By Souvik Chatterji

Rafi Sahab with O.P.Nayyar

The musiclovers had remembered legendary composer Omkar Prasad Nayyar, popularly known as OP Nayyar on his birthday on 16^th January, 2011. He had died few years back, but his tunes had remained immortal for the audience of bollywood films for years. Whenever the name of OP Nayyar appeared in the minds of the audience, the name of immortal singer Mohammad Rafi had come together, without whom OP Nayyar was incomplete. OP Nayyar started his career with the film Kaneej in 1949.

Guru Dutt had created his image in bollywood films in different categories being a thoughtful director and producer, dynamic actor, good choreographer. One of the numerous reasons for which his films became super hit in the 50s and 60s included the brilliant songs sung by Rafi during the golden age. (more…)

By Ramesh Narain Kurpad – Rafiaarenkay / rameshkurpad (gmail)

Rafi Sahab with his awards

Dear Rafi fans / bhakts from near and far away land – I have voiced myself vehemently in my own country through this beautiful dedicated Rafi website, but in vain – the Indian fans in India are meekly whispering “ alas Rafi Sahab cannot be conferred Bharat Ratna since he is no more and he cannot be given posthumously.” – says who?

Now this letter is being addressed to all international fans / bhakts who are not living in India they may be Indians – Pakistani’s – Bangladeshi’s – Afghani’s – from UAE – Saudi – America – Canada – UK – Europe – New Zealand – Australia – Germany – France anywhere. (more…)

By Sarah Modi

Mohd Rafi

Rafi is certainly my sweetheart and I bet yours as well.  If you are a romantic at heart, Rafi saab’s voice is the eternal sound of love.  And if you are not a romantic, you will become one at the mere touch of his mellifluous voice.  His intoxicating and honey-soaked vocals can woo any hard hearted person.   The warmth in his voice can thaw and melt anything frozen — be it a thing, human being, thought or an emotion.  If you don’t believe me,  listen to the songs I have listed below and be prepared to be hypnotized by his mesmerizing and soulful renditions.

If you want to praise your girlfriend or wife, or express your love to them, or if you want to embark upon a beautiful journey of courtship, you can begin with any of these wonderful songs, and Lady Love will surely be your Valentine! (more…)

By Mr. D.P.Bijoor & Mr. Milind Bijoor

Mohd Rafi and Madhubala

The Almighty has created 2 of the most wonderful & cherished personalities on this Universe, one with that ultimate velvet touch of voice which automatically became the Shehenshah of Taranum  and the other with that ultimate beauty who came to be known as the Mallika-e-Husna and above all both thy names starting with that magical alphabet M = Mohammed Rafi and Madhubala. Both these personalities contributed their individual credibility in the Hindi Film industry and by virtue became immortal legends.

Kudrat Ke Do Anokhe Shakahar aur do Anmol Ratn – Mohammed Rafi – Madhubala. “Zindagee bhar na bhulegi woh barsaat kee raat ek anjaan hasina se mulaqat kee raat” (more…)

By: H.A.K. Walijah

Mohd Rafi

Many songs of Rafi Saab are ceaseless but some have achieved the status of immortality, means it can be heard million of times even though it does sound fresh and vibrant.  You may call it the miracle of the singer’s voice or the marvelous composition or the magical words embedded in the lyrics that suited the mood of the song.  Rafi saab had sung thousands of songs which are considered now as milestones in film singing profession.  Some have   achieved the status of evergreen and all time greats, in which some are solos and some are duets (sang with both male and female singers).  During the 50’s and 60’s Rafi saab ruled the Hindi film industry as the most sought-after playback singer, 70-80 percent of songs composed by the music directors during those years were sung by Rafi saab along with two major female singers  – Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle.  The songs had sung in maximum genres with colorful versatility which was the lion’s share of Rafi saab, no other singer even comes closer in that range. Mohammed Rafi’s songs ranged from traditional classical melodies to patriotic songs, artistic Ghazals, sad and romantic melodies, traditional qawwalis, ghazals and bhajans… like that you may go on counting various genres and what not? Rafi saab bagged 6 Filmfare Awards in his lifetime for his excellent and magnificent singing and had 22 nominations between 1960 -1980. (more…)