Mohammed Rafi

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Mohammed Rafi
Mohammed Rafi
Background information
Born	December 24, 1924
Origin	Kotla Sultanpur, Punjab, British India
Died	July 31, 1980 (aged 55)
Genre(s)	Hindi and Regional Playback
Occupation(s)	Singer
Instrument(s)	Vocalist
Years active	1944–1980

Mohammed Rafi (Hindi: मोहम्मद रफ़ी, Urdu: محمد رفیع, December 24, 1924 – July 31, 1980) was a popular Indian playback singer. He sang in many Indian languages, including Hindi, Urdu,Punjabi, Marathi and Telugu, but he is primarily remembered for his songs from Hindi cinema (also known as Bollywood). His songs are very popular in the Indian subcontinent and also amongst the emigrant Indians globally. Along with Mukesh and Kishore Kumar, he was one of the three leading male Bollywood playback singers from the 1950s to the 1970s.

1 Early days
2 Initial days in Bombay
3 Rise to fame
4 Last years
5 After death
6 Awards
7 References
8 External links

[edit] Early days

Mohammed Rafi was born at Kotla Sultan Singh (or Kotla Sultanpur), a town near Amritsar in Punjab (British India). His father was Hajji Ali Mohammad, and he had five older brothers.^[1] Rafi, whose nickname was Pheeko, started singing by imitating chants of a fakir in his village.^[1] In 1935-36, Rafi's father shifted to Lahore, and the rest of the family followed later. Rafi's family managed a men's salon in Lahore's Noor Mohalla.^[2] His elder brother-in-law Mohammed Hameed was aware of Rafi's love for music and encouraged it. Rafi learnt Hindustani classical music from Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Ustad Abdul Wahid Khan, Pandit Jiwanlal Matto and Firoze Nizami.^[3]^[4]

One day Rafi and his brother-in-law Hameed went to attend a performance by K. L. Saigal. But the legendary singer refused to sing because there was a power failure at the venue. Hameed went up to the organizer to ask whether his brother-in-law could sing to keep the audience quiet. That was Rafi's first public performance, at the age of 13.^[3]

Rafi was noted by the composer Shyam Sunder, who gave him a chance to sing a duet Soniye nee, Heeriye nee with Zeenat Begum, in the Punjabi film Gul Baloch in 1942 (the film was released in 1944).^[5] Rafi was also invited by the Lahore radio station to be a permanent singer with them.^[6]

[edit] Initial days in Bombay

1944, Rafi decided to move to Bombay (now Mumbai). He was introduced to some leading film producers such as Abdul Rashid Kardar, Mehboob Khan and actor-director Nazeer by Tanvir Naqvi.^[2] He contacted the famous music director Naushad with a letter of recommendation from someone. Initially, Naushad used Rafi as part of a chorus. Rafi's first song with Naushad was Hindustan ke hum hain with Shyam Kumar, Alauddin and others, from A. R. Kardar's Pehle Aap (1944). Around the same time, Rafi recorded another song for the film Gaon ki Gori (1944) for the composer Shyam Sunder, Aji dil ho kaaboo mein with G. M. Durrani and chorus. He considered this song as his first Hindi language song.^[6] In 1945, Rafi got married to his cousin Bashira, nicknamed "Majhi", in his village.^[1]

In 1945, Rafi also appeared on the screen for the song "Tera Jalwa Jis Ne Dekha" in the film Laila Majnu.^[6] He sang a number of songs for Naushad as part of a chorus, including "Mere sapnon ki rani, Roohi Roohi" with K. L. Saigal from the film Shahjahan (1946). Rafi was first noted for the song Tera Khilona Toota Balak from Mehboob Khan's Anmol Ghadi (1946). His duet with Noor Jehan in the film Jugnu 1947, Yahan Badla Wafa Ka became a hit song.

In 1948, Rafi was also noted for the song Suno Suno Aye Duniya Walon Bapuji Ki Amar Kahani, written by Rajendra Krishan. He was invited by the Indian Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, to sing at the latter's house. In 1948, Rafi received a silver medal from Nehru on the Indian Independence Day. In 1949, Rafi was given solo songs by music directors such as Naushad (Chandni Raat, Dillagi and Dulari), Shyam Sunder (Bazaar) and Husnalal Bhagatram (Meena Bazaar).

[edit] Rise to fame

Rafi established himself as the number one playback singer in Bollywood with the songs of Baiju Bawra (1952).^[6] The songs from Baiju Bawra, O duniya ke rakhwale and Man tarpat Hari darshan ko aaj established Rafi's credentials.^[5] The newly-started radio program Binaca Geetmala also played the songs, leading to an increase in their popularity. It is said that Talat Mahmood used to be Naushad's favorite singer. Talat had planned a three month tour to Europe and despite repeated requests to cancel the trip went ahead. Making the songs to be recorded to wait meant delayed release. He hired Rafi to sing for Baiju Bawra^{[citation needed]}. By the time Talat came back from Europe, Rafi was a phenomenon.Later, Naushad started using Rafi as the male voice in almost every song composed by him. Rafi sang a total of 149 songs (81 of them solo) for Naushad.^[7]

