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The immortal Rafi

Article from The Hindu Business Line. Contributed by Mohan Flora.

Shammi Kapoor hero-worshipped him, Dilip Kumar was grateful that “Rafi saab sang with so much emotion, that it lightened the burden on the actor during song sequences”.

On the evening of July 31, 1980, after recording a song for the J. Om Prakash film, Aas Paas, Mohammad Rafi asked music directors Laxmikant-Pyarelal if he could leave for home. This was an unusual request because Rafi was always the last to leave the recording session. Hours later, he suffered a heart attack and died.

Thus ended the remarkable 39-year career of the most famous and versatile playback singer of Hindi cinema that had generated a mind-blowing 25,000-odd songs. Rafi gave his melodious voice to hit and flop films, famous and ordinary music directors, best and worst actors. But he sang with the same gusto for all of them and it was no surprise that less talented actors like Joy Mukherjee and Biswajeet enjoyed an occasional hit film because of Rafi’s songs.

In the bitchy, backbiting film industry he remained above controversy, doing his work quietly, with dignity and attributing his success and fame to Allah. He had one minor disagreement with Lata Mangeshkar (she had several with stars, music directors and fellow playback singers) over some royalty issue. They did not sing together for some time. But he just shrugged it off and did not speak about it.

In fact, he spoke very little. Says Ameen Sayani, well-known broadcaster and music buff, “It was impossible to make him talk. He would not give interviews and was not comfortable talking about his profession where he was the greatest.”

Music directors fell over one another in praising Rafi’s dedication, greatness and more important, versatility. “Give him a ghazal, a bhajan, a qawwali, a soft solo or a boisterous masti number… Mohammad Rafi would put his heart and soul into it,” observed veteran music director Naushad, who was among those who gave a break to Rafi in the early 1940s.

It was Naushad who discovered the singer’s potential for higher notes. Early in his career, in films such as Dillagi, Mela and Anmol Ghadi, Rafi handled a number of popular songs in lower notes. Recollects Naushad, “Rafi saab had tremendous potential for the higher notes too and I used this talent of his in films like Deedar, Amar, Uran Khatola and most important, Baiju Bawara.”

Today, Rafi is more remembered for songs of this kind and no Rafi album is complete without Meri kahani bhoolnewale, Insaaaf ka mandir hain yeh Bhagwan ka ghar hain and O duniya ke rakhwale… Such versatility was possible because Rafi, the youngest of five brothers from an Amritsar family, despite parental objections, learnt classical music from Ustad Wahid Ali Khan and later Ustad Barkhat Ali Khan.

At a K.L. Saigal concert in Lahore, the power failed and Rafi, then 17, was roped in to sing a couple of songs to keep the restive audience quiet. Music director Shyam Sunder, who was in the audience, was impressed. Rafi got his first break in Hindi films in a Shyam Sunder film and his dream of working with Saigal was realised when Naushad gave him two lines to sing in the Saigal film, Shahjahan.

The Rafi-Naushad combination clicked in the 1946 hits, Anmol Ghadi and Jugnu where his duet with Noor Jehan, Yahan badla wafa ka… became the rage. This was the first time Rafi sang for Dilip Kumar. His popularity soared when he sang the immortal Husanlal Bhagatram tribute to Gandhiji after his assassination, Suno suno ae duniyawalon Bapuji ki amar kahani.

But the competition in those days was stiff. Raj Kapoor depended on Mukesh, Talat Mahmood was the preferred choice for Dilip Kumar and the classical songs went to Manna Dey. Yet Rafi created an impact with hit numbers in the films he sang. In 1952, Baiju Bawara became a major turning point in his career and thereafter, the famous Naushad-Dilip combination opted for Rafi.

