by: H.A.K. Walijah

Mohd Rafi

This title song “Chaudvin ka Chand ho ya Aftab ho” clearly signifies the first landmark victory in playback singing as such Rafi Saab was awarded his first coveted Filmfare Award for this majestic and mass loving song. This title song became much famous song of Mohammad Rafi Sahab and Lyricist Shakeel Badayuni so that they both got the Filmfare award for this beautiful track. This gem song was the collective efforts of three major musical giants in Indian cinema namely – Rafi Sahab, Ravi and Shakeel Badayuni who will be remembered many years to come for their ageless and ceaseless songs. Moreover the trio churned out so many memorable songs later that could be written with golden letters in the history Hindi cinema. When we come to the side of Rafi Sahab’s vocals, whoever listens this song must accept that this is nothing but heavenly voice of the singer who immortalize it through his brilliant rendition, masterful conviction and perfect technical ethos. (more…)

By: H.A.K. Walijah

Mohd Rafi with Mukesh, Talat Mohd and others

“Tere Jaisa kaun hain, Tere Jaisa Koi Nahin,” (who is there like you, no one is like you !) when we come to think of Mohammad Rafi Saab and his legendary status in Hindi Film Music, then I must say yes, it is true that no one is like Rafi Saab. Nevertheless this is the opening line of the song on which my write-up is based on. In fact, this is one of the most beautiful and romantic numbers ever rendered by the Melody King Mohd. Rafi Saab in the movie “Tamanna” (1969). That song was picturised on romantic actor of 60’s Biswajeet who always lucky in getting great songs, got his cream with Rafi Saab under a host of composers in Mere Sanam, Sagaai, Shehnai, Do Dil, Night In London, Jaal, Aasra, Pyar Ka Sapna, April Fool etc. and the then ravishing beauty Mala Sinha, penned by Anand Bakshi and class music composed by Kalyanji-Anandji – what a marvelous composition of  Kalyan?ji Anandji –  an absolute magic and lilting music. (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…)

By Chirag

Mohd Rafi

One of Mohammed Rafi’s famous songs is “Subah Na Aayi” from the movie, “Cha Cha Cha” which was released in 1964. It had a now forgotten hero, called Chandrashekhar and Helen was the heroine of this movie. Lyrics were written by Neeraj and music was given by Iqbal Qureshi.

The song conveys the greatness of love, and that love is superior to all other material things. The Hero has set out in search of his true love. He remembers her every second and every minute of the day. Without her memory his day is incomplete and he remains unaware of other happenings. He is so madly in love; his happiness is incomplete without her as well as his sadness has no meaning without her. If only she belongs to him and they get united in love, he will be the happiest man in the world. The words of this song talk about the depth of the love of the hero. They have great meaning hidden in them. (more…)

By J.K. Bhagchandani

Mohd Rafi

The name Mohammed Rafi is synonyms with versatility. This singing wonder has given us masterpiece songs of almost all genres. This write-up is dedicated to the patriotic songs sung by Rafi saab.

The patriotic songs even though considered as one genre, also have different moods, suiting to different situations and conditions that the nation is in. Rafi saab has sung patriotic songs all moods and situations.

‘Watan ki raah mein watan ke naujawan shahid ho……. (Shaheed- old version- Dilip Kumar starrer), Ae watan ae watan humko teri kasam…… (Shaheed- later version- Manoj Kumar starrer) are the great songs conceived to capture the time and moments of freedom movement. Rafi saab has sung Ghulam Mohammed and Prem Dhawan (respectively) composed songs so brilliantly that one gets the first hand account of a true freedom fighter. The ‘josh’, the conviction, the motivation to lay own life for the sake of motherland is craftily incorporated in the songs by the singer. Both songs have a second (and sad) part representing the moments before the execution of the death sentence of a freedom fighter. (more…)

Written by J.K.Bhagchandani

Mohd Rafi

Nature is God’s most powerful and captivating symbol of HIS presence on this planet. Being near to nature is believed to be being near to God. The nature has inspired and spurred the creative instincts of artists of almost all streams to produce their artistic creations and showcase their talent. Painters have been fascinated by different facades of nature to capture its various colours on canvas. Poets, novelists have written many classics in the process of describing the beauty, the serenity of the nature.

Film lyricists also have very beautifully penned down umpteen number of rhythmic lines for many wonderful songs glorifying the nature. Such nature-inspired songs not only enrich the aesthetics of the composition but also provide an opportunity for the film maker to capture some breath taking visuals of the nature. These songs also help in portraying the character on the screen and his feelings. And when a song of a theme as divine as nature is sung by a voice as Godly as of Rafi saab… the result is bound to be ‘sheer magic’. This write-up is just a small attempt to celebrate some (randomly picked) songs of Rafi saab where one beauty of the nature is combined with another beauty of nature (Rafi saab’s voice). (more…)

This article is written by Mr. Achal Rangaswamy

Mohd Rafi with S.D.Burman and Guru Dutt

Arey dekhi zamaane ki yaari
bichhade sabhee, bichhade sabhi baari baari
kya le ke milen ab duniya se, aansu ke siva kucch paas nahi
ya phool hi phool they daaman mein, ya kaanton ki bhi aas nahi
matalab ki duniya hai saari
bichhade sabhee, bichhade sabhi baari baari

what a song!! What lyrics!!
And what a rendering!!!

Chronologically speaking, this song is 50 years old today!! But honestly, doesn’t it reflect a lot of how the world works today?? (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…)