Remembering Mohammed Rafi, the legendary singer of soulful melodies 

Mohammed Rafi, an iconic singer who came to be identified as the singing voice of Hindi cinema, died of a heart attack on July 31, 1980. Rafi sahab was known for his amazing vocal range and versatility. From classical numbers to patriotic songs, lamentations to highly romantic numbers, qawwalis to ghazals and bhajans, his voice had an ability to create magic. He was known for his ability to mould his voice according to the personality of the actor.

Remembering Rafi in today’s music scenario is all the more important when we sadly do not have voices, who have his ability to meld vocal range and creativity. Today’s film music dominated by auto-correct and electronically manipulated vocals, needs to draw inspiration from the legendary singer if it really wants to further enrich the legacy of our melodious film music.

On his 37th death anniversary, music lovers remember the legendary singer who gave Indian cinema 40 golden years of soul-stirring melodies.

Born on December 24, 1924, Rafi sahab ruled over the Hindi film industry with iconic songs such as, Likhe Jo Khatt Tujhe, Baharon Phool Barsao, Gulabi Aankhein, Chura Liya hai tumne jo dil ko. He was reputed to have recorded over 7,000 songs in his career. His songs are still used by the young generations to woo their love. Singers like Shreya Ghoshal, Sonu Nigam and Udit Narayan were influenced by Rafi’s style of singing.

Rafi sang his first song with G. M. Durrani, Aji dil ho kaabu mein to dildar ki aisi taisi for Gaon Ki Gori. 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).

After the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi in 1948, 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. Between 1950 and 1970, Rafi was the most sought-after singer in the Hindi film industry.

Man tadpat haridarshan ko aaj from Baiju Baawra was the song that popularised Rafi globally and established him as an international star. He received six Filmfare Awards and one National Film Award. In 1967, the government conferred on him the Padma Shri award.

The charm and emotions of his golden voice made any song come alive; he was a favourite male voice of his golden era. Here is the playlist of some of his most memorable numbers, which we can’t stop humming even after so many years.