This was the beginning of the golden era for Rafi, and he was now wooed by all music directors. S.D. Burman opted for Kishore Kumar to sing lively romantic songs for Dev Anand, but when it came to soulful melodies, such as Tere mere sapne, ab ek rang hain in Guide, he turned to Rafi. And believe it not, O.P. Nayyar chose Rafi to sing a classical number for Kishore Kumar in Raagini (Man moraa baawara).

Rafi did not mind singing for heroes, villains or comedians, as long as the songs were melodious and suited the situation. Some of his best songs were pictured on comedians such as Johny Walker (Pyaasa and Naya Daur) and Mehmood. He had a special rapport with top heroes such as Dilip Kumar. “Rafi saab sang with so much emotion, that it lightened the burden on the actor during song sequences,” observed the thespian.

Shammi Kapoor hero-worshipped Rafi, who first sang for him in the musical, Shama Parwana. “He was responsible for my success as the rebel star and dashing romantic hero,” recalls Kapoor. “Often Rafi saab instructed me on how I should perform in song sequences. During the shooting of Kashmir Ki Kali, I wanted to repeat the first lines of the theme song at the end of the number to create an impact. Rafi saab backed me and finally music director O.P. Nayyar agreed. “Such was the rapport between us that even if I was absent during some of the song recordings, nothing went wrong.”

At the same time, Rafi was aware of the fickleness of the industry and when he was eclipsed by the Kishore Kumar euphoria following the Aradhana days in the early 1970s, he did not show his hurt. That was the time when every musical director and star ran after Kishore Kumar. But Rafi was unperturbed and his dedication remained the same. Once while running a high temperature he recorded five songs in a day for Laxmikant-Pyarelal! Recalls Pyarelal, “He would bring thermos jugs filled with special tea spiced with almond, pista and elaichi, and pour out cups for us during recording. I never saw him in a bad mood.”

The gentleman that he was, he conveniently `forgot’ to remind producers for dues when a film did not do well. Rafi did not want his sons in the show business because he knew that singing talent cannot be inherited. He must have witnessed the struggles of Nitin Mukesh or Khalid Mahmood, sons of his colleagues Mukesh and Talat Mahmood. He gave his sons a sound education and set them up in business enterprises.

Twenty-five years after his death, some of his best songs continue to haunt music rasikas.

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50 Blog Comments to “The immortal Rafi”

  1. SYED ISMAIL JAMEEL says:

    RAFI SAAB IS SINGER BEYOND COMPARE…….NO COMPARISONS PLEASE.

  2. Riyazuddin Mohammed says:

    Want to hear the song which Rafi had to Sing and Kishore did.

    Come to me and I will show how to sing Kishores song in Great Maestro’s voice

  3. tt_great says:

    Gokuldas,

    Again same mistake ! ‘Teri ankon ke siva duniya mein raka kya ‘ are two different versions. Lata’s version is sad version. She sung it very well.
    Usually Sad versions are not popular.
    Kishore kumar’s version – Tum bin jaoo kahan was super duper hit than Rafi’s version, people loved his youthful voice .
    From one song we can not say person is greate or not.
    Lata’s contribution is matchless ! I rate all the singes on this earth only after LATA and ASHA.

  4. gokuldas kumar says:

