Mohammed Rafi

Mohammed Rafi
Background information
Native name	मोहम्मद रफ़ी محمد رفیع
Birth name	Mohammed Rafi
Born	24 December 1924 Kotla Sultan Singh, Punjab, British India
Died	31 July 1980 (aged 55) Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Genres	Indian classical, Ghazal, Playback singing, Qawwali, Thumri, Bhajan, Western music
Occupation(s)	Playback singer
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1944–1980

Mohammed Rafi (24 December 1924 – 31 July 1980) was an Indian playback singer and one of the most popular singers of the Hindi film industry. Rafi was notable for his versatility, his songs ranged from classical numbers to patriotic songs, sad lamentations to highly romantic numbers, qawwalis to ghazals and bhajans. He was known for his ability to mould his voice to the persona of the actor lip-synching the song on screen in the movie.^[1] Between 1950 and 1970, Rafi was the most sought after singer in the Hindi film industry.^[1] He received six Filmfare Awards and one National Film Award. In 1967, he was honoured with the Padma Shri award by the Government of India.^[2]

Rafi is primarily noted for his songs in Hindi, over which he had a strong command. He sang in other Indian languages including Assamese, Konkani, Bhojpuri, Odia, Punjabi, Bengali, Marathi, Sindhi, Kannada, Gujarati, Telugu, Magahi, Maithili and Urdu. Apart from Indian languages, he also sang songs in English, Farsi, Arabic, Creole, and Dutch.

Early life

Mohammed Rafi was the second oldest of six brothers born to Hajji Ali Mohammad. The family originally belonged to Kotla Sultan Singh, a village near present-day Amritsar in Punjab, India.^[3] Rafi, whose nickname was Pheeko, began singing by imitating the chants of a fakir in the streets of his native village Kotla Sultan Singh where his family lived. Rafi's father moved to Lahore in 1935, where he ran a men's salon in Noor Mohalla in Bhatti Gate.^[4] His elder brother, Mohammad Deen, had a friend, Abdul Hameed, (future brother-in-law), who recognised the talent in Rafi in Lahore and encouraged him to sing. Abdul Hameed later convinced the family elders to let Rafi move to Mumbai; he accompanied him in 1944.

Rafi learnt classical music from Ustad Abdul Wahid Khan, Pandit Jiwan Lal Mattoo and Firoze Nizami.^[5] His first public performance came at the age of 13, when he sang in Lahore featuring K. L. Saigal. In 1941, Rafi, under Shyam Sundar, made his debut in Lahore as a playback singer in the duet "Soniye Nee, Heeriye Nee" with Zeenat Begum in the Punjabi film Gul Baloch (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 Hindi film debut in Gaon Ki Gori in 1945.^[1]

Early career in Bombay

In 1944, Rafi moved to Bombay. He and Hameed Sahab rented a ten-by-ten-feet room in the crowded downtown Bhendi Bazar area. Poet Tanvir Naqvi introduced him to film producers including Abdur Rashid Kardar, Mehboob Khan and actor-director Nazeer.^[4] Shyam Sunder was in Mumbai and provided the opportunity to Rafi to sing a duet with G. M. Durrani, "Aji dil ho qaabu mein to dildar ki aisi taisi...," for Gaon Ki Gori, which became Rafi's first recorded song in a Hindi film. Other songs followed.

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]

Rafi appeared in two movies. In 1945, he 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". After partition, Rafi decided to stay back in India and had the rest of his family flown to Mumbai. Noor Jehan migrated to Pakistan and made a pair with playback singer Ahmed Rushdi.

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).

Besides K. L. Saigal, whom he considered his idol, Rafi was also influenced by G. M. Durrani. In the early phase of his career, he often followed Durrani's style of singing, but later evolved with his own, unique style. He sang with Durrani in some of the songs such as "Humko Hanste Dekh Zamana Jalta Hai" and "Khabar Kisi Ko Nahiin, Woh Kidhar Dekhte" (Beqasoor, 1950).

