The man with “single expression” and many voices…! Salute to his “Smile” and the “Golden Voice”…!
Today, 44 years after his death, he lives on eternally. His songs today are just as popular as they were during his lifetime.
Mohammad Rafi, born on December 24, 1924, in the village of Kotla Sultan Singh, Punjab, was in the family of Allah Rakhi and Haji Ali Mohammad, who ran a barbar shop.
His father, moved the family to Lahore, where Rafi’s inclination towards music began to take shape. Mimicking the fakirs and the melodies of the local musicians, Rafi’s talent was evident from a young age. His formal training in classical music came from esteemed teachers like Ustad Abdul Wahid Khan, Pandit Jiwan Lal Mattoo, and Firoze Nizami.
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Rafi’s career took off in Lahore, where he performed publicly at the age of 13. His playback singing debut came with the Punjabi film “Gul Baloch” in 1944, under the music direction of Shyam Sunder.
Mohammad Rafi’s association with Naushad began in the early 1940s when Rafi was just starting his career in the Hindi film industry. Naushad, already an established music director, recognized Rafi’s potential and provided him with the opportunity to sing in the film “Pehle Aap” in 1944, where he featured in three songs “Tum Dilli Main Aagre,” “Ek Baar Unhein Mila De,” and “Hindustan Ke Hum Hain Hindustan Humara.” However, it was the film “Anmol Ghadi” (1946) that truly marked the beginning of their professional relationship, with Rafi singing “Tera Khilauna Toota Baalak,” under Naushad’s baton.
The 1950s and 1960s are often referred to as the Golden Era of Hindi cinema, and the Rafi-Naushad duo played a significant role in defining the musical landscape of that time. Naushad’s compositions, deeply rooted in Indian classical and folk music, found the perfect vocal expression through Rafi’s versatile singing. The purity of Rafi’s voice complemented Naushad’s intricate melodies, creating songs that were rich in emotion and technical excellence.
Rafi’s versatility was unparalleled. He could adapt his voice to match the on-screen actor, making each song unique and memorable. His ability to sing in various languages and dialects only added to his appeal. The 1950s stand out as a defining decade in the illustrious career of Mohammad Rafi, one of the most revered playback singers in the history of Indian cinema. This era saw Rafi’s voice become the herald of a new musical age, his songs the anthem of a nation’s soul, and his talent the benchmark for generations to come.
The 50s
Rafi’s journey through the 1950s began with the consolidation of his position as a premier playback singer. His exceptional ability to adapt his voice to the persona of the on-screen actor made him the preferred choice for a range of leading men, from Dev Anand, Raj Kapoor, and Dilip Kumar to Ashok Kumar, Bharat Bhushan, and Pradeep Kumar. The versatility of his vocal expression allowed him to perform songs across genres, from the heartbreaking to the heartwarming, with equal finesse.
Rafi also worked closely with other maestros such as O.P. Nayyar, Shankar Jaikishan, S.D. Burman, Khayyam, and Ravi. Each collaboration brought out a different facet of Rafi’s musical genius, whether it was the playful romance of Nayyar’s compositions or the classical depth of Burman’s creations.
Some of his notable songs in the 1950s include “Suno Suno Ae Duniyawalo Bapu Ki Yeh Amar Kahani,” “Ye Zindagi Ke Mele,” “:Ek Dil Ke Tukde Hazaar Hue,” “Watan Ki Raah Mein,” “Suhani Raat Dhal Chuki,” “Bachpan Ke Din Bhula Na Dena,” “Hue Hum Jinke Liye Barbaad,” “Dil Mein Chhupa Ke Pyar Ka Toofan,” “Man Tarapat Hari Darshan ko Aaj,” “O Duniya Ke Rakhwale,” “Nanhe Munne Bachche Teri Mutthi,” “Devta Tum Ho Mera Sahara,” “Mohabbat Kar Lo Jee Bhar Lo,” Sun Sun Sun Sun Zalima,” “Insaaf Ka Mandir Hai Yeh,” “Hum Laaye Hain Toofan Se Kashti Nikaal Ke,” “Aaye Na Baalam Vaada Kar Ke,” “Jaane Kahan Mera Jigar Gaya Ji,” “Hamein Bhi De Do Sahara,” “Ramaiya Vastavaiya Ramaiya Vastavaiya,” “O Door Ke Musafir,” “O Le Ke Pehla Pehla Pyar,” “Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan,” “Chhun Chhun Karti Aayi Chidiya,” “Chal Ud Ja Re Panchhi,” “Zara Saamne Toh Aa O Chhaliye,” “Dukh Bhare Din Beete Re Bhaiya,” “Dil Deke Daga Denge,” “Saathi Haath Badhana,” “Saathi Haath Badhana,” “Yeh Desh Hai Veer Jawanon Ka,” “Jinhen Naaz Hai Hind Par Wo Kahan Hain,” “Sar Jo Tera Chakraye,” “Yeh Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaye To Kya Hai,” “Jawaniyan Yeh Mast Mast Bin Piye,” “Hum Bekhudi Mein Tumko Pukare Chale Gaye,” “Toote Huye Khwabon Ne,” “Ik Pardesi Mera Dil Le Gaya,” “Tu Hindu Banega Na Musalman Banega,” “Dil Deke Dekho Dil Deke Dekho,” “Hum Aur Tum Aur Ye Sama,” “Chand Sa Mukhda Kyon Sharmaya,” “Dekhi Zamane Ki Yaari Bichhde,” “Deewana Mastana Hua Dil,” “Saathi Na Koi Manzil,” “Yeh Hai Ishq Ishq,” “Zindagi Bhar Nahin Bhoolegi Woh Barsaat Ki Raat,” “Khoya Khoya Chaand Khula Aasman,” “Ai Mohabbat Zindabad,” and many more.
