Mohammed Rafi (December 24, 1924 – July 31, 1980), was an Indian playback singer whose career spanned four decades. He was awarded National Award and 6 Filmfare Awards. In 1967, he was honoured with the Padma Shri awarded by the Government of India.
Rafi claimed to have recorded 28,000 songs in 11 Indian languages between 1944 and April 1980; according to the available figures, Rafi has sung 4,516 Hindi film songs, 112 non-Hindi film songs, and 328 private (non-film) songs from 1945 to 1980. His singing career spanned about 40 years, and his songs ranged from classical numbers to patriotic songs, sad lamentations to highly romantic numbers, qawwalis to ghazals and bhajans, and from slow melancholic tunes to fast and melodious fun filled songs. He had a strong command of Hindi and Urdu and a powerful range that could accommodate this variety.Primarily noted for his Hindi-Urdu songs, he also sang in other Indian languages including Konkani, Bhojpuri, Oriya, Punjabi, Bengali, Marathi, Sindhi, Kannada, Gujarati, Telugu, Maghi, Maithili and Assamese. He recorded a few English, Persian, Spanish and Dutch songs.
He is best known for romantic and duet songs, which he playback sings with the technique to mould the voice according to characters of the actor on the screen.
An article in Times of India, published on 24 July 2010 sums up his voice as, "If there are 101 ways of saying "I love you" in a song, Mohammed Rafi knew them all. The awkwardness of puppy love, the friskiness of teen romance, the philosophy of unrequited love and the anguish of heartbreak - he could explore every crevice of ardour. It wasn't just love, his voice could capture the navras of life - a failed poet's melancholy, a fiery unionist's vim, a debt-ridden farmer's despair, really anybody at all. Rafi, whose career spanned nearly four decades, was a singer for every season and every reason."
Early years and background
Mohammed Rafi was born the second youngest of six sons of Hajji Ali Mohammad at Kotla Sultan Singh, a village near Amritsar in Punjab (British India).Rafi, whose nickname was Pheeko, started singing by imitating chants of a fakir in his village. Rafi's father moved to Lahore in the 1920s and owned a men's salon in Noor Mohalla in Bhatti Gate Lahore.It was his elder brother (Mohammad Deen's) friend Abdul Hameed who later became his brother in law, who spotted the talent in Rafi in Lahore and encouraged him to sing. Abdul Hameed later convinced the family elders to let him move to Bombay and he accompanied Mohammad Rafi to Bombay in 1944. Rafi learnt classical music from Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Ustad Abdul Wahid Khan, Pandit Jiwanlal Matto and Firoze Nizami.
Rafi's first public performance came at the age of 13, when he was allowed to sing at a concert in Lahore featuring K. L. Saigal. In 1941, Rafi, under Shyam Sunder, made his debut in Lahore as a playback singer in the duet "Soniye nee, Heeriye nee" with Zeenat Begum in the Punjabi film Gul Baloch (the film was released in 1944). In that same year, Rafi was invited by All India Radio Lahore station to sing for them.He made his professional debut in the Shyam Sunder-directed 1941 Punjabi film Gul Baloch and the earliest debut in Bombay film was Gaon Ki Gori in 1945.
Advent in Bombay
In 1944, Rafi moved to Bombay (now Mumbai),The brother in laws to be took up a ten-by-ten-feet room in the crowded downtown Bhendi Bazar area. Here poet Tanvir Naqvi introduced him to some of film producers including Abdur Rashid Kardar, Mehboob Khan and actor-director Nazeer. Shyam Sunder was in Bombay and again provided an opportunity to Rafi – who got to sing a duet with GM Durrani, ‘Aji dil ho qaabu mein to dildar ki aisi taisi…’, for Gaon Ki Gori, which became Rafi’s first recorded song in a Hindi film. Many other songs followed. Rafi also did brief roles in movies like Laila-Majnu (1945) and Jugnu. In Laila-Majnu, he was seen singing Tera Jalwa as a part of the chorus.
In 1948, after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, the team of Husanlal Bhagatram-Rajendra Krishan-Rafi had overnight created the song ‘Suno suno ae duniyawalon, Bapuji ki amar kahani…’. He was invited by the Indian Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, to sing at the latter's house. In 1948, Rafi received a silver medal from Nehru on the Indian Independence Day. In 1949, Rafi was given solo songs by music directors such as Naushad, (Chandni Raat, Dillagi and Dulari) Shyam Sunder (Bazaar) and Husnalal Bhagatram (Meena Bazaar).
Rafi's first song with Naushad was "Hindustan ke hum hain" with Shyam Kumar, Alauddin and others, from A. R. Kardar's Pehle Aap (1944). Around the same time, Rafi recorded another song for the 1945 film Gaon ki Gori, "Aji dil ho kaaboo mein". He considered this song his first Hindi language song.
