by: J.K. Bhagchandani

Book writing is a serious business. And if the book is about a person who left this world more than 35 years ago, the task becomes all the more tedious as the references and contact persons of that time become fewer and hard to locate. But this tediousness of the task cannot be a reason for populating the book with inaccuracies, half-truths, flawed interpretations and biased narrations of the events of that time. The writer has the responsibility of providing truths as happened with positive focus on the person the book is intended to be written about. The latest book on Mohd. Rafi saab in Hindi “Mohd. Rafi- Wo Jab Yaad Aaye Bahut Yaad Aaye” is a prime example of such distortions. Many portions of the book are defamatory in nature, demeaning to Rafi saab. Like in many such instances, capturing publicity by such devoid-of-truth-writings seems to be the main rationale for such indulgence. (more…)

By Swaminathan Rajan

As per a blog in the internet, Naushad Ali ji, when asked the question about Mohd Rafi, he said Rafi Sahab was his most favorite singer. When the press reporter asked him the reason Naushad said for a playback singer 7 essential qualities are necessary and Rafi possessed an 8th quality too which was rare for a playback singer. (more…)

By Achal Rangaswamy

Rafi Sahab lives on, fresh as ever, in our hearts and our lives.

The testimony to this fact is:

1. Take the names of most Tv serials and you’ll find a large number of Rafi Sahab’s songs as the title.
2. Look at TV commercials and listen to the jingle. Whether it’s for a car lubricant or for cosmetic product, Songs made famous by Rafi Sahab play along, reminding us of the beautiful moments in our lives.
3. Listen to conversations between friends or colleagues and you’ll immediately spot a sprinkling of hit songs of Rafi Sahab.

(more…)

By Souvik Chatterjee

Music lovers all across the world remember, the unforgettable musical maestro Mohd Rafi, on his birth anniversary on 24^th December, 2015. He had died in 1980 and 35 years passed after his death. Yet he had created an everlasting appeal during his 35 years illustrious career which has not faded away at all. (more…)

By Swaminathan Rajan

As a kid I used to be fascinated by the title credits in movies (still am, though a tad irritated that it comes in the end, when everyone is walking out, blocking the view). Well, many title credits had tunes of the songs of the film. And I guess in some cases, the producer and/or director were so enamored with the songs, that the whole song used to be played in the title credits. (more…)

By Mr. Biman Baruah

(Wishing Happy Birthday to Rishi Kapoor Sahab with voice of Rafi Sahab)

Mohammed Rafi is the only singer peers of Hindi Cinema and Kapoor ancestors play a very significant role in Indian Cinema for last four generations starting from their commandant Prithviraj Kapoor to present heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor. Mohammed Rafi Sahab shaped intelligence of legitimate playback singing in Hindi Film Music with his widespread voice and great transforming quality in his voice. He is the first ever singer who eliminated the distance between acting and playback singing in Hindi Film. (more…)

By Dr Souvik Chatterji

Chitragupt gave very melodious tunes in the 50s and 60s and as most of his songs were sung by legend of legends Rafisahab, the songs became immortal after creation. Just because the world of music in 1960s was dominated by giants like Naushad Ali, Shankar Jaikishan, Roshanlal Nagrath, Madanmohan Kohli, less known composers like Chitragupt did not receive the recognition he deserved. (more…)

By Col Harish Puri (Retd). This article is originally published here.

Had the man lived, he would have turned 90 today. As it turned out, he died at the relatively young age of 56. Hell, today I myself am a full six years older than he was when he died.

But wait, I’m getting ahead of myself. (more…)