    My salutations to all the great fans of Md. Rafi. To be a fan of Rafi saheb itself is indeed great in his/her life. It is a very great awakening in any music lover’s life.to be Rafi fan. Extremely well said by all of you great human beings above- that no other singer of this genius willl ever walk this earth again. That was creation by god just for once in the human race! In this context, there is a remark that comes to my mind ; what Great Einstein told about Mahathma Gandhiji: ” It is hard to believe that such a great man ever walked this earth once” . In similar words, I would say that it is hard to believe that such a singer ever lived in this world!
    It does not serve any purpose comparing Rafi shahib to any other singer, simply because all other famous singers had worshipped Rafi sahib. Even the great Lathaji could not match Rafi sahib in singing prowess in several of the songs that they had sung separately. Just one example is the duet’ Teri ankon ke siva duniya mein raka kya hein” Just study the Rafi and Latha versions and make a judgement. Rafi saheb has taken that song to great heights of melody, voice control’ His adas/sangath in this song have made this composition truly incomparable. I have heard many good singers trying to emulate this number of Rafi sahib. But alas, failing miserably to emulate that mood!
    We had great singers in Indian film industry,male and female – Yesudas, Kishore Kumar, Mannadey, SPB, PBS, Ghantasala, TMS, Lathaji, Ashaji, Janaki Amma, Susheeela Amma and several more. We bow before all these great singers. But, when it comes to RAFI SAHEB, he shines like a Venus in a dark sky inundated by millions of tiny stars! To me RAfi is just that.
    I congratulate those responsible for this web site. Let this serve to take the greatness of this singer to thousands of other music lovers who still have not understood Rafi saheb. Out Govt, and industry did not do enough for this great soul, when he lived. Although late, he should be confered with Bharath Ratna by the govt.
    Let his voice last as long as human race lasts.
    Gokuldas

  5. tt_great says:

    I want a lyrics for the song ‘Door rahakar na karo baat karib aazao’ picturized on Sadhana (shashi kapoor’s daughter and Naveen nischal)

  6. Mukesh gaur says:

    I found great information about great personality like rafi saab.i have seen some rare interviews of him.i never seen such innocense and humble person in my entire life.

  7. pranay india says:

    a very very heartfull thanks to this site as it is giving us rafi saab,a golden voice with a diamond edge

  8. Satyajit says:

    Hi to all Mohd. Rafi & Kishore kumar fans…
    Well… the best singer that India has ever produced besides Lataji is none other than mohammed rafi. You can certainly compare Rafi with Kishore.

    Take this simple test: Imagine Kishore singing Rafi’s songs and vice versa.

    I’m sure Rafi would have done justice to at least 75% of Kishore’s songs as compared to Kishore who would have hardly been able to sing only 25% of Rafi’s songs. There are other reasons as well… I’ll keep writing.

  9. Raajkumar Akela says:

    Really a person, I mean a melodious voice like Rafi saab’s can not die. he is evergreen and everlasting. his voice was the miracle of nature. once in an enterview someone asked rafi saab “rafi saab, aapo bolte huye bahut kam suna hai..” and he replied :meri awaz achhi nahi hai..: Again he was asked, “fir aap itna achha kaise gate hain ?” he replied “mai khud nahi janta,
    allah ka karam hai..” what a simplisity !

  10. altaf hussain says:

    MUHAMMAD RAFI – LIVE IN CONCERT

    Muhammad Rafi was an outstanding singer and one of the most influential playback singers that our part of the world has ever produced, a voice which captured millions of heart’s and whose songs touched all generations.

    This is the second time that I am going to comment about the master, who I had the privilege as a child to watch on stage at Bradford’s St George’s Hall, West Yorkshire [UK]. I actually grew up listening to his melodious voice as it soared all around me, whether I was watching a movie or listening to the radio set.

    There came a time in my life when I was just ten years old, that I got the chance of watching Muhammad Rafi [The Legend] live on stage and in person performing live to a captivated audience. I had to be forced to go by one of my family friends who had bought 2 tickets for us both, so he literally had to twist my arm into going with him.

    However whilst attending the gig I was totally baffled at what I had just experienced on stage, he was right ahead of me… yes Muhammad Rafi Sahab singing live. He kicked off the show with ‘Bari Door Se Aaye Hain’, followed by many of his recent hits and past famous songs such as ‘Hum Bekhudi Main Sanam’, ‘Parda Hai Parda’, ‘Hum To Chale Pardes’, ‘Kiya Hua Tera Vaada’, ‘Sar Par Topi Lal Rumal’, ‘O Duniya Ke Rakhwale’, ‘Punjabi track’, and some other hits.