Rafi also appeared in two movies. In 1945, Rafi appeared on the screen for the song "Tera Jalwa Jis Ne Dekha" in the film Laila Majnu.He sang a number of songs for Naushad as part of the chorus, including "Mere sapnon ki rani, Roohi Roohi" with K. L. Saigal from the film Shahjahan (1946). Rafi sang "Tera Khilona Toota Balak" from Mehboob Khan's Anmol Ghadi (1946) and a duet with Noor Jehan in the 1947 film Jugnu, "Yahan Badla Wafa Ka". Following the Partition of India, Rafi decided to stay in India and had his family flown to Bombay. Whereas Noor Jahan migrated to Pakistan and made a pair with playback singer Ahmed Rushdi.
Rafi was highly influence by the singers of that time like K. L Saigal, Talat Mehmood and, most notably, by G. M. Durrani - on whose style he based his singing. He sung with his idol in some of the songs such as "Humko Hanste Dekh Zamana Jalta Hai (Hum Sab Chor Hain, 1956)and "Khabar Kisi ko Nahiin, woh kidhar Dekhte (Beqasoor, 1950),etc.
Recording career
He associated with many music directors of his time, most notably Naushad. In the late 1950s and 1960s, Rafi worked with other composers of the era such as O. P. Nayyar, Shankar Jaikishan and S.D. Burman.
Association with Naushad
As per Naushad, Rafi came to him with a letter of recommendation from Naushad's father.Rafi’s first song for Naushad was "Hindustan ke hum hain" ("We belong to Hindustan") for the film Pehle Aap in 1944. The first song for the duo was the soundtrack of the movie Anmol Ghadi (1946). Before Rafi, Naushad’s favorite singer was Talat Mahmood. Once Naushad found Talat smoking during a recording. He was annoyed and hired Rafi to sing all the songs of the movie Baiju Bawra.
Rafi's association with Naushad helped the former establish himself as one of the most prominent playback singers in Hindi Cinema.Songs from Baiju Bawra (1952) like "O duniya ke rakhwale" and "Man tarpat Hari darshan ko aaj" furthered Rafi's credentials. Rafi ended up singing a total of 149 songs (81 of them solo) for Naushad.
In the 1960 film Mughal-E-Azam, Mohammed Rafi sang the song "Ae Mohabbat Zindabad", composed by Naushad, with a chorus of 100 singers.
Association with S D Burman
S. D. Burman patronized Rafi as the singing voice of Dev Anand and Guru Dutt.Rafi worked with Burman in movies like Pyaasa (1957), Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959), Tere Ghar ke Saamne (1962), Guide (1965), Aradhana (1969), and Abhimaan (1973). S. D. Burman was also another music director besides Naushad who used Rafi prolifically to sing for most of his songs.
Association with Shankar-Jaikishan
Rafi and Shankar Jaikishan was a partnership in the Hindi film industry. 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, viz., "Teri pyari pyari soorat ko", "Baharon phool barsao", and "Dil ke jharokhe mein". The song "Yahoo! Chahe koi mujhe junglee kahe" was sung by Rafi, only to be matched a fast-paced orchestra and a composition by Shankar Jaikishan. S-J made Rafi give playback for Kishore Kumar in the film Shararat ("Ajab hai daastan teri yeh zindagi"). Rafi sang a total of 341 numbers (216 solo) for Shankar-Jaikishan. Among the films of this combination, are Basant Bahar, Professor, Junglee, Suraj, Brahmachari, 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.
Association with Ravi
Rafi got his first Filmfare Award for the title song of Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960), composed by Ravi. He got National Award for the song "Babul Ki Duaen Leti Ja" from the film Neel Kamal (1968), also composed by Ravi. Rafi actually wept during the recording of this song. He, himself, admitted this in his interview to BBC in 1977.
Ravi and Rafi produced several other songs, in the films China Town (1962), Kaajal (1965), and Do Badan (1966).
Association with Madan Mohan
Madan Mohan was another composer whose favorite singer was Rafi. Rafi's first solo with Madan Mohan in Ankhen (1950), "Hum ishq mein barbad hain barbad rahenge".They teamed up to produce many songs including "Teri Aankhon ke Siva", "Yeh Duniya Yeh Mehfil" and "Tum Jo Mil Gaye Ho"
Association with O. P. Nayyar
Rafi and O. P. Nayyar created music in the 1950s and 1960s. O. P. Nayyar was once quoted as saying "If there had been no Mohd. Rafi, there would have been no O. P. Nayyar".He and Rafi created many songs together including "Yeh hai Bombay meri jaan". He got Rafi to sing for singer-actor Kishore Kumar – "Man mora baawara" for the movie Raagini. Later, Rafi sang for Kishore Kumar in movies such as Baaghi, Shehzaada and Shararat. O. P. Nayyar used Rafi and Asha Bhosle for most of his songs. The team created many songs in early 1950s and 1960s for movies such as Naya Daur (1957), Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957), and Kashmir Ki Kali (1964). Rafi sang a total of 197 numbers (56 solo) for Nayyar.The song "Jawaaniyan yeh mast mast" and the title song "Yun to humne lakh hansee dekhe hain, tumsa nahin dekha" of the film Tumsa Nahin Dekha. They were followed by songs like "Taareef karoon kya uski jisne tumhe banaya" from Kashmir ki Kali.
