Written By: H.A.K. Walijah

Rafi Sahab with Naushad and Shakeel

The Hindi Film Industry has produced many stalwart lyricists / poets and those lyricists gave their best output, (meaningful and soulful) lyrics to the compositions of the well known music directors. The list of lyricists is very long, but to cut short, a few got name, fame and popularity at the same time.  In the gamut of filmy poets/lyricists I could remember three famous poets / lyricists of Hindi Film Music made their work to speak for ages – Shakeel Badayuni, Sahir Ludhianvi and Majrooh Sultanpuri.  I would like to focus on the association of Shakeel Badayuni with Rafi Saab where the eternal singer had rendered the most famous, lovable and easy to hum of those songs written by Shakeel Badayuni which had achieved enormous popularity in yesteryears. Shakeel Badayuni was elder to both Naushad Saab and Rafi Saab, three and eight years respectively. (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 Mahender Singh

Mohd Rafi

I have been associated this divine voice of our beloved Mohammad Rafi Sahab since my childhood. My father was an ardent fan of the legend. The day Rafi sahib bid adieu to this world, I was an 8 years old child, and saw my father crying first time in my life. I grew up listening to Rafi sahab’s voice every now and then. I remember after my father passed away, my grand father used to stay with us. (more…)

Shared by Saiyed Farooq Jamal

Read what Shammi Kapoor, Johnny Walker, Dilip Kumar, Devanand, Dharmendra, Jeetendra, Kishore Kumar and Rajesh Khanna have to say about Rafi Sahab. The language in the graphic is Hindi. For the benefit of fans who do not understand Hindi, I request some of our Hindi knowing fans can translate these in their comments.

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By Sanjeev Kumar Dixit

Photo of RAFI SAHAB in his schooll

I think that I am a luckiest person on this earth because I got the fortunate to visit “KOTLA SULTAN SINGH, AMRITSAR”, the birth place of our beloved “Rafi Sahab”. My this visit became possible only because of the blessings of “RAFI SAHAB”.

In the morning of 15^th October I reached AMRITSAR from LUCKNOW by “Punjab mail(3005)”. From there I reached to MAJITHA TOWN Siavara (20 km from Amritsar) by a bus and from there I went to village “KOTLA SULTAN SINGH (5 KM from Majitha town) by same bus fortunately. (more…)

By Souvik Chatterji

Mohd Rafi and Johnny Walker

Rafi had a huge contribution in the success of Johnny Walker, the elegant comedian of the 50s and 60s. Most of the songs sung by Rafi for Johnny Walker were hits and caught public attention. Rafi even imitated the style of dialogue delivery of Johnny Walker. Johnny Walker acted both in lead roles in notable films as well as supporting roles in hit films of stars like Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, Guru Dutt, Dev Anand, and others and the different composers who composed music in those films including OP Nayyar, Shankar Jaikishan, SD Burman, Salil Choudhury, Ravi, Naushad, Dattaram, Laxmikant Pyarellal and others composed catchy songs of Rafi which were picturised on the legendary comedian. (more…)

by: H.A.K. Walijah

Mohd Rafi with Sonik Omi

Bhoolega Dil Jis Din Tumhe, Woh Din Zindagi Ka Aakhri Din Hoga….. Kya Hua Tera Wada”. Even today all  Rafi fans dedicate these heart-stirring lines to the only singer whose immortality can be vouched for. Almost three decades have been passed after his sad demise and yet his popularity and fan-following remain intact. Mohammed Rafi was an Indian playback singer whose career spanned four decades and is one of the most prolific and versatile male singers in the history of Indian cinema.  Rafi had rendered in his long and distinguished career as the leading playback singer in Hindi Film Music. Rafi had a mastery over all genres of songs. No raga was beyond his reach and no emotion was left untouched. Rafi has left behind a rich legacy of songs sung by him over more than 30 years and he has been a great inspiration to a large bunch of singers. Magical singers like Rafi are one in a million. He was not only a valley of talent but also a very good person by heart. (more…)

From Binu Nair

SJ Musical Evening

THE RAFI FOUNDATION WILL CELEBRATE THE MUSIC OF SHANKAR-JAIKISHAN and the birth anniversary  of flamboyant JAIKISHAN with a live musical function at Mumbai’s Dinanath Hall, VILE PARLE on Nov 13.

Recently there was a comment in the Face-book that SHANKAR-JAIKISHAN were lucky as they had the golden voice of  MOHD RAFI to back up their creative creations. I would venture to add the names of  Lata Mangeshkar, Mukesh and Manna Dey to the list.

The foursome were the pillars of the SHANKAR-JAIKISHAN music station. Hence, wehave four singers lined up for the musical evening who will present the above legends evergreen and great songs. (more…)