    It’s been a long time now and for a ten year old it’s very hard to remember, but I never ever forgot that memorable night as some of it’s contents were captured onto one of those old movie cameras. Which were later distributed onto vhs tapes in the 80’s and sold for ridiculous high prices to anyone interested in buying a copy.

    My dear father bought himself a copy of that recording which I’ve watched innumerable times over the last 25 years or so, but my vhs tape is failing me now in 2007. So I am going to have it’s contents transferred onto dvd format, once I manage to grab myself a good machine… it’s been over 2 months now since my last post in December 2006, but would you believe it – I’m still looking for one.

    Once it’s been transferred entirely all onto dvd quality format, I can then distribute it by offering it to any buyers who will be interested in buying themselves a rare recording of the legendary Muhammad Rafi live in concert. Before all that I would like to put some clips on you tube first, just to give you a small little taste of what’s to come in the near future.

    You may email me whenever you have the time

    altaf786hussain@hotmail.co.uk

  11. irony80 says:

    ONLY A SENSELESS PERSON CAN COMPARE KISHORE WITH RAFI SAAB. WHAT ABOUT THE SOUTH INDIANS? WHY ALL PEOPLE SELECT RAFI TO COMPARE ANYONE? THATS BECAUSE RAFI IS THE ULTIMATE STANDARD. SOUTH INDIANS LOVE SP BALA AND MANY SAY THAT HE IS BETTER THAN RAFI AND MANY DONT EVEN CONSIDER KISHORE AS SINGER! BUT SP BALA SAID THAT HE WAS NOT EVEN HALF WAY CLOSE TO RAFI. ALL LOVE RAFI- THE TRUE SINGER- THE TRUE VOICE.

  12. sanjeevrajput says:

    HI YUSOOF AND VIJAY KUMAR—MY NAME IS SANJEEV AND I AM FROM BOMBAY IN INDIA,CURRENTLY LIVING IN CHENNAI(TAMIL NADU)–I, LIKE THE REST OF THE MILLIONS OF RAFIANS, AM A BIG FAN TOO.
    I AM A COLLECTOR OF RAFIS SONGS.I HAVE A HUGE COLLECTION OF RAFIS RARE SONGS AND SONGS SUNG IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES SUCH AS ENGLISH,ASSAMESE,KONKANI,TELUGU,KANNADA,GUJRATI,BENGALI,PUNJABI,MARATHI.
    ALSO I HAVE RAFIS GHAZALS AND BHAJANS AND AN MP3 OF ISLAMIC QUAWALIES.
    THIS MAIL IS IN REGARDS TO GETTING MORE SONGS TO UPDATE MY COLLECTION AND TRANSFER MINE TO ALL THE OTHER FANS WHO LOVE TO COLLECT RAFIS SONGS.
    I WANT THIS MESSAGE TO BE READ BY YUSOOF AND SPECIALLY VIJAY KUMAR WHO POSSESSES THE 12 CDS OF RAFIS LIVE PERFORMANCES AND A DVD TOO.MR. YUSOOF AND VIJAY KUMAR, PLEASE HELP ME TO GET YOUR COLLECTION BY MAILING ME AND ILL BE GLAD TO PAY FOR IT. MY EMAIL ID IS monty_ch2005@yahoo.com and my contact number is 09994146695.pls contact me as early as possible.

  13. unknow says:

    dear KK fans,
    The film maker they made around three films on Bhagat singh(maybe more)but the best is when mohd Rafi singed Ae Watan,Ae Watan,humko teri kasam and Kar Chale hum Fide who else can sing these songs,Please see all films on Bhagat Singh(I hope the u know Bhagat singh).
    Please listen to ” Jahan Dal Dal Pe chidiya”and there are many other songs on Bharat(India)If u listen these songs I think u will forget all singers jest u remmber only Mohd Rafi.I am not from bharat but when I listen this ” Jahan Dal Dal Pe chidiya” i feel that I am from bharat that is the magic of voice of Mohd Rafi.