In 1948, after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, the team of Husanlal Bhagatram-Rajendra Krishan-Rafi had overnight created the song "Suno Suno Ae Duniyawalon, Bapuji Ki Amar Kahani". He was invited by the Indian Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, to sing at his house. In 1948, Rafi received a silver medal from Jawaharlal Nehru on Indian Independence Day.^[8]

Recording career in the 1950s and 1960s

In his early career, Rafi associated with many contemporary music directors, most notably Naushad Ali. In the late 1950s and 1960s, he worked with other composers of the era such as O. P. Nayyar, Shankar Jaikishan, S.D. Burman and Roshan.

Work with Naushad

As per Naushad, Rafi came to him with a letter of recommendation from Naushad's father.^[9] Rafi's first song for Naushad was "Hindustan Ke Hum Hain" ("We belong to Hindustan") for the film Pehle Aap in 1944. The first song for the duo was the soundtrack of the movie Anmol Ghadi (1946). Before Rafi, Naushad's favourite singer was Talat Mahmood. Once Naushad found Talat smoking during a recording. He was annoyed and hired Rafi to sing all the songs of the movie Baiju Bawra.

Rafi's association with Naushad helped the former establish himself as one of the most prominent playback singers in Hindi cinema.^[7] Songs from Baiju Bawra (1952) like "O duniya ke rakhwale" and "Man tarpat hari darshan ko aaj" furthered Rafi's credentials.^[6] Rafi ended up singing a total of 149 songs (81 of them solo) for Naushad.^[10]

In the 1960 film Mughal-E-Azam, Mohammed Rafi sang "Ae Mohabbat Zindabad", composed by Naushad, with a chorus of 100 singers.^[11]

Work with S D Burman

S.D.Burman used Rafi as a singing voice of Dev Anand and Guru Dutt.^[12] Rafi worked with Burman in 37 movies, including Pyaasa (1957), Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959), Kala Bazar, Nau Do Gyaran, Kala Pani Tere Ghar Ke Samne (1963), Guide (1965), Aradhana (1969), and Abhimaan (1973).

Work with Shankar-Jaikishan

Rafi's partnership with Shankar Jaikishan was among the most famous and successful in the Hindi film industry. Under Shankar-Jaikishan, Rafi produced some of his songs for actors like Shammi Kapoor and Rajendra Kumar. Out of six Filmfare awards, Rafi won three for S-J songs – "Teri Pyari Pyari Surat Ko", "Baharon Phool Barsao", and "Dil Ke Jharokhe Mein". The song "Yahoo! Chahe Koi Mujhe Junglee Kahe" was sung 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 Shararat ("Ajab hai daastan teri yeh zindagi"). Rafi sang a total of 341 numbers (216 solo) for Shankar-Jaikishan.^[10] Among the 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 and Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai.

Work with Ravi

Rafi got his first Filmfare Award for the title song of Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960), composed by Ravi. He received National Award for the song "Babul Ki Duaen Leti Ja" from the film Neel Kamal (1968), also composed by Ravi. Rafi wept during the recording of this song. He admitted this in his interview to the BBC in 1977.^[13]

Ravi and Rafi produced several other songs in the films China Town (1962), Kaajal (1965), and Do Badan (1966).

Work with Madan Mohan

Madan Mohan was another composer whose favourite singer was Rafi. Rafi's first solo with Madan Mohan in Ankhen (1950) was "Hum Ishq Mein Barbad Hain Barbad Rahenge".^[7] They teamed up to produce many songs including "Teri Aankhon Ke Siva", "Yeh Duniya Yeh Mehfil", "Tum Jo Mil Gaye Ho" and "Kar Chale Hum Fida".

Work with O. P. Nayyar

Rafi and O. P. Nayyar (OP) created music in the 1950s and 1960s. O. P. Nayyar was once quoted as saying "If there had been no Mohd. Rafi, there would have been no O. P. Nayyar".^[14] He and Rafi created many songs together including "Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan". He got Rafi to sing for singer-actor Kishore Kumar – "Man Mora Baawara" for the movie Raagini. Later, Rafi sang for Kishore Kumar in movies such as Baaghi, Shehzaada and Shararat. O. P. Nayyar used Rafi and Asha Bhosle for most of his songs. The team created many songs in the 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.^[15] The songs "Jawaaniyan yeh mast mast" and the title song "Yun to humne lakh hansee dekhe hain, tumsa nahin dekha" of the film Tumsa Nahin Dekha were hits. They were followed by songs like "Taareef karoon kya uski jisne tumhe banaya" from Kashmir ki Kali.

