| Mohammed Rafi | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Born | December 24, 1924 Kotla Sultan Singh, Punjab, British India |
| Origin | Indian |
| Died | July 31, 1980 (aged 55) Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Genres | Indian classical, ghazal, playback singing |
| Occupations | Hindi and regional playback singer |
| Instruments | Vocalist |
| Years active | 1944–1980 |
Mohammed Rafi (Hindi: मोहम्मद रफ़ी, Urdu: محمد رفیع; December 24, 1924 – July 31, 1980), was an Indian playback singer whose career spanned four decades.[1] He won several awards including Padma Shri, 5 National Awards and 6 Filmfare awards.
Rafi was also capable of singing Bhajjans and Qawalis. He sang in many Indian languages including Hindi, Konkani, Urdu, Bhojpuri, Punjabi, Bengali, Marathi, Sindhi, Kannada, Gujarati, Maghi, Mathili, Assamese and Telugu. He also recorded a few English and Persian songs.
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Mohammed Rafi was born the youngest of six sons of Hajji Ali Mohammad at Kotla Sultan Singh, a village near Amritsar in Punjab (British India).[2] Rafi, whose nickname was Pheeka, started singing by imitating chants of a fakir in his village.[2] In 1935-36, Rafi's father moved to Lahore, and the rest of the family followed later. Rafi's family owned a men's salon in Lahore's Noor Mohalla.[3] It was his brother-in-law Mohammed Hameed who spotted the talent in Rafi and encouraged him. Rafi learnt classical music from Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Ustad Abdul Wahid Khan, Pandit Jiwanlal Matto and Firoze Nizami.[4][5]
Rafi's first public performance came at the age of 13, when he was allowed to sing at a concert featuring K. L. Saigal.[4] In 1941, Rafi, under Shyam Sunder, made his debut as a playback singer in the duet "Soniye nee, Heeriye nee" with Zeenat Begum in the Punjabi film Gul Baloch (the film was released in 1944).[6] In that same year, Rafi was invited by All India Radio Lahore station to sing for them.[7] He made his professional debut in the Shyam Sunder-directed 1941 film Gul Baloch and the Bombay film, Gaon Ki Gauri, the following year.
In 1944, Rafi moved to Bombay (now Mumbai), where poet Tanvir Naqvi introduced him to some of film producers including Abdur Rashid Kardar, Mehboob Khan and actor-director Nazeer.[3] 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 1945 film Gaon ki Gori, "Aji dil ho kaaboo mein". He considered this song his first Hindi language song.[7] In 1945, Rafi married his cousin Bashira, nicknamed "Majhi", in his village.[2]
In 1945, Rafi appeared on the screen for the song "Tera Jalwa Jis Ne Dekha" in the film Laila Majnu.[7] He sang a number of songs for Naushad as part of the chorus, including "Mere sapnon ki rani, Roohi Roohi" with K. L. Saigal from the film Shahjahan (1946). Rafi sang "Tera Khilona Toota Balak" from Mehboob Khan's Anmol Ghadi (1946) and a duet with Noor Jehan in the 1947 film Jugnu, "Yahan Badla Wafa Ka". Following the Partition of India, Rafi decided to stay in India and had his family flown to Bombay.
In 1948, Rafi sang "Suno Suno Aye Duniya Walon Bapu Ki Ye 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).
Rafi's association with Naushad helped the former establish himself as one of the most prominent playback singers in Bollywood.[7] Songs from Baiju Bawra (1952) like "O duniya ke rakhwale" and "Man tarpat Hari darshan ko aaj" furthered Rafi's credentials.[6] Naushad, who heretofore had been using Talat Mahmood for his songs, began favoring Rafi as the male voice in almost every song he composed. Rafi would sing a total of 149 songs (81 of them solo) for Naushad.[8]
In the late 1950s and 1960s, Rafi found favor with other notable composers of the era such as O. P. Nayyar, Shankar Jaikishan and S.D. Burman. Burman patronized Rafi as the singing voice of Dev Anand.[9] Rafi worked with Burman in movies like Pyaasa (1957), Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959), Tere Ghar ke Saamne (1962), 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. Later, Rafi would sing for Kishore Kumar in movies such as Baaghi, Shehzaada and Shararat Nayyar employed 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 Nayyar.[10]
Rafi and Shankar Jaikishan were one of the most successful singer-music director pairs in the Hindi film industry. Under the baton of Shankar Jaikishan, Rafi produced his songs for actors like Shammi Kapoor and Rajendra Kumar. Out of six Filmfare awards, Rafi won three for S-J songs, viz., Teri pyari pyari soorat ko, Baharon phool barsao, and Dil ke jharokhe mein. The iconic song Yahoo! Chahe koi mujhe junglee kahe was sung with aplomb by Rafi, only to be matched a fast-paced orchestra and a composition by Shankar Jaikishan. S-J made Rafi give playback for Kishore Kumar in the film Sharart (Ajab hai daastan teri yeh zindagi). Rafi sang a total of 341 numbers (216 solo) for Shankar-Jaikishan.[8]. Among the successful films of this combination, are Basant Bahar, Professor, Junglee, Suraj, Brahmachari, An Evening in Paris, Dil Tera Deewana, Yakeen, Prince, Love in Tokyo, Beti Bete, Dil Ek Mandir, Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai, Gaban, Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai.
