Life of a true legend
© mohdrafi.com
Born in a middle class Muslim family with only a tender dream to sing, no one, not even Mohd Rafi himself would have thought about the glorious years to come and about the magic he would create for millions around him. At a young age, he moved to Lahore to train with Ghulam Ali Khan and learnt a lot from his teacher about Indian classical music. After satisfactorily learning, Mohd Rafi decided to make his career in play back singing.
Not many know, but he started his career with a Punjabi song for the film Gul Baloch. It was a duet with Zeenat Begum. Shyam Sunder, the composer, was impressed with this new voice and got the young man involved in his next project- Bazaar. From here there was no looking back as this was where the foundations were actually laid. Composer Firoz Nizami also recognized the potential in Rafi and together they created Rafi’s first ever hit- yaha badla wafa ka bewafai ke siva kya hai mohabbat karke bhi dekha mohabbat mein bhi dhoka hai for the film Jugnu and the line of producers started to grow longer over the years.
Though his future in playback singing was a sure shot hit, but his association with Naushad made it complete. Hindustan ke hum hain from the film Pehle Aap in 1944 marked their first hits together. From then on, they formed a formidable team and worked mostly with each other only. Naushad was criticized a number of times for having an almost exclusive arrangement with Rafi, but this left them unfazed. Tera khilona toota baalak tera khilona toota, hai kismet ne loota… from the film Anmol Khilona is one of the greatest hits that the two had together. Some other true jewels from the early days of their association are Ye zindagi ke mele from Mela, Suhani raat dhal chuki na jaane tum kab aaoge… from Dulari which is almost intoxicating, Tere kooche mein armanon ki duniya leke aaya hoon and Is duniya mein ae dilwalon dil ka lagaana khel nahin… both from the film Dillagi and Yahi armaan lekar aaj ghar se hum nikle… from the film Shabab.
During this time, Rafi proved that it was not only luck that made him Naushad’s blue eyed boy, because music directors and composers all over were beginning to acknowledge the fact that his talent was truly something. He began working on a regular basis with O.P. Nayyar, Shankar Jaikishen, S.D.Burman and other great directors of their time. Jin raaton mein neendh ud jaati hai… from the film Raat Ki Raani shows off Rafi in superb form, as does the song Akele mein woh ghabrate tho honge… from the film Beewee which shows Rafi in a different light altogether. Hum ishq mein barbad hain barbad rahenge… from the film Aankhen sows off a soulful side of the maestro and Mohabbat ke dhoke mein koi na aaye… from Badi Bahen depicts how he lends not only his voice to the actor, but also the right emotion.
Talking about lending emotions, there have been a variety of heroes who actually owe a huge chunk of their popularity to Mohd Rafi. The Indian film industry has always believed in dramatization and songs are the best medium it relies upon to communicate with the audience. So, in the given circumstances, a movie had greater chances of becoming a hit when the songs were popular. Rafi was a sure ticket to the box office lottery and with his innate talent, helped several leading men on their climb up to the epitome of success. One such actor is Dev Anand. Though a mega star of his times, the camaraderie that Dev Anand and Rafi shared showed on screen too as they slipped easily under each other’s skin. Dil ka bhanwar, Hum bekhudi mein, Khoya khoya chaand- all masterpieces showing Dev Anand as a romantic, an intoxicated heart throb and as a charismatic leading man making the hearts of the audience skip a beat - all this would not have the same magic were it not for Rafi’s mesmerizing voice.
Another very popular association was with the superstar Shammi Kapoor. Rafi’s voice and the actor’s pizzazz made a never seen before combination which the audience eagerly lapped up. Jawaaniyan yeh mast mast, Yun to humne lakh hansee dekhe hain, tumsa nahin dekha, Taareef karoon kya uski jisne tumhe banaya- numbers which are remembered and known even today for the sheer mastery of the song and actor- not easily achievable, but nothing out of the ordinary for the two experts.
Those were Rafi’s golden years. As many years before he had risen to stardom, it was someone else’s turn. This someone else turned out to be Kishore Kumar who became the first set back and actual threat to Rafi. All this began with the onset of another star in the horizon- Rajesh Khanna, who became the total rage with the film Aradhana. From then on, it was all the way up for the actor and his most popular voice- Kishore Kumar.
Another set back that reduced the popularity of the great singer Rafi was that most of his associates and music directors were also being slowly displaced by the influx of newer talent like R.D Burman, who incidentally was also a major cause for the falling demand for Rafi. Most of the older Rafi loyalists too had to go in for other options because of pressures from producers and the audience.
Still, the magic might have become dusty, but was far from being extinguished. Even in the late seventies, Rafi gave some master performances in films like Karz, Hum Kisise Kum Nahi, Amar Akbar Anthony and Sargam.
The last recording that Rafi ever did was for the movie Aas Paas. He passed away on the 31st of July, 1980 after having a massive heart attack. His death created shock waves throughout the nation and many could not believe that a veteran, a true talent was no longer there.
But for all those who miss him and missed his glory years, we have innumerable records and albums marking his genius and revel in something that can never be taken from us- his music and his magical voice.