Rafi and OP had a fallout during the recording for movie "Sawan ki Ghata". As disclosed by OP during one of his interviews; Rafi reported late to the recording stating that he was stuck in Shankar Jaikishan's recording. OP then stated that from now on he too did not have the time for Rafi and cancelled the recording. They did not work together for the next 3 years.^[16]

Work with Laxmikant-Pyarelal

The composer duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal (L-P) patronised Rafi as one of their singers, right from their very first song by him from the film, Parasmani (1963). Rafi and L-P won the Filmfare Awards for the song "Chahoonga Main Tujhe Saanjh Savere" from Dosti (1964). Rafi rendered the maximum number of songs for the music director duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal: 369 numbers (186 solo) for L-P.^[10]

Once, when composer Nisar Bazmi (who had migrated to Pakistan) didn't have enough money to pay him, Rafi charged a fee of one rupee and sang for him. He also helped producers financially. As Laxmikant (of the Laxmikant-Pyarelal duo) once observed – "He always gave without thinking of the returns".

Work with contemporary singers

Rafi associated with several of his contemporaries, singing duets with them and sometimes for them (as in case of Kishore Kumar who was also an actor). Rafi sang the maximum number of duets with Asha Bhonsle (female), Manna Dey (male) and Lata Mangeshkar (female).

In the song "Humko Tumse Ho Gaya Hai Pyaar Kya Karein" (Amar, Akbar, Anthony), Rafi sang one song with Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar and Mukesh,the most legendary singers in Bollywood. This was probably the only time that all of them rendered their voices for one song.^[17]

Singing career in other languages

Rafi sang several hit songs in Chris Perry's Konkani album Golden Hits with Lorna Cordeiro.^[18]

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. Rafi recorded two English albums as well. One of them is Pop Hits.

Royalty issue

In 1962–1963, the popular female playback singer Lata Mangeshkar raised the issue of playback singers' share in the royalties. Recognizing Rafi's position as the leading male playback singer, she wanted him to back her in demanding a half-share from the 5 percent song royalty that the film's producer conceded to select composers. Lata's contention was that, there was no way producers and music directors could deny this singing duo, the royalty. Rafi stated that his claim on the filmmaker ended with his being paid his agreed fee for the song. After that, if the film proved a hit, the filmmaker was welcome to keep the Gramco (HMV) royalty he earned from it. If it did not prove to be a hit, argued Rafi, that he had already been paid the same fees for his song; so later the situation is resolved. Rafi stated that it is the producer who bets the money and the composer who creates the song, so his claim to the contribution of the song is compensated when the fees are paid. Lata viewed his stand as a stumbling block on the royalty issue and stated that it is because of the singer's name also that the records get sold. This difference of opinion subsequently led to differences between the two. 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 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.^[19][20] The music director Jaikishan later negotiated a reconciliation between the two.^[21] In an interview given to The Times of India on September 25, 2012, Lata claimed to have received a written apology from Rafi.^[22] However, Shahid Rafi, Mohammad Rafi's son, rebuffs the claim, calling it an act to dishonor his father's reputation.^[23]

Early 1970s

In the early 1970s, Rafi recorded fewer songs. At the same period Kishore Kumar's popularity increased due to the songs he sang for the film Aradhana.^[19][24] 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".^[12] During 1971–1973, Rafi's musical output decreased; however, he did sing several songs.^[25] Some of Rafi's songs of the early 1970s were with music directors like Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Madan Mohan, R.D. Burman and S. D. Burman. These include "Tum Mujhe Yun Bhula Na Paoge" (a signature song of Rafi in 1971) from Pagla Kahin Ka; "Yeh Duniya Yeh Mehfil" from Heer Ranjha (1970); "Kaan Mein Jhumka" from Sawan Bhadon; "Jhilmil Sitaron ka" from Jeevan Mrityu (a duet with Lata Mangeshkar, 1970); "Gulabi Aankhen" from The Train (1970); "Yunhi Tum Mujhse Baat" from Sachaa Jhutha; "Yeh Jo Chilman Hain" and "Itna to Yaad Hain Mujhe" from Mehboob Ki Mehndi (1971); "Mera Mann Tera Pyasa" Gambler; "Chadti Jawani" from Caravan; "Chalo Dildar Chalo" from 1972 released Pakeezah; "Chura Liya Hai Tumne" from Yaadon Ki Baarat (a duet with Asha Bhosle, 1973); "Na Tu Zameen Ke Liye" from 1973 released Dilip Kumar movie Dastan; "Tum Jo Mil Gaye Ho" from Hanste Zakhm (1973); "Teri Bindiya Re", from Abhimaan (1973) and "Aaj Mausam Bada Beimaan Hai" from Loafer (1973). Kitna pyaar a Wada ,"Carvan"(1971)

