Mohammed Rafi (Hindi: मोहम्मद रफ़ी,Urdu: محمد رفیع, December 24, 1924 - July 31, 1980) was one of the greatest Indian playback singers in Bollywood. Rafi still remains popular in India and in many other parts of the world with people of Indian origin. His voice is referred to as "the voice of god". He continues to inspire new Bollywood playback singers like Sonu Nigam, Mohammed Aziz, Shabbir Kumar and Anwar.
Here's a television advertisement that brings out the magic of Rafi Sahab. A BSNL ad that'd make every fan of Rafi Sahab smile.
Special thanks to Bina Ji and Satyendra Singh to have brought out the discussion about this ad. And thanks to Bharath Ganesh for help in video conversion.
OP Nayyar's music came stamped with his own, distinct class - the freshest brew of melody and rhythm, and probably the most innovative choice and use of instruments. Though the superficial listener might just associate him to the hoof-beats, the more ardent listener would smile contently whenever those Sarangi, Santoor, Sitar or even the Harmonium would cast a spell in those magical pre-ludes/interludes. And, discounting his occasional use of the other singers, there is no doubt about his choice of THE male voice for his songs. I guess Rafi Sahab not only sounded the freshest when singing for OPN, but also elicited an unmatched painful-romanticism (I do not know how else to describe the feeling in Aanchal mein sajaa lena kaliyan, Deewana Hua Baadal or Hai Duniya Usiki). In fact, one can go, and has gone, no ends to talk about these songs.
The native village of Mohammed Rafi near Amritsar is doing its bit to keep the memories of the legendary playback singer alive by developing a park to be named after him. As the 28th death anniversay of Rafi falls on Thursday, his village Kotla Sultan Singh remembers its greatest hero, whose name will always be among one of India's greatest singers.
"The village panchayat has given an acre of land near the main road for a park which is named after Mohd Rafi. We will also be putting up Rafi Sahab's statue over there," village sarpanch, Santokh Singh said.
Thanks Aseer for sending the link to the article. Shaava Shaava winner Sumeet Raghavan is planning to launch an album of Rafi sahab's songs as a tribute to his favorite singer:
The Shava Shava winner will cut an album of the late singer’s numbers
Actor-model-singer Sumeet Raghavan (Sarabhai vs Sarabhai), who emerged winner in the show Shaava Shaava judged by Karan Johar and Simi Garewal, now plans to launch an album as a tribute to the legendary singer Mohammed Rafi. “Yes, it’s my mission to record an album with some of my favourite Rafi numbers. Possibly, there could be duets too with the Shaava Shaava female contestants,” enthuses Sumeet who had actually given up hopes that he would ever win.
“Tell us about any incident that you would never forget, Mubarak Ji? Something that brings a smile to your face or brings tears to your eyes…”
“Andhere Chha Rahe Honge, Ke Bijli Kaundh Jayegi, I had just sung till this line from the song Kabhi Tanhaiyon Mein Yun from the film Hamari Yaad Aayegi when” - she paused for a moment to look at the anticipation in the faces in front of her – “the lights went off!” We laugh out loud; she smiles. “Gaane ka aisa asar kisine kabhi dekha nahi hoga,” she says with a twinkle in her eyes. Mubarak Begum chose something amusing over the myriad melancholic things that keep bothering her.
During the three days that I got to spend with her, there were talks about the difficult times and the uncertain future. But there was no resignation in those talks – only a glaring resolve. An acceptance of reality, an amnesia of an absolved past. She agreed for every interview I arranged, without even asking her. “No personal questions, no controversial questions.” She seemed not to be an interviewer’s delight. When asked about how her passion for singing evolved she says, “I never wanted to sing, I was forced to sing by my father.” She is not very happy either about the long walk at and even longer drive from the Shamshabad Airport. You ask her the questions, she gives you her answers. No frills.