Rafi and OP had a fallout during the recording for movie "Sawan ki Ghata", as disclosed by OP during one of his interviews. In the interview, he says, "Throughout my career, I have been famous for my punctuality. Rafi had given me a time for recording a song from Saawan Ki Ghata. The musicians were all set. Rafi came late for that recording and said, “Sorry, I was stuck up in Shankar- Jaikishan’s recording.” I said, “You had given me the time by your choice. So I gather, you have time for Shankar- Jaikishan and not for O.P. Nayyar. Now onwards, O.P.Nayyar will not have time for Rafi.” I cancelled the recording in front of shell shocked musicians and told the accountant to charge the expenses for the cancelled session to my account! After three years, Rafi came to my house crying like a baby. I also broke down. Both of us touched each other’s feet. I said, “Rafi, by coming here today you proved that you are much greater than O.P. You could overcome your ego. I could not!” He often used to sing – Yuun To Humne Laakh Sangeetkaar Dekhe Hai, O.P.Nayyar Sa Nahi Dekha! (I have seen many a composer but never one like O.P.Nayyar!) He also used to tell me, “Your music could turn a eunuch into a he-man!”.
Association with Laxmikant-Pyarelal
The composer duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal (L-P) also patronized Rafi as one of their singers, right from their very first film, Parasmani (1963). Both Rafi and L-P won the Filmfare Awards for the song "Chahoonga main tujhe saanjh savere" from Dosti (1964). Rafi rendered the maximum number of songs for the music director duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal: a total of 369 numbers (186 solo) for L-P.
Once, when composer Nisar Bazmi (who had migrated to Pakistan) didn’t have enough money to pay him, Rafi charged a fee of one rupee and sang for him. He also helped producers financially. As Laxmikant (of the Laxmikant-Pyarelal duo) once observed – “He always gave without thinking of the returns”.
Between 1950 and 1970, Rafi was the most sought after singer in Bollywood.He sang for many male stars in Hindi films. In 1965, he was honoured by the Government of India with the Padma Sri award. Rafi recorded two Hindi songs in English on 7" release in 1968. He also sang a song in Creole while on his visit to Mauritius in the late 1960s. Rafi recorded two English albums as well. One of them is Pop Hits. In Bollywood, yodeling is generally associated with Kishore Kumar but Rafi introduced yodeling in Indian film as playback singing. Rafi yodeled in some of his old songs, such as "Hello sweety seventeen" (duet with Asha Bhosle), "O Chale ho kaha", "Dilke Aine main", and "Unse Rippy Tippy Ho gayee" (duet with Geeta Dutt).
Association with his Contemporary Singers
Rafi associated with several of his contemporaries, singing duets with them and sometimes for them (as in case of Kishore Kumar who was also an actor).
Rafi sang the maximum number of duets with Asha Bhonsle (female), Manna Dey (male) and Lata Mangeshkar (female).
For the song “Man mora bawra” in the film Ragini, Kishore Kumar requested Rafi to sing this song for him because this song was a semi classical and Kishore Kumar said that "Rafi Sahab can sing this song better than me". Rafi sang the song.The song “Ajab hay dastan teri aey zindagi” was first given to Kishore Kumar to sing and he sung the first half of antara but in the second half, he faced some trouble and after many retakes, he was unable to give the effect that Shankar Jaikishan wanted, and finally the song was given to Rafi to sing.
In the song "Humko Tumse Ho Gaya Hai Pyaar Kya Karein" (Amar, Akbar, Anthony), Mohd Rafi sang with Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar and Mukesh - all in one song. This was probably the only time that all of them rendered their voices for one song
Controversies
Royalty issue
In 1962-1963, the popular female playback singer Lata Mangeshkar raised the issue of playback singers' share in the royalties. Recognizing Rafi's position as the leading male playback singer, she wanted him to back her in demanding a half-share from the 5 percent song royalty that the film's producer conceded to select composers. Lata's contention was that, there was no way producers and music directors could deny this singing duo, one-half share in that 5 percent song royalty to the composer. Rafi's stated that his claim on the film's maker ended with his being paid his agreed fee for the song. After that, if the film proved a hit, good luck to the movie's maker, he was welcome to keep the Gramco (HMV) royalty he earned from it.
