Remembering Mohammed Rafi, the Golden Voice of Bollywood

It has been 36 years since Mohammed Rafi left us, but his memories, like his songs, are evergreen. On the occasion of his death anniversary today, SpotboyE.com takes a walk down memory lane. Come, join us.

Rafi Sahab’s first brush with live singing happened when he and his brother Hamid went to watch a stage performance by singer-actor K.L Saigal. As luck would have it, power went off at the venue and Saigalji refused to sing without a sound system. Hamid then approached the worried organisers with a proposal -- give his 13-year-old brother a chance.

Not only did little Rafi entertain the audience, he also attracted the attention of music composer Shyam Sunder, who was present in the crowd. The rest, as they say is history. Though Rafi and Hamid soon shifted to Mumbai -- from village Kotla Sultan Singh in Amritsar -- the road to becoming Bollywood’s most sought after playback singer wasn’t a smooth one.

Initially, Rafi did not limit himself to singing and also appeared in a couple of films -- Laila Majnu (1945) and Jugnu (1947) in which he rendered his first hit track Yahaan Badla Wafa Ka.  His blockbuster track Suhani Raat Dhal Chuki (Dulari, 1949) further solidified his position in the industry.


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By the time he won his first Filmfare award in 1960 -- for singing Chaudhvin Ka Chand in the eponymous film --- Rafi Sahab had become a name to reckon with.  Whether it was a heart-rending Oh Duniya Ke Rakhwale from Baiju Bawra (1952) or the ultra flamboyant Baar Baar Dekho from China Town (1962), Rafi had a unique capacity to mould his vocals according to the actor and mood of the every song.

Over the years, Rafi Sahab successfully collaborated with top music composers like Naushad, Madan Mohan, Laxmikant Pyarelal, Shankar Jaikishan and many others. Veteran music composer Sachin Dev Burman once even called him ‘Badshahon Ka Badshah’.

But as they say, all good things come to an end, and Rafi Sahab’s career also slowed down with the emergence of Kishore Kumar. With time, many yesteryear composers like S.D. Burman and Naushad started fading away, and entered R.D. Burman, who preferred Kishore Kumar. It is said that Rafi lost his confidence after he lost Aradhana (1969).

Insiders say Rafi Sahab regained his confidence only after Naushadji reportedly told him, “Never forget that you are Mohammed Rafi, a performer whose seasoning far exceeds that of any male singer in the industry. Always remember that the singer you identify as your rival has no classical background. So, how can he possibly be your competition? Go back to the recording room and sing like you always did.”


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Naushadji’s words worked like magic, and Rafi Sahab made a remarkable comeback with Kya Hua Tera Wada (Hum Kisise Kum Naheen, 1977). The song also fetched him a National Award.

Udit Narayan still gets goosebumps when he recalls his recording with the legendary singer for Unees Bees (1980). Composer Rajesh Roshan told Udit he’ll have to sing a duet, but didn’t reveal the name of his co-singer. Udit says, “I spotted Rafi Sahab’s car at the studio, but thought he must have come for some other recording. Though I wanted to meet him, I was afraid to approach him. In fact, I climbed the stairs when I saw him waiting for the lift. To my utter horror, he entered our recording room and within a few minutes, we were sharing the mic. I couldn’t utter a single word, let alone sing. In a bid to make me comfortable, Rafi Sahab placed his hand on my shoulder, but I told Rakeshji I won’t be able to sing unless he removed his hand. My words brought tears to Rafi Sahab’s eyes and he asked me to forget everything else and just sing my heart out. I followed his advice and after the recording he blessed me saying, ‘Tum bahut kamiyaab banoge par apna sar humesha niche rakhna’.”


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Apart from his singing prowess, Rafi Sahab was also known for his humility. While many of his contemporaries were particular about money, he sang free of cost for many composers and producers. Anandji of the Kalyanji-Anandji duo, says, “He was a gem of a person; money could not buy him. Many producers would go to him and say his voice could change their fortunes and he would happily oblige them.”

Says lyricist Sameer, “I had met Rafi sahab a couple of times during recordings because of my father (lyricist Anjaan). I still have a regret -- he was supposed to sing a song written by me in Raj Babbar-Smita Patil-starrer Teesra Kinara (1986). But he passed away much before that.”

Though Rafi Sahab kept himself away from controversies, he had a major fallout with Lata Mangeshkar over the issue of royalties. As a result, the two did not sing with each other for 5 years. Veteran actress Asha Parekh remembers Rafi Sahab as someone very jovial. “I met him at the recording of Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon (1963) and he was extremely warm. I have always seen him smiling; he kept himself away from negativity,” she says.


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Time came to a standstill on July 31, 1980, when the world woke up to the news of Rafi Sahab’s demise. His funeral took place on August 1, amidst torrential rains. Thousands had gathered to bid adieu to their favourite singer.

Bharat Dave, the founder of Rafi Memorial Fan Club, still gets teary-eyed while talking about that day. “There was an ocean of people, nobody bothered about the rains. Sahab’s funeral procession started around 12.15 pm from Bandra and when we reached Juhu, it was 7.30 pm. Everyone, including Amitabh Bachchan, Vinod Khanna, Naushad Sahab and Sanjeev Kapoor, walked to the cemetery,” recalls Dave.


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Diehard Rafi fans like Dave and Narayan Ahuja laid the found of Rafi Memorial Club in 2008. Every year since then, fans from across the country get together to celebrate Rafi Sahab’s birthday on 24 December. “Shahid bhai (Rafi’s son) also participates in the celebrations. Starting from his death anniversary today, we are going to observe the coming week as Rafi vaar. We will visit Sahab’s grave to pay respects,” says Narayan.

We at SpotboyE.com too, bow our heads before the memory of Rafi Sahab.


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