  14. mohanflora says:

    Hindisong.com says:
    The music industry used to fondly say that Rafi could sing in just about any style and all those who have heard his songs will not dispute that statement. He was so versatile that he could easily adapt himself to the style of any music director. He could sing ghazals, qawallis, classical and folk tunes with equal panache. The songs are too many to be named but one very unforgettable number would be Suno suno re duniyawalon, Bapuji ki amar kahan” after the death of Mahatma Gandhi. Rafi’s voice brought forth to the masses the irreplaceable loss of the Mahatma and many spilled tears after hearing it.

    Rafi was not just a great singer but a wonderful human being too. He was known for his magnanimity and often sang for a very low fee to producers who could not afford his price. He sang for new music directors without show of any ego and never sabotaged the careers of any new singers. In 1965, the Indian Government conferred the prestigious Padma Shri on him. He breathed his last in the holy month of Ramzan. His friends confided that the Almighty must have decided to take back the deeply religious Rafi during the holy month. Indians, however, continue to mourn him.

  15. mohanflora says:

    Edited article from MusicNmovies site:

    Rafi Sahab had been nominated for 22 songs out of which he won 6. He was nominated for the first time for Chaudavin Ka Chand – Chaudavin Ka Chand (1960), which he won and last for Mere Dost Quissa – Dostana. The number (22) would have been much higher if Filmfare had started giving awards for the best playback before 1959. One more thing about filmfare awards. Till 1966 there was a single category called Best Playback Singer. It became Best Male and Best Female after 1966. So during the years from 1959 to 1966, apart from Mukesh’s 1 and Mahendra Kapoor’s 1 for all the other years when Rafi did not win filmfare it was Lata who got it. So that probably is yet another reason for less count as competition was even tougher.

    Chaudavin Ka Chand – Chaudavin Ka Chand (1960)
    Teri Pyaari Pyaari Surat – Sasural (1961)
    Chahunga Mein Tujeh – Dosti (1964)
    Baharon Phool Barasavo – Suraj (1966)
    Dil Ke Jharonke Mein – Brahmachari (1968)
    Kya Huva Tera Waada – Hum Kisise Kam Nahin (1977)

    Clearly Rafi was a great singer. He never cared about how much money he was going to get for a song. Rafi was a saint singer as he concentrated on song and not on the payment. But his songs are immortal and transcend the time.

    Rafi died on July 31, 1980 when a massive heart attack stuck the king of melody, which left his fans stunned and shocked. Several singers have tried to imitate Rafi’s style but there just can not be another Rafi. Rafi will live forever because of the rich heritage of songs that he has left behind for the music lovers who will remember him for years to come.

    Mohammad Rafi immortalised himself by singing a number of songs which still enliven our lives.

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  17. Anmol Singh says:

    Talking about Dilip Kumar’s picturization of the song “Madhuban Mein Radhika”, Naushad mentoined in his interview that Dilip Kumar has learnt to play Sitar for 6 months before the picturization of the song was to be shooted. When Naushad attending the shooting of the song, he observed that Dilip Kumar’s fingers were cut during the training for playing sitar for the song.

  18. rajiv dutta says:

    A wonderful website and all my goodwishes t you for keeping up the good work.sitting on a remote post on the the borders one survives on the immortal songs of rafi saab especially ‘zindagi ka saath nibhata chala gaya…..’ of the famous hum dono ..

  19. abukalam kazi says:

    i am very thankfull to web world to find my ideal singer website is there.And also thanks to develop my favoriute singer website. I am just 28 year old bachelor boy in modern life i like modern technology.but in entertainment worl i like hindi classical music especialy Md.Rafisab songs of 70`s & 80`s but i like sum greate qawwalies from them still i like to hear that kind style of singing

  20. Harshal says:

    Hi all
    I found this site from Google.com and i find it to be worth to have such a small but sweet biography of rafi.
    Few of my favourites are Kishorda and Manna DeyJi
    Its cool really

  21. Acharya Nitin says:

    It is a request who so ever get a chancve to listen to Rafi Saheb just try to observe the variations and range in his golden voice then only one can understand why he is so very great !!

