This information is shared by Mr. Hashim Khan –
I am extremly happy to inform you all that The 5th Mohamed Rafi Memorial Award was conferred on Playback Singer of yesteryears Mubarak Begum, at a graceful musical concert organised by the Rafi Lovers Circle of Kolkata on 25th Oct, 09.

A detailed review of the event and photographs appended below / attached.

The 5th Mohammed Rafi Memorial Award

Rafi Lovers Circle organized a musical concert Remembering Melody Queens with Mubarak Begum to confer Mohamed Rafi Memorial Award 2009, on Mubarak Begum, reputed Playback Singer of yesteryears .

The programme was held on 25th Oct, 09 at the Satyajit Ray Auditorium, Rabindranath Tagore  Centre, of The Indian Council for Cultural Relations Kolkata. (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…)

This article is written by Mr. Shrirang Nawathe

Mohd Rafi with Roshan and Asha

Rafi sahab’s songs are like rare gems to be discovered from the depth of the musical ocean and one gets immense satisfaction when one dives deep. Our life’s journey becomes smooth with these songs as these melodies give us true satisfaction and peace. The journey with these songs is nothing but the journey with the Master.

Today, I have selected  unforgettable classic gem of Hindi Film Music. This song is a milestone in many aspects. It has the beauty of the lyrics, melody of music, expressions through singing, depth of the subject, peace of the mind, philosophy of the life..I am sure that this song  itself can be a subject of research for many. (more…)

This article is written by Mr. Souvik Chatterji

Mohd Rafi with Chitragupt

Chitragupt gave very melodious tunes in the 50s and 60s and as most of his songs were sung by legend of legends Mohd Rafi, the songs became immortal after creation. Rafi’s song “chal ur ja re panchi” composed by Chitragupt in the film Bhabi brought tears in the years of numerous viewers. Rafi used his emotions towards fulfillment of the literary value of the song and Balraj Sahani’s lips in the song also require special mention. (more…)

The review of Nain Lad Jain Hei is written by Mr. M.V.Devraj

Mohd Rafi

It is universally accepted that the smell and scent of Mother Earth gives that soothing flavour and fragrance which is beyond conception, perception and imagination. Indian villages, the village people, the village dialects and generally village life have that earthly flavour which touches heart strings of every Indian.

Ganga Jamuna is a film created out and out with a village background. Dilip Kumar (Ganga), Vyjayanthimala (Dhanno) are seethed in village systems and practices. The dialogues are in rich Bhojpuri lingo and the music by Naushad and the lyrics by Shakeel are soaked, immersed and drenched in instruments and language used by village folks. (more…)

A review of “ye parbaton ke daayere…” by Gan Sharma

Gan Sharma is an ardent fan of Rafi saab and lives in Toronto, Canada. He has written other reviews for mohdrafi.com.

Mohd Rafi with Lata Mangeshkar

The usage of atmosphere in Hindi film music was not unique; many songs refer to the weather, the environment and the seasons as metaphors for the protagonist’s state of mind. Indeed, this technique allowed writers to express in poetry and song what mere conversation could never convey.

This is probably also why Indian films used so much music; a five-minute song, when well done, could replace hours of dialogue. So, while it is a habit amongst the intelligentsia to talk mockingly of the “time-wasting” tactics of moviemakers of “putting in” a large number of songs, it must be remembered that the song was a very efficient way of conveying feelings in an aesthetic way. (more…)

This information is shared by Mr. Zorawar Chhugani, General Secretary, Rafi Foundation Memorial Society, Delhi.

Shri Pawan Kumar Asija

Once again the time came for Rafi fans to get active all across for various activities associated with 31^st July. As every Rafi fan was doing it, Rafi Foundation Memorial Society, Delhi (Delhi Chapter of Rafi Foundation) also got into action for their 31^st July programme decided to be held at Gandhi Memorial Hall (Pearey Lal Bhawan, ITO, Delhi) with all its members doing their bit to make the programme a grand success and the feelings were that the programme should not go low anyways since Rafi Sahab’s name was attached to it. (more…)

This article is written by Mr. Anwar-ul-Haque

Mohd Rafi with Naushad Ali

Urdu literature, specially the Urdu poetry, is very deep and rich; in fact it is one of the richest literatures of our region. Considering that Urdu language is a fairly new comer in comparison of other languages, its richness is astonishing. Look at the other languages of our region: Persian, Sanskrit, Panjabi, Sindhi, Bengali etc. All these languages are very old as compared to Urdu; still Urdu literature is rich enough to compete with the literatures of these languages.

Actually the reason is quite simple; as Urdu is a combination of different languages, it acquired different qualities of these languages. For example, it obtained the deepness and philosophical touch from Persian and on the other hand, it received the sweetness and softness from Sanskrit. Likewise it obtained words from almost all the other languages of this region that too enhanced its depth and richness. (more…)