Lata viewed his stand as a stumbling block on the royalty issue and this subsequently led to differences between the two. During the recording of "Tasveer Teri Dil Mein" (Maya, 1961), Lata argued with Rafi over a certain passage of the song. Rafi felt belittled, as music director Salil Chowdhury sided with Lata. The situation worsened when Lata Mangeshkar declared that she would no longer sing with Rafi. Rafi stated that he was only so keen to sing with Lata as she was with him. Later, at the insistence of S. D. Burman, the two decided to reconcile and sing duets..
Guiness World Records
During his last years, Rafi was involved in a controversy over Lata Mangeshkar's introduction in to the Guinness Book of World Records. In a letter dated June 11, 1977 to the Guinness Book of World Records, Rafi had challenged the claim that Lata Mangeshkar has recorded the maximum number of songs ("not less than 25,000" according to Guinness). After receiving a reply from Guinness, in a letter dated November 20, 1979, he wrote: "I am disappointed that my request for a reassessment vis-a-vis Ms Mangeshkar's reported world record has gone unheeded.".
In an interview to BBC recorded in Nov 1977, Rafi claimed to have sung 25,000 to 26,000 songs till then.After Rafi's death, in its 1984 edition, the Guinness Book of Word Records gave Lata Mangeshkar's name for the "Most Recordings" but also stated: "Mohammad Rafi (d 1 Aug 1980) claimed to have recorded 28,000 songs in 11 Indian languages between 1944 and April 1980.". According to the available figures, Rafi has sung 4,516 Hindi film songs, 112 non-Hindi film songs, and 328 private (non-film) songs from 1945 to 1980.The Guinness Book entries for both Rafi and Lata were later removed in 1991.
Early 1970s
In early 1970s, Rafi recorded fewer songs due his ill health and Hajj pilgrimage. At the same period Kishore Kumar's popularity increased due to the songs he sang for the film Aradhana. The music for Aradhana was composed by S. D. Burman, and he had used Rafi as the male playback voice for the first two recorded duets, "Baaghon Mein Bahaar Hai" and "Gunguna Rahen Hain Bhanwre". After these two recordings, S. D. Burman fell ill and his son and assistant, R. D. Burman, took over the recordings. R. D. Burman got Kishore Kumar to sing the solos "Roop Tera Mastana" and "Mere Sapnon Ki Rani".
During 1971-1973, Rafi's musical output decreased; however, he did sing several songs. Some of Rafi's songs of the early 1970s were with music directors like Laxmikant Pyarelal, Madan Mohan, R. D. Burman and S. D. Burman. These include "Tum mujhe Yun Bhula na Paoge" (a signature song of Rafi in 1971) from Pagla Kahin Ka, "Yeh Duniya Yeh Mehfil" from Heer Ranjha (1970), "Jhilmil Sitaron ka" from Jeevan Mrityu (a duet with Lata Mangeshkar, 1970), "Gulabi Aankhen" from The Train (1970), "Yeh Jo Chilman Hain" and "Itna to Yaad Hain Mujhe" from Mehboob Ki Mehndi (1971), "Mera mann tera pyasa" Gambler, "Chalo Dildar Chalo" from 1972 released Pakeezah, "Chura Liya Hain Tumne" from Yaadon Ki Baarat (a duet with Asha Bhosle, 1973), "Na tu Zameen Ke liye" from 1973 released Dilip Kumar movie Dastan, "Tum Jo Mil Gaye Ho" from Hanste Zakhm (1973), "Teri Bindiya re", from Abhimaan (1973) and "Aaj mausam bada beimaan hai" from Loafer (1973).
Later years
Rafi made an comeback as a top leading singer in the mid-1970s. In 1974, he won the Film World magazine Best Singer Award for the song "Teree Galiyon Mein Na Rakhenge Qadam Aaj Ke Baad" (Hawas, 1974) composed by Usha Khanna.
In 1977, he won both Filmfare Award and the National Award for the song "Kya Hua Tera Wada" from the movie Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin, composed by R. D. Burman.Rafi sang for Rishi Kapoor in films like Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Sargam (1979) and Karz (1980). The qawwali "Pardah Hai Pardah" from Amar Akbar Anthony (1977) was a superhit. Rafi's notable renderings in the late 1970s and early 80s include Laila Majnu (1976), Apnapan (1978), Qurbani, Dostana (1980), The Burning Train (1980), Naseeb (1981), Abdullah (1980), Shaan (1980), Asha (1980), Aap To Aise Na The (1980), Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai (1982).
Death
On Thursday, 31 July 1980, Rafi died at 10:50 p.m., following a heart attack. His last song was "Shaam phir kyun udaas hai dost" (Aas Paas), which he had recorded with Laxmikant-Pyarelal few hours before his death.
Rafi was buried at the Juhu Muslim cemetery. It was one of the biggest funeral processions Bombay had ever witnessed, with over 10,000 people attending.
In 2010, his tomb was demolished to make space for new burials. Fans of Mohammed Rafi who arrive twice a year at his tomb, on 24 December and 31 July, to mark his birth and death anniversary, use the coconut tree nearest to his grave as a marker.
