< h1 >Mohammed Rafi : The Timeless Voice< /h1 >
Mohammed Rafi was a legendary playback singer in the Indian film industry. With a career spanning over four decades, he mesmerized audiences with his versatile voice and impeccable singing talent. Rafi’s rich repertoire of songs encompasses a wide range of genres, earning him widespread recognition and accolades.
Biography
| Birth Date | 24 December 1924 |
|---|---|
| Death Date | 31 July 1980 |
| Profession | Indian playback singer and musician |
| Awards | Six Filmfare Awards and one National Film Award |
| Honors | Padma Shri award by the Government of India, “Best Singer of the Millennium” title by Hero Honda and Stardust magazine |
| Legacy | Greatest Voice in Hindi Cinema in the CNN-IBN’s poll |
| Number of Songs Recorded | Over 7,000 songs in multiple languages including Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, and several Indian and foreign languages |
Early Life
Mohammed Rafi, the renowned playback singer of the Hindi film industry, was born in a Punjabi Jat Muslim family in the village of Kotla Sultan Singh, near Amritsar in Punjab, India. He was the second eldest of six brothers, born to Allah Rakhi and Haji Ali Mohammad. Rafi’s love for singing blossomed early in his life, and it was evident that he had a natural talent. His family originally belonged to Kotla Sultan Singh, a village near present-day Majitha in Amritsar district of Punjab, India. Despite being born in a small village, Rafi left an indelible mark on the world of Indian music.
Family
| Family Member | Relationship |
|---|---|
| Mohammed Rafi’s Father | Haji Ali Mohammad |
| Mohammed Rafi’s Mother | Allah Rakhi |
| Mohammed Rafi’s Siblings | Five brothers (names not provided) |
Mohammed Rafi was the second eldest of six brothers born to Allah Rakhi and Haji Ali Mohammad in a Punjabi Jat Muslim family. He had five older brothers, and his father, Haji Ali Mohammad, was his role model. Rafi had four sons and three daughters from his two marriages. His father was named Haji Ali Mohammad, and his mother was Allah Rakhi. Rafi’s family played a significant role in his life and career as a legendary Indian playback singer.
Height, Weight, And Other Body Measurements
| Measurement | Information |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 feet 8 inches |
| Weight | Not Available |
| Chest | Not Available |
| Waist | Not Available |
| Hip | Not Available |
Wife/husband / Girlfriend/boyfriend
Mohammed Rafi was married to Bilquis Bano, and they have six children together.
| Wife/Partner Name |
|---|
| Basheera Bibi (First Wife) |
| Bilquis Bano (Current Wife) |
Career, Achievements And Controversies
Mohammed Rafi was one of the most popular playback singers of the Hindi film industry. He rose to fame through his exceptional singing abilities which led him to work with numerous music directors and actors.
Rafi’s career started with singing in Bollywood and he went on to deliver numerous popular works. Some of his most popular songs include “Teri Pyaari Pyaari Surat Ko”, “Bahaaron Phool Barsaao”, “Dil Ke Jharokhe Mein”, and “Yahoo!”.
Awards
Rafi won numerous awards during his career, including three Filmfare awards for his songs with S-J. Some of the notable awards include:
- S-J songs – “Teri Pyaari Pyaari Surat Ko”
- S-J songs – “Bahaaron Phool Barsaao”
- S-J songs – “Dil Ke Jharokhe Mein”
During his otherwise non-controversial career, there was a row over the payment of royalty that irked Mohammed Rafi. However, apart from this, he was known as a thorough gentleman, polite, and a very professional singer with minimal serious problems reported in his career.
The conflict between Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammed Rafi arose when both artists had a dispute over the claim for singing the most songs in the world. This led to a period where they did not sing with each other.
Mohammed Rafi had children and his son Shahid Rafi is known in the music industry.
Rafi’s greatness lies in his revolutionary contributions to the Hindi film music industry by introducing the concept of singing to one and a half “saptaks” (scales) rather than the usual one saptak. He brought radical change and has left an indelible mark on Indian cinema.
Faq
Mohammed Rafi (1924–1980) was an Indian playback singer. He was one of the most versatile and popular singers in the Hindi film industry, known for his ability to sing in various genres.
Mohammed Rafi sang a wide range of hit songs, including “Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho,” “Yeh Reshmi Zulfein,” “Ae Gulbadan,” “Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala Gaya,” “Likhe Jo Khat Tujhe,” and many more.
Mohammed Rafi received several awards and honors, including the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer and six Filmfare Awards. He was also honored with the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1967.
Mohammed Rafi’s legacy includes being remembered as one of the greatest playback singers in the history of Indian cinema. His versatile voice and ability to express different emotions through his songs continue to inspire singers and music lovers worldwide.