December 29th, 2007 at 6:01 am
New Rafi with the exact voice of Rafi saab .it’s treu and incredble…
www.amarsinger.com a boy 25old DOSTI IMTEHAN LETI HAI verry veryy good feeling and voices,…
November 9th, 2007 at 8:30 am
What a stupid coment Shalinie, Rafi can never born again
November 8th, 2007 at 11:55 pm
The New Mohd Rafi Born…..look www.amarsinger.com this is a singer from Holland…you can listent up music and picture left Amar and right Sonu Nigam…the song en the feelings and the voices is veryy very good..
May 25th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
Indian music industry is a mosaic of some legends but there only one Rafi saheb who was sent by the goddess saraswati to sing and just to sing. He is immortal and we the genxt are not lucky enough to see Rafi saheb. REALLY ‘’ BHOLEGA DIL JIS DIN TUMHE VO DIN JINDAGI KA AAKHRI DIN HO GA
May 23rd, 2007 at 10:03 pm
New Rafi is Born in Holland….the Rafi voice and the power and feeling…
The best singer from hooland….Rafi stil agian…hE IS BETTER AND BETTER tHAN sONU nIGAM….www.naya-sitara.nl he’s name is Vipin Nanden
May 21st, 2007 at 4:51 pm
amithabji once said no doubt that rafi saab is a great singer but i will also respect him more for great human being
May 15th, 2007 at 9:10 pm
With due respect I would like to remind Mr. Pearl that there one and only one legend in our time and that is Mohd Rafi. No Tendulkar or Pataudi or Kapildev or any great singer in this world can be compared with this Godsent devine singer. He was a “choosen” one by God Himself. You can not compare sun, moon or Rafi Saab with anything in this universe.
-Raajkumar Akela
(09845124321)
May 13th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
East or West, Rafi Saheb is the best……..
May 12th, 2007 at 8:14 am
WE MUST THANK RAFI SAHAB BECAUSE WITHOUT HIM THE MOST DIFFICULT SONGS OF INDIAN CIMENA WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE. THE MUSIC DIRECTORS MADE SOME HSRDEST SONGS THINKING ONLY RAFI, NOT FOR KK OR MUKESH OR MANNA OR LATA OR ASHA. IF YOU EXAMINE, YOU WILL FIND THAT THE HARDEST OF HARDEST SONGS WERE SUNG BY RAFI. KISHORE HAD RELATIVELY EASY SONGS.
SO IF RAFI WAS NOT THERE, MAY BE WE COULD NOT HEAR THOSE MODT DIFFICULT YET BEAUTIFUL SONGS!!
May 7th, 2007 at 10:09 pm
according to manna dey mohd. rafi is no. one. most of the singers are using thier family name. anybody knows rafi saab’s famaily name?
May 7th, 2007 at 5:58 pm
if you wany to know who is mohd rafi liste to his songs like ek bangara gaye from film geni ki raah and aaj mousum from film loafer and ne sultana re from pyar ka mousum and aaja tojko pokari from geet even from neel kamal and ghum uttha ne ki liyiy from mere hozoor…and and and and ..
he is my favoirte he make me learn english and hindi pecouse of his voice .. i can give everybody more informatin about the lagend of all lagends ..you can be my friend all of you and this is my e.mail / shaherrooha@yahoo.com mohammed saiety …you welcome .
May 7th, 2007 at 5:46 pm
mohammed rafi forever . he is the top . no more motion no more talk . enough/ i am arabic muslem from libya jamahiriya
May 7th, 2007 at 5:31 pm
DEAR MUSIC LOVERS,
FORM IS TEMPERORY CLASS IS PERMANENT. FOR RAFI INSPITE OF THE TIDE TRYING TO GO AGAINST HIM IN THE 70S HE RETAINED HIS COMPOSURE AND SMILE. THANKS TO THE GREAT RAFIBAKTHS LIKE MADANMOHAN,LP FROM THE MDS AND NASSEER HUSSAIN AND MANMOHAN DESAI FROM THE PRODUCERS RAFI SIR ROSE LIKE PHOENIX IN THE LATE 70S WITH GOOD DOMINATION IN ALL THE MAJOR HITS AND THREATENED TO BLOW MANY ESTABLISHED N UPCOMING SINGERS.
BUT ALAS HE WAS TAKEN BY THE GOD WHO LOVED HIM THE MOST.
FOR THE MUSIC LOVERS RAFI HAS LEFT RECORD EVERGREEN SONGS TO CHERISH SURING THEIR LIFETIME.
May 5th, 2007 at 6:40 pm
no comparison should be made between mohd rafi and kk,
of course both have contributed a alot for hindi songs,
they have thier own way of singing.
its totall natural gift from thE ALMIGHTY.
OFcourse rafi has got good pleasnt voice compare to kk .
if kk trys to make good voice then also its not possible.
rafi has 100 % TALENTED GIFT from almighty. WHERE AS KISHORE TRY TO MAKE IT TO THE NATURAl but he never succeed in his attempt.
BUT NATURAL IS NATURAL.