In 1950s and 1960s, Rafi became the favorite singer of other composers too, notably O. P. Nayyar, Shankar Jaikishan and Sachin Dev Burman. S D Burman patronized Rafi as the singing voice of Dev Anand in 1950s and 1960s.^[8] Rafi's notable songs with S. D. Burman included songs from the movies Tere Ghar ke Saamne (1957), Pyaasa (1957), Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959), Guide (1965), Aradhana (1969) and Abhimaan (1973). O P Nayyar was so impressed with Rafi that he got Rafi to sing a song Man mora baawara for singer-actor Kishore Kumar, in the movie Raagini. Rafi sang for Kishore Kumar in many other movies such as Baaghi, Shehzaada and Shararat.^[9] O. P. Nayyar used Rafi and Asha Bhosle for most of his songs. The team created many hit songs in early 1950s and 1960s for movies such as Naya Daur (1957), Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957) and Kashmir Ki Kali (1964). Rafi sang a total of 197 numbers (56 solo) for O P Nayyar.^[10] The team of Shankar Jaikishan and Rafi is noted for the songs picturized on Rajendra Kumar. Rafi sang a total of 341 numbers (216 solo) for Shankar-Jaikishan.^[7]

Rafi got his first Filmfare Award for the title song of Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960), composed by Ravi. He got his first National Award for the song Babul Ki Duaen Leti Ja from the film Neel Kamal (1968), also composed by Ravi. Ravi and Rafi produced several other hit songs, in the films such as China Town (1962), Kaajal (1965), and Do Badan (1966). Madan Mohan was another composer whose favorite singer was Rafi. Rafi's first solo with Madan Mohan in Ankhen (1950) "Hum ishq mein barbad hain barbad rahenge" was a great hit.^[6] They teamed up to produce many hit songs including Teri Aankhon ke Siva, "rang aur noor ki baraat", Yeh Duniya Yeh Mehfil and Tum Jo Mil Gaye Ho. The composer duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal ("L-P") also patronized Rafi as one of their leading singers since their first released film, Parasmani (1963). Both Rafi and L-P won the Filmfare Awards for the song Chahoonga main tujhe saanjh savere from Dosti. Rafi sang a total of 369 numbers (186 solo) for LP.^[7] Rafi sang for many lesser-known composers as well. Once, when a minor composer, Nisar Bazmi (who migrated to Pakistan in early 1960s), did not have enough money to pay him, Rafi charged a fee of one rupee and sang for him.

In the 1960s, Rafi was not on good terms with Lata Mangeshkar, the most sought-after female playback singer in Bollywood, over royalty issues. Lata wanted Rafi to back her in demanding a half-share from the five percent song royalty that the film's producer conceded to select composers.^[11] But Rafi took a diametrically opposite view, and believed that a playback singer's claim on the filmmaker ended with the payment of agreed fee for the song. During the recording of Tasveer Teri Dil Mein (Maya, 1961), Lata lost her cool with Rafi in a certain passage of the song. Rafi felt belittled, as music director Salil Chowdhury sided with Lata.^[12] The situation worsened when Lata Mangeshkar declared that she would no longer sing with Rafi. Rafi stated that he was only so keen to sing with Lata as she was with him.^[12] Later, at the insistence of S.D.Burman, the two decided to make up and sing duets, but on a personal level, they were not on good terms.

Between 1950 and 1970, Rafi was the most sought after singer in Bollywood, some say, at the expense of the careers of contemporaries like Manna Dey, Talat Mahmood, and Hemant Kumar.^[13] He did playback singing for all the major male stars in Hindi films until his death.^[14] In 1965, he was honoured by the Government of India with the Padma Sri award.

Rafi recorded two hindi songs in English on 7" release in 1968. He also sang a song in Creole language, while his visit to Mauritius in the late 1960s.^[3]

Rafi recorded two English albums. One of them is Pop Hits. In Bollywood, yodeling is generally associated with Kishore Kumar. But Rafi also used yodeling in some of old songs, such as Hello sweety seventeen (duet with Asha Bhosle), O Chale ho kaha, Dilke Aine main, Unse Rippy Tippy Ho gayee (duet with Geeta Dutt).

[edit] Last years

Kishore Kumar overshadowed Rafi as the most sought-after singer in Bollywood in 1970s, starting with the film Aradhana (1969).^[11]^[15] The music for Aradhana was composed by S. D. Burman, and he had used Rafi as the male playback voice for the first two recorded duets, Baaghon Mein Bahaar Hai and Gunguna Rahen Hain Bhanwre.^[8] After these two recordings, S. D. Burman fell ill and his son and assistant, R. D. Burman, took over the recordings. R. D. Burman got Kishore Kumar to sing the solos Roop Tera Mastana and Mere Sapnon Ki Rani, which led to Kishore Kumar's popularity. Kishore Kumar's rise and R D Burman's patronage to him sidelined Rafi's career in early 1970s. Some also say that Rafi was advised against singing at the Hajj Pilgrimage, so he deliberately spent the next few months away from the recording studios by living in London.