Later years

Rafi made a comeback as a leading singer in 1974. That year, he won the Film World magazine Best Singer Award for the song "Teree Galiyon Mein Na Rakhenge Qadam Aaj Ke Baad" (Hawas, 1974) composed by Usha Khanna.^[10]

In 1977, he won both Filmfare Award and the National Award for the song "Kya Hua Tera Wada" from the movie Hum Kisise Kum Naheen, composed by R.D. Burman.^[12] Rafi sang for Rishi Kapoor in films like Laila Majnu (for which music was given by two composers Madan Mohan, and after his death by Jaidev), 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 1980s include Bairaag (1976), Laila Majnu (1976), Apnapan (1978), Suhaag (1979), Qurbani, Dostana (1980), The Burning Train (1980), Naseeb (1981), Abdullah (1980), Shaan (1980), Aasha (1980), Aap To Aise Na The (1980), and Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai (1982). In 1978 Rafi gave a performance at the Royal Albert Hall and in 1980 he performed at Wembley conference centre. From 1970 he toured the world extensively giving concert performances to packed halls.

In December 1979, Rafi recorded six songs for the Hindi remake of Dilip Sen's Bengali superhit Sorry Madam; the film was never completed due to a personal tragedy in Dilip Sen's life. These songs, written by Kafeel Aazar and composed by Chitragupta, were released digitally in December 2009 by the label Silk Road under the title "The Last Songs".^[26] The physical album was released only in India by Universal.

Guinness World Records controversy

During his last years, Rafi was involved in a controversy over Lata Mangeshkar's entry in the Guinness Book of World Records. In a letter dated 11 June 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 reply from Guinness, in a letter dated 20 November 1979, he wrote, "I am disappointed that my request for a reassessment vis-a-vis Ms Mangeshkar's reported world record has gone unheeded."^[17] In an interview to BBC recorded in November 1977, Rafi claimed to have sung 25,000 to 26,000 songs till then.^[14]

After Rafi's death, in its 1984 edition, the Guinness Book of World Records gave Lata Mangeshkar's name for the "Most Recordings" and stated, "Mohammad Rafi (d 1 August 1980) [sic] claimed to have recorded 28,000 songs in 11 Indian languages between 1944 and April 1980."^[27] 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.^[27] The Guinness Book entries for Rafi and Lata were removed in 1991.^[28] In 2011, Lata's sister Asha Bhosle was given the title.^[29]

Death

Mohammed Rafi died at 10:25 pm on 31 July 1980, following a massive heart attack.^[30] His last song was for the movie Aas Paas, which he had recorded with Laxmikant-Pyarelal.

According to one source, the song was "Shaam Phir Kyun Udaas Hai Dost / Tu Kahin Aas Paas Hai Dost".^[17][31][32] Another source says that the song was a duet with Lata Mangeshkar: "Shehr mein charcha hai, Yeh duniya kehti hai".^[33]

Rafi was buried at the Juhu Muslim cemetery. His was one of the biggest funeral processions Mumbai had ever witnessed, with over 10,000 people attending despite heavy rains on that day.^[34] The government of India announced a two-day public holiday in his honour.^[17]

In 2010, Rafi's tomb was demolished to make space for new burials. Fans of Mohammed Rafi, who visit his tomb twice a year to mark his birth and death anniversaries, use the coconut tree that is nearest his grave as a marker.^[35]

Legacy

Singers like Mahendra Kapoor, Shabbir Kumar, Mohammed Aziz and Sonu Nigam were influenced by Rafi's style of singing.^[36] Anwar (singer) also imitated Rafi's voice.

