Mohammad Rafi

Mohammad Rafi (born December 24, 1924, Kotla Sultan Singh, near Amritsar, Punjab, India—died July 31, 1980, Bombay (now Mumbai), Maharashtra) was a legendary Indian playback singer who recorded more than 25,000 film songs in a career spanning almost 40 years. He was known for his versatility and vocal range. While he is best known for his work in Bollywood, Rafi sang in several Indian languages other than Hindi, including his native Punjabi.

Early career

Rafi studied music with eminent Hindustani singer Chhote Gulam Ali Khan. He eventually came under the tutelage of composer and musical director Feroz Nizami. A public performance that Rafi gave in Lahore when he was about 15 proved to be a turning point in his life. In the audience was Shyam Sunder, an acclaimed composer who was impressed with Rafi’s talent and invited him to Bombay (now Mumbai) to sing in films. Rafi recorded his first song in Lahore for the Punjabi film Gul Baloch (1944). In Bombay his earliest recordings in Hindi were for films such as Gaon Ki Gori (1945; “Village Belle”), Samaj Ko Badal Dalo (1947; “Change This Society”), and Jugnu (1947; “Firefly”).

The composer Naushad recognized the budding singer’s potential and gave Rafi his first solo song assignment, “Tera Khilona Toota Balak” (“Your Toy Broke, Boy”) in Anmol Ghadi (1946; “Priceless Moment”), and later the song “Is Duniya Mein Ae Dilwalo” (“O Brave-Hearted, in This World”) in Dillagi (1949; “The Jest”), which proved to be a milestone in his singing career.

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Actors he sang for

Rafi voiced songs for many of the top stars of the day. His greatest gift was his ability to match his voice to the persona of the character played by the actor. Thus, he sounded the part for the romantic Dilip Kumar when he sang “Tere Husn Ki Kya Taarif Karun” (“In What Way Should I Praise Your Beauty?”) in Leader (1964), the soulful Guru Dutt in such songs as “Yeh Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaaye To Kya Hai” (“Even If One Gains the World”) in Pyaasa (1957; “Thirsty”), the irrepressible Shammi Kapoor singing “Yahoo” in Junglee (1961; “Wild” ), and even the mischievous Johnny Walker offering a “Tel Malish” (“Oil Massage”) in Pyaasa.

Duets with Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle

His duets with other leading playback singers of Hindi cinema were equally memorable and popular, none more so than those with Lata Mangeshkar and her sister Asha Bhosle. Rafi and Mangeshkar sang classics such as “Dil Pukare Aare Aare” (“My Heart Calls Out Again and Again”) in Jewel Thief (1967), “Chalo Dildar Chalo” (“Let’s Go, Beloved”) in Pakeezah (1972; “The Pure One”), and “Teri Bindiya Re” (“The Dot on Your Forehead”) in Abhimaan (1973; “Pride”). The two singers famously fell out over issues related to royalty payments and did not sing together from 1963 to 1967; the feud ended with the intervention of Bollywood composers of the time.

With Bhosle, Rafi delivered hit songs such as “Abhi Na Jao Chhod Kar” (“Please Don’t Leave Yet”) in Hum Dono (1961; “Both of Us”), “Dhal Gaya Din Ho Gayi Sham” (“The Day Has Ended and the Evening Is Here”) in Humjoli (1970; “Fellow”), and “Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko” (“You Have Stolen My Heart”) in Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973; “Procession of Memories”). A rare musical collaboration occurred on the soundtrack of the 1977 blockbuster Amar Akbar Anthony: Four of Bollywood’s most iconic voices (those of Rafi, Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar, and Mukesh) sang together in “Humko Tumse Ho Gaya Hai Pyar” (“I Have Fallen in Love with You”).

Versatility and later career

Rafi’s voice had a phenomenal range that composers such as S.D. Burman, Madan Mohan, O.P. Nayyar, and Shankar-Jaikishan explored to great advantage. His oeuvre included such classical songs as “Madhuban Mein Radhika Nache Re” (“Radha Danced in the Honey Gardens”) in Kohinoor (1960) and “O Duniya Ke Rakhwale” (“O Protector of the World”) in Baiju Bawra (1952) and such ghazals as “Suhani Raat Dhal Chuki” (“The Beautiful Night Has Ended”) in Dulari (1949) and “Chaudhvin Ka Chand” (“The Full Moon”) in the eponymous 1960 film. He rendered stirring patriotic songs, including “Jahan Daal Daal Par” (“Where on Every Branch”) in the 1965 film Sikandar-e-Azam (“Alexander the Great”), and such light numbers as the rock-and-roll-inspired “Aaja Aaja Main Hoon Pyaar Tera” (“Come, I Am Your Love”) in Teesri Manzil (1966; “Third Floor”).

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Rafi sang the qawwalis “Parda Hai Parda” (“There Are Veils”) in Amar Akbar Anthony and “Hai Agar Dushman Zamana” (“If This Age Is Your Enemy”) in Hum Kisise Kum Naheen (1977; “We Are No Less Than Anyone”). His romantic hits include “Badan Pe Sitare Lapete Huye” (“Your Body Is Wrapped In Stars”) from Prince (1969), “Aaj Mausam Bada Beimaan Hai” (“Today the Weather Is Very Seductive”) from Loafer (1973), and “Chand Mera Dil Chandni Ho Tum” (“My Heart Is the Moon and You Are the Moonlight”) from Hum Kisise Kum Naheen.

Rafi’s last recording was “Tu Kahin Aas Paas Hai Dost” (“You Are Close By, Friend”) for the 1981 film Aas Paas (“Close to Each Other”). In 1965 he was awarded the Padma Shri, one of the Indian government’s highest civilian honors. He won a National Film Award for the song “Kya Hua Tera Wada” (“What Happened to Your Promise?”) from Hum Kisise Kum Naheen and six Filmfare Awards. Rafi has been cited as an important influence by other singers such as Sonu Nigam and Udit Narayan.