KOLKATA, DEC 24 : Legendary singer Mohammed Rafi was remembered on Saturday on his birth anniversary.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee paid heartfelt homage to legendary singer on the occasion.

“Heartfelt homage to legendary singer Mohammed Rafi on his birth anniversary,” Banerjee posted
on her social networking page.
State Minister-in-Charge of PWD, Law and Judiciary Moloy Ghatak in a tweet massage said, “Heartfelt homage to the legendary singer #MohammedRafi Sahab on his Birth anniversary…”

“Dil kaa suunaa saaz taraanaa Dhuu.NDhegaa Tiir-e-nigaah-e-naaz nishaanaa Dhuu.NDhegaa Mujhako mere baad zamaanaa Dhuu.NDhega,” he said.

“Yes we are missing you #MdRafi Sahab. You are a Gem of Music,” Ghatak added.

Born on this day in 1924, Rafi was one of India’s greatest playback singers. During his nearly five-decade-long career, the legendary singer sang 7,405 songs in his illustrious career that barely needed any introduction

He performed an estimated 26,000 songs and was heard in 76 films. Singing in all of India’s national languages, Rafi was effective whether he was performing ghazals, qawwalis, or bhajans.

Even after 42 years of his demise, his songs are still relevant and loved by people of all generations. Such was the magic of his voice that even the generation that is in love with heavy metal music and peppy tracks find solace at midnight in his songs.

S. D. Burman used Rafi as a singing voice of Dev Anand and Guru Dutt. Rafi worked with Burman in 37 films, including Pyaasa (1957), Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959), Kala Bazar (1960), Nau Do Gyarah (1957), Kala Pani (1958), Tere Ghar Ke Saamne (1963), Guide (1965), Aradhana (1969), Ishq Par Zor Nahin (1970) and Abhimaan (1973)

Rafi got his first Filmfare Award for the title song of Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960), composed by Ravi. He received the National Award for the song “Baabul Ki Duaen Leti Jaa” from the film Neel Kamal (1968), also composed by Ravi. Rafi wept during the recording of this song, which he admitted in a 1977 interview with the BBC.

Ravi and Rafi produced several other songs in the films China Town (1962), Kaajal (1965), Do Badan (1966) and Ek Phool Do Maali (1969)

Rafi’s partnership with Shankar–Jaikishan was among the most famous and successful in the Hindi film industry. He worked with them from their first film, Barsaat (1949). Under Shankar–Jaikishan,

Rafi produced some of his songs for actors like Shammi Kapoor and Rajendra Kumar.

Out of six Filmfare awards, Rafi won three for S-J songs – “Teri Pyaari Pyaari Surat Ko”, “Bahaaron Phool Barsaao” and “Dil Ke Jharokhe Mein.” The song “Yahoo! Chaahe Koi Mujhe Junglee Kahe” was sung by Rafi, matched by a fast-paced orchestra and composition by Shankar Jaikishan.

S-J had Rafi give playback for Kishore Kumar in the film Sharaarat (“Ajab Hai Daastaan Teri Ye Zindagi”). Rafi sang a total of 341 numbers—216 solo—for Shankar–Jaikishan. Among the films of this combination are: Awaara, Boot Polish, Basant Bahar, Professor, Junglee, Asli-naqli, Rajkumar, Suraj, Sangam, Brahmachari, Arzoo, An Evening in Paris, Dil Tera Deewana, Yakeen, Prince, Love in Tokyo, Beti Bete, Dil Ek Mandir, Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai, Gaban and Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai.

In 1965, Rafi received the prestigious Padma Sri award from the central government.

Rafi died on July 31, 1980, following a massive heart attack, aged 55. The last song sung by Rafi
was for the movie Aas Paas, with music by Laxmikant-Pyarelal.(UNI)