On 22 September 2007, a shrine to Rafi designed by artist Tasawar Bashir was unveiled on Fazeley Street, Birmingham, UK. Bashir is hoping that Rafi will attain sainthood as a result.^[37][38] The Padma Shri Mohammed Rafi Chowk in the Bandra suburb of Mumbai and Pune (extending MG Road) is named after Rafi.^[39]

In the summer of 2008, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra released a double CD titled 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.^[40]

In June 2010, Rafi along with Lata Mangeshkar was voted the most popular playback singer in the Outlook Music Poll, conducted by Outlook magazine.^[41] The same poll voted "Man re, tu kahe na Dheer Dhare" (Chitralekha, 1964), sung by Rafi as the No. 1 song.^[42] Three songs were tied for the No. 2 place: Two were sung by Rafi. The songs were "Tere Mere Sapne Ab Ek Rang Hain" (Guide, 1965) and "Din Dhal Jaye, hai raat na jaye" (Guide, 1965). This poll was published in Outlook. The jury included people in the Indian music industry: Abhijeet, Adesh Srivastava, Alisha Chinai, Anu Malik, Ehsaan, Gulzar, Hariharan, Himesh Reshammiya, Jatin, Javed Akhtar, Kailash Kher, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Khayyam, Kumar Sanu, Lalit, Loy, Mahalaxmi Iyer, Mahendra Kapoor, Manna Dey, Prasoon Joshi, Rajesh Roshan, Sadhna Sargam, Sameer, Sandesh Shandilya, Shaan, Shankar, Shantanu Moitra, Shreya Ghoshal, Sonu Nigam and Talat Aziz.^[43]

In an article in Times of India, Rafi is described as "a versatile singer, who could render classical, rock and roll, indeed any kind of song with ease, he was Hindi film's, favourite male voice through the 1950s and 1960s". Music director Rajesh Roshan, who composed some of the songs with Rafi, remembers him as "a warm-hearted simple person with no ego".^[44]

There have been appeals^[45] to the Government of India to honour the singer, posthumously, with the Bharat Ratna (India's Highest Civilian Award).

Classical and playback singer Manna Dey, who was also a contemporary of Rafi said, "Rafi and I could sing everything, and he was such a gentleman. He was a better singer than me, and I will say this – that no one came even close to him! He deserved everything he got! We had a great understanding and it was never about one-upmanship".^[46][47] Veteran actor Shammi Kapoor said, "I am incomplete without Mohammad Rafi. I used to often go for the recording of my song, which was sung by Mohammad Rafi, only because I used to like telling him how I would perform on this song on screen so that he can sing it that way. Even he liked my involvement".^[48]

Over 9,000 musical tributes were organised in July 2011 commemorating the 31st anniversary of the singer's death.^[49] A documentary about Rafi's life is under production by the Films Division of India.^[50]

Rafi's Baharon Phool Barsao was voted the most popular Hindi song in a BBC Asia Network poll commemorating 100 years of Hindi Cinema.^[51] In a CNN-IBN survey in 2013, he was voted the greatest voice of Hindi Cinema.^[52]

Popular culture

Mohammed Rafi Academy was launched in Mumbai on 31 July 2010 on the 30th anniversary of the singer's death, started by his son Sahid Rafi to impart training in Indian classical and contemporary music.^[53][54]

After his death, seven Hindi movies were dedicated to Rafi: Allah Rakha, Mard, Coolie, Desh-Premee, Naseeb, Aas-Paas and Heeralal-Pannalal.

Rafi is one of the recording artists mentioned in the 1997 hit British alternative rock song "Brimful of Asha" by Cornershop.