The Government of India announced a two-day public holiday on his death, honouring him.
Legacy
Rafi's song from the film Gumnaam (1965), "Jaan Pehechan Ho", was used on the soundtrack of Ghost World (2001). The film opens with the lead character dancing around in her bedroom to a video of Gumnaam.
His "Aaj Mausam Bada Beiman Hai" is featured in the 2001 film Monsoon Wedding. His song "Mera Man Tera Pyasa" (Gambler, 1970) has been used as one of the soundtracks in the Jim Carrey-Kate Winslet starrer Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004). This song is played in the background in Kate Winslet's character's home while the lead pair are having a drink - at approx 00.11.14 runtime.
Several of Rafi's unreleased songs will be used for an upcoming film titled Sorry Madam.
A documentary about Rafi’s life is under production by The Films Division of India.
In the summer of 2008, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra released a double CD entitled Rafi Resurrected comprising 16 songs by Rafi. Bollywood playback singer Sonu Nigam provided the vocals for this project and toured with the CBSO in July 2008 at venues including the English National Opera in London, Manchester's Apollo Theatre and Symphony Hall, Birmingham.
The Padma Shri Mohammed Rafi Chowk in the Bandra suburb of Mumbai and Pune (extending MG Road) is named after Rafi.
In June 2010, Rafi was voted the most popular playback singer in the OUTLOOK Music Poll, conducted by Outlook Magazine, along with Lata Mangeshkar. The same Poll voted "Man re, tu kahe na Dheer Dhare" (Chitralekha, 1964), sung by Rafi as the #1 song.Three songs tied up for the #2 place and two of them were sung by Rafi. The songs were "Tere Mere Sapne Ab Ek Rang Hain" (Guide, 1965) and "Din Dhal Jaye, hai raat na jaye" (Guide, 1965). This poll was published in Outlook Magazine, the jury of which included many people in the Indian music industry; Abhijeet, Adesh Srivastava, Alisha Chinai, Anu Malik, Ehsaan, Gulzar, Hariharan, Himesh Reshammiya, Jatin, Javed Akhtar, Kailash Kher, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Khayyam, Kumar Sanu, Lalit, Loy, Mahalaxmi Iyer, Mahendra Kapoor, Manna Dey, Prasoon Joshi, Rajesh Roshan, Sadhna Sargam, Sameer, Sandesh Shandilya, Shaan, Shankar, Shantanu Moitra, Shreya Ghoshal, Sonu Nigam and Talat Aziz.
In an article in Times of India, Rafi is described as "a versatile singer, who could render classical, rock and roll, indeed any kind of song with ease, he was Hindi film's favourite male voice through the 1950s and 1960s". Music director Rajesh Roshan, who composed some of the songs with Rafi, remembers him as "a warm-hearted simple person with no ego".
There has been appeals to the Government of India to honour the singer, posthumously, with Bharat Ratna (India's Highest Civilian Award)
Classical and playback singer Manna Dey, who was also a contemporary of Rafi, credits Rafi as "the best singer of them all". He said, "Rafi and I could sing everything, and he was such a gentleman. He was a better singer than me, and I will say this - that no one came even close to him! He deserved everything he got! We had a great understanding and it was never about one-upmanship".
There were reports that a man, sentenced to be hanged, was asked what his last wish was. The man asks that he be allowed to listen to “O duniya ke rakhwale, sun dard bare mere naale; jeewan apna wapas lele, jeewan dene wale“ - a song sung by Rafi
Veteran actor Shammi Kapoor said, "I am incomplete without Mohammad Rafi. I used to often go for the recoding of my song, which was sung by Mohammad Rafi, only because I used to like telling him how I would perform on this song on screen so that he can sing it that way. Even he liked my involvement".
On 22 September 2007, a shrine to Rafi designed by artist Tasawar Bashir was unveiled on Fazeley Street, Birmingham, UK. Bashir is hoping that Rafi will attain sainthood as a result.
Singers like Shabbir Kumar, Mohammed Aziz, and more recently, Sonu Nigam, who made a name by adopting his style, perhaps owe their entire careers to Rafi.
After his death, seven Hindi movies were dedicated to Mohd Rafi; Allah Rakha, Mard, Coolie, Desh-Premee, Naseeb, Aas-Paas and Heeralal-Pannalal.
As per newspaper reports,over 9000 musical tributes were organized in July 2011 commemorating the singer's 31st death anniversary.
Personal life
Rafi and Abdul Hameed married two sisters in Bombay in late forties. Rafi had an earlier marriage with her cousin that took place in his ancestral village that could not be continued due to the migration of his in laws and wife to Lahore Pakistan after partition. Rafi had one son from his earlier marriage and three sons and three daughters from his second marriage with Bilquis in Bombay. He was a teetotaller, a religious and humble person. He was very much a family man, following a recording-room to home to recording-room itenerary. He never attended filmy parties, did not smoke or drink. He used to perform his riyaz (musical practise) from 3 AM to 7 AM without fail. His only indulgences were playing carom, badminton and flying kites.