Rafi got his first Filmfare Award for the title song of Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960), composed by Ravi. He got 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 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 hit.[7] They teamed up to produce many 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, right from their very first film, Parasmani (1963). Both Rafi and L-P won the Filmfare Awards for the song "Chahoonga main tujhe saanjh savere" from Dosti (1964). Rafi sang a total of 369 numbers (186 solo) for L-P.[8]
The 1960s witnessed the straining of relations between Rafi and the leading female playback singer in Hindi films, Lata Mangeshkar. Lata had 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. But Rafi took a diametrically opposite view, and believed that a playback singer's claim on the filmmaker ended with the payment of the agreed fee for the song. During the recording of "Tasveer Teri Dil Mein" (Maya, 1961), Lata argued with Rafi over a certain passage of the song. Rafi felt belittled, as music director Salil Chowdhury sided with Lata. 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.[11][12] Later, at the insistence of S. D. Burman the two decided to reconcile and sing duets; on a personal level, there was still tension. During his last years, Rafi was involved in a controversy over Lata Mangeshkar's introduction in to 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 evasive 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.".[13] 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.".[14] 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.[14] The Guinness Book entries for both Rafi and Lata were later removed in 1991.
Between 1950 and 1970, Rafi was the most sought after singers in Bollywood.[15] He sang for all the major male stars in Hindi films.[16] 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 while on his visit to Mauritius in the late 1960s.[4] Rafi recorded two English albums as well. One of them is Pop Hits. In Bollywood, yodeling is generally associated with Kishore Kumar but Rafi introduced yodeling in Indian film as playback singing. Rafi yodeled in some of his old songs, such as "Hello sweety seventeen" (duet with Asha Bhosle), "O Chale ho kaha", "Dilke Aine main", and "Unse Rippy Tippy Ho gayee" (duet with Geeta Dutt).
In early 1970s, Rafi fell ill and recorded fewer songs.[17]. At The same period Kishore Kumar's popularity increased due to the songs he sang, controversially, for the film Aradhana in Mohd Rafi`s absence during Rafi's Hajj pilgrimage in 1969.[11][18] 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".[9] 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. During 1971-1973, Rafi's musical output decreased; however, he did deliver several hits.[19]. Some of Rafi's popular songs of the early 1970s were with music directors like Laxmikant Pyarelal, Madan Mohan, R. D. Burman and S. D. Burman. These include "Yeh Duniya Yeh Mehfil" from Heer Ranjha (1970), "Jhilmil Sitaron ka" from Jeevan Mrityu (a duet with Lata Mangeshkar, 1970), "Gulabi Aankhen" from The Train (1970), "Yeh Jo Chilman Hain" and "Itna to Yaad Hain Mujhe" from Mehboob Ki Mehndi (1971), "Chura Liya Hain Tumne" from Yaadon Ki Baarat (a duet with Asha Bhosle, 1973), "Tum Jo Mil Gaye Ho" from Hanste Zakhm (1973), and "Aaj mausam bada beimaan hai" from Loafer (1973).
Rafi made a comeback as a leading singer in the 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.[8] 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.[9] Rafi sang 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's notable renderings in the late 1970s and early 80s include 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, Rafi died at 10:50 p.m., following a massive heart attack.[20] His last song was "Shaam phir kyun udaas hai dost" (Aas Paas), which he had recorded with Laxmikant-Pyarelal few hours before his death.[21][22] He was survived by four sons (Saeed Rafi, Khalid Rafi, Hamid Rafi, Shahid Rafi), three daughters (Parveen, Nasreen, Yasmin) and 18 grandchildren.
Rafi was buried at the Juhu Muslim cemetery. In 2010, his tomb was demolished to make space for new bodies. Fans of Mohammed Rafi who arrive twice a year at his tomb, on December 24 and July 31, to mark his birth and death anniversary, use the coconut tree nearest to his grave as a marker.[23] Mohammed Rafi was known for his altruistic behavior,[24] which was exhibited on several occasions. He has been known to charge just a token amount as his fees for singing songs of Music Directors who could not afford his regular charges. Many a times Mohammed Rafi has sung songs without charging the music directors. A case in point is the film Aap ke Deewane with which actor Rakesh Roshan began his phase as a producer-director. Rafi sang the title song of the film but did not charge any money because he felt that he liked the song a lot and after all it was only a line, which he had to render.
On Rafi's death, the government of India announced a two-day public holiday in honour of him.[25].
Rafi's song from the film Gumnaam (1965), "Jaan Pehechan 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.[26] His "Aaj Mausam Bada Beiman Hai" is featured in the 2001 film Monsoon Wedding.[27] Several of Rafi's unreleased songs will be used for an upcoming film titled Sorry Madam.[28] Also, his song "Ye duniya agar mil bhi jaaye" from Pyaasa (1957) was re-mixed and used as the theme for the 2009 film Gulaal.
A documentary about Rafi’s life is under production by The Films Division of India.[29]
In the summer of 2008, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra released a double CD entitled Rafi Resurrected comprising 16 songs by Rafi. Bollywood playback singer Sonu Nigam provided the vocals for this project and toured with the CBSO in July 2008 at venues including the English National Opera in London, Manchester's Apollo Theatre and Symphony Hall, Birmingham.[30] On September 22, 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.[31]
Both Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar are mentioned in Cornershop's homage to Indian playback musicians, "Brimful of Asha".
Rafi's funeral procession was recorded on a very rainy day in Mumbai. A portion of that same recording has been used in one of the Hindi movie released later. It was one of the biggest funeral processions ever in Mumbai, with over 10,000 people attending.
The Padma Shri Mohammed Rafi Chowk in the Bandra suburb of Mumbai and Pune (extending MG Road) is named after Rafi.[13]
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