The 60s
Rafi’s career in the 1960s was marked by an unparalleled dominance in the playback singing industry. His voice was omnipresent, emanating from radio sets, gramophones, and cinema halls across the country. He was the voice behind the leading actors of the time; from the romantic hero Rajendra Kumar to the dynamic Shammi Kapoor, Rafi’s vocal versatility allowed him to sing for a diverse array of characters, making each song distinct and memorable.
The 1960s saw Rafi collaborate with a plethora of music directors who were redefining Indian film music. Working with legends like Shankar-Jaikishan, Madan Mohan, and Roshan, Rafi produced some of the most iconic songs of the century. His partnership with these composers resulted in a synergy that elevated the film music to new heights.
The 1960s were also the decade when Rafi became synonymous with romance. His songs captured the essence of love, longing, and heartbreak, resonating with the emotional landscape of the nation. Songs like “Teri Pyaari Pyaari Surat Ko” and “Baharon Phool Barsao” became anthems of love, etching Rafi’s voice into the collective memory of the country.
Rafi’s willingness to experiment with different genres and styles kept his music fresh and relevant. From classical masterpieces to peppy rock-and-roll numbers, Rafi’s experimental approach showcased his range and adaptability. His song “Aaja Aaja Main Hoon Pyaar Tera” from the film ‘Teesri Manzil’ is a prime example of his ability to blend traditional Indian music with modern trends.
Amidst the backdrop of post-independence India, Rafi’s patriotic songs stirred the nation’s spirit. His rendition of “Jahan Daal Daal Par” from the film ‘Sikandar-e-Azam’ (1965) became a symbol of national pride and is still revered as one of the most inspiring patriotic songs in Indian cinema.
The 70s
The 1970s saw the emergence of new musical styles and voices that transformed the Bollywood soundscape. Rafi faced stiff competition from the rising star Kishore Kumar, who became the preferred voice for the then superstar Rajesh Khanna and the emerging Amitabh Bachchan. Despite this, Rafi’s versatility and unparalleled talent ensured that he remained a formidable presence in the industry.
Throughout the 1970s, Rafi continued to work with a variety of music directors who had been integral to his success in the previous decades. His collaborations with composers like Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Madan Mohan, Kalyanji AanadJi, and R.D. Burman resulted in a number of hit songs that are cherished to this day. Rafi’s ability to adapt to the changing musical landscape while maintaining his unique style was evident in his work during this period.
Despite the competitive environment, the 1970s produced some of Rafi’s most iconic songs. Tracks like “Kya Hua Tera Wada” from the movie ‘Hum Kisise Kum Naheen’ (1977) showcased his enduring appeal. The song not only won him the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer but also reaffirmed his status as a singer capable of evoking deep emotions through his music.
Throughout his career, he was honored with numerous awards, including six Filmfare Awards, one National Film Award, and the prestigious Padma Shri in 1967. His Filmfare Nominated songs are “Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho, (Chaudhvin Ka Chand),” “”Teri Pyaari Pyaari Surat Ko (Sasural),” “Husnwale Tera Jawab Nahin (Gharana),” “Aye Gulbadan Aye Gulbadan (Professor),” “Mere Mehboob Tujhe (Mere Mehboob),” “Chahunga Main Tujhe (Dosti),” “Chhoo Lene Do Nazuk Hothon Ko (Kaajal),” “Baharo Phool Barsao (Suraj),” “Dil Ke Jharoke Mein (Brahmachari),” “Mein Gaaon Tum Sojaao (Brahmachari),” “Badi Mastani Hai (Jeene Ki Raah),” “Khilona Jaan Kar (Khilona),” “Hum Ko To Jaan Se Pyaari (Naina),” “Achha Hi Huva Dil Toot Gaya (Maa Bahen Aur Biwi),” “Kya Hua Tera Wada (Hum Kisise Kum Naheen),” “”Parda Hai Parda (Amar Akbar Anthony),” “Aadmi Musaafir Hai (Apnapan),” “Chalo Re Doli Uthao Kahaar (Jaani Dushman),” “Mere Dost Kissa Yeh (Dostana),” “”Dard-e-dil Dard-e-jigar (Karz),” and “Maine Poocha Chand Se (Abdullah).”
Rafi’s personal life was marked by love and responsibility. He married twice; his first marriage was to his cousin Bashira, but the partition of India in 1947 led to a tragic separation as she moved to Pakistan. Rafi then married Bilquis Bano, and together they had seven children. His family was his support system, and he was known to be a devoted family man.
Apart from singing, Rafi had a passion for playing badminton, carom, and flying kites. These hobbies reflected his playful nature and love for simple pleasures in life. He was also known for his philanthropy and often performed at charity events, reflecting his compassionate personality.
One of his notable controversy regarding royalty issues with fellow singer Lata Mangeshkar. However, he always maintained a dignified stance and resolved conflicts with grace. His son, Shahid Rafi, has often spoken out to protect his father’s legacy from any misrepresentation.
Even after his passing on July 31, 1980, Rafi’s legacy continues to live on. His songs have transcended time, still being celebrated and revered by music lovers around the world. Documentaries and biographies, such as ‘Mohammed Rafi – Golden Voice of the Silver Screen’ and ‘Dastaan-E-Rafi,’ have been dedicated to his life, showcasing the impact he had on the music industry.
Mohammad Rafi was not just a singer; he was an institution, an inspiration, and a voice that became the soundtrack of many lives. His contribution to Indian music is immeasurable, and his melodious journey will continue to inspire generations.
