Rafi’s memories in the month of July.

Rafi’s memories in the month of July.

The month of July brings sad memories every year because at the end of this month in 1980, Mohammad Rafi, the man with the golden voice passed away. Musiclovers all across the world cannot forget this day.

Rafi is still in the mind of numerous musiclovers across the world. His songs “man tarapata”, “o duniya ke rakhwale” shows the control over ragas which Naushad had used in the film Baiju Bawra.

His songs “yeh mahalon, yeh takhton, yeh tajon ki duniya” from the film Pyaasa, and the song “bichre sabhi bari bari” from the film Kagaz Ka Phool, picturised on Guru Dutt had philosophical value. Guru Dutt was sublime in these films. Besides SD Burman’s music was excellent in these films.

Rafi had sung huge number of westernized numbers including “meherban likhoon” from Sangam, picturised on Rajender Kumar, “akele akele kahan ja rahen ho” picturised on Shammi Kapoor from the film An Evening Paris, “Love in Tokyo” from the film Love in Tokyo, picturised on Joy Mukherjee. All these songs were composed by legendary composer Shankar Jaikishan.

Rafi was sublime in the films Kashmir Ki Kali, Phir Wahi Dil Laya Hoon, Mere Sanam, where the songs picturised on Shammi Kapoor, Joy Mukherjee, Bishwajeet were given adequate expression by the sweet voice of Rafi. OP Nayyar composed the melodious songs for the above mentioned films.

Rafi had sang very landmark songs composed by Roshan, including “dil jo na keh saka”, “jo wada kiya hai”, “aap ne yaad dilaya” etc, picturised on Pradeep Kumar from the film Bheegi Raat, Taj Mahal and Aarti respectively. Rafi and Madanmohan had provided immortal songs like “baad muddat key eh ghari aye”, “tumhare zulf ke saye me shaam karlunga”, etc.

It is not possible to highlight the contribution of musical giant like Rafi who had sung more then 26,000 songs in a career spanning over 35 years. The songs and the films should be restored and reached out to the next generation to learn about quality singing. Let Rafi’s soul rest in peace.