  22. adnansajid says:

    when i was child i love to hear kishoreda songs i like his voice vry much as my age develop i slowly slipped to rafi saab songs now iam in 30s rafi is in my breathe now i found how much gr8 singer he was i really feel sorry for not listening his songs in my childhood
    i also adore lataji she was an living legend

  23. Derek Ramdass says:

    No other person of such exceptional singing calibre and carat will ever walk this world again!!!
    May Rafi saab continue to spread that joy in…eternal paradise

  24. Hikmat Bahadur Mali says:

    I am an ardent Rafi fan. I am a amateur singer also in mycountry. 90% of my practice is in Rafi’s songs. He is an institution in himself. With a few songs that I had recorded for Radio Nepal, some of them have been very popular. I give the credit to no one else dut to Rafi Saheb. I consider him as my GURU. His style, his emotions, his enunciation, his pronunciations are incomparable. Actually, there are no words to describe Rafi. He is immortal and will be with till this universe stays.

  25. Ehsan Ahmed says:

    I am very much thankful to the people who made this website. I like to thank these people from bottom of my heart.

    About Rafi sahab, I just want say one thing that no singer can compare with him in singing. and we cannot have another Rafi like him till the world last. A LEGEND AND a grate human being….. RAFI SAHAB

  26. naseem says:

    i am from a very small country called maldives. some of u guys may not know, but we are quite close to india.

    sometimes i quite feel jealous, and envy indians….well dont mind. its because u indians are reallu lucky that u are the natives of the nation where mohad rafi sahab hailed from….i think that gives enough reaon for indians to be proud. afterall, rafi sahab will always be regarded as the greatest singer ever…..i am a gr8888888888 fan of him, and his voice….we are from a smal country, we speak a different language, we have our own local singers. but we all maldivians simply love rafi sahab,. and his casstes and cds are very much in demand here…may Allah bless his soul

  27. naseem says:

    well said andy……there wasnt, and there will never be a another singer like rafi…….kishoreda might have ruled the 70’s, but rafi saab was too in demand even in that time…….rafi gave playback for bigb, vinod khanna, jeetendra, rajesh khanna, dharam, mithun…al in the 70’s

  28. andy lalchand says:

    Mohammad Rafi is the greatest playback singer in the film
    industry period……………………………………………………….
    who wants to argue.

  29. supriyo lahiry says:

    I agree with all of u. Rafisab was certainly one of the best singers of the world. The song Diwana hua badal is according to me one of the most melodious and romantic songs of hindi film music. I wonder why there are no sites from where one could download the favourite great old numbers free when thousands of English songs are available. If anyof u know of any such site for hindi and bengali songs please let me know. my id is supriyo_reetu@rediffmail.com.

  30. A.K. Arora says:

    I am a 47 yrs. old ordinary indian born in January 1959. I grew up in the times when Rafi sahab was at its peak. The most impressionable part of my life, when tv was a newly introduced luxury and radio the only source of entertainment for the common man, was spent listening to his immortal songs especially from films like Haqiqat, Aakashdeep, Patthar Ke Sanam, J Om Prakash movies, Shammi Kapoor and Dev Anand movies etc. With life moving on, I lost my father and my sister very untimely. I am very introvert and find solace in crying alone while listening to Rafi sahab’s songs. I am fortunate to be his contemporary. My greatest regret is not having been able to meet him in this life. My greatest wish is to meet Rafi Sahab when I die. God bless Rafi Sahab

  31. Khalid Rashid says:

    Hi Kamil Saab

    Yes you are right the world would be a better place if there were more people like Rafi saab but there is not because human beings like Rafi saab are very very hard to find.

