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…)

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 song review is written by Ms. Utthara Kumari B

Mohd Rafi Sahab with Dev Anand

What a romantic song! Sigh! One of the greatest romantic duets to have ever been written, ever been composed, ever been sung and ever been enacted.. A dashing Dev Anand imploring a fragile beauty Sadhana not to leave him as his heart is not yet filled with joy. The song Abhi na jao chodkar has several layers. On the surface it seems like a soft romantic song. But look beyond, you will find it is like a precursor to the twists and turns that unfold in the story. No wonder the hero is apprehensive that if the heroine leaves him, then their paths may not meet again. As it happens, the two part, face many tribulations and meet in the end. (more…)

This article is written by Mr. Anmol Singh

Mohd Rafi and Pradeep Kumar

This song has been rated as the best song by the Outlook survey some time back. What makes this song an all time great, perhaps the incredible lyrics written by Sahir or excellent delivery by Rafi or a great composition by Roshan. It is perhaps all the factors. Lets analyze the lyrics written by Sahir. (more…)

This article is written by Mr. Ashok Parekh

Mohd Rafi

“Jaane Kahan Gayi Dil Mera Le Gayi” is one of my favourite songs amongst innemerous songs by Rafisaab. I had neither seen this movie (Dil Apna Aur Preet Parayi) nor this song on television or anywhere but I was always curious to know who might have leap singing this song on the screen as I was sure the hero Rajkumar was not the one. Recently I saw this song on ‘youtube’ and was surprised to find that it was a lesser known actor Raj Kishore (one of the Kishore Kumar’s musical mandli in Padosan) and that it was a street song. (more…)

This article is written by Mr. Sivanandam

Mohd Rafi

In the vast ocean of golden oldies, there are few pearls in which the tune, orchestration, lyrics and last but not least the singer come together in perfect unison to create sheer magic. The  song ” Johoom ke gaa yun aaj mere dil” from the film Patanga , with the magic combination of Rafi sahib’s golden voice , music by Shankar(Jaikishen) and lyrics by Neeraj is one such pearl. (more…)

This article is written by Mr. Biman Baruah, Assam

Mohd Rafi, Feroze Khan

In 1965, 44 years back, actor Feroz Khan publicly declared on-screen, Hum Tum Se Judaa Ho Ke, Mar Jaayenge Ro Ro Ke in the golden voice of Rafi Saheb. But in last 44 years he lived like a King both on-screen and off-screen. On Monday, last 27^th April, he died at the age of 69, in his Bangalore farm house after battling with life due to cancer for last one year. (more…)

By Mr. A.S.MURTY (asmurty2@rediffmail.com, rafimurty@gmail.com)

Among the many boisterous fast songs sung by Mohd. Rafi Sahab, one song stands out as kingly as any can be. That song is the title song from the film RAAJKUMAR – Jaane Wale Zara Hoshiyar Yahan Ke Hum Hain Raajkumar. The song is picturised on the return of the prince to his kingdom from studies abroad and is so wonderfully picturised that one feels totally immersed in the sequence of events. Shammi Kapoor, the prince is atop a fully bedecked royal elephant, what with an entire band of trumpeteering band and scores of royal guards and aides in attendance. The setting is perfect for a royal entourage – the costumes, the glittering ornaments, the perfect lyrics and the fast paced music. (more…)