The Legend

A Tribute to the Great Legend: Mohammad Rafi

It was 31st July 1980, exactly 28 years ago, we have lost a great legend and most versatile playback singer of film industry where he sang innumerable songs in every language in the industry. He is indeed Mohammad Rafi. He passed away in the age of 56 in Mumbai.

He started his singing career in 1940 in a Punjabi film under a music composer baton Shyam sunder and got a opportunity to sing in hindi also. His voice was commandable and sang different types of songs like sad, romantic, happy, devotional as well as other type of songs. In his 40 years of career in the film industry, he was the singer who sang under every music directors whether he is young or old. His ever smiling charming face made everyone happy. Music composer like Naushad gave him a good break in the film “Baiju Bawra” where he sang his turning point of his life, the song was “O Duniya ke Rakhwale” with a high pitch. Also he sang more songs under Shankar-Jaikishan, laxmikant-Pyarelal, as well as he sang more duets with Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosale and Suman Kalyanpur. As a playback singer, he was a humble and god fearing person who helped many people in his life. But when he was in a peak, he suddenly died with heart attack. His last film was “Aas Paas” where he sang with Lata Mangeshkar.

The Rafi foundation will pay a homage to this dedicated playback singer of our film music industry. May god keep his soul in peace.


Article by : Shashank Chickermane