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.^[55] The song has also been used for Heineken's 2011 "The Date" commercial.^[56][57]

His "Aaj Mausam Bada Beiman Hai" is featured in the 2001 film Monsoon Wedding.^[58] His "Kya Mil Gaya" (Sasural, 1961) has been used in The Guru (2002), where Ramu and Sharonna sing a version of the song.^[59] His song "Mera Man Tera Pyasa" (Gambler, 1970) has been used as one of the soundtracks in the Jim Carrey-Kate Winslet starrer Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004). This song is played in the background in Kate Winslet's character's home while the lead pair are having a drink (at approximately 00.11.14 runtime).^[60]

Personal life

Rafi married twice; his first marriage was to his cousin; Bashira^[61] and took place in his ancestral village.^[62][63] The marriage ended when his first wife refused to live in India following the killing of her parents during the riots of Partition of India and moved to Lahore, Pakistan.^[64]

Rafi had four sons and three daughters; his first son Saeed was from his first marriage.^[63]

Awards and recognition

National Film Awards^[65]

Year	Song	Film	Music director	Lyricist	Result
1977[5]	"Kya Hua Tera Wada"	Hum Kisise Kum Naheen	Rahul Dev Burman	Majrooh Sultanpuri	Won

Filmfare Awards^[66] (Note: The category for Best Playback Singer was established in 1959, and until 1967 both male and female singers used to compete for a single award.)

Year	Song	Film	Music director	Lyricist	Result
1960	"Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho"	Chaudhvin Ka Chand	Ravi	Shakeel Badayuni	Won
1961	"Teri Pyaari Pyaari Surat Ko"	Sasural	Shankar Jaikishan	Hasrat Jaipuri	Won
1961	"Husnwale Tera Jawab Nahin"	Gharana	Ravi	Shakeel Badayuni	Nominated
1962	"Aye Gulbadan Aye Gulbadan"	Professor	Shankar Jaikishan	Hasrat Jaipuri	Nominated
1963	"Mere Mehboob Tujhe"	Mere Mehboob	Naushad Ali	Shakeel Badayuni	Nominated
1964	"Chahunga Main Tujhe"	Dosti	Laxmikant-Pyarelal	Majrooh Sultanpuri	Won
1965	"Chhoo Lene Do Nazuk Hothon Ko"	Kaajal	Ravi	Sahir Ludhianvi	Nominated
1966	"Baharo Phool Barsao"	Suraj	Shankar Jaikishan	Hasrat Jaipuri	Won
1968	"Dil Ke Jharoke Mein"	Brahmachari	Shankar Jaikishan	Hasrat Jaipuri	Won
1968	"Mein Gaaon Tum Sojaao"	Brahmachari	Shankar Jaikishan	Shailendra	Nominated
1969	"Badi Mastani Hai"	Jeene Ki Raah	Laxmikant-Pyarelal	Anand Bakshi	Nominated
1970	"Khilona Jaan Kar"	Khilona	Laxmikant-Pyarelal	Anand Bakshi	Nominated
1973	"Hum Ko To Jaan Se Pyaari"	Naina	Shankar Jaikishan	Hasrat Jaipuri	Nominated
1974	"Achha Hi Huva Dil Toot Gaya"	Maa Bahen Aur Biwi	Sharda	Qamar Jalalabadi, Vedpal Varma	Nominated
1977	"Kya Hua Tera Wada"	Hum Kisise Kum Naheen	R.D. Burman	Majrooh Sultanpuri	Won
1977	"Parda Hai Parda"	Amar Akbar Anthony	Laxmikant-Pyarelal	Anand Bakshi	Nominated
1978	"Aadmi Musaafir Hai"	Apnapan	Laxmikant-Pyarelal	Anand Bakshi	Nominated
1979	"Chalo Re Doli Uthao Kahaar"	Jaani Dushman	Laxmikant-Pyarelal	Varma Malik	Nominated
1980	"Mere Dost Kissa Yeh"	Dostana	Laxmikant-Pyarelal	Anand Bakshi	Nominated
1980	"Dard-e-dil Dard-e-jigar"	Karz	Laxmikant-Pyarelal	Anand Bakshi	Nominated
1980	"Maine Poocha Chand Se"	Abdullah	R.D. Burman	Anand Bakshi	Nominated

Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards

Year	Film	Music director	Lyricist	Result
1957	Tumsa Nahin Dekha	O. P. Nayyar	Majrooh Sultanpuri	Won
1965[67]	Dosti	Laxmikant-Pyarelal	Majrooh Sultanpuri	Won
1966[68]	Arzoo	Shankar Jaikishan	Hasrat Jaipuri	Won

