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Mohammed Rafi Photo Credit: THG
Singer Mohammed Rafi’s unique versatility, spanning from fast-paced tunes to soulful tunes, has earned him the title of the greatest and most influential singer of the Indian subcontinent. His ability to mold his voice to suit each actor’s personality was unmatched, and his extensive repertoire – which includes songs in over a thousand Hindi films and in several Indian languages – demonstrates his extraordinary talent.
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Mohammed Rafi’s son, Shahid Rafi, remembers his father as a parent and an artist whose voice was unforgettable. Sharing some of his favorite tracks sung by Rafi, Shahid reflected on his personal and professional impact. in conversation with ANIHe said, “He was a true father. We definitely miss him. He was a wonderful husband. Actually father never socialized; He was always with his family, playing with us. He was a very humble, very soft-spoken and very charitable person.
The 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) includes a special tribute program to celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of four stalwarts of Indian cinema: actor-filmmaker Raj Kapoor, director Tapan Sinha, Telugu cinema star Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR), and singer Mohammad Rafi.
Expressing his gratitude for people’s enduring love for his father, Shahid Rafi said, “I am really amazed – 45 years later, people still remember him the same way. Wherever I go, they just talk about him and remember him fondly. There are a lot of shows dedicated to my father, not just this year but every year, all over the world.
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Shahid Rafi also revealed plans to make a biographical film on his father, which is expected to be officially announced in December. Shahid shared that a contract has already been signed with filmmaker Umesh Shukla, known for his work Oh my,
Filmmaker Subhash Ghai and singer Sonu Nigam reflect on why no film was made about the iconic singer before. He said that Rafi’s life was devoid of controversies, with a preference for humility, simplicity and keeping to himself.
Shahid also shared a touching anecdote about Rafi’s humility and how he protected his children from fully realizing his immense stardom. “He would casually say, ‘Do you know I have sung a song for Amitabh Bachchan today?’ We used to respond with curiosity, asking questions like how tall Amitabh was or what kind of watch or shoes he wore,” Shahid recalled. “He used to make fun of us and play with our attraction to everything. Described in detail.”
Rafi’s musical journey – from humble beginnings to becoming a cultural icon – is a testament to his skill and determination. His repertoire included a wide spectrum of genres including romantic songs, emotional songs, qawwali, ghazals, bhajans, classical compositions and party numbers. Some of his memorable songs include, You won’t be able to forget me just like that, you talk to me just like that, this little pipe, my heart is thirsty for you, what a sweet promise.
Shahid shared that although it is difficult to choose a favorite from his father’s vast catalogue, two songs hold special emotional significance for him: you won’t be able to forget me like this And The lonely heart will find a tune to tune into.
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Rafi was born on 24 December 1924 and was considered one of the greatest singers of his era. During his illustrious career he received six Filmfare Awards and one National Film Award. In 1967, he was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India. Over the years, Rafi collaborated with many veteran music directors, including Naushad Ali, OP Nayyar, Shankar-Jaikishan, SD Burman and Roshan.
This evergreen singer died on 31 July 1980.
published – November 27, 2024 10:16 am IST