An Accolade to Raj Kapoor and Mohammed Rafi on their 90th Birthday

By Biman Baruah

Though Mohammed Rafi and Raj Kapoor was not must familiar as a singer and actor, one entity is very common to both of them as they born in the month of December, 1924 in Pakistan of Undivided India. Raj Kapoor was born as Ranbir Raj Kapoor on 14^th December, 1924 in Dhakki Munawwar Shah near Qissa Khwani in Peshawar into a Pathan Hindu family to Prithviraj Kapoor and Ramsarni Devi. Raj Kapoor was eldest of six children in the family, out of which two died in infancy and had a sister named Urmila Sial. Mohammed Rafi was born on 24^th December, 1924 in Kota Sultan Singh village near Amritsar in Punjab to Hajji Ali Mohammed who further moved to Lahore where he ran a salon in Noor Mohalla in Bhatti Gate. (more…)

By Salim K

Anand Bakshi with Laxmikant, Amitabh and Rafi sahab during the recording

Rafi sahab is probably the only singer whose voice would suit all actors and stars irrespective of the decade and their age. Even though Raaj kapoor, Manoj Kumar, Amitabh Bachan and Rajesh Khanna were considered synonymous with Mukesh, Mahendra and Kishore , the songs Rafi Sahab has sung for them  occupy a special place in the careers of these actors and HFM in general.  For example who can forget eternal melodies like  “baazi kisene Pyar ki sung for RK in film Nazarana”, “ Bhari Duniya mein Akhir Dil” sung for Manoj Kumar in Do Badan and “Teri Bindiya Re” sung for AB in Abhiman. There are many more such beauties that Rafisahab has sung for these stars.  Needless to say all these  stars had and have the greatest love, respect and admiration for Rafi Sahab. (more…)

By Souvik Chatterji

Mohd Rafi with Shammi Kapoor, Hasrat, Jaikishan

Renowned poet and lyricist Hasrat Jaipuri was born on 15^th April, 1922 as Iqbal Hussain. In 1940, Hasrat Jaipuri came from Jaipur to Mumbai. Prithiviraj Kapoor heard him in a mushaira and recommended him to Raj Kapoor when he was making the film Barsaat.

The epic combination of Hasrat Jaipuri and Shankar Jaikishan started from Barsaat. The first 2 songs written by him became super hit namely “jiya beqarar hai” and “chor gaye balam”. The pen of Hasrat Jaipuri glorified RK Films and other bollywood films for the next 30 years. (more…)

Written by: H.A.K. Walijah

Mohd Rafi and Dharamendra

Who could be from the Forties till the late Eighties charmed the film world with his scintillating lyrics in about 200 films and Rafi Saab had sung at least 225 songs out of 1800 recorded songs penned – guess whom I am referring, yes it is Hasrat Jaipuri, “The King of Romance”. Hasrat Jaipuri is one of the best lyricists in Bollywood who have been in the Indian film industry for a long time. The lyricist is now being considered as an iconic figure in the Bollywood music world. The verses which came out of his pen were realistic, rhythmic and touched the soul. He spread the fragrance of his poetry during 50’s & 60’s with his brilliant poetic genius comprising some of the sweetest melodies sung by “The King of Melody”, Mohammad Rafi Sahab – “Teri pyari pyari soorat ko” (Sasural), “Tu kahan yeh bataa” (Tere Ghar Ke Saamne), “Tu mere saamne hai, teri zulfein hai khuli” (Suhagan), “Ehsan tera hoga mujh par” (Junglee), “Teri zulfon se” (Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai) and “Tum mujhe yoon bhula na paaoge” (Pagla Kahin Ka). (more…)

By Souvik Chatterji

Rafi Sahab with SJ, Asha, Hasrat, Shailendra

Poet and lyricist Shailendra had glorified the world of bollywood with his romantic words. He had tremendous combination with legendary composer Shankar Jaikishan. Both of them in turn had magical relationship with immortal singer Mohammad Rafi.

The magic combination came together in the film Boot Polish with the song “nanhe munne bacche tere mutthi me kya hai” which had become immortal over the years. In the film Shikast, the combination came together in the song “gham me jal raha hai”. (more…)

This article is written by Mr. Ashok Parekh.

Rafi Saab with Raj Kapoor

As regards Raj Kapoor’s long association with Mukeshji – when and how it started, it’s a matter of debate / discussion and to some extent research. However, Rafisaab have sung a number of songs for Raj Kapoor in his earlier films. Even Talat Mehood saab also had landed his voice to Raj Kapoor (Main Dil Hoon Ek Armaan Bhara film: Anhonee).  In respect of films produced and directed by Raj Kapoor under RK banner, Rajsaab used Rafisaab’s voice in many films but for other actors. So before talking of Rafisaab’s  songs on Raj Kapoor, first we look at Rafisaab’s songs in RK movies (either produced or produced and directed): (more…)