Mohammed Rafi
|
|
|
 |
It's
said that music is immortal. Perhaps why, even after the music's
creators depart from the earthly abode, the music lives. Mohammed
Rafi is one such musical figure from India who's nothing less than a
legend. His melodious voice still remains a favourite with millions,
even after more than two decades of his departure for the heavenly
abode. His voice has immortalized the music, lyrics and video
sequences of many a musicians, lyricists and filmmakers. The only
other Hindi film playback singers, that match the popularity and
talent of this genius being Kishore Kumar and Mukesh.
Rafi (Rafi Sahab to most of his fans and well-wishers) was born on
24th Dec 1924 in Kotla Sultanpur [Pakistan] in Punjab, in a middle
class muslim family. At the age of seven, Rafi learnt Hindustani
Classical music under the renowned Ustaad Bade Gulam Ali Khan and
Vahida Khan. |
|
| |
Rafi
started his career at the age of 20, with a punjabi song, Soniye
Hiriye, teri yaad ne bahut sataya for the movie Gul Baloch, which
was released on 28th February, 1944. The producer, Sham Sunderji was
so impressed by Rafi's style of singing that he did not think twice
and signed Rafi for all his future films.
In the year 1944, Rafi became immensely popular as a singer. His
songs were soon got on to everboby's lips - youths and even
school-going kids. It was this year that Rafi was invited by Nasir,
a well-known actor of those times to Bombay. From this point, there
was no turning back. |
 |
|
| |
 |
Rafi
made his Bollywood debut in 1944 in the film Pehle Aap. Success,
however, came with Mehboob's Anmol Ghadi in 1946, where he sang
duets with Noorjehan.
With the longest career span stretching from the 1940s to the 1980s,
Rafi has sung for almost all heroes from Pradeep Kumar, Bharat
Bhushan, Dilip Kumar, Guru Dutt, Shammi Kapoor, Dev Anand to Rishi
Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan. |
|
|
Did You Know ? |
|
Rafi
has also sung for singer-actor Kishore Kumar in the movies
Raagini, Baaghi Shehzaada, and Shararat. |
|
The
music of composers like Naushad, S.D. Burman, Shankar Jaikishen and
the poetry of Sahir, Kaifi Azmi would not have been immortalized
without the melodious voice of Rafi. Between 1940 and 1980, in his
career as a playback singer he has sung for a number of actors, for
a number of moods. |
|
 |
He could
sing classical numbers like "Madhuban Mein Radhika Nache
Re"(Kohinoor) and the same voice could also bring listeners to tears
in "O Duniya Ke Rakhwale" (Baiju Bawra) or "Yaad Na Jaye" (Dil Ek
Mandir). On the other hand it could also make you high with the joy
and enthusiasm in the notes of "Jab Pyaar Kissise Hota Hain" (Jab
Pyaar Kissise Hota Hain).
Rafi has sung qawallis ("Hum Kissise Kum Nahin"), to ghazals ("Teri
Ankhon Ke Siva") and bhajans("Duniya Na Bhaye Mohe"). Rafi's
patriotic songs like "Watan Pe Jo Fida Hoga", "Kar Chale Hum Fida" "Jahan
Dal Dal Par" and "Apni Azadi Ko Hum" still rule the school and
college Independence Day celebrations with an undying vigour and
passion. |
|
| |
|
Fundu
Fact |
|
Rafi holds
the Guiness record, along with Lata Mangeshkar, for having sung the most
number of songs (approx 26,000). |
| |
| Rafi was
the golden voice of the tragedy heroes, Dilip Kumar and Bharat Bhushan.
He sang for the rebellious image of Yahoo star, Shammi Kapoor.
|
| |
|
As the
famed Binaca Geet Mala started in 1952, the program aired the songs
of the film Baiju Bawra and this really made Rafi a popular singer
for all ages. Thousands of request for Rafi's songs started. |
Did you know? |
|
When
Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated, Rafi sang a song Suno Suno Ay
Duniya Walon, Bapu ki Yeh Amar kahani written by Rajinder Krishan
and music directed by Hunslal Bhagatram. |
|
| |
 |
As a
person also Rafi is equally memorable. He did not imitate any one
nor did he stop any one from imitating him. Through out his career
Rafi had the image of a wonderful person. His whole-hearted nature
would agree to sing for producers who could'nt afford him in return
to nothing.
On July 31, 1980 the Indian Film industry lost this melodious
singer. But the voice lives on... |
|
 |
|
AWARDS |
|
Filmfare awards |
|
YEAR
|
SONG
|
FILM
|
| 1960
|
CHAUDAVIN KA CHAND HO |
CHAUDVIN KA CHAND |
| 1961
|
TERI
PYAARI PYAARI SURAT |
SASURAL |
| 1964
|
CHAAHUNGA MAIN TUJHE |
DOSTI |
| 1966
|
BAHARON PHOOL BARSAON |
SURAJ |
| 1968
|
DIL
KE JHAROKHE MEIN |
BRAHMACHARI |
| 1977
|
KYA
HUA TERA VAADA |
HUM
KISSISE KUM NAHIN |
|
- The
National Rajat Kamal Award for his song 'Kya Hua Tera Vaada' in the
film 'Hum Kissise Kum Nahin' (1977).
- Padma
Shree (1965)
|
|