Awards
Honorary
1948 - Rafi received a silver medal from the Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, on the first anniversary of the Indian Independence Day.
1967 - Honoured with the Padma Shri by the Government of India.
1974 - Film World magazine Best Singer Award for the song "Teree Galiyon Mein Na Rakhenge Qadam Aaj Ke Baad" (Hawas, 1974).
2001 - Rafi was honored with the "best singer of the millennium" by Hero Honda and Stardust magazine in Mumbai on Jan 7, 2001. Rafi won with 70% of the votes.
Rafi has a record number of Filmfare Award nominations In the earlier years, Filmare used to have only one Best Singer Award (no distinction between a male or female singer). Rafi won it six times
- National Film Awards
Winner:
| Year | Song | Film | Music director | Lyricist |
| 1977 | "Kya Hua Tera Wada" | Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin | Rahul Dev Burman | Majrooh Sultanpuri |
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- Filmfare Awards
Winner:
| Year | Song | Film | Music director | Lyricist |
| 1960 | "Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho" | Chaudhvin Ka Chand | Bombay Ravi | Shakeel Badayuni |
| 1961 | "Teri Pyaari Pyaari Surat Ko" | Sasural | Shankar Jaikishan | Shailendra |
| 1964 | "Chahunga Main Tujhe" | Dosti | Laxmikant-Pyarelal | Majrooh Sultanpuri |
| 1966 | "Baharo Phool Barsao" | Suraj | Shankar Jaikishan | Shailendra |
| 1968 | "Dil Ke Jharoke Mein" | Brahmachari | Shankar Jaikishan | Shailendra |
| 1977 | "Kya Hua Tera Wada" | Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin | Rahul Dev Burman | Majrooh Sultanpuri |
Nominated:
| Year | Song | Film | Music director | Lyricist |
| 1961 | "Husnwale Tera Jawab Nahin" | Gharana | Bombay Ravi | Shakeel Badayuni |
| 1962 | "Aye Gulbadan Aye Gulbadan" | Professor | Shankar Jaikishan | Shailendra |
| 1963 | "Mere Mehboob Tujhe" | Mere Mehboob | Naushad | Shakeel Badayuni |
| 1965 | "Chhoo Lene Do Nazuk Hothon Ko" | Kaajal | Bombay Ravi | Sahir Ludhianvi |
| 1968 | "Mein Gaaon Tum Sojaao" | Brahmachari | Shankar Jaikishan | Shailendra |
| 1969 | "Badi Mastani Hai" | Jeene Ki Raah | Laxmikant-Pyarelal | Anand Bakshi |
| 1970 | "Khilona Jaan Kar" | Khilona | Laxmikant-Pyarelal | Anand Bakshi |
| 1973 | "Hum Ko To Jaan Se Pyaari" | Naina | Shankar Jaikishan | Hasrat Jaipuri |
| 1974 | "Achha Hi Huva Dil Toot Gaya" | Maa Bahen Aur Biwi | Sharda | Qamar Jalalabadi, Vedpal Varma |
| 1977 | "Pardah Hai Pardah" | Amar Akbar Anthony | Laxmikant-Pyarelal | Anand Bakshi |
| 1978 | "Aadmi Musaafir Hai" | Apnapan | Laxmikant-Pyarelal | Anand Bakshi |
| 1979 | "Chalo Re Doli Uthao Kahaar" | Jaani Dushman | Laxmikant-Pyarelal | Varma Malik |
| 1980 | "Mere Dost Kissa Yeh" | Dostana | Laxmikant-Pyarelal | Anand Bakshi |
| 1980 | "Dard-e-dil Dard-e-jigar" | Karz | Laxmikant-Pyarelal | Anand Bakshi |
| 1980 | "Maine Poocha Chand Se" | Abdullah | Rahul Dev Burman | Anand Bakshi |
- Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards
Winner
| Year | Film | Music director | Lyricist |
| 1957 | Tumsa Nahin Dekha | O. P. Nayyar | Majrooh Sultanpuri |
| 1965 | Dosti | Laxmikant Pyarelal | Majrooh Sultanpuri |
| 1966 | Arzoo | Shankar Jaikishan | Hasrat Jaipuri |
- Sur Sringar Award
Winner
| Year | Film | Music director | Lyricist |
| 1964 | Chitralekha | Roshan | Sahir Ludhyanvi |
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For the benefit of the readers, it would be pertinent to point out in the latter stage of his career, a few outstanding songs of Rafi Sahaab during the decade of 1970-1980:
ALL SOLOS:
KHILONA JAAN KAR TUM TAU - Khilona.
PONCHH KAR ASHQ APNI AANKHON SE - Naya Raasta.
