Indian Cinema Legends: Mohammed Rafi - The Golden Voice

Mohammed Rafi was one of the most popular playback singers of Hindi cinema. In a career that spanned over four decades and thousands of melodies, Rafi lent his voice to a range of actors, music directors and genres.

He brought radical change 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.

With a plethora of awards and accolades including six Filmfare awards, a National Film Award and being honoured with the Padma Shri (third highest civilian award) by the Government of India in 1967, Rafi remained a very humble and a modest man. Despite his God-gifted voice, he was a man of few words.

The seventh of eight children, Mohammed Rafi was born on 24th December 1924 to parents Haji Mohammed Ali (father) and Allahrakhi (mother) in a small village by the name of Kotla Sultan Singh, Punjab, India.

Rafi grew up in a very orthodox household where music and singing was frowned upon. Despite this, he took a very keen interest in singing and would often imitate the chants of a local fakir who would roam the streets of Rafi’s hometown, Lahore.

Mohammed Rafi photographed with his car

Music director Naushad Ali popularly known as Naushad, was one of Hindi cinema's foremost music directors known for using Hindustani classical music in films. Mohammed Rafi and Naushad had a long-standing association. The making of the great duo came into existence when Rafi went to meet the accomplished music director at Karder studios. After auditioning for him, Naushad gave him the opportunity to sing in the chorus for the film Phele Aap (1944).

Mohammed Rafi with music director Jaikishan, lyricist Hasrat Jaipuri and actor Shashi Kapoor during a music recording

Mohammed Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar sang some of the most popular melodies of Hindi cinema together.

During Rafi's extended stay in London whilst visiting family, Kishore Kumar visited Mohammed Rafi at his son's house in Windsor. Although both legendary singers were working in an extremely competitive film industry they had mutual respect for one another. This popular song from Chupke Chupke (1975) was a testimony of their camaraderie.

Mohammed Rafi married wife, Bilquis, in Bombay in 1944. He had seven children (four sons and three daughters). With twelve grandchildren during his lifetime and a further five born after his passing, Rafi loved to spend quality time at home with the family. Whether it was a game of carrom, flying a kite or a round of badminton, he always ensured he made time for his loved ones when not in the studio or touring.

Mohammed Rafi photographed with three of his four sons Khalid, Saeed and Hamid during a visit to London.

Mohammed Rafi celebrating his son Khalid's birthday. Rafi had a soft spot for home-made sponge cake.

Music directors across the industry were lining up to sign Rafi for their next film. Between 1942 and 1980, Rafi was given the opportunity to sing for most music directors, ranging from the legendary Shyam Sunder and Naushad Ali right up to those of recent generations such as Ravindra Jain, Anu Mallik, Bappi Lahiri and Rajesh Roshan.

He became the voice of almost every screen hero, supporting actor, character actor in Hindi cinema.

Despite reaching the pinnacle of his career, Rafi remained humble about his success.

He reached out with his voice to millions of fans during his world tours which included locations like United States, UK, South America, Canada, Africa, West Indies, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, Malaysia, Fiji Islands, New Zealand and Netherlands.

Nearly four decades on since his demise, Rafi’s voice still resonates throughout households around the world. The legacy of a man who took the music industry by storm still lives on in the hearts of millions.