On the anniversary of Mohammed Rafi Sahab’s passing, it is evident that he played a significant role in the most successful works of many composers
By: Dr Souvik Chatterji
Mohammed Rafi Sahab is remembered all over the world on his death anniversary on 31st July 2023. Every music director and composer between 1940s to 1970s rose to fame due to their association with Rafisahab.
Mohammed Rafi Sahab is remembered all over the world on his death anniversary on 31st July 2023. Every music director and composer between 1940s to 1970s rose to fame due to their association with Rafisahab.
Naushad Ali Sahab’s greatest hit song was “O Duniya Ke Rakhwale” in the film Baiju Bawra sung by Rafisahab in 1952. Bharat Bhushanji gave lips in the cult song. Incidentally Naushad Alisahab received filmfare award once in 1953 for the film Baiju Bawra.
Naushad sahib received BFJA (Bengal Film Journalists’ Association) Award for Dilip Kumar film music in Ganga Jumna. Mohammed Rafi Sahab sang landmark songs like “Nain Lad Jaihe Toh Manawama“, “O Chalia Re Chalia Re Man Mei Hamaar” to name a few.
Shankar Jaikishan Sahab received 9 filmfare awards. Out of that they received filmfare award in film Dil Apna Aur Preet Parayi with lead role of Raj Kumar Sahab in 1961 due to Mohammed Rafi song “Jane Kahan Gaye“.
In 1963 SJ received filmfare award in film Professor. There were many landmarks songs of Mohammed Rafi Sahab for Shammi Kapoor Ji like Awaaz Deke Humen Tum Bulayo, Ae Gulbadan Ae Gulbadan, to name a few.
In 1967 SJ received filmfare award in Rajender Kumar film Suraj. Mohammed Rafi Sahab sang many landmark songs like Baharon Phool Barsao, Itna Hai Tumse Pyar Mujhe, Kaise Samjhayun, Gustaqi Maaf to name a few.
Mohammed Rafi Sahab won best Filmfare male playback singer award for Rajender Kumar film Sasural for the song Teri Pyari Pyari Surat Ko composed by Shankar Jaikishan Sahab.
The biggest hit song composed by Shankar Jaikishan Ji was Ki Tum Naraaz Na Hona in film Sangam sung by Rafi Sahab for Rajender Kumar Sahab.
Roshanlal Nagrath Sahab received Filmfare award for Pradeep Kumar film Taj Mahal in 1964. Rafi Sahab many landmark songs like Jo Waada Kiya Vo, Jo Baat Tujh Me Hai, Paon Chu Lene Do to name a few in the film.
Mohammed Rafi Sahab received Sur Singer award in 1964 for Pradip Kumar film Chitralekha. The music director was Roshan Sahab and song was Mana Re Tu Kahe Na Dheer Dhare. This is the biggest hit song of Roshan Sahab, where Pradip Kumar Sahab gave lips.
Omkar Prasad Nayyar (O.P.Nayyar) Sahab received Filmfare award in 1958 for Dilip Kumar film Naya Daur. Mohammed Rafi Sahab sang many landmark songs in the film like Uden Jab Jab Zulfen Teri, Maang Ke Saath Tumhara, Aana Hai Toh Aa, Saathi Haath Badhana to name a few.
The biggest hit song composed by O.P.Nayyar Sahab was Pukarta Chala Hoon Mai sung by Rafi Sahab in 1965 where Biswajit Ji gave lips.
Salil Choudhury Sahab received Filmfare award in 1959 for Dilip Kumar film Madhumati. Mohammed Rafi Sahab sang the landmark song Tute Hue Khwabon Mein and Jangal Mein Mor Nacha in the film.
Ravi Shankar Sharma Sahab received Filmfare award in 1962 for Rajender Kumar film Gharana. Rafi Sahab sang the landmark song Husnwale Tera Jawab Nahi. Rafi Sahab also won best male playback singer award for the song Chaudavin Ka Chand composed by Ravi Sahab in Guru Dutt film Chaudavin Ka Chand.
The biggest hit song of Ravi Shankar Sharma Ji for Mohammed Rafi Sahab was Chaudavi Ka Chand Ho in film Chaudavi Ka Chand where Guru Dutt Sahab gave lips.
Madan Mohan Sahab received national award for Sanjeev Kumar film Dastak in 1970. Rafisahab sang the song Tumse Kahoon Ek Baat.
The biggest hit song composed by Madan Mohan Sahab for Rafi Sahab included Kar Chale Hum Fida Jaan-o-tan Saathiyon in film Haqeekat in 1964.
Laxmikant Pyarellalji received filmfare award in film Dosti in 1965. Rafi Sahab sang landmark songs like Chahunga Mai Tujhe, Rahi Manwa Dukh Ki Chinta, Koi Jab Raah Na Paye. Mohammed Rafi Sahab won best male playback singer award for the song Chahunga Mein Tujhe.
Rafi Sahab received national award in Rishi Kapoor film Hum Kisi Se Kam Nahin. The song was “Kya Hua Tera Wada” composed by R.D.Burman Sahab.
Khayyam Sahab shot to fame with Rafi Sahab song Jaane Kya Dhoondti Rehti Yeh Ankhe Mujh Mein in film Shola Aur Shabnam. Jaidev Sahab rose to fame with Rafi Sahab song Mai Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala Gaya in film Hum Dono. Chitragupt Ji rose to fame with Rafi Sahab song Chal Ud Jaa Re Panchi in film Bhabhi.
Kalyan Ji Anand Ji rose to fame with Rafi Sahab song Pardesiyon Se Na Ankhiya Milana in film Jab Jab Jab Phool Khilen. Ghulam Mohammad Sahab rose to fame with Rafi Sahab song Chalo Dildar Chalo in film Pakeezah. Iqbal Qureshi Sahib rose to fame with Mohammed Rafi Sahab song Subah Na Ayi in film Cha Cha Cha. GS Kohli Sahab rose to fame with Rafi Sahab song Agar Mai Puchu Jawab Doge in film Shikari. Sonik Omi Sahib rose to fame with Rafi Sahab song Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya in film Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya. Usha Khanna Ji rose to fame with Mohammed Rafi Sahab song Dil Deke Dekho in film Dil Deke Dekho.
Mohammed Rafi Sahab‘s Baharon Phool Barsao was voted the most popular Hindi song in a BBC Asia Network poll commemorating 100 years of Hindi Cinema.
In a CNN-IBN survey in 2013, Mohammed Rafi was voted the greatest voice of Hindi Cinema.
In 2001, Rafi was named as the “best singer of the millennium” by Hero Honda and Stardust magazine.
Mohammed Rafi Sahab’s films and songs require restoration.
Thans Azadji Rafisahab truly deserved Bharat Ratna.
Today on the 43rd anniversary of Mohammed Rafi Sahab’s death, a site has been launched to collect 2.5 million signatures to award Bharat Ratna to him. The site is called: http://www.bharatratnaforrafisahab.com