(Mohammed Rafi with Khayyam)

Written by Venkatadri Brahmandam (venkat from HF)

Mohd Rafi

Khayyam is a fine music director who created his own niche in HFM. But, he had to be among those highly talented, but not-so-fortunate, music directors. The main reason is, of course, lack of big banner films in his fold!

Khayyam actually started music direction in late forties under the name of “Sharma Ji”. Probably, only after mid-fifties did he revert back to his own original name.

Once in 1961, after Shola Aur Shabnam, Khayyam was seriously contemplating a total change in his style of music hoping that it would lead to greater success. But, in Khayyam’s own words on Vividhbharati, he was once passing by S.D.Burman who then advised him not to change his own natural style at any cost! (more…)

Written By Venkatadri Brahmandam (Venkat from HF)

(Mohammed Rafi With Mubarak Begum)

Mohd Rafi

Mubarak Begum was a singer known only for her peculiar, nasal voice. Her vocal range and singing prowess had many limitations, of course. In my humble view, as a singer, she could attain only limited success that was just proportionate to her abilities!! However, in one interview of hers, she seemed to blame Suraiya for blocking her progress! Well, that is a different story for a different time!!

With Rafi Saab, she had the opportunity of singing about 10 duets, of which the only one that became very popular is from Film: Hamraahi (1963), composed by Shankar Jaikishan. The song is: “Mujhko Apne Gale Lagaa Lo, Ae Mere Hamraahi”. (more…)

Written by Sivanandam Palamadai

Mohd Rafi

A lullaby (Lori in Hindi) is a soothing song sung to put a child to sleep. Each country in the world has its own rich tradition of lullabies. Our own country, with its great civilization and culture  has a very rich collection of such songs from each region.

It is a universally known fact that lullabies are generally sung by a mother to make her child sleep. Lucky indeed is that child that has a father who can sing a Lori. And if that father has a voice like Rafi? Eternal bliss!!!

There are many Lori songs in Hindi film music (HFM) which are evergreen, generally sung by female singers. Lata’s  ‘Dheere se aajari ankhiyan mein ’ is considered one of the best Lori ever composed and sung in HFM. There are of course many more from Lata whose sweet, soothing Loris can put even an insomniac to sleep!! (more…)

This song review is written by Mr. Anmol Singh.

Mohd Rafi with Jaidev

As individuals we all face a lot of ups and downs in life. Many occasions there are problems where we just don’t know what to do. We gradually learn to live with our problems. We realize that there is no point in thinking over the issues which practically have no solution as such.

MEIN ZINDAGI KA SATH NIBHATA CHALA GAYA
HAR FIKAR KO DHOEIN MEIN UDATA CHALA GAYA

When we experience a worst case situation in our lives, we just let go our problems like a passing moment of life speaking to ourselves “YE WAKHT BHI GUZAR JAAYEGA“. (more…)

This is a review written by Gan Sharma, of a song that is well-known but probably not listened to with the passion it deserves!

Mohd Rafi with R.D.Burman

It is well known that Rafi saab’s ability to sing a woman’s praise is unparalleled. There are hundreds of such songs that Rafi saab has sung, and many have been reviewed in this excellent website.

However, there is one song that I have not paid close attention to, and which falls in this category. You know how it is. Although it is a sin to fast-forward any Rafi song, you tend to gravitate towards your favourites, and skip songs in your iPod or CD to get to the next one. I have been guilty of this too! (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…)

This song is reviewed by Mr. Shrirang Nawathe

Mohd Rafi

I have a very special song for you in the store. The song which describes the purest form of Love. The ultimate relationship between

Devotee and the Divine. It is as pure as Ganga’s waters, as deep as Ocean, and sky is the limit to measure its height…

Pure Love is selfless and has no demands. On the contrary, it asks for total surrender. Nature teaches us Giving or surrendering ..The  more you give the more you get…is the law of the nature…The God looks for total surrender in  his Devotee or Bhakt. (more…)

This song review is written by Mr. Shrirang Nawathe

Mohd Rafi with Laxmikant-Pyarelal

The journey of life through Rafi sahab’s songs is  a unique experience for all of us. It is the beauty of that saintly figure who had contributed  so much for us  that, one can have all sorts of experiences through his golden songs.

Music Director Vasant Desai believed that Rafi Sahab was “shaapit gandharva” whereas Naushad sb. Confirmed him “suron ka betaaj badshaah”. For few others he was versatile, matchless, ultimate and so on….. Above all, for a common man like us he was the nearest soul.. as he was there with us under all circumstances (more…)

This article is written by Mr. Padmanabhan NR, Rafi Foundation, Hyderabad Chapter – This is for you Sandeep Nadkarni Sab

Mohd Rafi with Dilip Kumar

This review is being attempted at the instance of  Shri Sandeep Nadkarni, who wished it  from Sri. Nagesh Sidhanti who in turn had mesmerised us all with his review of Door rah kar na karo baat. I am trying a song review for the first time and would request forbearance of all concerned in case I fall short of expectations.

This song is from the film Deedar (1951) starring Ashok Kumar, Dilip Kumar, Nargis, Nimmi, Baby Tabassum and Yaqoob among others. The lyrics are by Shakeel Saheb and music by Naushad Sahab (more…)