SUKH KE SABB SAATHI - Gopi.
MERE MITWAA MERE MEETH RE - Geet.
AAYA RE KHILONE WAALA - Bachpan.
MEHBOOBA TERI TASVEER - Ishq Par Zor Nahin.
KOI NAZRAANA LEKAR - Aan Milo Sajna.
IK TERA SUNDER MUKHDA - Bhai Bhai.
KHUDA BHI AASMAAN SE JAB - Dharti.
GULABI AANKHEN JO TERI DEKHIN - The Train.
DIL KAHE RUK JAA RE RUK JAA- Mann ki Aankhen.
TUMSE KAHOON EK BAAT - Dastak.
REKHA O REKHA JAB SE TUMHE DEKHA - Adhikar.
NAFRAT KI DUNIYA - Haathi Mere Saathi.
YEH DUNIYA YEH MEHFIL - Heer Ranjha.
MUJHE ISHQ HAI TUJHI SE - Ummeed.
KAAN MEIN JHUMKA - Sawan Bhadon.
Title Track of AAP AAYE BAHAAR AAYI.
MAIN EK RAAJA HOON - Uphar.
MERA MANN TERA PYAASA - Gambler.
THODA RUK JAAYEGI TOH - Patanga.
MERE SAPNON KI RAANI - Jawaan Mohabbat.
MUHABBAT KE SUHAANE DIN - Maryada.
YEH JO CHILMAN HAI - Mehboob ki Mehendi.
UN KE KHYAAYAL AAYE TAU - Lal Patthar.
NA TU ZAMEEN KE LIYE - Dastaan.
BADE BEWAFAA HAIN HUSN WAALE - Roop Tera Mastana.
DIL NE PYAAR KIYA HAI IK BEWAFAA SE - Shararat.
O TERE ATHROO - Shehzada.
NAZAR AATI NAHIN MANZIL - Kaanch Aur Heera.
AAJ MAUSAM BADA BEIMAAN HAI - Loafer.
HAMM KO TOH JAAN SE PYAARI HAIN - Naina.
DIL KA SOONA SAAZ - Ek Nari Do Roop.
TUM JO MIL GAYE HO - Hanste Zakhm.
SAB KAY REHTE LATA HAI AISE - Samjhauta.
DIN HAIN YEH BAHAAR KE - Honeymoon.
TERI GALIYON MEIN NAA RAKHENGE QADAM - Hawas.
NAIYYA MERI CHALTI JAAYE - My Friend.
MAIN VOHI VOHI BAAT - Naya Din Nayi Raat.
APNI AANKHON MEIN - Thokar.
KAMAL KE PHOOL JAISA - Do Ankhen.
MAIN JAT YAMLA PAGLA DIWAANA- Pratigya.
ZINDAGI ZINDA DILI KA NAAM HAI - Zinda Dil.
ZINDAGI GUZAAR NE KO -Ek Mahal Ho Sapnon Ka.
BARBAAD-E-MUHABBAT KI DUA and all other songs - Laila Majnu.
MAA TUJHE DHOONDHUN KAHAAN - Maa.
KYA HUA TERA WAADA - Ham Kisise Kam Nahin.
CHAAND MERA DIL - - Ditto -
PARDA HAI PARDA HAI - Amar, Akbar, Anthony.
SHIRDI WAALE SAI.N BAABA - ditto-
DUUR REHKAR NA KARO BAAT - Amaanat.
O MERI MEHBOOBA - Dharmveer.
AAJ MERE YAAR KI SHAADI HAI - Aadmi Sadak Ka.
PYAAR HAI EK NISHAAN QADMON KA - Mukti.
KAHIN EK MAASOOM NAAZUK SI LADKI - Shankar Hussain.
ISHQ NE TODI SAR PE - Junoon.
VOH VOH NA RAHE - Badalte Rishte.
AAG HAI LAGI HUI - Swarg Narak.
HAMM MEIN HAI KYA - Nawab Sahib.
Title track - Phandebaaz.
YEH KHIDKI JO BANDD REHTI HAI - Main Tulsi tere Angan ki.
NAV KALPANA NAV ROOP SE - Mrig Trishna.
PHOOLOON KI TARAH - College Girl.
MAINE TAU BAS MAANGI BAS - Duniya meri Jeb Mein.
AGO BAI MAIKE TU ZAAVUN NAKO - Chacha Bhatija.
OONCHI OONCHI BAATN SE - Mr Natwarlal.
CHALO RE DOLI UTHAAO KAHAAR - Jaani Dushman.
Title Track of - NAALAAYAK.
HAMM TAU CHALE PARDES - Sargam.
DOST BANN KAR AAYE HO - (also with Usha Khanna) Bin Phere Hum Tere.
ARRE APNON SE MUNH MOD KE - Hum Paanch.
ARRE KYA KAHIYE INSAAN SE - Ditto
YEH SOYE INSAAN JAAG UTHE - Ditto.