AND ARTIFICIAL IS ARTIFICIAL.
let pure be pure . dont try to make it impure by jus adding something bad.
May 5th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
dear Saif,
Bengali’s like KK because KK was Bengali not because he was a good singer that is so true but i want from these people say that when u listen to Mohd Rafi songs because sometime I think that there can be some one better than Mohd Rafi because he was a human as we but when i listen his magic voice than I know that I am wrong.
dear Javifazi,
who want compare Sun light with Moon Light but when some one say that moon light is more powerful than Sun light I think we should say him that light u see on the moon it is Sun light,who is best MD?maybe will get SJ 20% Nausahnd 15%,Mandan Mohan 10% SD 5% and all 45%,when u ask who is the best actor?maybe the answer will be Mr Bachchan 40% Mr Dilip kummar 30% and all other 30%?but when u ask who is the best MALE back singer?there answer will be 99.9% and Lata ji 0.1% because there is no male voice to compare with Mohd rafi it mean Mohd Rafi 100%……………..
May 5th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
Dear….. RAFIANS…..
plz stop it here right now. no comparison.
May 4th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
we have nothing againest kk, actually he was a very good singer, but his fans trying to make him above mohd rafi (AUR YE HUMKO GANWARA NAHIN HAI) mohd rafi should get what he deserved,and he deserves to be no.1 and every body should accept this fact.
May 3rd, 2007 at 5:43 pm
I have say, everyone has said very insightful things about Mohammad Rafi. I am only 19 years old, but I had realized the magic and power of Mohammad Rafi’s voice several years ago. I sing as well and Mohammad Rafi has influenced me VERY MUCH. I cry whenever I hear “Oh Duniya ke Rakhwale” and of course “Aaj Purani” from the movie Aadmi. However, I believe that Kishore Kumar and Mohammad Rafi had a very friendly competition. I am Bengali myself and almost all of the Bengali people I have met favor Kishor over Rafi. However, you have to understand why these people would like Kishore Kumar so much. He was a very funny and talented person, a fresh face. However I have heard that if you go to the Kishore mansion, the first picture you will see is of Mohammad Rafi (I am not sure, I have only heard this). So, Kishore Kumar had a great amount of respect for him as well.
April 30th, 2007 at 6:55 pm
the so called sachin-afridi saga i presented only and only for those kishore fanatics who say kishore was better than rafi because rafi was trained. that’s why i mentioned sachin’s name as sachin is also trained and afridi is not, but afridi can’t be better than sachin ever. afridi can make 100 of 37 balls very quickly and then can be formless and quiet for months, kishore could also sing some hit songs in rapid fire but that 100 can’t make afridi a legend.
anyway that was only for kishore fans. i am not that asshole to compare rafi with kishore. if it hurts anyone, i am sorry. but let’s stop it here right now. no comparison.
April 30th, 2007 at 6:36 pm
THANKS TO MEHTAB FOR PRESENTING A NEW INFORMATION BEFORE US AND I AM SO SO HAPPY THAT I HAVE ATLEAST ONE THING THAT MATCHES WITH THE LEGEND OF ALL LEGEDARY SINGERS MOHAMMAD RAFI JI. I HAVE ALWAYS THOUGHT AND STILL THINK THAT ” O DUNIYA KE RAKHWALE…” IS PROBABLY THE HARDEST AND MOST OF THE MOST DIFFICULT SONG NOT ONLY IN INDIA BUT ALSO IN THE ENTIRE WORLD. AND ONLY RAFI COULD SING IT. AND THIS SONG IS MY TOP FAVOURITE. VERY CLOSE TO “DEKHI ZAMANE KI YAARI…” WHICH IS TO ME MOST SENTIMENTAL SONG IN NOT ONLY INDIA BUT ALSO IN WHOLE WORLD.
THE LEGEND ALSO TOPPED “O DUNIYA KE RAKHWALE…” AS HIS MOST FAVOURITE NUMBAR. WE HAVE SOMETHING COMMON ATLEAST!!! THAT’S A GREAT HONOUR FOR ME.
April 30th, 2007 at 6:23 pm
TO BINUS2000, MEHTAB AND OTHERS…
I AM NOT A STUPID TO COMPARE A LEGEND LIKE RAFI WITH SACHIN. THEY ARE FROM DIFFERENT FIELDS. AS FAR AS SACHIN-AFRIDI MATTER THAT I PRESENTED IS CONCERNED, I JUST SHOWED A SIMPLE EXAMPLE, NOT TO COMPARE RAFI WITH SACHIN, NOOOOOO WAYYYY!!!!! IF SACHIN CAN LOOSE FORM, THEN AFRIDI IS LOST FOREVER.
BRADMAN WAS ONLY A BATSMAN, SO IF YOU WANT REALLY TO COMPARE, COMPARE WITH GARY SOBERS WHO IS THE GREATEST ALLROUNDER OF ALL TIME.
RAFI WAS AN ALLROUNDER AS HE COULD SING ALL! BUT NO COMPARISON. RAFI WAS SOMETHING DIFFERENT. NO ONE CAN MATCH HIM.