    I mean does anyone know someone who will look down when he is speaking to you or that he will not raise his voice when speaking. I cannot find anyone like that nor have I come across anyone like him.

    Truely a legend once in a lifetime IMO

    Thanks

    Khalid Rashid
    UK

  32. Kamil Munir says:

    Mohammed Rafi, A miraculous tone of voice which will always remain Impassive, and not just that, what a great personality too…’The world would be a better place if there were more people like Mohammed Rafi’

    One of the greatest tunes ‘Tum mujhe yun, bhula na paaoge’ which is infact the truth in present living, his God gifted voice will never fade, “Simplicity Lasts Longer”.

    …May Allah’s blessings be upon you…

  33. Anmol Singh says:

    Dear Rafi Fans,

    I would like share some thing with you all.

    Referring to one of Naushad Saab’s interview in Jai Mala program, broadcast on Akashwani, Bombay on the eve of Rafi Saab’s 6th death anniversary in 1986. Naushad was mentioning about Rafi Saab’s reaction when he heard about Mukesh’s death in 1976. Rafi Saab felt very sad stating “Ek Achaa Saathi Chalaa Gayaa”. Immediately when the radio was switched on, one can guess which song was being played, “O Door Ke Musafir, Hum Ko Bhi Saath Lele, Hum Reh Gaye Akele”. It’s a very unfortunate coincidence, after 4 years in 1980 Rafi Saab passed away.

    Not much is know about Rafi Saab and Mukesh ji friendship. Perhaps both haven’t sung many songs together, compared to the Rafi-Kishore combination.

    Regards,
    Anmol Singh.
    Mumbai

  34. Prakash. S.A says:

    Rafi Sahib’s voice is indeed ‘God’s gift’ to enjoy the melodies which were sung from his soul. No one in this world can replace his voice. You can see his pictures his simplicity such a loving human being. May God be praised.

    Prakash S.A.
    Hyderabad-Deccan

  35. Usha L.G says:

    To all Rafi Fans,
    This is the best website of Legend Rafi Sahab which I liked very much and thrilled. I will be forwarding this to all my friends,relatives and contacts to make this website alive forever.
    No singer in the hindi film indusrty has made so much impact than Rafi sab and infact being female also I try and love to sing all the songs even if it is on a low pitch.
    Regarding the fans emotion on Anil Biswas who did not adjust to Rafi Gharaana I can only say that this gentleman Biswas was the greatest loser in not understanding the timbre range n tone of Rafi Sahab. Also some fans or critics were talking about R.D.Burman showing preference to Kishore is not true if you listen to all the songs of my favourite Rafi Sahab in Teesri Manzil,Pyar ka Mausam,Chote Nawab,Buuth Bangla,Mela,The Train,Adhikar,Raton ka Raja,Yaadon ki Baraat, Caravan,Hum kisise kum Nahin,Shaan,Phandebaaz,Kalia,and many more which worked out well for R,D.Burman. Some accuse that for Dharam also Manna da was used in Sholay n Seeta aur Geetha but at that time Rafi Sahab was regaling his innumerable fans in U.S.A,Canada and West Indies.
    Jagjit Singh again not liking the gharana cannot be true as he himself has openly paid homage to OUR GREATEST RAFI SAHAB IN THE LEGEND SPECIAL.Thatswhy I request fans to be judicious in their comments on our TOTALLY HUMBLE NON CONTRVERSIAL IDOL RAFI SAHAAB WHO MAKES EVERBODYS HEART SING…….

