Mohammed Rafi, a legendary Indian playback singer, remains one of the most celebrated voices in the history of Indian cinema. His vast repertoire showcases his incredible vocal range and versatility across numerous languages and musical styles.
Wiki/Biography
Mohammed Rafi was born on December 24, 1924, in Kotla Sultan Singh, a village near Amritsar, Punjab. His zodiac sign was Capricorn. He completed his schooling at a local village school, but his passion for singing overshadowed formal education. His musical journey began with classical training under esteemed gurus like Ustad Barkat Ali Khan, Ustad Abdul Wahid Khan, and Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan. Interestingly, his early singing experiences were in his relative’s barbershop, where his talent was noticed by customers and his brother, leading to further formal training.
Family, Caste & Wife
Rafi was born to Haji Ali Mohammed and Allah Rakhi. He had five brothers – Mohammed Safi, Mohammed Deen, Mohammed Ismail, Mohammed Ibrahim, and Mohammed Siddique – and two sisters, Chirag Bibi and Reshma Bibi. He married twice. His first wife, Bashira Bibi, gave birth to his son, Sayeed. He later married Bilquis Bano in 1943, and they had three sons (Khalid, Hamid, and Shahid) and three daughters (Parveen, Yashmin, and Nashrin).
Career
Rafi’s playback singing debut was with the song “Soniye Nee, Heeriye Nee” in the Punjabi film Gul Baloch (1944), alongside Zeenat Begum. His Bollywood debut followed with “Aji Dil Ho Kaabu Me” from Gaon Ki Gori (1945).
He collaborated with numerous iconic music composers, including Naushad, S. D. Burman, Shankar-Jaikishan, O. P. Nayyar, Ravi, and Laxmikant-Pyarelal, shaping the soundscape of Indian cinema for decades.
| Music Composer | Notable Collaborations |
|---|---|
| Naushad | Numerous songs from films like Mughal-e-Azam |
| S.D. Burman | Songs from films like Pyaasa, Guide |
| Shankar-Jaikishan | Many songs from films like Shree 420, Anari |
His famous songs are numerous and span various genres and moods. Some of his most beloved works include:
- Dekhi Zamane Ki Yaari
- Kya Hua Tera Wada
- Maine Poocha Chand Se
- Khoya Khoya Chand
- Aye Watan
Controversies
A well-known disagreement arose between Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar in the early 1960s concerning royalty payments for songs. Their professional relationship was strained for a period, but they eventually reconciled.
Another controversy surrounded Lata Mangeshkar’s entry into the Guinness Book of World Records for “Most Recorded Songs.” Rafi had challenged this, believing his recorded songs were more numerous. The Guinness entry was later removed.
Awards
Rafi received numerous accolades throughout his career, including:
- A silver medal from Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru in 1948
- Padma Shri in 1967
- National Award for “Kya Hua Tera Wada” (1977)
- Multiple Filmfare Awards for Best Playback Singer
Favourite Things
His preferences included actors Kishore Kumar, Rishi Kapoor, Raj Kapoor, and Dilip Kumar; actresses Madhubala, Rekha, Sadhna, and Nargis Dutt; and films like Mughal-e-Azam, Aradhna, Guide, and An Evening in Paris.
Cars Collection
He owned a Fiat Padmini and an Impala.
Net Worth
His estimated net worth at the time of his death was $20-30 million (approximately Rs. 139-208 crores).
Death
Mohammed Rafi passed away on July 31, 1980, due to a heart attack in Mumbai. His funeral was attended by approximately 10,000 people, and the Indian government declared two days of public mourning. His original burial site was later demolished, but his legacy continues to be remembered by fans.
Facts
Many lesser-known details add to the legend of Mohammed Rafi. He learned classical music from multiple gurus, sang in various foreign languages, faced challenges early in his career, and even recorded a song hours before his passing. His influence on subsequent generations of playback singers is undeniable.
His impact extended to numerous avenues including a chowk named in his honor and a biography dedicated to his life and work. His contribution to Indian music remains immeasurable, and his voice continues to inspire and captivate listeners worldwide.
“`