From 1971-1976, Rafi's output was less, but he sang several hit songs during this period.^[16]. Some of his hit songs in early 1970s were with music directors like L-P, Madan Mohan, R. D. Burman and S. D. Burman. Some of Rafi's popular songs from this period include Yeh Duniya Yeh Mehfil from Heer Ranjha (1970), Chura Liya Hain Tumne from Yaadon Ki Baarat, Yeh Jo Chilman Hain and Itna to Yaad Hain Mujhe from Mehboob Ki Mehndi, Tum Jo Mil Gaye Ho from Hanste Zakhm (1973), Gulabi Aankhen from The Train, Aaj Mausam bada Beimaan hai from Loafer (1973), and Jhilmil Sitaron ka from Jeevan Mrityu (1974).

Rafi made a comeback as a leading playback singer in mid-1970s. In 1974, he won the Film World magazine Best Singer Award for the song Teree Galiyon Mein Na Rakhenge Qadam Aaj Ke Baad (Hawas) composed by Usha Khanna.^[7] In 1977, he won both Filmfare Award and the National Award for the song Kya Hua Tera Wada from the movie Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin, composed by R. D. Burman.^[8] Rafi did playback for Rishi Kapoor in films like Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Sargam (1979) and Karz (1980). The qawwali Pardah Hai Pardah from Amar Akbar Anthony (1977) was a superhit. Rafi gave many other hit songs in late 1970s and early 80s, notably for the films Laila Majnu (1976), Apnapan (1978), Qurbani, Dostana (1980) The Burning Train (1980) Naseeb (1981) Abdullah (1980) Shaan (1980) and Asha (1980)

On Thursday, July 31, 1980 after composing the song Shaam phir kyun udaas hai dost for the movie Aas Paas with Laxmikant-Pyarelal (L-P), Rafi asked if he could leave for home. L-P were surprised because Rafi would be the last person to leave the recording session.^[17] While leaving, Rafi said once again "OK. I will leave." Rafi died at 10.50 p.m. on the same day due to a massive heart attack. His funeral procession was one of the largest Mumbai ever witnessed. The Republic of India mourned his death, and there was public holidays for two days in his honor.^{[citation needed]} Shammi Kapoor, who was shooting outside Mumbai, rushed back to attend his funeral in Mumbai. Later, the Padma Shri Mohammed Rafi Chowk in the Bandra suburb of Mumbai was named after him.^[18]

In his last years, Rafi was involved in controversy over Lata Mangeshkar's entry in the Guinness Book of World Records. In a letter dated June 11, 1977 to the Guinness Book of World Records, Rafi had challenged the claim that Lata Mangeshkar has recorded the maximum number of songs ("not less than 25,000" according to Guinness). After receiving a rather escapist reply from Guinness, in a letter dated November 20, 1979, he wrote: "I am disappointed that my request for a reassessment vis-a-vis Ms Mangeshkar's reported world record has gone unheeded.".^[18] After Rafi's death, in its 1984 edition, the Guinness Book of Word Records stated Lata Mangeshkar's name for the "Most Recordings" but also stated: "Mohammad Rafi (d 1 Aug 1980) [sic] claimed to have recorded 28,000 songs in 11 Indian languages between 1944 and April 1980.".^[19] Many fans of Rafi state that he has sung over 28,000 songs. However, according to the available figures, Rafi has sung 4,516 Hindi film songs, 112 non-Hindi film songs, and 328 private (non-film) songs from 1945 to 1980.^[19] The Guinness Book entries for both Rafi and Lata were later removed in 1991.

Mohammed Rafi had 4 sons (Saeed Rafi, Khalid Rafi, Hamid Rafi, Shahid Rafi) and 3 daughters (Parveen, Nasreen, Yasmin) residing in London, UK and Mumbai, India. He was a grandfather to 18 grandchildren.

[edit] After death

2001 - Voice of the millennium award by Stardust & hero Honda. Rafi's song from the film Gumnaam (1966), Jaan Pehechaan Ho, was used on the soundtrack of Ghost World (2001). The film opens with the lead character dancing around in her bedroom to a video of Gumnaam.^[20] Several of Rafi's unreleased songs will be used for an upcoming film titled Sorry Madam.^[21]

In the summer of 2008, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra is due to release a double CD entitled "Rafi Resurrected" comprising 16 legendary songs by Rafi. Bollywood star Sonu Nigam has provided the vocals for this project and is expected to tour with the CBSO in July 2008 at venues including the world famous English National Opera in London, Manchester's Apollo Theatre and Symphony Hall, Birmingham^[22] On Saturday 22 September 2007, a shrine to Rafi designed by artist Tasawar Bashir was unveiled in Birmingham. Bashir is hoping that Rafi will attain sainthood as a result.^[23]

Both Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar are mentioned in Cornershop's homage to Indian playback musicians, "Brimful of Asha."

[edit] Awards

2001 - Rafi was honored with the "best singer of the millennium" by Hero Honda and Stardust magazine in Mumbai on Jan 7, 2001.

[edit] Government Awards

1948 - Rafi received a silver medal from the Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, on the first anniversary of the Indian Independence Day.^[6].
1965 - he was honoured with the Padmashri by the Government of India [1]