UTH JAAG - Ditto.
TERA MERA MANUVA - Ditto.
DHEERE CHAL ZARA O PAAGAL PURVAIYYA - Ditto.
AA GAYE YAARON JEENE KE DIN - Phir Wohi Raat.
YAARON NE MUJHKO BULAAYA - Unnees Bees.
UFF YEH ZINDAGI - Daud Dhoop.
HO DUNIYA KI TIJORI MEIN - Kanhaiya.
IK KHOOBSOORAT LADKI - Shaadi se Pehle
YEH SURKH JODA YEH BADAN - Ditto.
KISI AASMAAN PE TAU SAAHIL - Kashish.
KIS KAAM KE HAIN YEH - Mahabali Hanuman.
SADAA JAPOON MEIN EK HI NAAM - Ditto.
SANSAAR KO SUDHAARENGE (with chorus) - Hum Nahin Sudhrenge.
TAQDEER KE QALAM SE - BeRehem.
DARD-E-DIL DARD-E-JIGAR DIL MEIN JAGAAYA - Karz.
MAINE POOCHHA CHAAND SE -Abdullah.
MERE DOST QISSA YEH KYA HO GAYA - Dostana.
TU ISS TARAH SE - Aap to Aise Na the.
JAANE HAMM SADAK KE LOGON SE - Aasha.
KAALI GHAT CHHAAYI (Kali Ghata)
JAANE WAALON KA GHAM TAU HOTA HAI - Ditto.
TU HI VOH HASEEN HAI (Khwaab).
AATE JAATE HUWE MAIN - Shaan.
AA ZARAA MERE HAMNASHIN - Poonam.
AB YEH JAANA - Ladies Tailor.
DO CHAAHNE WAALON KI - Ladies Tailor.
AISE NA THEH HAMM JAISE HAMAARI - Saajan Ki Saheli.
KAISE JEET LETE HAIN - Saajan ki Saheli.
BOONDEIN NAHIN SITAAREY - Ditto -
ARRE PAISE KA KHEL NIRAALA - Biwi O Biwi.
POOCHHO NA YAAR KYA HUWA - Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai.
KAHAANIYAN SUNATI HAI PAWAN - Rajput.
AAPAS MEIN PREM KARO - Desh Premi.
JOHN, JOHNY, JANAARDHAN -Naseeb.
KAUN KISI KO BAANDH SAKAA - Kalia.
NATH CHEHRE PE SAJAA LE - Dil Hi Dil Mein.
ALLAH KA NAAM PAAQ HAI - Maan Gaye Ustad.
DEKHO DEKHO YEH NAZAARA - Ladaku.
AGA BAI MAIKE TU ZAAVU NAKO (with chorus) - Shaka.
YAAR TERE SABB NAACH RAHEN HAIN - Ditto.
SAMJHA MAIN QISMAT KHUL GAYI - Daulat Ke Dushman.
MERI NIGAH NE - Lubna
PHOOLON SE HAI MERI DOSTI - Heeron Ka Chor.
KYA JALWA KYA NAZARA - Teesri Aankh
SALAAM SAAHIBON - Teesri Aankh
PAL PAL BEET RAHA HAI JEEVAN - Sant Gyaneshwar.
PHOOLON JAISE PHULO - Sant Gyaneshwar.
INSAAN KO HI (with chorus) - Jogi
SAINAATH TERE HAZAARON HAATH - Shirdi ke Sa Baba.
AAYA HOON TERE DAR PE - Mera Salaam.
PYAAR MEIN MITNA HI PADTA HAI - Rachna.
YEH ANJAAN RAAHEN YEH MANZIL - Rakh Aur Chingari
SAJ DHAJ KE SAMJHAANE AAYE - Nek Parveen.
NAAGAN SA ROOP HAI TERA - Bhagwat.
APNI KAMAAYI PYAARI KI - Pakhandi.
MUSHQILEN AASAAN KAR DE - PAIGHAM.
DIL MERA JAA TAKRAAYA - Videsh.
HAMM NAHIN BHOOLENGE - Inteqaam ki Aag.
YEH NAADANON KI DUNIYA HAI - Love and God.
ASSALAAM JAANE TAMANNA (with chorus) Love and God.
APNE DIL MEIN JOSH HAI (with chorus) Apna Dharam Karam.
HAMM BHI HAMMSAFAR - Khazana.
PHOOL KA SHABAAB KYA - Farz ki Jung.
LAAGI LAG JAAYE LOGON - untitled film. (Last "Live" recording by Anu Malik on 25.7.1980).
TU KAHIN AAS PAAS HAI DOST - Aas Paas (Last recorded song by LP)
And there were many more such songs. In fact, before he breathed his last on 31st July 1980 the Great Legend, Rafi Sahaab, had already recorded not less than 211 songs which were released in the Eighties.
