by: H.A.K. Walijah

Mohd Rafi

It is generally believed that pathos-laden songs is the realm of Mukesh and Talat Mehmood where they bring forth the human pain and suffering of the characters alive on the silver screen through their voices, whereas Rafi Sahab universally acknowledged as all-rounder due to his mind-boggling versatility, while millions revere him as the epitome of romance and solace; but a closer look will reveal that there are so many songs of Rafi Sahab that are really heart-rending and pathos-laden even excelled to Mukesh and Talat Mehmood melancholic songs. I have been a very strong follower of his songs, especially the “dard” that comes out naturally from his voice.  From the very beginning, K.L.Saigal was subjected to the fawning adoration of the public as  a singer he excelled in the pathos-laden songs like Jab dil hi toot gaya, Balam aan baso mere man mein, Karoon kiya aas niras bhayee, Gham diye mustakil Kitna nazuk hai dil. Later on Mukesh had a voice which could convey pathos very well and many of his songs like Dil jalta Hain, Saaranga Teri Yaad Mein etc. are the finest examples. Mukesh had the pathos. Talat Mehmood had the delicate tremor. Kishore Kumar had zany songs as well as gravitas. Rafi had all of the above plus an extra something. (more…)

By: Jagat Kant Choudhary

Kishore Kumar and Mohd Rafi

It was inevitable. The Comparison. With two phenomenal singers like Mohd Rafi and Kishore Kumar dividing the lion’s share of the male playback music industry between themselves, it was only a matter of time before the big question would crop up- who is the better singer?

The huge fan following, bordering on reverence for the two singers coupled with the alleged preferences of certain music directors for one over the other, often triggered this question. However and fortunately so, while the fans swore by their respective idols, and still do, there has never been a clear polarization either in the fan following or the music industry as a whole. (more…)

Rafi Sahab never touched alcohol and was a god-fearing person, content with his singing and family life. Despite never drinking, he masterfully sang numerous intoxication-themed songs in Hindi films, unmatched in his mystical modulation and diction. His voice defined an era from the late 1950s to the 1970s, and his deep understanding of lyrics and music remains unparalleled. — By an intoxicated fan – A S MURTY – rafimurty {a.t} gmail.com

Rafi Sahab never touched alcohol? Did he not ever take any drinks ? Unbelievable, many would say. But most know that Rafi Sahab stayed clear of any kind of alcohol.  A god-fearing person that he was, Rafi Sahab was content with his singing and loved to be back with his family after his recordings and did not give any time to partying.  His only other outings would be for live programmes around the globe and at the altar of the borders of India, giving succor the embattled and fatigued Indian soldiers who gave their all for the country’s safety.

Compiled by: Mr. Biman Baruah

Rafi Sahab and Naushad Ali

Naushad Ali and Mohammed Rafi both were the legends of Hindi Film Music, former one is one of the greatest Music Directors of Indian Cinema and later one is one of the greatest playback singers of Indian Cinema who made for each other and born on 25^th and 24^th December respectively. Both the legends are almost forgotten man today. But the immortal songs created by them still continue to live on in the minds of all music lovers and the songs are the undying treasure of Hindi Film Music. On their birth anniversary in December, they were more or less ignored in Film Industry, to which both the maestro devoted their life.

Naushad Ali was born on 25^th December 1919 in Luchnow, a traditional city famous for refined North Indian Culture. From early childhood in Luchnow he was a keen listener to the live orchestras accompanying silent films. Before coming to Bombay, he used to repair harmoniums and composed for amateur theatricals such as the Windsor Music Entertainers. (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 D.P.Bijoor

Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar

The Hindi Film Industry of musical entertainment since its inception over 7 decades, has undoubtedly given music lovers especially in India and in general, all over the world the pleasure of listening to lilting and soulful melodies composed by eminent lyricisits of the byegone era and embellished by the golden voice of Immortal singers whose memories can never be erased with the passage of time.

Friends, from among the handful of most precious pearls unearthed from the depths of the Ocean as it were, – two musical GENIUSES come readily to mind both of whom   have created a niche for themselves in the industry and in the minds & hearts of their   innumerable fans & admirers as “GREAT LEGENDS”. Yes, I definitely mean two of the “GREATEST FRIENDS” – Kishore Kumar and Mohammed Rafi to be very precise, both of whom are alas, no more with us today. (more…)

By Mr. Biman Baruah, Sivasgar, Assam

Rafi Sahab with Usha Khanna and Kishore Kumar

After Saraswati Devi who composed music for Bombay Talkies Film during 1930s & 1940s, Usha Khanna is a lone established female Music Director in the Indian Film Industry who was active for 3 decades from 1960s to 1980s. She was born in Gwalior in 1942 and her father, Manohar Khanna was a lyricist and singer. But she had no formal training in music, often take inspiration from Arabic Music. Popular music director O.P. Nayyar introduced Usha Khanna to Sashadhar Mukherjee initially who assigned her to compose two songs per day for one year. Later on Mukherjee hired her to composed music for his films like DIL DEKE DEKHO (1959) and HUM HINDUSTANI (1961). She started her career as a composer at the age of 17. (more…)

By H.V.Guru Murthy

Mohd Rafi

Which is your most favourite song in the history of Hindi film music during the past eighty years? If any body puts this question to me, I would rather not answer, as how can you choose just one song out of thousands of songs especially if you consider that versatile singers like Rafi Saab, Lataji, KK, Ashaji, Mannada, Mukeshji, Hemantda, Talatji, etc. etc. have sung so many wonderful wonderful songs.

But precisely a similar exercise was carried by the Magazine OUTLOOK in their 2006 June issue. Thirty prominent musicians of the Hindi Film Industry including Manandey, Mahendra Kapoor, Khayyam, Rajesh Roshan, Gulzar, Javid Akhtar, etc. were chosen to be in the Jury and were given the task to select the best songs. (more…)

By Ramesh Narain Kurpad

Mohd Rafi and Kishore Kumar

During my life times, I have had the great pleasure of interacting with innumerable music fans – lovers of retro music – but today, I wish to bring forth and highlight a peculiar kind – un-matchable in its unique negativity. Bhakton, I wish to appear to have started off on a controversial note by saying Rafi Sahab – So What? – I wish to put down a few lines in support of the innumerable music fans of the legendary singer Kishore Kumar.

It may really sound as though I am here to sing pains on KK but all that I wish to do is to highlight the innermost feelings of a Kishore Kumar Fan who has it in abundance all against Rafi sahab. And he exults often – Rafi Sahab – So What??? (more…)

This article is written by Mr. H.V.Guru Murthy

Mohd Rafi with other playback singers

Just imagine if Mohammed Rafi Saab had sung “Mere Naina Sawan Bhadon” from ‘Mehbooba’ instead of Kishore. Well, this classical song was a Do Pehlu, sung both by KK and Lata. RD Burman, the Music Director of the movie had chosen these two Singers for rendering the song. Where as Lata excelled, in fact sung effortlessly, KK showed the strain and could not match Lataji in this round and RDB lost a golden opportunity to give one of the best do-pehlu’s of Hindi film industry. KK was not suited for this classical number and if only RDB had given this song to Rafi, the Farishta would have converted this song to a memorable one, matching Lata, step by step, sur by sur. (more…)