    USHA L.G COIMBATORE

  36. P.Narayanan says:

    Excellent website on my favourite legend Rafi sab which I was eanestly looking for. Infact Iam now settled in Bangalore after moving from Mumbai where I could attend Rafi sabs 3 lively programme during my school days. Iam now 49 yrs but Iam the crazy and Rafi maniac since the age of 8yrs . My first Rafi song heard was from the film Sasural Teri pyari pyari soorat ko…. In fact after the sad demise of Rafi sab we in Mumbai got together to form Rafi fan club in which Nalini Ramji, Ashish Bhushan, Bijoor and many of us started some activity but due to transfer,travel and other career could not continue.
    My humble request would be to get together in an organised way as there are many organisations who actively promote Rafi sabs legacy in several towns. Also we should implore upon the Govt to institute awards in Rafi sabs name in the country for talented singer in the film industry.
    Well done and Kudos to the team of Rafi sabs website.
    P.Narayanan Bangalore

  37. kashif sheraz says:

    tere anay kee aas hai dost…sham phir kyun udhas hai dost
    mehki mehki fiza..yeh kehti hai
    tu kahin aas paas hai dost…tu kahin aas paas hai dost

    Wah rafi sahab kiya baat thi aap kee! you will always be in our hearts

  38. Faiz Ahmed says:

    Rafi saab is not dead. who calls him dead is an idiot.how can he die if he is leaving in hearts of Rafi worshipper like me? The day my Grandpa died i listened to” Main zindagika saath nibhata chala gaya”.this is a damn good site.keep up the good work.

  39. Azhar- Sri Lanka says:

    Rafi saheb’s songs are immortal. You are entrenched in it from the first note and you are not tired listening to them over and over again. Some unexplainable transfomation takes place in you and when you leave his music you feel terribly home sick and the nostalgia yearns you to come back for more, more and more!

  40. Farukh Khan says:

    What I can say about a Musical man MD. rafi saheb who has enthralled all India with his tunes and left the rich legacy behind. I just love this man like anything.

  41. syed says:

    Shri Mohammed Rafi saab – “if the almighty wanted to have a voice of his own – he would have chosed Rafi Saab’s”……

  42. Ali Baluch says:

    No words to say how Mohd Rafi is great jest we can feel it.

  43. Khalid Rashid says:

    Rafi saab in one word GREATEST ever in my opinion.

    Khalid

  44. Khalid Rashid says:

    Rafi saab in on word GREATEST ever in my opinion.

    Khalid

  45. Venkatesh Bala says:

    Mohd. Rafi Sahab is the greatest playback singer to have graced the Indian music industry. I am an ardent Rafi fan for 31 years now (from the age of 14). It is 25 years since he passed away but his voice and songs are immortal. The songs of today do not live in the heart for even a few days but the great Rafi Sahab’s numbers can be heard hundreds of times and the pleasure is the same. May Rafi Sahab live in our hearts for ever!

  46. Sunpreet Singh(Johny) says:

    One of the greatest singer of all time.

  47. mahfooz says:

    mohd. rafi is life of music. Viaduct rafi music is Death.

  48. Ejaz Masood says:

    I’VE DISCOVERED THIS WEBSITE THRU GOOGLE.COM..& HAPPY TO KNOW ABOUT THE MUSIC MAESTRO. IM RAFI FAN AND RAFISAAB STILL SINGS FOR ME ‘TUM MUJHE YOUN BHULA NA PAO GE, JAB KABHI BHI SUNO_GE GEET MERE, SUN SUNG TUM BHI GUNGUNAO_GE. KEEP UP THIS GOOD WORK FOR RAFI FANS

  49. Debabrata Pani says:

    Hi, this is a really informative article.
    I am rafi-fan ! So much so that my alarm clock in the computer plays “Man rey tu kahe na dheer dharey” to wake me up !
    Keep up the real good work that you are doing and keep us, well, enlightened.

  50. MAHBOOB HUSSAIN says:

    IVE JUST DISCOVERD THIS WEBSITE AND IM VERY GRATEFULL THAT IM NOT THE ONLY RAFI FAN AROUND IN THIS DISCO/RAP ERA THERE ARE STILL THOUSANDS OF RAFI FANS STILL AROUND

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