Legendary singer of Hindi film songs, Mohammad Rafi still haunts us 27 years after his death. His melodious voice is unparallel during his 35 years of music life and after.
Born Kotla Sultan Singh to Hajji Ali Mohammed, Mohammad Rafi had Hindustani Classical Music training by Ustad Bade Gholam Ali, Ustad Wahid Khan and Pandit Jiwanlal Matoo. After becoming a radio artiste in Lahore, he moved to Mumbai (then Bombay) in 1944.
Mohammad Rafi initially featured in some chorus, composed by Naushad, in a number of films like Laila Majnu (1945) and Shahjehan (1946). His was first noticed for his song Tera Khilona Toota Balak in Anmol Ghadi (1946). His first duet with famous singer Noor Jehan in Jugnu (1947) Yahan Badla Wafa Ka was also a hit song.
In 1948, Mohammad Rafi instantly became famous with his song on Mahatma Gandhi Suno Suno Aye Duniya Walon Bapuji Ki Amar Kahani. He was given a silver medal for the song by the then Prime Minister Jahawarlal Nehru.
His real break as playback singer came with Baiju Bawra’s (1952) superhit songs O Duniya Ke Rakhwale and Man Tarpat Hari Darshan Ko Aaj. Besides Naushad, other music composures like O P Naayar, Shankar-Jaikishen and Sachin Dev Burman showed intesres in him and he came out with several hits since 1952.
Mohammad Rafi deeply set in the minds of millions of Indians in 1960s. In the decade, he got five Filmfare Awards for Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho (1960), Teri Pyaari Pyaari Surat Ko (1961-Sasural), Chahungga Mein Tujhe (1964-Dosti), Bhaharon Phool Barsao (1966-Suraj) and Dil Ke Jharoke Mein (1968-Brahmachari).
He was awarded Padma Shree by the President of India 1n 1965 and he won the National Award for Babul Ki Duaon Leti Ja in Neel Kamal in 1968.
After the dominance of Kishore Kumar from 1970, Mohammad Rafi performed less , but during that period too he rendered some memorable songs like Yeh Duniya Yeh Mehfil (1970-Heer Ranjha), Chura Liya Hain Tumne ( 1971-Yadot ki Baarat), Yeh Jo Chilman Hain, (1972- Mehboob Ki Mehendi), Tum Jo Mil Gaye Ho (1973-Haste Zakham) Aaj Mausam Bada Beimaan Hai (1973-Loafer), and Jhilmil Sitaron Ka (1974-Jeevan Mrityu).
Mohammad Rafi bagged another Filmfare Award and also National Award for Kya Hua Tere Wada for the film Hum Kisise Kam Nahin in 1978.
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