Mohammed Rafi

Description: (One of India's Greatest and Most Influential Playback Singers)

One of the golden voices of Hindi filmdom, Mohammed Rafi was definitely one of the greatest contemporary singers to have taken birth in India. He was blessed with such versatility that he could sing romantic numbers, sad songs, funny songs and ghazals, all with the same heartwarming soulfulness. Voted as “Indian Cinema’s Greatest Voice”, it is no surprise that even today he remains one of India’s most listened to singers—decades after his untimely death! Over a long and productive singing career that spanned over three decades, the singer recorded thousands of songs, several of which still remain etched in the memories of Indian film lovers. He had a strong command over the Hindi language and had the ability to modulate his voice and tone to suit the personalities of the actors he was singing for. Over his career, he sang for many of Bollywood’s superstars like Dev Anand, Shammi Kapoor, Dilip Kumar, and Sunil Dutt. Along with his solos, he was also very famous for singing duets with the leading female singers of his time like Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle. Though most of his songs were in Hindi, his repertoire also includes songs in Indian regional languages like Punjabi, Bengali, Marathi, and Telugu.

Overview

Birthday December 24, 1924 (Capricorn)
City Amritsar, India
Died on July 31, 1980
Spouse/Ex- Bilquis
Parents Hajji Ali Mohammad.

Did you know

What were some popular songs sung by Mohammed Rafi? Mohammed Rafi sang numerous popular songs, including "Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho," "Yeh Reshmi Zulfein," "Baharon Phool Barsao," "Dil Deke Dekho," and "Kya Hua Tera Wada."
What was Mohammed Rafi's singing style known for? Mohammed Rafi was known for his versatile singing style that allowed him to effortlessly switch between various genres, including classical, romantic, qawwali, and patriotic songs.
Did Mohammed Rafi receive any special recognition for his contribution to music? Yes, Mohammed Rafi was honored with the Padma Shri award in 1967 for his exceptional contributions to Indian music.
How did Mohammed Rafi's collaboration with music directors contribute to his success? Mohammed Rafi collaborated with many renowned music directors like Shankar-Jaikishan, S.D. Burman, and R.D. Burman, which played a significant role in his success and popularity in the music industry.
What impact did Mohammed Rafi have on the Indian music industry? Mohammed Rafi's melodious voice and versatile singing style left a lasting impact on the Indian music industry, influencing generations of singers and earning him a revered place in music history.
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