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 |
| Origin | India |
| Died | 31 July 1980 (aged 55) Bombay, Maharashtra, India |
| Genres | Indian classical, Ghazal, Playback singing, Qawwali, Thumri, Bhajan, Western music |
| Occupation(s) | Playback singer |
| Instruments | Vocalist |
| Years active | 1944–1980 |
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, Persian, Spanish, and Dutch.
Contents
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.[4] 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.[5] 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.[6] 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).[7] In that same year, Rafi was invited by All India Radio Lahore station to sing for them.[8]
He made his Hindi film debut in Gaon Ki Gori in 1945.[2]
Bombay (1944 to 1947)
In 1944, Rafi moved to Bombay. He and Hameed Sahab rented a ten-by-ten-foot 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.[5] 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.[9]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.[8]
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.[8] 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".[10] 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).
Talat Mahmood, G.M.Durrani, Mohd. Rafi
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".[9] 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.
Recording career in the 1950s and 1960s
See also: List of songs by Mohammed Rafi
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.- Association with Naushad
Rafi's association with Naushad helped the former establish himself as one of the most prominent playback singers in Hindi cinema.[8] Songs from Baiju Bawra (1952) like "O duniya ke rakhwale" and "Man tarpat hari darshan ko aaj" furthered Rafi's credentials.[7] Rafi ended up singing a total of 149 songs (81 of them solo) for Naushad.[12]
In the 1960 film Mughal-E-Azam, Mohammed Rafi sang "Ae Mohabbat Zindabad", composed by Naushad, with a chorus of 100 singers.[13]
- Association with S D Burman
- Association with Shankar-Jaikishan
- Association with Ravi
Ravi and Rafi produced several other songs in the films China Town (1962), Kaajal (1965), and Do Badan (1966).
- Association with Madan Mohan
- Association with O. P. Nayyar
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.[19]
- Association with Laxmikant-Pyarelal
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".[20]
- Association with his Contemporary Singers
In the song "Humko Tumse Ho Gaya Hai Pyaar Kya Karein" (Amar, Akbar, Anthony), Rafi sang with Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar and Mukesh,the most legendary singers in Bollywood - all in one song. This was probably the only time that all of them rendered their voices for one song.[21]
- Singing career in other languages
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.[23][24] The music director Jaikishan later negotiated a reconciliation between the two.[25]Early 1970s
In 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.[23][26] 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".[14] 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".During 1971-1973, Rafi's musical output decreased; however, he did sing several songs.[27] 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; "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).
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.[12]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.[14] 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 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". The physical album was released only in India by Universal.[citation needed]
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."[21] In an interview to BBC recorded in November 1977, Rafi claimed to have sung 25,000 to 26,000 songs till then.[16]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."[28] 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.[28] The Guinness Book entries for Rafi and Lata were removed in 1991.[29] In 2011, Lata's sister Asha Bhosle was given the title.[30]
Death
Mohammed Rafi died at 10:25 PM on 31 July 1980, following a massive heart attack.[31] 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".[21][32][33] Another source says that the song was a duet with Lata Mangeshkar: "Shehr mein charcha hai, Yeh duniya kehti hai".[34]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.[35][36] The government of India announced a two-day public holiday in honour of him.[21]
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.[37]
Legacy
Singers like Shabbir Kumar, Mohammed Aziz and Sonu Nigam were influenced by Rafi's style of singing.[38] 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.[39][40] The Padma Shri Mohammed Rafi Chowk in the Bandra suburb of Mumbai and Pune (extending MG Road) is named after Rafi.[41]
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.[42]
In June 2010, Rafi along with Lata Mangeshkar was voted the most popular playback singer in the Outlook Music Poll, conducted by Outlook magazine.[43] The same poll voted "Man re, tu kahe na Dheer Dhare" (Chitralekha, 1964), sung by Rafi as the #1 song.[44] Three songs were tied for the #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.[45]
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".[46]
There have been appeals [47] to the Government of India to honour the singer, posthumously, with the Bharat Ratna (India's Highest Civilian Award)[9]
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".[48][49] 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".[50]
Over 9,000 musical tributes were organized in July 2011 commemorating the 31st anniversary of the singer's death.[51] A documentary about Rafi’s life is under production by the Films Division of India.[52]
Rafi's Baharon Phool Barsao was voted the most popular Hindi song in a BBC Asia Network poll commemorating 100 years of Hindi Cinema.[53] In a CNN-IBN survey in 2013, he was voted the greatest voice of Hindi Cinema.[54]
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.[55][56]After his death, seven Hindi movies were dedicated to Rafi: Allah Rakha, Mard, Coolie, Desh-Premee, Naseeb, Aas-Paas and Heeralal-Pannalal.[citation needed]
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.[57] The song has also been used for Heineken's 2011 "The Date" commercial.[58][59]
His "Aaj Mausam Bada Beiman Hai" is featured in the 2001 film Monsoon Wedding.[60] His "Kya Mil Gaya" (Sasural, 1961) has been used in The Guru (2002), where Ramu and Sharonna sing a version of the song.[61] 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).[62]
Personal life
Rafi married twice; his first marriage was to his cousin; Bashira[63] and took place in his ancestral village.[64][65] 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.[66]Rafi had four sons and three daughters; his first son Saeed was from his first marriage.[65] He was very much a family man, following a recording-room, to home and to recording-room itinerary. He rarely attended film parties, did not smoke or drink, was religious, and was considered a humble man.[67] He used to perform his riyaz (musical practice) regularly. His only indulgences were playing carom, badminton, and flying kites.[9]
Awards and recognition
| Year | Song | Film | Music director | Lyricist | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977[6] | "Kya Hua Tera Wada" | Hum Kisise Kum Naheen | Rahul Dev Burman | Majrooh Sultanpuri | Won |
- Filmfare Awards[69] (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 |
| Year | Film | Music director | Lyricist | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Tumsa Nahin Dekha | O. P. Nayyar | Majrooh Sultanpuri | Won |
| 1965[70] | Dosti | Laxmikant-Pyarelal | Majrooh Sultanpuri | Won |
| 1966[71] | Arzoo | Shankar Jaikishan | Hasrat Jaipuri | Won |
- Sur Sringar Award
| Year | Film | Music director | Lyricist | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Chitralekha | Roshan | Sahir Ludhyanvi[72] | Won |
- Honorary
- 1948 - Rafi received a silver medal from the Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, on the first anniversary of the Indian Independence Day.[8]
- 1967 - Honoured with the Padma Shri by the Government of India.
- 2001 - Rafi was honored 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.[73]
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