Sur Sringar Award

Year	Film	Music director	Lyricist	Result
1964	Chitralekha	Roshan	Sahir Ludhyanvi[69]	Won

Honorary

• 1948 – Rafi received a silver medal from the Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, on the first anniversary of the Indian Independence Day.^[7]
• 1967 – Honoured with the Padma Shri by the Government of India.
• 2001 – Rafi was honoured with the "Best Singer of the Millennium" by Hero Honda and Stardust magazine.
• 2013 – Rafi won the CNN-IBN poll for the Greatest Voice in Hindi Cinema.^[70]

See also

• List of songs recorded by Mohammed Rafi (A)
• List of songs recorded by Mohammed Rafi (H–I)

References

1. Students' Britannica India, Volumes 1–5. Encyclopaedia Britannica (India). p. 238. ISBN 0-85229-760-2. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
2. "Padma Shri Awardees". india.gov.in. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
3. Varinder Walia (16 June 2003). "Striking the right chord". The Tribune: Amritsar Plus. Retrieved 28 April 2007.
4. Syed Abid Ali (16 June 2003). "The Way It Was: Tryst With Bollywood". Daily Times, Pakistan. Retrieved 28 April 2007.
5. Amit Puri. "When Rafi sang for Kishore Kumar". The Tribune. Retrieved 28 April 2007.
6. M.L. Dhawan (25 July 2004). "His voice made him immortal". Spectrum (The Tribune). Retrieved 28 April 2007.
7. "Hall of Fame: Saatwan Sur". Retrieved 28 April 2007.
8. Sujata Dev (1 October 2015). Mohammed Rafi Voice Of A Nation. Om Books International. p. 268. ISBN 978-93-80070-97-1.
9. "Naushad Remembers Rafi Saheb". Retrieved 25 December 2010.
10. Raju Bharatan (23 August 2006). "How fair were they to Mohammed Rafi?". Rediff.com. Retrieved 28 April 2007.
11. "'A royal treat'". June 2014.
12. Raju Bharatan (23 August 2006). "How fair were they to Mohammed Rafi? (Page 2)". Rediff.com. Retrieved 28 April 2007.
13. "BBC Interview : Mohd. Rafi – Audio (YouTube)". Retrieved 25 December 2010.
14. "The Rise and Rise of Mohammed Rafi". Retrieved 29 August 2011.
15. Raju Bharatan (23 August 2006). "How fair were they to Mohammed Rafi?: Page 5". Rediff.com. Retrieved 28 April 2007.
16. "Interview of O P Nayyar by D Mandar for cinema sangeet". Retrieved 21 August 2011.
17. Mohammed Rafi: The soulful voice lives on!. Zee News. 31 July 2008.
18. Maria Sobhit Maria – MOHD RAFI on YouTube
19. Raju Bharatan (23 August 2006). "How fair were they to Mohammed Rafi?: Page 3". Rediff.com. Retrieved 28 April 2007.
20. Raju Bharatan (21 August 2006). "How fair were they to Mohammed Rafi?: Page 4". Rediff.com. Retrieved 28 April 2007.
21. Dhamini Ratnam (22 November 2012). "Voice from the past (interview with Yasmin Rafi)". Mumbai Mirror. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
22. "Mohd Rafi never apologised to Lataji! - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2015-12-25.
23. "Mohd Rafi never apologised to Lataji! - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2015-12-25.
24. Anil Grover (29 July 2005). "Forever velvet". The Telegraph. Retrieved 28 April 2007.
25. Rajiv Vijayakar (2002). "The mammoth myth about Mohammed Rafi". Screen. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
26. "Mohammed Rafi : “The Last Songs” – Silk Road Communications - Music Label & Sound Design". www.silkrd.com. Retrieved 2015-12-25.
27. Raju Bharatan (23 August 2006). "How fair were they to Mohammed Rafi?: Page 7". Rediff.com. Retrieved 28 April 2007.
28. Amarjit Singh Kohli (31 July 2012). "Setting the record straight". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
29. Banerjee, Soumyadipta (22 October 2011). "It's a world record for Asha Bhosle". DNA India. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
30. V. Gangadhar (5 August 2005). "The immortal Rafi". The Hindu Business Line. Retrieved 28 April 2007.
31. Brigadier Samir Bhattacharya (January 2014). Nothing But!. Partridge Pub. pp. 436–. ISBN 978-1-4828-1720-1.
