Mohammad Rafi, one of the legends of the historical Hindi Film Industry still has his impact on the music lovers. His voice continues to haunt us even today. After all, he has left behind a rich legacy of songs sung by him over 35 years.
His voice was so versatile that it suited any mood ranging from the boisterous to the melancholic.
In the 1960s, Rafi sang for Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, Shammi Kapoor, Rajendra Kumar, Johnny Walker, Sunil Dutt, Biswajeet, Joy Mukherjee, Dharmendra, Shashi Kapoor and Raaj Kumar! From the classical'Madhuban mein Radhika Nachi re' to the swinging'Aaja Aaja Main hoon Pyar Tera', from the soulful'Hum Bekhudi Mein Aapko Pukarein' to the comic'Sar jo Tera Chakraye', from the philosophical'Dekhi Zamaane ki Yaari' to the frivolous'Aiaiya Karoon Main Kya Sookoo Sookoo', he could sing anything!
Although Rafi worked with different music directors, the one who recognized and exploited his immense talent was Naushad. His first song for Naushad was Hindustan ke hum hain Hindustan hai hamara in the film Pehle Aap. The duo worked together to give hits such as Baiju Bawra and Mere Mehboob, to name a few. Rafi?s other fruitful partnership was with S D Burman are Kagaz Ke Phool, Guide, Tere Ghar Ke Samne and Pyaasa.
Rafi has sung some of the best songs for heroes under the influence of alcohol like 'Din Dhal Jaaye' in Guide(1965) and 'Choo Lenedo Nazuk Hothon ko' in Kajal(1965) without touching the alcohol himself! Aradhana(1969) turned out to be another great movie where Rafi sang for the baton of Naushad and S.D. Burman great hit Aradhana(1969).
Rafi was displaced by Kishore Kumar in the early seventies but Rafi made a grand comeback with the Nasir Hussain musical Hum Kissi se Kum Nahin(1977)and Amar Akbar Anthonythe same year even winning the National Award for Kya Hua Tera Vaadaa for the former.
His last song was Tu kahin aas paas hai dost for Laxmikant Pyarelal in the film Aas Paas. He passed away on July 31, 1980. His immortality is vouched for by the fact that even almost two decades after his death, his popularity remains intact.
1)Kya Hua Tera Wada(HKKN)' Film Fare Award 1977.
2)Dil Ke Jharoke Mein Tujko Bithakar -(Brahmachari)- Film Fare Award1967
3)Baharon Phool Barsaao -(Suraj) -Film Fare Award 1966.
4)Chahunga Main Tujhe -(Dosti)-Filmfare Awards 1964
5)Chasme Baddor -(Sasuraal);-Filmfare Awards 1961.
6)Chaudvin Ka Chand -(Chaudvin Ka Chand)-Filmfare Awards 1960.
7)Dil Ka Bhanwar Kare Pukaar; Pyarka Raag Suno-(Tere Ghar Ke Saamne);music by S.D.Burman. Voice was lent to DevSahaab.
*8) Teri Pyaari Pyaari Surat Ko Kisiki Nazar na lage;Chashme-Badoor
(Sasural);-composed by Shanker-Jaikishen.; for RajendraKumar.*
*9)Na Tu Zameen Ke LiyeNa Tu Zameen Ke Liye
Hai Na Aasman Ke Liye
Tera Wajood Hai
Tera Wajood Hai
Ab Daastan Ke Liye;-(Daastan) for DilipSaahab.*
10)Abhee naa jaao chhodakar;(Hum Dono); sung for DevSaahab.
11)Maine Puchha Chand Se Ke;(Abdullah) for Sanjay.
12)Bekhudi Mein Sanam;-(Haseena Maan Jayegi); for ShashiKapoor.
13)Chhoo Lene Do Nazuk Hontonko(Kajal); for RaajKumar
*14)Ehesaan Tera Hoga Mujh Par;-(Junglee) sung for Shammikapoor; also for
saraBanu same somg sung by Lata.Music=S.J.*
*15)Yeh Mera Prem Patra Padh Kar; ke Tum Naraz na Hona;(Sangam) sung for
Rajendra Kumar.Music=S.J.*
16)Mujhe Teri Mohabbat Ka;-(Aap Aaye Bahaar Aayi)
17)Aaja Tujeh Ko Pukaare Mera Pyaar);-Neel Kamal.For Raajkumar.
*18)Chaudvin Ka Chand Ho, Ya Aaftaab Ho;-(Chaudvin Ka Chand); it was for
Waheeda Rehaman; sung by GuruDutt!Music=Ravi.
*19)O Hasina Zulfon Vaali Jane jahan.-(Teessri Manzil). R.D.Burman(son of
SDBurman). sung for ShammiKapoor.
*20)Gun guna rahe hain bhanwar; Khil rahee hai kali kali;(Aaradhana);sung for
Kaaka; music by S.D.Burman.*
There are many many more songs which can be remembered even after 25 years of sad demise of RafiSahaab!
Like this Jahan Daal Daal Par Sone(Sikander-E-Azam);
Nain lad Jaihen(Ganga Jamuna);Kisko Pyar Karun(Tumse Achha Kaun Hai);
Maang Ke Saath Tumhara(Naya Daur);
Nache Man Mora Magan[classic;nobody could sing] of'Meri Surat Teri Aankhen'
Akele Akele Kahan Ja Rahe Ho(An Evening in Paris);
Patthar Ke Sanam Tujeh(Pathar Ke Sanam);Ay Phoolon Ki Rani;Baharoki Malika(Aarzoo);
Nanhe Mune Bache Teri Muti Mein(Boot Polish);Tum mujhe yun bhula na paoge(Pagla Kahi Ka);
Bahut Shukriya Badi.(Ek Musafir Ek Haseena);Badan Pe Sitaare(Prince)and the list is endless! Rafi Saahab had sung the songs which will be remembered for ever.!