32. Salam, Ziya U. S. (22 July 2001). "Matchless magic lingers". The Hindu. Retrieved 9 April 2009.
33. "Mohammed Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar fell out over royalty issue: biography". NDTVMovies.com.
34. "We aren't mourning – Vindoo". MidDay. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
35. Jaisinghani, Bella (11 February 2010). "Rafi, Madhubala don't rest in peace here". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 February 2010.
36. Mohammed Rafi lives on! Hindustan Times, 30 July 2009
37. Ethnic Now. "Mohammed Rafi Sainthood Attempt". Ethnic Now.
38. "A shrine to be built in memory of Mohammed Rafi". Archived from the original on 9 November 2009.
39. Raju Bharatan (23 August 2006). "How fair were they to Mohammed Rafi?: Page 6". Rediff.com. Retrieved 28 April 2007.
40. "Mumbai to Birmingham". 30 April 2007. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 14 June 2007.
41. "The Most Popular Singer – Outlook Music Poll 2010".
42. "The No. 1 Song – Indian Movies – Outlook Music Poll 2010".
43. "Outlook Music Poll".
44. "Thirty years on, Mohd Rafi remains a favourite". The Times of India. 30 July 2010.
45. "Forgetting the phenomenal talent of Rafi?". The Hindu (Chennai, India). 24 October 2009.
46. "I never considered myself as a Singer : Manna Dey". Hindustan Times. 4 October 2009.
47. "Rafi was a better singer than me". The Times of India. 4 October 2009.
48. "I am incomplete without Rafi: Shammi – The Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 31 January 2011. Retrieved 25 December 2010.
49. "9000 musical tributes, commemorations for Rafi". indianexpress.com.
50. "Films Division to make documentary on Mohammed Rafi". merinews.com.
51. "BBC Asian Network Vote – 100 Greatest Bollywood Songs #Bolly100". bbc.co.uk.
52. "Rafi wins Greatest Voice of Hindi Cinema poll". http://www.ibnlive.com/videos/india/rafi-winner-pkg-631661.html. External link in |work= (help)
53. 9000 musical tributes, commemorations for Rafi, The Indian Express, 31 July 2010.
54. Rich Tributes Paid to Mohammed Rafi, Outlook, 31 July 2010
55. Mike D'Angelo. "Teenage wasteland: Adolescent angst takes on new dimensions in the magnificently mundane Ghost World". Archived from the original on 4 August 2006. Retrieved 28 April 2007.
56. "Ask Sam: Straight answers". Winston-Salem Journal. 8 October 2011. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
57. "Heineken "The Date" commercial (2011)". Retrieved 7 August 2011.
58. "Monsoon Wedding soundtrack listing". Retrieved 3 February 2009.
59. "The Guru (2002)". IMDb.
60. "Soundtracks for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind". Retrieved 25 December 2010.
61. "Biography of Mohd. Rafi". na. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
62. "First Half of the Life of Legendry Film Singer Mohammad Rafi". na. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
63. "Remembering Rafi: 'There Cannot Be Another'". Rediff. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
64. "Straight from a barber's shop". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
65. Gulzar; Govind Nihalani; Saibal Chatterjee (2003). Encyclopaedia of Hindi Cinema. Popular Prakashan. pp. 633–. ISBN 978-81-7991-066-5. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
66. "Filmfare Awards list". The Times of India.
67. "1965– 28th Annual BFJA Awards – Awards for the Year 1964". Bengal Film Journalists' Association. Archived from the original on 14 January 2009. Retrieved 14 December 2008.
68. "1966: 29th Annual BFJA Awards – Awards for the Year 1965". Bengal Film Journalists' Association. Archived from the original on 8 January 2010. Retrieved 22 October 2009.
69. "His Voice swayed millions". Retrieved 25 December 2010.
70. "Rafi wins Greatest Voice of Hindi Cinema poll". IBNLive.

External links

• Mohammed Rafi at the Internet Movie Database